I use an Ioptron GEM45 mounted on a permanent pier in a small observatory in my backyard. The current scopes I use are a William Optics GT81 refractor for wide field and an old (1981) Celestron Orange tube 8 for long focal length. Both scopes do very well on this mount setup. They're both very stable and I get good guiding numbers using a guidescope even with a little breeze.
However, my good friend gave me an old Orange tube C11, same year as my C8. Wow! This scope is huge compared to my C8. C8 weighs 14 pounds close to 20 with all my accessories including imaging train. The C11 weighs 28 pounds close to 35 with all the necessary accessories. The C11 is at 1280mm focal length with the reducer and the C11 at 1760 with the same reducer.
I'm imagining the light gathering ability of this large scope, how much brighter things will be and the objects it will bring in closer with the increased focal length. Of course I needed and purchased a top bar for the C11 to hold my guidescope and Pegasus powerbox, a dew shield and an adapter from the large 3.28" opening to an SCT 2" to accommodate my imaging train. And, possibly another counterweight if I don't have enough. I've not viewed any deep sky objects but the C11 mounted on a temporary mount on my patio yielded a spectacular view of Jupiter. The increased light gathering and focal length over the C8 was obvious. I was able to do a little testing and collimation on a star and the results show excellent optics for those early Celestron years.
So, my question: Is the dramatically increased weight and possibly less stable mount and scope worth it? I've spoken with and researched others on this site who use the same mount, a GEM45 and some who use the popular SkyWatcher EQ6R, both on a tripod mounting a C11 and accessories. Both mounts are rated at 45 pounds maximum weight capacity. Well, the SkyWatcher is 44 pounts. Both camps say they had no trouble mounting the C11. A little wind was a problem though being out in the elements. My observatory and permanent pier do provide a shield from the wind and the 1200 pounds of concrete make the mount extremely stable. Looking at this large scope mounted on a temporary mount in my office is giving me second thoughts on using this scope. I've seen some beautiful images taken with the same or similar setups here on AB. Is it worth it? Your thoughts please. Buying a larger mount is not possible as I've spent a small fortune getting where I am. Oh but the possibilities of this giant light bucket
However, my good friend gave me an old Orange tube C11, same year as my C8. Wow! This scope is huge compared to my C8. C8 weighs 14 pounds close to 20 with all my accessories including imaging train. The C11 weighs 28 pounds close to 35 with all the necessary accessories. The C11 is at 1280mm focal length with the reducer and the C11 at 1760 with the same reducer.
I'm imagining the light gathering ability of this large scope, how much brighter things will be and the objects it will bring in closer with the increased focal length. Of course I needed and purchased a top bar for the C11 to hold my guidescope and Pegasus powerbox, a dew shield and an adapter from the large 3.28" opening to an SCT 2" to accommodate my imaging train. And, possibly another counterweight if I don't have enough. I've not viewed any deep sky objects but the C11 mounted on a temporary mount on my patio yielded a spectacular view of Jupiter. The increased light gathering and focal length over the C8 was obvious. I was able to do a little testing and collimation on a star and the results show excellent optics for those early Celestron years.
So, my question: Is the dramatically increased weight and possibly less stable mount and scope worth it? I've spoken with and researched others on this site who use the same mount, a GEM45 and some who use the popular SkyWatcher EQ6R, both on a tripod mounting a C11 and accessories. Both mounts are rated at 45 pounds maximum weight capacity. Well, the SkyWatcher is 44 pounts. Both camps say they had no trouble mounting the C11. A little wind was a problem though being out in the elements. My observatory and permanent pier do provide a shield from the wind and the 1200 pounds of concrete make the mount extremely stable. Looking at this large scope mounted on a temporary mount in my office is giving me second thoughts on using this scope. I've seen some beautiful images taken with the same or similar setups here on AB. Is it worth it? Your thoughts please. Buying a larger mount is not possible as I've spent a small fortune getting where I am. Oh but the possibilities of this giant light bucket
Looking forward to it. 
