Losmandy G11

[Strawb (Dave)]

Folks

I'm thinking of downsizing from an EQ 8 to a G11 but would appreciate it if someone can confirm the payload for imaging is truly 27Kg(60lbs) ? Also I see the ovision worm option mentioned often - is it essential for good imaging?
Cheers
Dave

[garymck (Gary)]

Hi,

I have a G11 Gemini 1.

I don't believe the imaging load would be 60LB, I would think 40LB would be reasonable.

I have an Ovision worm, and when adjusted correctly I get 4.5 arc secs of PE total. My guiding regularly sits at under .2 arc secs rms.

I believe the one piece worm blocks are essential, I have seen varying reports on the Losmandy worms - seems a bit of a crap shoot as to what you get.... have never seen a report of a dud Ovision worm....

Hope this helps
Gary

[icytailmark (Mark)]

i use a celestron c14 on the losmandy g11 without any issues. I have the upgraded maxxon motors. I do a little bit of planetary imaging. If you want to do long exposure with a heavy load you absolutely need a pier.

[Strawb (Dave)]

Thanks both,

Seems the Ovision is a prerequisite then - is Gemini 2 also recommended or just a pretty version of the G1?

Cheers

[lazjen (Chris)]

There are differences between old and new G11s, so some statements that have been made in the past might not apply to newer G11s or have less impact than expected.

I'd go to here: http://www.gemini-2.com/ and have a good look through the site.

While I think having the Ovision worm is probably desirable, I do not believe it's a "prerequisite" for good imaging. I'm not sure it's really worth the extra cost to the mount. You're looking at a minimum $5K+ there for mount + worm. If you're going for a worm, you'd probably want to use a pier setup than a tripod to get better results. And if you're then using a pier, why bother swapping from an EQ8 (I'm assuming it works at least as good as a G11)?

[Peter Ward]

First up, I should declare I'm Losmandy's longest serving (perhaps "surviving" is a better description ) dealer in OZ and I have been personally using his products for over 25 years now...

That said the 2016 G-11 is not the same mount he launched over two decades ago. The product has undergone continuous refinement for literally decades!

The current series G-11's have ultra-reliable new G-2 electronics, high torque motors, more accurate gears (actually... more accurate everything), improved clutch material, more rigid bearings, are lighter yet just as rigid as the early models and can now be split into separate RA and Dec sections for easier transport, with extended tracking well past the meridian.

The optional one piece worm block provides better tracking (some users report raw PE's as low a +/2 arc sec) and higher rigidity over the standard
assembly.

As for the payload...I find this figure a bit senseless.

Sure, you can stick 60lb on it...but it would need to be a very short optical tube. But if you are hoping to use a 18kg 6" F8 refractor, I suggest you look at the Titan...a 5.6" gear can only hold so much...

It remains my mount of choice for a "luggable" mount that I can run stand-alone in the field (i.e no PC required) off a 12Vdc battery and will remain in my field rig for many years to come....

[el_draco (Rom)]

I heard of one bloke who successfully mounted over 100lb on a G11. I've used one with C11, C14, 132mm f7 refractor, SBS combinations. Did it all with ease.

The ovision worm = losmandy one piece worm block and is supposed to eliminate a periodic error in the standard worm. The beauty of the mount is that it is continually upgradable and the build is exquisite, all machined.

The next step up in my opinion is the MX at about twice the price. The G11 is excellent all round but has a learning curve to climb to use successfully. Its portable for anyone with average strength; better with folding tripod which sets up with stability like a slab of concrete. A definite good choice for you.

[UniPol]

A bit off topic but whatever you decide Dave, don't buy a G11 new, the resale value is pretty appalling if you decide to sell it in the future. The new high torque servo motors are very noisy and the gearboxes under engineered. Having used both G1 and G2 operating systems I preferred the G2 however depending on ones mental acquity the G1 is OK. I have seen quite a few G11's over the years and a number show butchered cap screws from attempted adjustments by amateurs (and dealers) to the worm blocks hence the need for one piece worm blocks. Support from Losmandy in the US and here is pretty ordinary owing to the fact that like most re-sellers/sales persons are just that, not trained technicians.

[Peter Ward]

Originally Posted by UniPol

Whatever you decide Dave, don't buy one new, the resale value is pretty appalling if you decide to sell it in the future...............support here is pretty ordinary owing to the fact that like most re-sellers/sales persons are just that, not trained technicians.

