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Has anyone ever ABANDONED this exciting hobby at the polar alignment stage!! So I spent 1 more evening trying to use the pole master. It still would not align so I got on my knees (hard to do, I was a catcher in college and my knees are shot!!). I took off the pole master and looked thru the axis and confirmed the north star was the star I was pointed at...YES! Put the pole master back on and Still couldn't get more than one star in any of the pattern circles. I then gave up on the apple Mac lap top and ordered an HP z laptop with windows 10 (Brian had advised many of the useful astrophotography programs only run on Window 10. Spent a day learning how to navigate the barbaric machine and thought I was ready to go out. Got everything set up, opened the Polemaster for Windows download. The pole master control panel opened ( it looked the same as the apple version only more polished). Pressed connect.....and .....and.... Got the "unable to find QHY equipment" message!! Damn! ?Checked every fitting, tried again same result. I was using the USB 3 connection. Now what? Drove home, found a USB 3 to Thunderbolt connection and went back out and hooked up Polemaster thru the Thunderbolt connection. Same message, "unable to find QHY equipment"! went home and connected to my Apple laptop and connection went fine no problem, got a blurry image of front yard. Very discouraged, I thought from all ?my research tracking or PEC or PhD2 guiding would be difficult and take time to learn but this... this F857KING ALIGNMENT!! ?Help me please!

It is always a good idea to get a mount one step higher than you think you need.

I also debated between a GM8G and a GM811G. Having purchased the GM811G and used it for a couple of years now, both as a backyard mount for narrow band and for LRGB to image from a dark sky site, I can say I would have had no issue considering even the G11 as a portable mount. I base this on me and others I know taking even heavier mounts (example, an AP Mach 1, which is larger and heavier than a G11) with us to image from remote sites. That said, I loved and still love the small size and performance for its size of the GM811G. That's the reason I haven't sold it even after upgrading to the Mach 1.

The GM811G should be able to handle your setup just fine. I used it with an 80mm refractor, both with a piggy back scope and OAG. With some work and help from Brian Valente, I was able to get my guiding RMS down to +/-0.7" RMS reliably (using OAG).? I was able to then use it without worry for all night sessions with up to 20 mins/sub; the recent thread on our "best images of 2020" has examples of what others and I have been able to do with our equipment; take a look. I would not worry about the difference between 0.7" and 0.5" P2P PE. There are other considerations such as quality of polar alignment, PHD2 settings, cable management, slop in your imaging train, etc. that are probably more important. I've never measured or worried about the PE of either mount I own. I've been able to get what I want without having to because PHD2 guiding is good enough to compensate with these mounts. But I know others here have, and I'm sure they'll be happy to share their findings.

Yes, the G11 is heavy. I can attest to that as I keep one by my bench to try motor mounting hardware on. I smacked my shin on it twice before I learned to put it under the bench where I can only stub a toe on it.?

I feel that the only solution is to have both the G11 and GM-8. I got a very lightly used 492 GM-8 fully optioned for $700 about 5 years back and a similar G11 for $1400 a few years earlier. At one time I picked up an original Losmandy/Celestron G11 for $400. So you can find good used mounts for sale in the Cloudy Nights' or Astromart classifieds.

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Hi Curt, and Welcome to the Losmandy Users Group!
I joined this group in December of 2019 to learn about Losmandy and because I certainly did not want to repeat the mistake of my Chinese mount.
These guys took me in with open arms. And there are a number of repair experts from around the world here. Great Folks who are also very seasoned users of Losmandy mounts.
So you are in the right place to get the straight scoop on Losmandy, from real users. Not the flies on Cloudy terms of service.
And if you would like some drool factor, so you can get what works the best for you.

If you don't already know, there is Scott and Brian have put together for us. It's the straight dope on these fine mounts.
I got to actually pick mine up at the Factory. I met Scott, Tanya, and Brian there. The HD tripod was a little heavy for little Tanya to put in the box, so she asked Scott if he would. So I steadied the box, and Scott put my HD tripod in it.
What Owner/ CEO does that? Well Scott Losmandy does! He makes sure every mount they ship is perfectly tuned before it gets packed for shipping. He told me, "Don't mess with it. Just use it." That has proved to be sage advice, too.

