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Re: Losmandy GOTO vs ??
Regardless of the hoopla, the price of the system is quite amazing.
Consider the following based on Pocono's pricing. G-11 Package with Polar Scope $1895 G-8 Package with Polar Scope is $1449 G-8 (same as G-11) electronics package separately is $400 G-8 without electronics is about $900 G-8 Polar Scope is $145 G-8 Package if bought seprately is $1445. Now DSCs are $595 DSC Delrin covers are $70 (which I'm told you should buy) Aluminum Motor Covers are $79 (which I'm told one should also buy) Total for these is $744 and they are not needed with the GOTO, if I understand correctly. G-11 package with DSCs and 2 sets of covers = $2643 G-8 package with DSCs and 2 sets of covers = $2193 Difference to get GOTO with its features: G-11: $3195-$2643 = $552 G-8: $2495-$2193 = $302 So for $300 on the GM-8 and $550 on the G-11 you get GOTO. That's very nice, especially for the GM-8 I would say, unless I'm missing something here. The GM-8 is normally about $445 less than the G-11, but with GoTo on a GM-8 only costing $302, the Goto version is about $700 less than a G-11. That makes the GM-8 quite a buy I would say. Now if this system also eliminates the motor problems and "periodic error" problems that appear to be associated with the current motors, then this is a very good upgrade. The SkyWalker II + G-11 Combo is $3595 (about $400 more, so that's about a $950 upgrade over the base G-11 with DSCs). It will be interesting to see how the Losmandy GOTO compares with the SkyWalker although one thing I like about the skywalker is the ability to manually move the scope without the scope loosing position since all positioning info comes from the encoders and also it can uses TPoint adjustment values. Even better, if you can't afford it all at one go and don't mind tracking manually for a while, is that if you buy just a G-8 mount with no electronics, you add the GoTo later for the same total price as the GoTo package. From what I hear the GM-8 mount only comes with manual slow motion knobs in place of the motors (which would be nice to have any way if the power dies). It seems that G-11 isn't sold as just a mount, so you've got to shell out the extra $400+79 for the electronics as part of the mount price at the begining, even though you'll junk this gear if you get the GoTo later. So what am I missing here? Is the GM-8 GoTo much more than an equivelant GP-DX system? (Can't seem to find prices for GP-DX GoTo equipment anywhere) --- In Losmandy_users@..., "Jay Stanley" <jstanley@m...> wrote: With all the hoopla about the new GOTO Losmandy system I wonderedif anyone else used one of the other aftermarket Losmandy GOTOretrofits like "AIM Control" () or |
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Re: GM-8 Counter Weight Help
cshinn
There are a couple of ways to answer your questions. First the easy one. The
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Vixen (VC-200L) is a Vixen modified Cass and looks similar to a C8 with no front corrector plate. By itself on the GM11 adapter it hangs just fine with the 7lb weight. Ive never tried the VC-200L with the DSBS and a double male without a scope on it although I could put a double male in and a 3 axis camera adapter. I just haven't done that. I have not tried to use the Cass (VC-200L) on the DSBS without anything else attached either. The duplex Questar can be attached 2 different ways. 1: with rings and without it's mounting or 2: using the Questar mounting attached to the universal plate as if attached to a camera tripod except using the 1/4-20 holes in the universal plate to accommodate the Questar base assy. This arrangement gives you two degrees of freedom (RA and DEC) instead of fumbling around with the rings and 2 three point adjustments. I'm still experimenting with this arrangement. Stability is fine although I'm not taking photos with this arrangement. I mostly use 2 scopes because my son is with me and we can both look at the same things and compare long and short focal lengths/EP's/aperture etc etc. Hope this helps. CHuck ----- Original Message -----
From: "GC GC" <gcert1@...> To: <Losmandy_users@...> Sent: Wednesday, August 09, 2000 11:17 AM Subject: [Losmandy_users] Re: GM-8 Counter Weight Help Thanks for the response. |
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Re: GM-8 Counter Weight Help
cshinn
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----- Original Message -----
From: "GC GC" <gcert1@...> To: <Losmandy_users@...> Sent: Wednesday, August 09, 2000 11:17 AM Subject: [Losmandy_users] Re: GM-8 Counter Weight Help Thanks for the response. |
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Re: GM-8 Counter Weight Help
Thanks for the response.
