Which to buy? CGE Pro or Paramount ME...

[AlexN]

Originally Posted by Octane

I wonder what Jase thinks about your claim that pro-imagers only use AstroPhysics or Paramount mounts.

Jase's images are world class and he uses a Titan.

Yes, I know, he uses robotic scopes overseas, but, he's done well enough with a Titan.

It's quite funny, actually, when it comes down to it. One could spend a squillion dollars on mounts, telescopes and cameras, and still produce crap images which makes one wonder why they spent that money in the first place.

Maybe reading is difficult for some... I'm pretty sure I said, in capitol letters "MOST!!! Pro/Semi-pro imagers use Bisque/AP mounts" Yes, its true, you can achieve pro performance on other mounts. And I'm not saying that the AP and SB mounts are the only good ones in the game.. For example, I use a Skywatcher mount and take 30 minute guided exposures day in day out without problems, its a good little mount, and it does what I require it to do.. its no astrophysics... its not as good as a Losmandy mount either.. but it doesnt have to be given what I do with it.

Sorry that you misread what I said H, and the preface of the whole discussion or so it would seem... I've been pointing out all along that one does not need to spend more and more and more money for the Nth degree of technologically advanced gear to take great images.. I'm glad you agree..

[Peter Ward]

Originally Posted by CometGuy

.....

Once we get cameras like this the only real requirement will be that the mount can carry the weight. Even AO might become redundant.

Terry

Sorry, this is incorrect for many reasons, but to name a few:

• dark current is still present
• shot noise is still present
• amplifier noise is still present

Read noise, while certainly a noise source, with its removal you'll still need to expose for considerable periods, rather than seconds.

[CometGuy]

Another thread started for L3CCD sensors...here

[netwolf]

Why should PME or AP invest in Direct drives? Unless the competition comes in at a lower priced option with Direct drive motors then the PME and AP1200 still perform far above the Seering limitations. Sure they are proabably researching the technology but why add cost to there system whcih presently works.

The real area where Direct Drive is more usefull is in driving very large scopes and DOB's. Where removing the need for large worm gears can offset the expense of direct drive system. Ofcourse in the future even the cost of this will come down and I am sure at that time AP and PME might put something into production.

And then ofcourse we must consider the impact of improvements in other areas of imaging that could reduce the effect of the mount in the over all picture. As others have said if imaging systems are improved and required imaging time is reduced then even a EQ6 can become more dominant.

Consider the Atrack of Betamax technology or even the minidisc or Firewire. While all are great and arguabably better than the competition of the time when they were released they still did not dominate.

The best is not always the dominant. Especially if it is more expensive than the proven alternatives.

[Octane (Humayun)]

Alex,

I haven't misread what you've been saying.

There's people out there using very simple mounts (G-11's and less; imaging with DSLRs) putting out world-class results with the low-level gear that they have.

This thread has turned into a bit of a comedy goldmine. I'll leave that for people to mull.

To the original poster: my apologies this has gone the way it has. Buy what you can afford, and, what you feel will be the best tool for the job you have in mind.

Regards,
Humayun

[terrynz (Terence)]

Wow folks, this took on a life of its own. So you all know, I'm sticking to the PME. The AP1200 looks a lot more appealing, but since this will end up in a remote observatory, the PME is the way to go.

Thanks all for putting my mind at ease.
Terry

[AlexN]

H,

Agreed, and again, thats pretty much a re-worded version of my previous post, you don't need to have a worlds worth of gear to take good images. The skill of the user far outweighs the price tag and technological advancements of the gear in his toolbox...

Terry,
A very wise decision, the PME is a remote observatory operators dream..

[gregbradley]

There is another alternative. Planewave have released a series of mounts and from memory they were also direct drive. I see they have high precision encoders that correct the drive but also have gears - is this direct drive?

http://www.planewave.com/

I would trust them more than ASA. I have been following Planewave's progress for several years and they are friendly, professional and their CDK telescopes have a lot of happy customers. Any problem seems to be handled immediately and as far as I know there are no outstanding issues. ASA on the other hand seem to have a lot of dud products put out in their telescope range. Even on this site not so long ago - a super expensive 16 inch Newt with a super loose focuser. Also I was following their yahoo group after the release of their mount and there seemed to be a lot of problem type postings with the mount. Perhaps they have been sorted by now as that was about 9 months ago. So if you go with them realise you would be taking a huge risk and if you are happy with that then so be it I am sure we would all love to hear that it goes well. On the other hand you would be moving with new technology. My experience so far in this hobby is that true and tried is the way to go as these items are so expensive you don't want to end up being a beta tester.

