Losmandy G-11 Mount

Hi

After continued problems with my Celestron ASGT eq 5 mount and having it
repaired twice I have now given up on the idea it will ever work well. I am
now considering getting a Losmanday G-11 mount from Venturescope, far more
money than I would like to spend but I am willing to spend the money if I am
getting a good mount.

What are the opinions of this group on this mount and is it worth the cost.
£1995 I was considering GoTo but I have a PC and use Starry Night and
Guidedog so I guess I don't need the goto part. Main use is for
astrophotography. Scopes mounted on it will amount to 26lb in weight inc
accessories, they quote 36lb capacity. The whole lot will be mounted on
concrete pier in an observatory.

Anything I should watch out for?

Thanks
Steve
--
The UK SpeedTrap Guide" @ www.ukspeedtraps.co.uk
The UK Weather Guide" @ www.ukstorms.com

"Steve - www.ukspeedtraps.co.uk" wrote in message
...
Hi

After continued problems with my Celestron ASGT eq 5 mount and having it
repaired twice I have now given up on the idea it will ever work well. I
am now considering getting a Losmanday G-11 mount from Venturescope, far
more money than I would like to spend but I am willing to spend the
money if I am getting a good mount.
The AS-GT, can work quite well, but to my mind you are overloading it.
Though Celestron do supply it with very heavy scopes on it, it is only a
slightly improvement on the old CG5, and for my money should be rated at
about 20 to 25lbs max capacity. For photography, well under this. I'd
wonder if weight was a contributing factor to your failures?.

What are the opinions of this group on this mount and is it worth the
cost. £1995 I was considering GoTo but I have a PC and use Starry Night
and Guidedog so I guess I don't need the goto part. Main use is for
astrophotography. Scopes mounted on it will amount to 26lb in weight inc
accessories, they quote 36lb capacity. The whole lot will be mounted on
concrete pier in an observatory.
The G11, is a 'class up', in terms of mount. The periodic error is now
good (for the last couple of years, a new process has been used to machine
the worms, which improves the error significantly). The actual maximum
load capacity of the G11, is 60lbs, not 36lbs. 36lbs, is the weight of the
G11 head itself!. Though for most mounts, I'd normally say that you should
only aim to use about 50% of the 'rated' capacity for photography, the
G11, has proven very successful for some users at nearer to 75% of the
rating. Though you don't see yourself 'needing' the goto, the Gemini, adds
smoother movement of the scope itself, and superior tracking. Properly
balanced, the G11, is a fine mount. It is probably the best 'value for
money' in this class. A good supply is essential with this mount (as with
any really).

Anything I should watch out for?
It might be worth getting yourself an extra counterweight. It is better in
general, to have a heavier weight 'close in' to the mount axis, than a
lighter weight further out on the arm. Depending on how far out your loads
are placed, an extra weight, may be worth having.

Best Wishes

Originally Posted by Roger Hamlett

"Steve - www.ukspeedtraps.co.uk" wrote in message
...[color=blue][i]
Hi

After continued problems with my Celestron ASGT eq 5 mount and having it
repaired twice I have now given up on the idea it will ever work well.

Have a look at the EQ6. It's a truly awesome mount!

Reaper wrote:[color=blue][i]
Roger Hamlett Wrote:
"Steve - www.ukspeedtraps.co.uk" wrote in message
...

After continued problems with my Celestron ASGT eq 5 mount and having
it
repaired twice I have now given up on the idea it will ever work well.

Have a look at the EQ6. It's a truly awesome mount!

It's not quite in the class of the G11 out of the box though, is it?
Not judging by the PE graphs and reviews I've seen. I've got an HEQ5,
the EQ6's little brother, and it takes a fair bit of tweaking
(stripping, cleaning, re-greasing, adjusting, replacing bits) to get
it smooth and get the PE down. I'm working on an entirely new drive
and goto system for mine (these are basically the same in the HEQ5 as
in the EQ6) as the supplied ones aren't up to anything but short
focus, short exposure photography and planetary imaging. The EQ6
groups are full of the same kind of tales. I don't hear of G11 owners
doing the same. Perhaps that's why the G11 is almost 4x the price!

