Best Amateur Astronomy Mounts

I'm wondering who is currently making some of the better mounts available to
the average amateur astronomer? I know about AP, Losmandy, Tak, but who are
the other contenders?

Thanks
Brian A

John Dobson

Equatorial Platforms is my choice.

Del Johnson




"Brian A" wrote in message
news:3nAXa.45029$Oz4.12751@rwcrnsc54...
I'm wondering who is currently making some of the better mounts available
to
the average amateur astronomer? I know about AP, Losmandy, Tak, but who
are
the other contenders?

Thanks
Brian A

"Brian A" writes:

I'm wondering who is currently making some of the better mounts available to
the average amateur astronomer? I know about AP, Losmandy, Tak, but who are
the other contenders?

That depends entirely on what you plan to put on the mount, and for
what purpose.

Per Erik

OK, lets clarify just a bit.

A, I'm only considering equatorial mounts.

B, What I'm looking for is brand names of companies that produce top quality
mounts.

Thanks
Brian A

"Per Erik Jorde" wrote in message
...
"Brian A" writes:

I'm wondering who is currently making some of the better mounts
available to
the average amateur astronomer? I know about AP, Losmandy, Tak, but who
are
the other contenders?

That depends entirely on what you plan to put on the mount, and for
what purpose.

Per Erik

"Brian A" wrote in message
news:fMLXa.48005$cF.17696@rwcrnsc53...
OK, lets clarify just a bit.

A, I'm only considering equatorial mounts.

B, What I'm looking for is brand names of companies that produce top
quality
mounts.

Thanks
Brian A

I would include Mountain Instruments and Software Bisque in the list.

http://www.bisque.com/
http://www.mountaininstruments.com/

Ed

If this mount is for visual use only, I wouldn't go to nuts on the mount.
Some of the higher end mounts go well up into the thousands. You can pick
up a pretty sturdy EQ mount for visual use for $500 including motors.

If you are interested in astrophotography, then you are going to start at
$1000 and just go up to get anything decent. I have been looking into
mounts for astrophotography for the past few weeks and I really like the
Vixen GP or the GP-DX. The have really good reviews and aren't outrageous
in price.

http://www.vixenamerica.com/StartPage/

/chris

"Brian A" wrote in message
news:fMLXa.48005$cF.17696@rwcrnsc53...
OK, lets clarify just a bit.

A, I'm only considering equatorial mounts.

B, What I'm looking for is brand names of companies that produce top
quality
mounts.

Thanks
Brian A

"Per Erik Jorde" wrote in message
...
"Brian A" writes:

I'm wondering who is currently making some of the better mounts
available to
the average amateur astronomer? I know about AP, Losmandy, Tak, but
who
are
the other contenders?

That depends entirely on what you plan to put on the mount, and for
what purpose.

Per Erik

On Mon, 04 Aug 2003 21:38:07 GMT, "Brian A" ...reflected:

I'm wondering who is currently making some of the better mounts available to
the average amateur astronomer? I know about AP, Losmandy, Tak, but who are
the other contenders?

Thanks
Brian A

Vixen, for one. I have their GP-DX, and it's promising, though
I haven't had any real chance to put it through its paces...yet.

I passed over the Losmandy GM-8 in favor of it.

Alan

On Tue, 05 Aug 2003 14:28:32 GMT, "Edward" ...reflected:


"Brian A" wrote in message
news:fMLXa.48005$cF.17696@rwcrnsc53...
OK, lets clarify just a bit.

A, I'm only considering equatorial mounts.

B, What I'm looking for is brand names of companies that produce top
quality
mounts.

Thanks
Brian A

I would include Mountain Instruments and Software Bisque in the list.

You'd best throw in several thousand dollars, if not tens..., while you're at it.

http://www.bisque.com/
http://www.mountaininstruments.com/

Ed

Alan