This may seem a bit dumb, but I'm just curious as to whether the majority of (if any at all) Go-To (or similar) mounts have the additional ability of tracking fixed points in the sky like a motorized german equatorial mount? G.E.Ms cost a fair bit on their own and if a Go-To mount telescope can do this as well as jump to objects then it'd probably be worth going for one I figure.
Thankyou for replying to my thread, really appreciate it
And yeah, sorry for wording that confusingly, I merely meant the ability to track an object in the sky (DSO, planet, star), and you've answered my question!
Tim . any goto mount ( Go To an object ) can be upgraded via the internet to find and track any object in the sky but as was just said in the last reply No ... military stuff , they wont allow usage of by us .
But every thing else is and free too.
Brian.
Tim . any goto mount ( Go To an object ) can be upgraded via the internet .
No, only Flash Upgradable systems can be upgraded.
eg: my EQ6 isn't.
Before you buy a mount ask if it is Flashable(if that is what you want), but please don't assume that they all are.
Most GOTO mounts can be externally programmed as well. So as long as you know the location, direction of movement and rate of movement you can program your mount to track it.
A lot of GOTOs can find satellites, asteroids, comets etc which do not conform to normal celestial mechanics.
The issues between Alt/Az and Eq (GEM or Wedged forks) mounts relate mostly around long exposure photography and what is termed field rotation.
Both though can do a great job of finding stuff in the sky for visual use.