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Just purchased GM811GHD
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Hey everyone! New here so not sure if this has been answered, I tried looking around but couldn't find anything. But my question is what else would be good to buy with my mount? I got the vibration dampening feet for the tripod but not sure what else is a 'need to have' or a common 'nice to have'. I'm going to be imaging with a Sony a7s and using a AT65EDQ for my first scope.?? ? Thanks! Taylor |
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At 22:50 14-11-17, taylorwab@... [Losmandy_users] wrote:
New here so not sure if this has been answered, I tried looking around but couldn't find anything. But my question is what else would be good to buy with my mount? I got the vibration dampening feet for the tripod but not sure what else is a 'need to have' or a common 'nice to have'. I'm going to be imaging with a Sony a7s and using a AT65EDQ for my first scope.Hi Taylor! Congratulations on an excellent choice. If you are really desperate to spend more money... I would recommend the replacement of the Allen-keyed screws by knobs, and the clutch knobs. These make the adjustments easier, particularly in the winter. David |
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If you have the light weight tripod look into the 12 inch pier for the tripod.? With the pier you don't have to extend the legs all the way which makes the tripod much more stable. On Nov 14, 2017 3:44 PM, "David Pickett yahoo@... [Losmandy_users]" <Losmandy_users@...> wrote:
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Hi Taylor,
The first thing you will need is a hard case for the mount head and a 7 lbs. counter weight. The Losmandy custom cases only work if you have the RA extension kit installed, you did get the RAEXK right? The MCS are a great accessory, minimizing single item weight and make packing and transport a lot easier. You will need the lighter counterweight because your scope is very light and the 11 lbs. counterweight will be too heavy to balance your AT65mm quad. Don't give up the 11 lbs. counter weight, it's cheaper to buy the 7 lbs. in addition to the 11 lbs. CW, don;t worry, you'll need it soon enough when you buy a C8 or maybe a 100mm class APO.? As an imager on an HD mount with the small AT65mm quad you have no need to raise the tripod at all. Just leave it low and you will have a very stiff tripod, just be sure to lock the legs once you unfold the tripod legs. The only reason to use an extension is to gain clearance from the tripod legs for slow refractor with long tubes or long imaging trains. A tripod is always more stable with the legs extended when compared to tripod with a pier extension added at the same height. This is especially true for the Losmandy HD tripods which have nearly monolithic stability.? For astro imagers I highly recommend the QHY PoleMaster which will save you a LOT of time while also giving you nearly perfect polar alignments very quickly every time and save you even more time and frustration in wasted exposures. When Imaging I will setup the mount and polar align using the PoleMaster and then will recheck it later in the session or if the auto guiding is telling me something is amiss. Other key accessories are the Losmandy CKS clutch knobs and the polar scope. When you observe visually the Losmandy illuminated polar scope is more than adequate and eliminates the need for a computer in the field.? If you are going to be using the mount in the field as opposed to a permanent or semi-permanent location the ATS and TKS knobs are super deluxe. I use them on my GM8 which is often used in the field and on a Wheelie bar in the driveway. For heavier OTAs on the G11G I prefer to use a hex wrench which adds stability for heavy payloads.? Get a good 12 volt portable power pack. The best I have seen in terms of capacity/weight cost is the Celestron Power Tank. You can make your own but it will not have the capacity or the low weight of the Celestron Power Tank battery.? Chip ? |
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+1 on polemaster - it's a life saver
I've never used the losmandy cases, I didn't even know they had them The power tank, that may be a personal choice thing. I find it to be incredibly underpowered for a solid night's imaging, and it's ridiculously expensive for what you get. The better alternative is to DIY your own, but that has its own challenges and costs. Brian |
¿ªÔÆÌåÓýI have the RAEXT ¨C it¡¯s the FIRST thing you need ¨C and I would be quite interested in a Losmandy G11 case.. ? Derek ? From: Losmandy_users@... [mailto:Losmandy_users@...]
Sent: Tuesday, November 14, 2017 6:46 PM To: Losmandy_users@... Subject: [Losmandy_users] Re: Just purchased GM811GHD ? ? +1 on polemaster - it's a life saver ? I've never used the losmandy cases, I didn't even know they had them ? The power tank, that may be a personal choice thing. I find it to be incredibly underpowered for a solid night's imaging, and it's ridiculously expensive for what you get. The better alternative is to DIY your own, but that has its own challenges and costs. ? ? Brian ? |
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Hi Brian,?
