GM-8 advice please - Page 2

[1ponders] (Paul) · #21 06-08-2006, 08:55 PM

Good onya Lee. It's a big choice, but I don't think you will regret it. I know I didn't. Even though I'm still glad I have kept the GM8.

When you need some ideas on how to go about carrying the damn thing, give us a yell again

Lee · #22 06-08-2006, 08:59 PM

Steady on.... thought I'd have a crack at a Tak first! hehe

Lee · #23 06-08-2006, 10:51 PM

Thanks again for everyones help so far....

Something else - what accessories should I get while I'm rattling the piggybank (throttling it I suppose!)?

What will I need to mount an ED80? what about piggybacking the D70?

Panotaker · #24 06-08-2006, 11:37 PM

I started out with a plain G-11 just with the manual setting circles. I then got digital setting circles and used it like that for a while. I then got lucky and bought a used Gemini setup and installed that. I was mainly using the mount with an 11" SCT. I couldn't really find anything with the manual setting circles with the 11". It got close, but at that focal length, it was pretty tough. I then put on the DSC's and it got easier, but with the mirror flop on the SCT, it still wasn't good enough. What I ended up doing was putting a TV-85 piggyback on the SCT and using that as a giant finder. That worked out well, since the refractor had no mirror flop, it would put everything just about dead center. I then switched over to the Gemini and that is really accurate. I mainly use it now for astrophotography with a 5" APO and it puts everything on my CCD chip. The nice thing about the Gemini is the Polar Axis Correction feature that gives me just about a perfect polar alignment.

It is true that you save $500 by buying the Gemini with the mount, but if you buy it seperate, you get to keep the old motors and controller which will come in handy in case your Gemini goes bad and needs to be fixed. I have kept my old motors as a back up, but so far have not needed them.

My other mount is a GP/DX with the Skysensor 2000PC. If I was going to get a small mount, I would get the GP/DX over the GM-8. The GP/DX tracks like a dream and the controller is a lot better than the Gemini. The only thing the Gemini beats it on is the Polar Axis Correction. But all these mounts are so expensive that you might as well just save a few more dollars and get the G11/Gemini. You will eventually put a bigger scope on it. It is not that much harder to setup, the pieces are just a little bigger and a little heavier, but it takes me just as much time to setup either one. For visual, my GP/DX will handle the C11 just fine, it just needs a ton of counter weight.

I normally leave the G11 tripod setup in the house with one leg loose. To bring it outside, I take off the loose leg and carry the tripod setup with two legs on it and then just put the third leg on which saves a lot of time in setting it up. I leave the 22lbs counter weight outside so I don't have to carry that every time. I built an observatory last year and the G11 is in there all the time now http://www.pbase.com/panotaker/absurdvatory

Ralph

JohnG (John) · #25 07-08-2006, 09:21 AM

Congrats on the decision, I am sure you won't regret it, you will be getting a big, black, mean looking mount. lol

To mount an ED80, you will probably be looking at the DUP dovetail plate and a set of rings, be they the original rings that came with the scope or possibly a set of Parallax Rings with another DUP above so you can slide on a guidescope etc, that would be the way I would go.

Check out the Losmandy web site for a complete list of parts.

Enjoy.

Cheers

JohnG

Lee · #26 16-08-2006, 11:03 PM

Thanks again to everyone who helped me with this decision....

I've ordered a G-11 Gemini today. Now to wait, hopefully "only" 6-7 weeks.... I'm not very patient when it comes to things like this, so it will be a tough wait.
Just waiting for the pitter patter of little G-11 feet - actually would be more like the rumbling, ground shaking thuds akin to the Jurassic Park T-Rex I think......

[1ponders] (Paul) · #27 16-08-2006, 11:48 PM

Congrats Lee Woo Hoo!!!!! Excellent.

Is it coming in from OS or did you buy here in Aus.

iceman (Mike) · #28 17-08-2006, 06:03 AM

.. and how much was it in total (including shipping)?

[1ponders] (Paul) · #29 17-08-2006, 07:48 AM

You'll have to pop up here to Qld so I can show you how to set it up, build a pointing model and do all those other Losmandy techi things that you will read about in the manual.

Oh and now you will need a few extra dovetail plates, guide rings (at least 2 sets) , side by side saddle mount, 3 axle camera mount, keep an eye out for a GM-8 to complete the set (you don't know anyone with a cheap second hand Atlas mount do you

) etc etc

It is a status symbol you know and there are now certain standards to be kept

Lee · #30 17-08-2006, 08:46 AM

I know this is just the beginning of a big spend..... and the tax cheque isn't even here yet!

Bought here - ATS in Sydney, out of two retailers gave me the best "vibe" - another retailer stopped answering their phone after I asked them to check availability for an order, and doesn't answer emails either - hardly good business practice for a mail-order business I think.... he must already have enough money!

Anyway, I shouldn't have to chase a seller that much for a good sale like a G11.

Mike - $5400 - no shipping, I'll pick it up when it comes in. More expensive than another, but seems to have much better after sales support etc etc

Am hoping to get to Kulnura one of these days too..... need to put 3D people to these personalities

Lee · #31 17-08-2006, 08:48 AM

One other thing - has anyone heard much about the Swiss Maxon (sp?) motors offered now as an option by Losmandy - they apparently produce much better torque at 12V than the normal ones....?????
At an extra A$300 it isn't super expensive, but I assume the normal motors have performed well over the years now, wonder if anyone knows anything about them......

allan gould · #32 17-08-2006, 01:28 PM

There has been a lot of dicussion about motor burn outs with the losmandy gemini setup in the last year or so (see the yahoo site for this). Probably that is why they are offering the newer motors. But I have NEVER had any problem with my motors since I've had the gemini setup.
Allan

JohnG (John) · #33 17-08-2006, 02:16 PM

The motor burnouts mentioned by Allan are almost exclusively caused by balance problems and operator error also a lack of understanding how the mount works. The Gemini is very sensitive to balance so make sure you spend a fair amount of time on it to get it right. I have never had any problems during the last 5 years I have had a Gemini.

JohnG

Lee · #34 17-08-2006, 07:35 PM

How does everyone power the mount? I've been told you need 13.8V DC @ 3A - pretty hefty power pack.... I figure the most economical and simplest to travel with (probably only option to travel with) is a deep-cycle car battery.

How does a car battery go? How long should I expect from different size batteries??

Lee · #35 02-09-2006, 06:15 PM

Update: as already posted in General Chat - G11 has touched down (a few weeks early too

)

my questions about powering in the post before this? any hints/advice/suggestions would be very much appreciated.... cheers!

Panotaker · #36 08-09-2006, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by plasmodium

Update: as already posted in General Chat - G11 has touched down (a few weeks early too

)

my questions about powering in the post before this? any hints/advice/suggestions would be very much appreciated.... cheers!

I power my G11 in the field with a deepcycle 55 amp hour sealed gel sell. Mainly because I do photography and need all that extra power for cameras and computer. At home I have a 3 amp 12 volt converter or you can use one of those car jump starter thingies.
Ralph