Choosing is fun. I decided the GM811GHD was my new mount. I'm a DSO Nebula Specific imager. My "load" was at 13.6 pounds. But I decided I wanted to step up to a Losmandy D bar for my telescope/cameras load. I'm still only at 17.5 pounds of load on my 811, so my telescope is about like a fly on an Elephants back. Perfect!
Never has it been said a mount was too big for a telescope. The G11 is the Flagship of the line. At the time, and still, I feel the GM811G is just right for me.

Now, about making your mount work for you, and not you for it. Nobody gives you what Losmandy does in custom configuring to suit your needs.
I wanted a semi-pier (or portable pier) for me. So I got the extension at the time. And the hand screws. Great, but 2 chunks were quite heavy.
And the CFO sez I have to bring it in when I'm done. I convinced her I could leave the HD tripod set up and covered because "it doesn't have any motors or electric stuff in it." (Her description, not mine. LOL)
But quickly I saw the value in the to split the RA and Dec. Now that is perfection. The dec axis stays as one assembly, with the countershaft bar and balance weight in place.
So my "Chunks" amount to the HD Tripod, the extended RA section, the Dec section, and my telescope assembly. Off mount is my computer and power box for the mount.
That's the way I was able to configure mine so I can carry out and put the pieces together easily, and the balance is always right. I have a stop on my telescopes D-bar so it always lands precisely at balance. I can make the trips, but I don't want to strain carrying heavy assemblies.

It took me some time to get around my bad habits from my Chinese mount. I had to unlearn some bad habits.

Scott told me about how he was at a show and a guy asked him why he should buy a Losmandy Mount. Scott told him, "Because it's the last mount you will ever need."
'Nuff said. ;^)

Edit in: (Sorry guys)
of my mount in use, so you can see how I've configured it.
And my ""

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SonnyE


(I suggest viewed in full screen)

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I will let others address your question regarding the PE for the newer gm8 and G11. ?As far as the GM8 goes for load capacity, I have had up to my 5 inch F8 Triplet on my 90's vintage one for visual use. ?A GM8 will likely handle a C8 size SCT with no problem for imaging. ? Anything bigger I would be considering at least the G11. ? I love my G11 T. ?I use it regularly with my 6 inch F9 Triplet with NO problem, even for imaging. ?It is however a beast and sits very happily on my more or less permanent pier on the Patio:-) ?I would only travel with it for special occasions with a prolonged stay planned. ??

Cheers!

JMD

Hello Brian,

here is a link to a image I took of active region AR 2786 back in November. The shot was taken with a double stacked Lunt LS152, TeleVue 3x Barlow, ASI174MM camera, all mounted on a G11 gemini 2 mount..



Thanks,

Mike

Ken, I'm curious where your imaging site was for the two images you shared of IC2167 and M45?? Both are fantastic.

Hi Gary, Welcome and Welcome to Retirement! You'll stay busy, And if your Doctor asked about if you are getting excersize, tell him to come help with your Astronomy. It'll wear his butt out.

I'm a DSO Nebula specific picture popper. I blame Orion and the hunters Great Nebula for my demise. ;^)
Your big 11 Edge is, from what I've seen, a great Planetary telescope. Because it is said, "Aperture, Aperture, Aperture!" for planetary (Solar System)
Camera? Beats me! I'm using an for my stuff. It has some quirky moments, and I nick named mine an Infiniky, but it works.
Planetary, and DSO, are two entirely different kettles of fish. Since you already have the 11 Edge, I would suggest you set it up for Planetary specific imaging.
And get a quality Triplet refractor, and set it up for Deep Space Objects (DSO).
That way you can pick your poison for the evening, just mount which ever one you fancy. Run a quick Sharp Cap Polar Alignment, build your model, an settle in for a fun evening, or all-nighter.