Planewave on the other hand seem to be going from strength to strength and the images from their scopes speak for themselves, plus they are easy to collimate and also serve as a visual instrument which RCs generally are not.

Also their mount has a higher weight capability than a PME and I think the ASA mounts.

I have a PME, just haven't used it yet but I am about to. I am sure it is a great mount but there are others coming up on the market.

Also there is talk of a mini Paramount ME mount coming out soon.
Could fill the market gap there for those who have a lighter setup that does not require the strength of the PME.

Greg.

[MuntiNZ (Daz)]

Originally Posted by gregbradley

There is another alternative. Planewave have released a series of mounts and from memory they were also direct drive. I see they have high precision encoders that correct the drive but also have gears - is this direct drive?

http://www.planewave.com/

I would trust them more than ASA. I have been following Planewave's progress for several years and they are friendly, professional and their CDK telescopes have a lot of happy customers. Any problem seems to be handled immediately and as far as I know there are no outstanding issues. ASA on the other hand seem to have a lot of dud products put out in their telescope range. Even on this site not so long ago - a super expensive 16 inch Newt with a super loose focuser. Also I was following their yahoo group after the release of their mount and there seemed to be a lot of problem type postings with the mount. Perhaps they have been sorted by now as that was about 9 months ago. So if you go with them realise you would be taking a huge risk and if you are happy with that then so be it I am sure we would all love to hear that it goes well. On the other hand you would be moving with new technology. My experience so far in this hobby is that true and tried is the way to go as these items are so expensive you don't want to end up being a beta tester.

Planewave on the other hand seem to be going from strength to strength and the images from their scopes speak for themselves, plus they are easy to collimate and also serve as a visual instrument which RCs generally are not.

Also their mount has a higher weight capability than a PME and I think the ASA mounts.

I have a PME, just haven't used it yet but I am about to. I am sure it is a great mount but there are others coming up on the market.

Also there is talk of a mini Paramount ME mount coming out soon.
Could fill the market gap there for those who have a lighter setup that does not require the strength of the PME.

Greg.

LOL blardy hell mate look at the price diff!!!!
185 grand US for a Planewave CDk700 direct drive http://www.planewave.com/index.php?page=1&id0=6&id=0!!!
Compared with how much for those others?
I am quiet interested in those Asa mounts but there is no info about them around.
When I hit the mine again soon I will be bying a new mount either a Tak EM400 or EM-500 or a AP1200 or PME but those Asa ones look really hot.
Any one here got one who can give a review?
Or any links may be?

[Moon (James)]

Or any links may be?

The best place I know is the ASA Yahoo group. Quite a few interesting stories lately. Message 2386 leads me to believe the mount might not yet have been fully tested in the southern hemisphere.
James

[gregbradley]

[QUOTE=MuntiNZ;578856]LOL blardy hell mate look at the price diff!!!!
185 grand US for a Planewave CDk700 direct drive http://www.planewave.com/index.php?page=1&id0=6&id=0!!!


No, the Ascension models. I think they are $13,000 or $15,000 and a new PME is $14,500 so they are comparable.
But I am not 100% sure they are the same technology you mentioned - direct drive. One of the Ascension models
has high accuracy encoders coupled direct to the axes drive so perhaps this is the same thing as ASA?

Also here is another link to a thread of someone asking the same question about ASA mounts:

http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/A...a/message/2325

You get the impression the smaller mount was more troublesome. Also that the mounts
are being refined and sorted out as time goes along.

All those mounts you mentioned are great. I think if you have the money for it the
PME or AP1200 would be the go. The Ascension mounts from Planewave and the DDM mounts Not sure
of the weight capacity of the ASA's) from ASA are a competitor to these. Also Micron make mounts
that you often see Europeans use over a PME.

Greg.

[davewaldo]

Plane waves Acension mounts look great! http://www.planewave.com/index.php?page=1&id0=1&id=2

Carries 113KG! Thats a lot more than the PME for a comparable price.