The Losmandy cases are new, they are using the lightweight plastic stuff? that some of the case makers use for portable studio lighting systems. It is not going to stand up to airline use but for the back of your car it's perfect. The cases are very light on their own, Losmandy uses a mating clamp and simulated base to attach the mount haves in the cases so no foam is used or needed further reducing weight. These are not sturdy enough for shipping but will be handy for local use. I've seen them and played with them but don;t own a set yet. I am sticking with my Pelican case habit even though they are heavy, they roll and I can check them as luggage or use them to ship my lights and gear. I use my assortment of Pelican cases for both astronomy and photography but when I can I will buy a set to share between the G11G and GM8 once It gets a RA extension kit.? I was talking about the PowerTank Lithium it has more than enough juice to power a G11G all night. Obviously for imaging or use with a dew heater or two it's not likely going to last all night. I've assembled a medium capacity 18AH portable power pack using a deep cycle AGM battery inside of a small heavy duty tool box for use where there is no power. My DIY 12v power pack has weather protected outlets, voltage display, a pair of 2A USB charge ports and an AGM battery 3.8A charger inside the tool box. It cost less @ $100 and has more than double the battery capacity of a PowerTank Lithium but of course it weights nearly 20 lbs.? Chip ? ? |
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At 03:41 15-11-17, chiplouie@... [Losmandy_users] wrote:
The Losmandy custom cases only work if you have the RA extension kit installed, you did get the RAEXK right?Ahem! As I am sure you know, the RAEX is what makes the G811 design possible. :) It is such a brilliant invention that one wonders after the fact why it took so long to come up with the G811. David |
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I see some great suggestions and some I see as pointless - ultimately, these choices are personal as everyone has their own specific needs and priorities which will become evident with experience. I use a voice recorder in the field to note things to get, change or modify for the next time I am out. Works great for me but probably not everyone
-Jeff |
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David,
I live a few minutes drive from the Losmandy shop. Scott was a member of my club the LAAS (Los Angeles Astronomical Society) back in the day when I first joined back in the '70's. Having been around the shop a bit, nosy and mechanically curious I've seen various versions of the new hybrid mounts which were in flux for a long time. When I first saw the hybrid that would become the GM811GT the RAEXK was not a part of the basic specs. But IMO this is a high spec level and I'm happy Scott has added so much value to these mounts while keeping the price approachable compared to his real competition in the upper end of the market.? I resisted the urge to buy the RAEXK for a long time but I will be the first to admit that I was an idiot for doing so. The RAEXK even before the tucked motor update added significant usable movement to the RA and DEC axes. With the G11G spec tucked motors the G11G mount's EQ movement limitations are really only limited by the imaging train length or the focuser length from the rear of the saddle and the tripod legs, not the motor or mount itself any longer.? Chip |
¿ªÔÆÌåÓýWith the G11G spec tucked motors the G11G mount's EQ movement limitations are really only limited by the imaging train length or the focuser length from the rear of the saddle and the tripod legs, not the motor or mount itself any longer.? *** ? ¡°¡±the focuser length from the rear of the saddle and the tripod legs¡±¡± is exactly why I am awaiting for some plates and small weights to arrive so I can move my very nose heavy Triplet forward in the saddle. In addition to better / more clearance, it will also help to keep the eyepiece movement range much more reasonable.. I have all the bits to DIY, but the bits I have on the way will make it look far more ¡®professional¡¯.. :-)) ? The RA Extension ¨C RAEXT ¨C is a fabulous ¡®accessory¡¯.. Spendy, but nearly mandatory because it provides so much more clearance.. ? I am very glad that when I bought my G11 ¨C used from a guy right down the road ¨C it included the extension still in the box it came in.. :-)) ? Derek?? ? ? ? From:
Losmandy_users@... [mailto:Losmandy_users@...] ? ? David, ? I live a few minutes drive from the Losmandy shop. Scott was a member of my club the LAAS (Los Angeles Astronomical Society) back in the day when I first joined back in the '70's. Having been around the shop a bit, nosy and mechanically curious I've seen various versions of the new hybrid mounts which were in flux for a long time. When I first saw the hybrid that would become the GM811GT the RAEXK was not a part of the basic specs. But IMO this is a high spec level and I'm happy Scott has added so much value to these mounts while keeping the price approachable compared to his real competition in the upper end of the market.? ? I resisted the urge to buy the RAEXK for a long time but I will be the first to admit that I was an idiot for doing so. The RAEXK even before the tucked motor update added significant usable movement to the RA and DEC axes. With the G11G spec tucked motors the G11G mount's EQ movement limitations are really only limited by the imaging train length or the focuser length from the rear of the saddle and the tripod legs, not the motor or mount itself any longer.? ? Chip |
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At 20:15 15-11-17, chiplouie@... [Losmandy_users] wrote:
The RAEXK even before the tucked motor update added significant usable movement to the RA and DEC axes.For me the ability to separate RA and DEC into sections that I can carry up and down stairs is the biggest advantage of the RAEX option. If it is only used to separate the DEC about an inch more from the RA axis, I should have thought that a machined and drilled piece of solid metal might be a more economical option! David |
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Chip & others...