To the OP: If the primary use is for astrophotography and you're not a
tinkerer with a good set of tools I'd say spend the cash and go for
the G11.


Tim
--
This is not my helicopter.

"Tim Auton" wrote in message
...[color=blue][i]
Reaper wrote:
Roger Hamlett Wrote:
"Steve - www.ukspeedtraps.co.uk" wrote in message
...

After continued problems with my Celestron ASGT eq 5 mount and having
it
repaired twice I have now given up on the idea it will ever work well.

Have a look at the EQ6. It's a truly awesome mount!

It's not quite in the class of the G11 out of the box though, is it?
Not judging by the PE graphs and reviews I've seen. I've got an HEQ5,
the EQ6's little brother, and it takes a fair bit of tweaking
(stripping, cleaning, re-greasing, adjusting, replacing bits) to get
it smooth and get the PE down. I'm working on an entirely new drive
and goto system for mine (these are basically the same in the HEQ5 as
in the EQ6) as the supplied ones aren't up to anything but short
focus, short exposure photography and planetary imaging. The EQ6
groups are full of the same kind of tales. I don't hear of G11 owners
doing the same. Perhaps that's why the G11 is almost 4x the price!
There are plenty of posts on the Losmandy site, from people re-aligning
the drive system on the G11. It is an excellent mount for the price, but
you don't get rid of most fiddling till you go up to things like the
AP/Mountain Instrument level...

To the OP: If the primary use is for astrophotography and you're not a
tinkerer with a good set of tools I'd say spend the cash and go for
the G11.
The EQ6, is available 'prefitted' with a complete goto system from AWR,
and is extremely good value for money in this form. The 'native' periodic
error, seems low for a mount in this price bracket (interestingly, the
periodic error curves seem to change with the controller fitted, even when
PEC is not engaged, with the standard drives 'introducing' an odd error to
the curves...). Certainly, it is much more the sort of mount needed to do
photography with the weight being talked about.

Best Wishes

Originally Posted by Roger Hamlett

"Tim Auton" pSexWithoutTheY wrote in message
...[color=blue][i]
Reaper wrote:
Roger Hamlett Wrote:
"Steve - www.ukspeedtraps.co.uk" wrote in message
...

After continued problems with my Celestron ASGT eq 5 mount and having
it
repaired twice I have now given up on the idea it will ever work well.

Have a look at the EQ6. It's a truly awesome mount!

It's not quite in the class of the G11 out of the box though, is it?
Not judging by the PE graphs and reviews I've seen. I've got an HEQ5,
the EQ6's little brother, and it takes a fair bit of tweaking
(stripping, cleaning, re-greasing, adjusting, replacing bits) to get
it smooth and get the PE down. I'm working on an entirely new drive
and goto system for mine (these are basically the same in the HEQ5 as
in the EQ6) as the supplied ones aren't up to anything but short
focus, short exposure photography and planetary imaging. The EQ6
groups are full of the same kind of tales. I don't hear of G11 owners
doing the same. Perhaps that's why the G11 is almost 4x the price!
There are plenty of posts on the Losmandy site, from people re-aligning
the drive system on the G11. It is an excellent mount for the price, but
you don't get rid of most fiddling till you go up to things like the
AP/Mountain Instrument level...

To the OP: If the primary use is for astrophotography and you're not a
tinkerer with a good set of tools I'd say spend the cash and go for
the G11.
The EQ6, is available 'prefitted' with a complete goto system from AWR,
and is extremely good value for money in this form. The 'native' periodic
error, seems low for a mount in this price bracket (interestingly, the
periodic error curves seem to change with the controller fitted, even when
PEC is not engaged, with the standard drives 'introducing' an odd error to
the curves...). Certainly, it is much more the sort of mount needed to do
photography with the weight being talked about.

