I like Tak mounts but an EM400 is really only a slightly beefed up NJP.
EM500 are quite expensive.
Also I want to use PEC and Tak mounts don't allow that so whatever PE they have thats what you get. Their native PE is quite low though. The beauty of them of course is ease of use.
I don't know that Tak has a mount in the same class as Paramount or AP1200.
I like Tak mounts but an EM400 is really only a slightly beefed up NJP.
EM500 are quite expensive.
Also I want to use PEC and Tak mounts don't allow that so whatever PE they have thats what you get. Their native PE is quite low though. The beauty of them of course is ease of use.
I don't know that Tak has a mount in the same class as Paramount or AP1200.
Greg.
Agreed Greg.
The EM400 is a wonderful mount, straightforward to use, excellent performance but for your payloads it just not enough.
I was tempted by the EM500 but it's a bit too big for my needs.
The EM400 is a wonderful mount, straightforward to use, excellent performance but for your payloads it just not enough.
I was tempted by the EM500 but it's a bit too big for my needs.
The AP1200 would be wonderful.
The TEC180 with cameras, lets see, the OTA is about 30lbs and the camera 10 and the filter wheel, autoguider and guide scope is another 8 pounds, the rings about 12lbs and the dovetails about another 6lbs. So what's that - about 41kgs? I think the NJP was rated to about 25kgs and it obviously can handle greater than its conservative rating. But I want super round stars everytime without having to have everything exactly perfect to get there. Perhaps unrealistic. I'll see how the PME goes in the next few days.
Those Takahashi mounts are superb, but I guess they're not for everyone. That craftsmanship with its simplicity of quality always appeals to me.
The other extreme is the ASA DDM mounts. Also superb, apparently, but they take it to another level. The learning curve seems to be steep, and in fact they are possibly more suited to (semi-)professional astronomers.
I don't know that Tak has a mount in the same class as Paramount or AP1200.
Greg.
Tak does have a mount that is actually considerably larger than either a PME or AP1200, the EM3500, but it's very expensive and is designed to carry 1000lb.
They use it for their monster APO's and other scopes.
If you want perfect stars everytime, Personally I would be looking into adaptive optics, you are half way there with your purchase of the sx lodestar to go with the starlight ao system. Cheaper than a new mount too.
Yes that would work with the Microline 8300 but not the Proline 16803 which requires a larger opening. I believe the SX AO has a smaller opening like 2 inches which is too small for these large chips. Or at least so I am told.
Yes that would work with the Microline 8300 but not the Proline 16803 which requires a larger opening. I believe the SX AO has a smaller opening like 2 inches which is too small for these large chips. Or at least so I am told.
Greg.
The SXV-AO Large format is 80mm ID. That should fit your sensor.
The SXV-AO Large format is 80mm ID. That should fit your sensor.
No, the SXV-AO-LF has a 60mm optic. The actual clear aperture is even less (~2-3mm?) due to the mounting ring. The SBIG AOL is a little bigger at ~65mm aperture. Looking at the attached CAD diagram both are marginal with 16803/9000 chips. The yellow circle inside the 52.1mm chip diagonal is the projected 57mm aperture, 75 mm from the chip with a f/6.8 light cone. If you plan to crop (or deal with severe vignetting) it might be OK, but only a quarter of the guide chip will be fully illuminated.
Well I have been really happy with my EM400. Not sure of the payload I have on it at present but it can and does produce lovely stars.
That said, it does have some down sides and I am looking for a much larger mount which has a home position. It may yet take several years to find what I want, but for now the EM400 is doing great.
Planewave also make a nice mount, roughly the same price as a new PME but can handle bigger payloads 125kg almost double of the PME. The High Res encoder version is about $18.5K.
Well I have been really happy with my EM400. Not sure of the payload I have on it at present but it can and does produce lovely stars.
That said, it does have some down sides and I am looking for a much larger mount which has a home position. It may yet take several years to find what I want, but for now the EM400 is doing great.
EM400 seems good. I think it is much the same as the NJP only a bit beefier but perhaps Tak also upgraded other aspects of it.
Tak mounts are definitely good and user friendly. I keep hearing the PME is in a whole different league. I will find out in the next few days. Its certainly a much larger and beefier looking unit.
Quote:
Originally Posted by wysiwyg
Greg,
PME! No questions asked!
Planewave also make a nice mount, roughly the same price as a new PME but can handle bigger payloads 125kg almost double of the PME. The High Res encoder version is about $18.5K.
I saw the Planewave mounts. I'd like to hear some user feedback first though.
Greg you are right the PME is another ball game altogether. You can buy good second hand ones on astromart but getting it here can be a hassle. The PME has many superior functions over the Tak or other mounts, but it depends on your budget and what you are looking to acheive.
If I had the choice without cost considerations I know I would have a PME, however the Tak has been a great unit.
You're right. 60mm and you'd get the shadow of the pickup prism.
