Japanese Mounts vs EQ6

[ausastronomer (John Bambury)]

Dennis,

Within its load limit the Vixen GP/DX is an excellent mount. As you correctly point out it's not up to the Takahashi EM200 but infinitely superior to the Chinese mounts. In terms of PEC I would also think the GP/DX is ahead of the Losmandy G11, unfortunately however it doesn't have the load capacity of the G11.

CS-John B

[Dennis]

Originally Posted by ausastronomer

Dennis,
Within its load limit the Vixen GP/DX is an excellent mount. As you correctly point out it's not up to the Takahashi EM200 but infinitely superior to the Chinese mounts. In terms of PEC I would also think the GP/DX is ahead of the Losmandy G11, unfortunately however it doesn't have the load capacity of the G11.
CS-John B

Hi John

Absolutely – the G11 is in a different league to the GPDX for load carrying. I have heard that Scott Losmandy now ships mounts with the “new” worm, which greatly improves PEC?

I have also noticed that the GP and GPDX suffer from windshake, due to their relative lightweight and portability. This is even with the relatively short length of the 102mm f9 refractor. Fortunately, I am quite shielded by tress from the prevailing SE winds in my back garden.

Cheers

Dennis

[g__day (Matthew)]

I follow this with interest, I started a new thread today collating interesting data on mounts, their capabilities and maximum rated loads and periodic error.

Struck me that for a heavy scope (say a 9.25 or 11" SCT) you either go a EQ6 + skyscan ($2,200) CGE ($4,360), Tak (EM-200 $6,700) or Losmandy (G-11 $5,000) or Vixen Atlux ($7,550 + $900 -> $1320 for tripod or $1,060 for the pier). You get what you pay for so consider what you want from a mount when deciding between a $2,200, $4.4k, $5K, $6.7K or $9k option.

Vixen do look sexy, and within their specified weight range look tremendous value, but a Sphinx and a scope over 11Kgs is looking very doubtful.

[JohnH]

I went through this decision recently - and finally went with the Vixen Sphinx.

The main reason was the low native PE (for imaging). I am not the most gifted of mechanics and so did not want to buy a new mount and immediately be faced with a strip down/rebuild then repacement of motors and fitting of a goto - or use the SkyScan which has firmware cannot be upgraded. Ugh. Last time I looked the EQ6/Skyscan was $2300 plus work to get it right - Vixen mounts are very much in that range - well not the Atlux maybe. Good luck with your selection.

[g__day (Matthew)]

But JohnH, what was the weight of your OTA, because a EQ6 + Skyscan at Andrews is $2,100 and handles up to 25 Kg whereas the Vixen Sphinx at $2,700 handles about 11 Kg max.

[JohnH]

True - weight limit is lower on the Sphinx - but there are users out there with 10" on it who enjoy success - must be well balanced though. I have an 8" on it and it copes fine with that plus the 20d and guidescope.

Just my 2c for me accuracy and reliability >> total weight carrying as I mostly image and don't have appature fever (yet).

I applied the same thinking with tube - flat field >> appature.

But that is me - your decisions will be different I am sure.