Best Wishes

Fair comments from one and all, but my opinion (which is worth exactly what you paid for it ), is that the EQ6 provides excellent value in terms of purchase price, stability, ease of accurate polar alignment, load bearing capacity, and minimal inherent errors. I'm sure it's not the best mount in the world, but it's a truly incredible piece of kit for the price!

"Reaper" wrote in message
...[color=blue][i]

Roger Hamlett Wrote:
"Tim Auton" pSexWithoutTheY wrote in message
...-
Reaper wrote:-
Roger Hamlett Wrote:-
"Steve - www.ukspeedtraps.co.uk" wrote in message
...

After continued problems with my Celestron ASGT eq 5 mount and having
it
repaired twice I have now given up on the idea it will ever work
well.-

Have a look at the EQ6. It's a truly awesome mount! -

It's not quite in the class of the G11 out of the box though, is it?
Not judging by the PE graphs and reviews I've seen. I've got an HEQ5,
the EQ6's little brother, and it takes a fair bit of tweaking
(stripping, cleaning, re-greasing, adjusting, replacing bits) to get
it smooth and get the PE down. I'm working on an entirely new drive
and goto system for mine (these are basically the same in the HEQ5 as
in the EQ6) as the supplied ones aren't up to anything but short
focus, short exposure photography and planetary imaging. The EQ6
groups are full of the same kind of tales. I don't hear of G11 owners
doing the same. Perhaps that's why the G11 is almost 4x the price!-
There are plenty of posts on the Losmandy site, from people
re-aligning
the drive system on the G11. It is an excellent mount for the price,
but
you don't get rid of most fiddling till you go up to things like the
AP/Mountain Instrument level...


The EQ6 may be an option if I was not going to load it with about 38lb of
weight, the G11 is the only option for the cost. I have been offered a Tak
EM200 at a great price but the load is a problem again.
I think I go an have a look at a G11 and see whats involved. I dont mind
tweeking as I have had to do that with the EQ5 mount to make it better just
a shame the electronics are rubbish.
Thanks for the help
Steve

"Steve - www.ukspeedtraps.co.uk" wrote in message
...[color=blue][i]
"Reaper" wrote in message
...

Roger Hamlett Wrote:
"Tim Auton" pSexWithoutTheY wrote in message
...-
Reaper wrote:-
Roger Hamlett Wrote:-
"Steve - www.ukspeedtraps.co.uk" wrote in message
...

After continued problems with my Celestron ASGT eq 5 mount and having
it
repaired twice I have now given up on the idea it will ever work
well.-

Have a look at the EQ6. It's a truly awesome mount! -

It's not quite in the class of the G11 out of the box though, is it?
Not judging by the PE graphs and reviews I've seen. I've got an HEQ5,
the EQ6's little brother, and it takes a fair bit of tweaking
(stripping, cleaning, re-greasing, adjusting, replacing bits) to get
it smooth and get the PE down. I'm working on an entirely new drive
and goto system for mine (these are basically the same in the HEQ5 as
in the EQ6) as the supplied ones aren't up to anything but short
focus, short exposure photography and planetary imaging. The EQ6
groups are full of the same kind of tales. I don't hear of G11 owners
doing the same. Perhaps that's why the G11 is almost 4x the price!-
There are plenty of posts on the Losmandy site, from people
re-aligning
the drive system on the G11. It is an excellent mount for the price,
but
you don't get rid of most fiddling till you go up to things like the
AP/Mountain Instrument level...