With just the VC-200L (what is that anyway--never heard of it) mounted how much extra weight do you need if it's mounted directly on the G-11 adapter (no DSBS)? And if the VC-200L is the only scope on the DSBS how much weight? BTW, how do you find the stability with the VC-200L and Questar? Couldn't you use one of the camera adapters for the duplex questar rather than rings or is it the same weight as the rings? --- In Losmandy_users@..., "cshinn" <cshinn@c...> wrote: I am using a similar setup. GM8 with G-11 adapter and a DSBS toconfuse matters a little. My options turn out to be a VC-200L (About theweight of a C-8), a Questar Duplexs in Losmandy rings and/or a 16 lb WYORefractor. I use any and all combos of these scopes with sometimes a 35mm cameraattached for good measure.evolutionary not happening all at once you know) so I could take a new scopeout.....I didn't plan ahead to use this scope and was short of weight. If youlook closely at the bottom of the Dec bar you will find it isthreaded.....so I went to the hardware and bought a threaded cap screw of the correctwashers.....then to Wally World (Wal-Mart) and purchased a couple of 5lb barbellweights I can balance anything by sliding the existing 7lb'er up and down. PS the16lb refractor will NOT balance correctly with just the 7lb'eron......Total cost about 6 bucks......I suppose I should buy another weight but 75buckos for a lead weight is a little mucho....it just gripes me. CHuckITE's thatsite. Markus, with his usual saracsm assures me his 6kg (13.4lb) aboutit is 13.2lbs *including* the dewcap which is supposed to be of2lbs itself. So taking the worst case scenario (Markus's weight) (eyepiece)13.4lbs + 2lb (dewcap) + 1lb (2" diagaonal estimate) + 1lb about= 17.4lbs. I'm also going to use the G-11 saddle plate which is close1.25lbs heavier than the standard saddle plate (although very totalinto to the axis so shouldn't add too much torque). So I have a 6lbsof about 18.5-19lbs outincluding 2" diagonal and eyepiece. wouldfrom the RA axis compared to the scope so I don't know if 7lbs I'mbe enough or if I should get the 11 lb weight. dovetailtrying to get a handle on how much more weight the two Losmandy that comes with the M603. |
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Re: Losmandy GOTO vs ??
Rockett Crawford
Eddie Trimarchi wrote:
Hi Rockett,I'm sure I can pull them up and look at them again in the binaries newsgroup. thanks, Rockett ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Capella's Observatory (CCD Imaging) |
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Re: Losmandy Polar Scope
Rockett Crawford
havriliak@... wrote:
Eventually, I received my polar alignment scope for the G-11 fromHere are the instructions from the Losmandy web site: The Polar Axis Finder is designed to minimize polar alignment set-up time while maintaining maximum accuracy. The installation of this optional accessory is described in the section on Installing the Polar Axis Finder. Here???s how to use it: 1. Turn the Polar Axis Finder illuminator on. 2. Place Polaris in the field of the polar axis finder by adjusting the mount in altitude and azimuth. 3. Rotate the polar scope until the orientation of the constellations on the reticle matches the star pattern in the sky (as seen with the naked eye). 4. Adjust the mount in altitude and azimuth until Polaris is in the small space on the line between Eta h Ursa Major (Alkaid - at the end of the handle of the Big Dipper) and Epsilon e Cassiopeia (Segin - the beginning of the W). 5. Note the second brightest star in the field. 6. Place this star in space on the line between Cassiopeia and the bowl of the Big Dipper. If you can not get Polaris and this second star in their respective places, rotate the polar axis finder until you can. When finished, the mount is accurately polar aligned. Note that there are three lines for the second brightest star to adjust for precession. These lines respresent decades. On mine they are 90 00 and 10 (1990, 2000, etc...) (the new ones may be 00 10 and 20). The star currently needs be between 00 and 10, but still very close to 00. take care, Rockett Crawford ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Capella's Observatory (CCD Imaging) |
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Re: Losmandy GOTO vs ??