Sweeping comments....

....Don't buy a new car, get something used with zero service history and make sure you then service it yourself

BTW..The 2016 gearbox housings are full secured and have no engineering problems, you don't have to slew high torque motors at 800-1200x...they are much quieter at 600x.

I've been servicing Losmandy mounts for 20+ years with Scott himself showing me how the mounts should be set...but my experience has been many Oz G-11 users perform a DIY service...if at all...it is cheaper... so long as you know what you are doing.

[UniPol]

Originally Posted by Peter Ward

Sweeping comments....

....Don't buy a new car, get something used with zero service history and make sure you then service it yourself

BTW..The 2016 gearbox housings are full secured and have no engineering problems, you don't have to slew high torque motors at 800-1200x...they are much quieter at 600x.

I've been servicing Losmandy mounts for 20+ years with Scott himself showing me how the mounts should be set...but my experience has been many Oz G-11 users perform a DIY service...if at all...it is cheaper... so long as you know what you are doing.

Typical dealer response.

[KenGee (Kenith Gee)]

Well as a happy G11 gv2 user I would agree with Peter.
I upgraded drive motor running at a maximum slew of 500x and standard worms and its works good enough for guide exposures at 900mmFL.

[lazjen (Chris)]

I got my G11 new in 2013. While I think it's been worthwhile overall, I think some stuff can definitely be improved. For example, the exposed position of the motors is annoying and can be prone to being knocked and damaged. The motors do whine when slewing, but I drop that down to 400x and it's ok. When I did open it up and cleaned/regreased it (which was fairly easy to achieve and I'm happy to see that), I will admit to not being that impressed by the gearbox or the worm mounting system. I'm not an engineer, but I felt it could be done better and maybe this latest 2016 model fixes some of those things.

[UniPol]

Originally Posted by KenGee

Well as a happy G11 gv2 user I would agree with Peter.
I upgraded drive motor running at a maximum slew of 500x and standard worms and its works good enough for guide exposures at 900mmFL.

Well , I'm happy for you Kenny, nice to see a happy and satisfied Losmandy customer.

[Peter Ward]

Originally Posted by UniPol

Typical dealer response.

Oh...pleeese...

So you seriously buy stuff because you want to sell it !?

Dealer hat off for a bit.

I buy stuff to use, consume or enjoy. Hopefully all three.

If I'm hoping to profit from a purchase...well...suggest you pay more attention to "Antique's Roadshow" or Alan Kohler.

[UniPol]

Originally Posted by Peter Ward

Oh...pleeese...

So you seriously buy stuff because you want to sell it !?

Dealer hat off for a bit.

I buy stuff to use, consume or enjoy. Hopefully all three.

If I'm hoping to profit from a purchase...well...suggest you pay more attention to "Antique's Roadshow" or Alan Kohler.

[Peter Ward]

Originally Posted by UniPol

"Dave, don't buy a G11 new, the resale value is pretty appalling "

I can see this downward spiral could end poorly.

Dave......a new G-11 is an excellent mount

Used.... they are not quite as smick...or expensive

I doubt you are having a "hallelujah" revelation from that info.

Opposite rudder works pretty well.....I will offer no further input at this point

[UniPol]

Originally Posted by Peter Ward

"Dave, don't buy a G11 new, the resale value is pretty appalling "

I can see .....I will offer no further input at this point

A wise decision.

[rustigsmed (Russell)]

The real question is why are you 'down grading' to a g11 if you have an eq8?

[el_draco (Rom)]

Originally Posted by rustigsmed

The real question is why are you 'down grading' to a g11 if you have an eq8?

Well, I had mine for years, sold it once, then bought it back a few weeks later. Just sold it again and miss it already... Guess that says something.

No mount is perfect but some are pretty damn good. The G11 has been around for a long time and there are countless examples of what it can achieve in imaging so I guess that places it in the "pretty damn good" category.

Have not used an EQ 8 but the EQ6 I did use before I went to G11. Simply no comparison in build quality.

[Strawb (Dave)]

Originally Posted by rustigsmed

The real question is why are you 'down grading' to a g11 if you have an eq8?

Just thinking of trading the quantity ( mount weight capability which I don't need) for a bit more quality.