Your comment in your response to Taylor, specifically... "A tripod is always more stable with the legs extended when compared to tripod with a pier extension added at the same height.?" I'm really curious about.? I understand the concept that with tripod legs extended, you have a large base footprint and I'm guessing inherently more stable.? There is less tendency for something to be able to be toppled, but I'm also of the opinion that usually any tripod is more rigid if it's legs are NOT extended. I have the LW tripod mated under a GM811 and I'm thinking of the pier extension to give me a more comfortable height, while trying to maintain the? stability aspect for photography. The HD tripod is a beast and I'm sure stable if extended.? But for the LW tripod I'm debating whether the tripod low with pier extension is MORE or LESS stable than just the LW tripod extended. Thanks... ... Bill? ---In Losmandy_users@..., <chiplouie@...> wrote : Hi Taylor, ... As an imager on an HD mount with the small AT65mm quad you have no need to raise the tripod at all. Just leave it low and you will have a very stiff tripod, just be sure to lock the legs once you unfold the tripod legs. The only reason to use an extension is to gain clearance from the tripod legs for slow refractor with long tubes or long imaging trains. A tripod is always more stable with the legs extended when compared to tripod with a pier extension added at the same height. This is especially true for the Losmandy HD tripods which have nearly monolithic stability.? ... Chip ? ? |
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Hi Bill,
I have both GM8 and G11G mounts and use them both on top of a Losmandy folding LW tripod, the non-folding Losmandy HD tripod with extendable legs and a Losmandy MA fastened to an original Meade Standard Field Tripod and I use them all with and without a Losmandy 12" tripod extension. My experience has been that the most stable and stiffest is the Losmandy non-folding HD tripod in a dead heat with the Losmandy MA/Meade SFT combination at the same mount base height & with a 5 lb. sandbag hung just off the ground from the upper leg spreader. The Losmandy folding LW tripod is a very distant third place due to the small section square channel legs and less than ideal leg clamps. My comparisons were done using various payloads but my NexStar-11 SCT OTA with the usual 9x50 finder, Rigel Systems QuickFinder on a Losmandy D dovetail adapter clamped to the top pair of Losmandy "D" dovetails on radius blocks, 2.5" Moonlite focuser and focus motor using the large 3.29" port with a 2" A-P MaxBright diagonal is my heaviest optical tube setup when configured this way for visual use comes in @ a few ounces over 30 lbs. though surprisingly my 10" f/6.3 Meade LX200 SCT OTA is within 1 lb. of the NS-11 OTA. The other challenging OTA I have is a bespoke Parallax/AT130mm f/6 triplet that was built with an over sized full length tube and even though the optics are a fast f/6 - still close to 25 lbs. and 43" long which when used with an astro camera and really uses every inch of the 12" extension.? Based on these combinations there is no comparison when used in the real world, the LWT with the legs fully extended is much more stable than using the LWT with the 12" extension and the legs only extended to the same base mount height. My engineer head tells me the reason for this is the bending moment working on the much reduced base circle of the LW tripod legs. If the load were purely vertical down the center axis of the tripod you might be pretty close with any of these tripods but in the real world this is just not the case.?Between the load's center of mass being located someplace out over the tripod legs and external environmental forces working on the extension this is a loosing battle for the reduced base circle of the tripod legs of any of these tripods. The problem is really just that the height of the mount head is too much longer than the base circle formed by the less extended tripod legs. Somewhere in my head there is a ratio of height to base circle I don't recall where stability is overcome once this point is passed.? Chip |
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Chip,?