Eddie Trimarchi
Hi Rockett,
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All of the images I have taken with the C11 this year has been with the SW2 control system. I have posted them to abpa over the months, but as yet don't have any one my web page. If you want to see them again, I will see about posting them to my page. I just managed to get my mount tracking well then i had to return my C11 to the shop. So I am scopeles for a while. Regards Eddie Trimarchi ~~~~~~~~~~ ----- Original Message -----
From: Rockett Crawford <Rockett@...> To: <Losmandy_users@...> Sent: Thursday, August 10, 2000 12:08 AM Subject: Re: [Losmandy_users] Losmandy GOTO vs ?? --
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Re: GM100
Paul Sterngold
Thanks, Karl. I believe my mount has the "high precision" gears. When I
bought it, the seller told me it did, and I called Scott to confirm. He said that if the polar gear was black, it's HP. I believe that my PE is due to something in the worm or worm bearings. Regarding the DEC tangent, I believe the play in mine comes from the mating between the tangent arm and the drive screw. When I first received the mount, there was no bolt attaching the brass "drive pin" to the arm. It worked but there the drive pin was able to shift a little, resulting in some takeup delay when changing direction. I have installed a thin nylon washer on the bottom of the tangent arm where the pin comes through, and found a bolt that fits into it. The problem is finding the "right" tension for the bolt. Too loose, and there's still play. Too tight, and the drive pin binds. There's also some up/down play where the tangent arm assembly clamps to the DEC shaft. If I hold the clamp all the way up before tightening it, there's less play. Paul Sterngold --- Karl Moll <karlmoll@...> wrote: Hi Paul - __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Kick off your party with Yahoo! Invites. |
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Re: Losmandy GOTO vs ??
Rockett Crawford
eddiet@... wrote:
Eddie, do you have any images on your web site taken with this new drive yet? Rockett Crawford ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Capella's Observatory (CCD Imaging) |
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Re: Losmandy GOTO vs ??
Greg,
By drive corrector, I mean just a hand paddle with the ability to control the drives at varying speeds. Similarly to the standard Losmandy drive system. Astrometric have implemented TPoint with the Skywalker, but I am not sure if it's part of the latest systems or requires the purchase of TPoint seperately. I think it will probably run on the same PC as the SkyGuide software which is the very comprehensive controlling software for the Skywalker. Without a PC, the permanent error correction is not implemented. I beleive Astrometric are currently working on a completely stand- alone system, self-cointained in the hand-paddle, ala Sky Sensor 2000, Losmandy, etc. Eddie Trimarchi ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Quoting Greg Crawford <gc@...>: Eddie,version of TPoint. Does the Astrometrics version have something similar? Isthis what you mean by drive corrector? |
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Re: Losmandy GOTO vs ??
I have been using the Skywalker II from Astrometric instruments on a
G11 for months now and it is a fantastic system. It needs a computer for full goto control, and is compatible with theSky V5. The microstepper motors track almost silently and it slews at 6 degreees per second with the sweetest singing I have heard from a telescope drive system. Astrometrics customer service is second to none and the system is very well built with the Losmandy retrokit perfectly engineered to match the mount with no problems. It has loads of features, the only drawback of which, is that some of them are still being implemented in software. Even as a drive corrector only (with no computer attached) it is a quantum leap over the standard Losmandy drive system. I am very happy with it! Eddie Trimarchi ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Quoting Jay Stanley <jstanley@...>: With all the hoopla about the new GOTO Losmandy system I wondered if<e|- Get a NextCard Visa, in 30 seconds! Apply NOW!fee! |e>-
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Losmandy Polar Scope
Eventually, I received my polar alignment scope for the G-11 from
Pocono Mts. Alas, there were no instructions so I tried to figure it out. I thought I did but some evidence indicates that I didn't. Can someone send me to a post that decribes the procedure. Thanks in advance. S. Havriliak |
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Re: GM-8 Counter Weight Help
cshinn
I am using a similar setup. GM8 with G-11 adapter and a DSBS to confuse