Nice that you have a dedicated Observatory! Makes it much easier, I would think. I just don't have the space in my yard, so I Hee-Haw my mount each available night. Last night I was building my Model and almost done, when it clouded up.
I came in and started watching a movie, but the sky didn't clear up until after I brought my stuff in and went to bed.
But my 811 gave me the perfect options for a pack-out, pack-in imaging set-up.

I think if you study up on a refractor, you may find it a great option, or addition to your 11 Edge.

Computers and Astronomy can go together like Bread and Butter. But getting that bread buttered can sometimes be like soft bread and frozen butter. LOL!
Once it's done though, it can be Oh! So Good!

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SonnyE


(I suggest viewed in full screen)

Thank you to all that have responded so far. Good information.?

My first goal is to have a dedicated camera for planetary images. While I like seeing other peoples great pictures, there is just something about the satisfaction of being able to say "I took that image". The planets move around, and for years I've been frustrated at not being able to capture good images when we have a close approach of Jupiter or Mars, or a special alignment such as the recent conjunction. Deep space objects are always there. So I have decided to get the ZWO ASI462mc. This will be a good start to get me going and learning on how to capture and process images in the digital world.?

Later on, I will work towards a second setup for DSO. Since the ZWO ASI462 can be used for autoguiding, I should be able to start with using that with an off axis guider and use my Canon 6D for the camera. Or I might need to look into a guide scope in place of using an off axis guider.?

And it looks like I'm going to need a newer laptop. While my seven year old Lenovo Yoga does have one USB 3 port, it is probably outdated in other ways.?

Gary Martin

Hi Larry,

I have been running both G1 and G2 powered mounts for years and there is no real advantage to switching up to the G2. The G1 does the same stuff with the same accuracy and does it without a lighted color touch screen. If I were to point at the one thing where the G2 has an advantage it is the additional USB and Ethernet I/O ports. But once you have a G1 mount setup with a serial cable and the right USB converter there is not much between them for either visual work or imaging.

That said if you have any inclination to move to the G2 now is the time.?

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Chip Louie Chief Daydreamer Imagination Hardware?

? ?Astropheric Weather Forecast - South Pasadena, CA?

/g/Losmandy_users/photo/254767/6?p=Name,,,20,1,0,0

I like my QHY III ?based on the color version of the sony 290 chip. ? Above is a result I got of Mars taken with my 6 inch AP starfire. ? Captured with Sharp cap, processed in Autostakket III. ? Best 25% of 2000 images. ?Look and see if you find it satisfactory. ?

JMD

Brian,

? ? ? ? ? ?Apologies for the delay in responding. I did a few more tests and adjusted the wormgear and all to see if there were any improvements. Sadly, I didn't notice much. I am attaching additional guide logs with mount speeds changed from .4 to .5. Calibration was performed after the speed change was implemented. ALso just to be sure I installed The PEMPRO and ran it thrice. The first was taken without any adjustments to the worm. The second graph is when I noticed binding/grinding in the DEC & RA and thus loosened them a bit.?
NOTE : For the first two graphs, PEMPRo determined my Image scale was around 6 arc/sec and guiding rate was 1 but in reality the scale is 2.02 arc/sec and guide rate was .4. Thus I performed the operation a third time with adjusted values and got better results. Incase you are unable to see the PEMPRO results here is a condensed version :?

Run 1 ) Peak to Peak : 30.26 Arc/secs , RMS : 10.99 Arc/secs
Run 2 ) Peak to Peak : 35.79 Arc/secs , RMS : 11.56 Arc/secs
Run 3) Peak to Peak :? 12.03 Arc/secs, RMS : 3.85 Arc/secs

Unfortunately, the PMC-8 is a closed system so I cannot input these values into my mount to improve my PE. Guiding is the only way to rectify this. But is this in anyway explaining the issue I am facing with my mount? Attaching phd2 guidelog and the PEC results

Sunil

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Hi Larry,
What's the upgrade rebate?
Thanks.

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G11 Gemini 1 user