"Based on these combinations there is no comparison when used in the real world, the LWT with the legs fully extended is much more stable than using the LWT with the 12" extension and the legs only extended to the same base mount height." WOW, I wouldn't of thought.? But I'm glad for your real-world observations.? I'm now rethinking chasing the 12" extension.? Don't really need it for additional height for a long tube to clear tripod legs, rather was only looking at it to bring the scope a bit higher without extending the tripod legs. I also have sitting out in the shed an original standard Meade Field Tripod (I'm assuming original 'cause it's now at 38 years old!) that served me for dozens of years with my C8.? Maybe I should consider putting it to use with a MA adapter. Thanks Chip ... Bill ? |
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Bill,
I had a 1992 Meade LX200 Standard Field Tripod and attached the to it using 2-3 1/4-20 cap bolts into drilled tapped holes and backed up by the 1/2"-13 threaded spreader rod. I had also done similar setups for local friends and LAAS club members with Losmandy mounts. Some of these were from 2080 and LX5/6 scopes and the center casting was threaded not machined like the LX200 which used an "E" clip on the threaded rod i a depression in the top casting which leaves the threaded 1/2"-13 rod free requiring a knob to work against the load of the upper leg spreader. But even the older non-LX200 tripods will work and need the support of a knob with a threaded insert or large nut and a fender washer to spread the load into the casting which is easily stripped out.? This setup is just as good as the Losmandy HD tripod and once you add some ballast to the center column or wrap 5 lb Boa Bags at the bottom of each leg it's extremely solid. I'm a photographer so the sand bags are just equipment I have but you really don't need the extra weight. I've tried it many different ways and the Losmandy MA/Meade SFT works much better than the Losmandy LW Tripod any way you slice it, not as compact but pretty easy to transport. If you don't need the extension for clearance spend the money on the Losmandy MA, the 1/2"-13 knob you will need inside the MA base to lock the 1/2"-13 rod against the upper leg spreader, some 1/4-20 cap bolts and a matching drill and tap.? Chip |
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Thank you all for the help! I just got my GM811GHD!?
I bought a large rolling toolbox from home depot and bought some foam online to make a cheap but protective case such as the pelican cases (not airline safe though). I'll use this for the RA and DEC axis' and any smaller accessories. I got an Orion padded telescope case to carry the HD tripod around (that thing is a beast). Luckily my apartments have an elevator so rolling/carrying these down won't be too difficult.? I also just purchased a QHY Polemaster that will come in the mail this week.? Still deciding on if I need to get the RA extension yet. Might try to machine something myself to do something similar.? Next will be to figure out how to DIY a portable 12V battery pack? I'll probably make a more detailed post on how I DIY'd my carrying solution for the mount + tripod. Can't wait for clear skies to try everything out! |
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For a battery pack? check out Lowe's they have a Shuemacher 1200 hundred amp power pack on sale for $100
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It has 12 volt Outlets plus a 110 inverter.? Just an option?
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I'm not sure that's a great battery for astro (although that seems like a good price for a general battery safety thing). 1200 amps is the max for starting a car, which is not important for steady power to astro gear. the important one is 22amp hours. A straight 22 amp hour 12v battery is about $45.? B On Thu, Dec 7, 2017 at 5:47 AM, steve hammel shammel00@... [Losmandy_users] <Losmandy_users@...> wrote:
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Brian? Brian Valente portfolio |
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wes Bolin
I bought the jump-start battery with minimum number of bells and whistles at Harbor Freight for about $50.? It ran all night with my G11GT and still showed a green led saying it was charged.? YMMV. Wes On Thu, Dec 7, 2017 at 10:10 AM, Brian Valente bvalente@... [Losmandy_users] <Losmandy_users@...> wrote:
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Bill Krosney
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