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matters a little. My options turn out to be a VC-200L (About the weight of a C-8), a Questar Duplexs in Losmandy rings and/or a 16 lb WYO Refractor. I use any and all combos of these scopes with sometimes a 35mm camera attached for good measure. One day I was in a hurry and needed and extra weight (this was evolutionary not happening all at once you know) so I could take a new scope out.....I didn't plan ahead to use this scope and was short of weight. If you look closely at the bottom of the Dec bar you will find it is threaded.....so I went to the hardware and bought a threaded cap screw of the correct dimension and rubber washes (fender) and a couple of fender washers.....then to Wally World (Wal-Mart) and purchased a couple of 5lb barbell weights....With the original 7lb'er and/or one or two of the weights I can balance anything by sliding the existing 7lb'er up and down. PS the 16lb refractor will NOT balance correctly with just the 7lb'er on......Total cost about 6 bucks......I suppose I should buy another weight but 75 buckos for a lead weight is a little mucho....it just gripes me. CHuck ----- Original Message -----
From: "GC GC" <gcert1@...> To: <Losmandy_users@...> Sent: Wednesday, August 09, 2000 12:15 AM Subject: [Losmandy_users] GM-8 Counter Weight Help I'm just about to finally order my GM-8 and was wondering about |
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GM-8 Counter Weight Help
I'm just about to finally order my GM-8 and was wondering about
counter weight recommendations. I'm putting a M603 on it. It's weight is speced at 12.5 lbs on ITE's site. Markus, with his usual saracsm assures me his 6kg (13.4lb) weight is correct, and I've been told by one who has weighed it that it is 13.2lbs *including* the dewcap which is supposed to be about 2lbs itself. So taking the worst case scenario (Markus's weight) of 13.4lbs + 2lb (dewcap) + 1lb (2" diagaonal estimate) + 1lb (eyepiece) = 17.4lbs. I'm also going to use the G-11 saddle plate which is about 1.25lbs heavier than the standard saddle plate (although very close into to the axis so shouldn't add too much torque). So I have a total of about 18.5-19lbs I'm also thinking of putting my 80mm f6 piggyback and it weighs 6lbs including 2" diagonal and eyepiece. I was looking at adding another 7lb weight, but I'm not sure how much extra leverage the counterweights get being further out from the RA axis compared to the scope so I don't know if 7lbs would be enough or if I should get the 11 lb weight. Anybody with these kinds of OTA weights on the mount who can give some suggestions? TIA P.S. Has anybody seen the GM-8, G-11, and GP-DX dovetails? If so could you give me some idea of the relative sizes of the cross sections (i.e. is the G-11 2x the size of a GM-8 for example). I'm trying to get a handle on how much more weight the two Losmandy dovetails are going to add compared to the standard GP-DX dovetail that comes with the M603. |
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More 4" Tak Images from last weekend at ARGO
Julie and Tom Carrico
Finished processing more of my images from the last week at ARGO. I
have arrived at the conclusion that there is no escaping the need for lots and lots of exposure at f/8. Some of the newer images are composites of 6-8 10 minute exposures, and they could have used lots more. Just have to learn more patience. You can tell that I really enjoy the fields of galaxies, but tonight I plan on trying the barlow trick, which will make my 4" f/8 Tak about f/20 (2.5X barlow). Hope the mount is up to the task. I also took the mount apart and cleaned and regreased the bearings, as suggested by nearly every Losmandy owner I have heard from. I'll report results soonly. Latest images are at Scroll down to the Takahashi section to see the NEW images. Thanks Tom Carrico |
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Losmandy GOTO vs ??
Jay Stanley
With all the hoopla about the new GOTO Losmandy system I wondered if
anyone else used one of the other aftermarket Losmandy GOTO retrofits like "AIM Control" () or Skywalker"() They talk about servo based vs "brushless" motors..etc. What about accuracy, easy of use and alignment procedures? Thanks Jay |
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Re: GM100
Karl Moll
Hi Paul -
I bought mine about 10 or 11 years ago at Riverside. It is serial number 0016. I have an early drive gear. I know this because at the time I bought it Scott offered to install a "new" type of gear with less periodic error for a little more money and if I was willing to wait. I decided not to, and have never really had a problem. With the ST-4, its even less of a concern because the ST-4 controls so precisely. When my photos are bad they are bad because of something I did like poor polar alignment, not because of the error in the gear. Regarding the tangent arm, I just tighten up on the belt as much as I can. The drive never really gets so far off that I or the ST-4 can't get it back on target quickly. --- In Losmandy_users@..., Paul Sterngold <psterngold@y...> wrote: Hi Karl,tracking accuracy of your mount? Any tricks that have improved it? Anytricks to improve (remove slop from) the DEC tangent arm?to work fine without it.__________________________________________________ |
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