The EQ6 may be an option if I was not going to load it with about 38lb
of weight, the G11 is the only option for the cost. I have been offered
a Tak EM200 at a great price but the load is a problem again.
I think I go an have a look at a G11 and see whats involved. I dont mind
tweeking as I have had to do that with the EQ5 mount to make it better
just a shame the electronics are rubbish.
Thanks for the help
Steve
Why do you think 38lbs rules out the EQ6?.
This mount is almost exactly the same weight, and has about the same load
carrying capacity as the G11. The specification for payload, is 55lbs, The
G11, is 'better' (it is nicer made, and has better native PEC), but the
EQ6, is capable of carrying at least twice the load of the CG5, and it is
one of the great 'value' mounts at present, for exactly the sort of load
you have in mind. This is probably the mount you should have started with,
and then we could be talking about whether it was worth spending the extra
money to get the G11, but compared to the CG5, this is three quarters the
way to the G11, at a vastly lower price (at Astrofest, the mount was being
offered complete with the AWR goto, for about 1/3rd the price of the
G11)....

Best Wishes

Reaper wrote:

Fair comments from one and all, but my opinion (which is worth exactly
what you paid for it ), is that the EQ6 provides excellent value in
terms of purchase price, stability, ease of accurate polar alignment,
load bearing capacity, and minimal inherent errors. I'm sure it's not
the best mount in the world, but it's a truly incredible piece of kit
for the price!

I love mine - but my ebay bids for someone to carry it for me never
quite make the grade. It does get heavier as I get older.
Cheers

Martin

--
Martin Frey
http://www.hadastro.org.uk
N 51 02 E 0 47

--
The UK SpeedTrap Guide" @ www.ukspeedtraps.co.uk
The UK Weather Guide" @ www.ukstorms.com
"Roger Hamlett" wrote in message
...[color=blue][i]

"Steve - www.ukspeedtraps.co.uk" wrote in message
...
"Reaper" wrote in message
...

Roger Hamlett Wrote:
"Tim Auton" pSexWithoutTheY wrote in message
...-
Reaper wrote:-
Roger Hamlett Wrote:-
"Steve - www.ukspeedtraps.co.uk" wrote in message
...

After continued problems with my Celestron ASGT eq 5 mount and having
it
repaired twice I have now given up on the idea it will ever work
well.-

Have a look at the EQ6. It's a truly awesome mount! -

It's not quite in the class of the G11 out of the box though, is it?
Not judging by the PE graphs and reviews I've seen. I've got an HEQ5,
the EQ6's little brother, and it takes a fair bit of tweaking
(stripping, cleaning, re-greasing, adjusting, replacing bits) to get
it smooth and get the PE down. I'm working on an entirely new drive
and goto system for mine (these are basically the same in the HEQ5 as
in the EQ6) as the supplied ones aren't up to anything but short
focus, short exposure photography and planetary imaging. The EQ6
groups are full of the same kind of tales. I don't hear of G11 owners
doing the same. Perhaps that's why the G11 is almost 4x the price!-
There are plenty of posts on the Losmandy site, from people
re-aligning
the drive system on the G11. It is an excellent mount for the price,
but
you don't get rid of most fiddling till you go up to things like the
AP/Mountain Instrument level...


The EQ6 may be an option if I was not going to load it with about 38lb of
weight, the G11 is the only option for the cost. I have been offered a
Tak EM200 at a great price but the load is a problem again.
I think I go an have a look at a G11 and see whats involved. I dont mind
tweeking as I have had to do that with the EQ5 mount to make it better
just a shame the electronics are rubbish.
Thanks for the help
Steve
Why do you think 38lbs rules out the EQ6?.
This mount is almost exactly the same weight, and has about the same load
carrying capacity as the G11. The specification for payload, is 55lbs, The
G11, is 'better' (it is nicer made, and has better native PEC), but the
EQ6, is capable of carrying at least twice the load of the CG5, and it is
one of the great 'value' mounts at present, for exactly the sort of load
you have in mind. This is probably the mount you should have started with,
and then we could be talking about whether it was worth spending the extra
money to get the G11, but compared to the CG5, this is three quarters the
way to the G11, at a vastly lower price (at Astrofest, the mount was being
offered complete with the AWR goto, for about 1/3rd the price of the
G11)....

Best Wishes



I looked at one spec for it and they must have had the load weight wrong. I
have since checked on other sites and your right it would do the job well. I
have to have a closer look at it as you say its a lower cost.
Thanks
Again
Steve