Quality of Losmandy G11 Mount?

Thanks a lot for the input and sensible comments. Actually I had before
an 8" LX200 and portability and ease of use was one of my problems
with this equipment. It took me 1 hour at least every time I wanted to
observe to move, set up and adjust this equipment.

I think I need an easy to use mount but I know that for CCD imaging it
needs to be a very accurate mount. Also, I do not intend to put another
telescope on the mount - it will only be used with a 100 mm refractor
and DSLR camera (or 2" EPs).

I heard that Skysensor systems would not be produced any more. Do you
know anything about that?

How would you rate the new Sphinx Equatorial mount?

Cheers

Ted


Roger Hamlett wrote:
"maflu" wrote in message
...

Hello,
I plan to do digital imaging with a Canon DSLR and a 100 mm refractor.
Do you think the tracking accuracy and other characteristics of this
mount are appropriate (with Gemini system)? Any experience in this field?
Thank you
Cheers
Ted

The G11, is a good mount _for the money_. The latter units, have improved
worm gears, that exhibit reduced/smoother PE. This has been standard for
over a year now, and makes a big improvement to the overall quality. The
Gemini, is a pretty good controller, that suffers a little from the small
number of keys on the keypad. The latter software (L3), massively improves
it's overall ease of use, and how well the whole combination works. I use
mine, on a Meade GFT, and the combination works well, even when using very
'extreme' focal lengths. However as a whole, it is then pretty heavy/awkward
to use mobile. Are you intending to buy a bigger scope latter?. If not,
consider trying the Vixen GP-DX, which is a much more portable mount, that
shows very good periodic error. I have one, that is my mount of 'choice' for
a FS102 refractor, making a much more mobile combination than the G11. I
consider the GP-DX, 'better' than the Losmandy GM8, while the G11, is
better, especially for more weight, but is heavy enough to warrant a second
thought, for casual 'mobile' use.
Both these mounts (G11/gemini, and GP-DX/SkySensor 2000PC), are capable of
repeatably putting a target onto the centre few pixels on a CCD all night,
once properly aligned. The SkySensor 'wins' if you are operating without a
PC, with a friendlier display/keypad layout, and the ability to track
objects using uploaded orbital defintions. The overall tracking accuracy of
the G11 with Gemini, is better, once the internal modelling function is
properly trained, but this can take a significant time to do.

Best Wishes

The G-11/Gemini will work great for your setup. I use mine with a 4" f/8
refractor and the SBIG ST-10XME. It works well mounted on a pier or on its
tripod when set up in my backyard. If you spend the time working on balance
and tracking it will be fine for your setup. Most of the images on my
website taken with the 4" were with the Gemini.
--
Tom Carrico
http://www.ccdargo.com
"maflu" wrote in message
...
Hello,
I plan to do digital imaging with a Canon DSLR and a 100 mm refractor.
Do you think the tracking accuracy and other characteristics of this
mount are appropriate (with Gemini system)? Any experience in this field?
Thank you
Cheers
Ted

The G-11/Gemini will work great for your setup. I use mine with a 4" f/8
refractor and the SBIG ST-10XME. It works well mounted on a pier or on its
tripod when set up in my backyard. If you spend the time working on balance
and tracking it will be fine for your setup. Most of the images on my
website taken with the 4" were with the Gemini.
--
Tom Carrico
http://www.ccdargo.com
"maflu" wrote in message
...
Hello,
I plan to do digital imaging with a Canon DSLR and a 100 mm refractor.
Do you think the tracking accuracy and other characteristics of this
mount are appropriate (with Gemini system)? Any experience in this field?
Thank you
Cheers
Ted

The G-11/Gemini will work great for your setup. I use mine with a 4" f/8
refractor and the SBIG ST-10XME. It works well mounted on a pier or on its
tripod when set up in my backyard. If you spend the time working on balance
and tracking it will be fine for your setup. Most of the images on my
website taken with the 4" were with the Gemini.
--
Tom Carrico
http://www.ccdargo.com
"maflu" wrote in message
...
Hello,
I plan to do digital imaging with a Canon DSLR and a 100 mm refractor.
Do you think the tracking accuracy and other characteristics of this
mount are appropriate (with Gemini system)? Any experience in this field?
Thank you
Cheers
Ted

The G-11/Gemini will work great for your setup. I use mine with a 4" f/8
refractor and the SBIG ST-10XME. It works well mounted on a pier or on its
tripod when set up in my backyard. If you spend the time working on balance
and tracking it will be fine for your setup. Most of the images on my
website taken with the 4" were with the Gemini.
--
Tom Carrico
http://www.ccdargo.com
"maflu" wrote in message
...
Hello,
I plan to do digital imaging with a Canon DSLR and a 100 mm refractor.
Do you think the tracking accuracy and other characteristics of this
mount are appropriate (with Gemini system)? Any experience in this field?
Thank you
Cheers
Ted