considering new mount - Forums

I have been saving for a bit and am now almost in position to make a purchase of a new mount. Currently running a 6in newt but hoping to upgrade all things at some point thinking somthing in the area of a 10 inch RC. Unsure which direction to go in for a mount. MyTred looks good but the software is going to be costly as well (currently use ATP for image capture) I thought about going high end encoders in particular 10 micron mount again I think software in addition to mount is rather expensive. I know of someone running a 10 inch RC on a CEM 60 and thought the 60 might be little weak for that he however states there are no issues with the mount. If I go this route was thinking the newer big brother CEM120. I would like to invest in a higher end mount rather than go with something in the celestron line or something similar (orion etc) any thoughts most welcomed.

A 10-micron mount is very nice. But very expensive for its capacity. But be careful of the lure of unguided imaging. That is only achievable with an extremely rigid system, like a premium refractor with a fully threaded image train. And with that I can even do up to 15 minutes unguided with my Paramount MyT. Since you mentioned software, the MyT comes with The Sky X, T-point and Camera add on included.

I would look at the Mach One, a used AP900, and the MyT.

The biggest issue with all of the Chinese mounts is inconsistency. You cannot guarantee you'll get a good sample, and that it will perform consistently. As the prices are already starting too approach premium mounts, why not just get one of them? You won't be sorry!

Hi, I used to have a 10Micron, and they are great machines. I don't understand what mean when you say that software is an added cost. The 10Micron can be driven with any ASCOM compatible software (so free ones as well) or something you probably have already, like Maxim. Have a look at their 1000 HPS line, I think they're great!

I dont have maxim or anything I dont run my mount via PC I use the hand controller currently run a cheapo starter kit with AVX mount so things like maxim are a not cheap considering its software and b costs that if I can avoid since Im shopping for a mount I would like to Im not commited to anything other than the idea of a high end to premium mountas for unguided I dont mind guiding at all so something like a MyT ior something else AP 900 if I can find one or go with the 1100 new but again these arent cheap achines and Im looking for feedback/ information Mr Wes Chilton maybe Im incorrect but I thought I would have to buy a bunch of software for the MyT guess worth a phone call to local shop to discuss.as for my current software I use PHD2 avx mount using hand controller and astrophotography tool for capture using my atik 414ex mono. obviously eventually I would like to upgrade all parts scope camera but for now shopping for info.

Every Paramount comes with The Sky X Pro, T-Point and the Camera Add-On. It's everything you need to get started short of full automation.

Just read up on the Software Bisque website.

Also be sure to read up on supported cameras filter wheels and guiders to make sure your gear is supported.

Every MyT also comes with a 20lb counterweight and Versaplate as well so no extra cost their either. You just need to supply or buy a suitable tripod or pier. I use an Avalon T-Pod130 and love it.

all good news as far as Im concerned. I use fairly popular equiptment atik camera and starlight express wheel so Im sure its supported but I will check it out thanks.

I own a 10 Micron GM 1000 HPS. It was promised that I could do 30 minute unguided images with a 11 Edge HD with a 2,800 focal length and achieve round stars. Never got results even close to that.

HA

I can wholeheartedly vouch for MesuMount 200. I've had it for 3 years now and can only say good things. It can carry up to 100 KGs , so no sweat for my EdgeHD14. It won't do unguided (and I did not expect it to), but guides well 10-15 min with OAG. Frames are very consistent and produce round stars at 0.2-0.4 arcsec RMS. This Mount will not win beauty contests, just practical and efficient. All latest versions are supplied with SiTech control - very robust. I use it with Cartes Du Ciel, but you can also use a number of other planetarium software programs or with a built-in application. Mesu is different from a majority of mounts on the market as being a friction drive. There is no backlash or play, since there are no gears. It has to be rather carefully balanced, though. My 2 cents…

I can only talk about the Paramounts - other than my MX, I have only used an HEQ5. When I was considering what to buy, I looked at cheaper mounts, but one of the comments I received was that with a Paramount you get not just an excellent mount, but are also supported by the whole Software Bisque ecosystem that is designed to work with your mount.

This has definitely proved to be the case. For example,I was at Astrocamp recently and the support team were trying to accurately (< 1 arc minute) polar align an ASA mount using Stellarium. They worked on this for 2 days to get it just right - with TSX you can do this in 5 minutes once you have built a T point model.

Investing in high quality software is as important as a high quality mount.

You can also use most of the features with other mounts - I still remember finding I could do all sky pointing on my HEQ5 with an SCT with mirror flop to 1 arc minute, where with just EQMOD I would be lucky to have the target anywhere on the chip.

I am sure you will be happy with any of the mounts mentioned - all have excellent reputations - but don't overlook the software.

Colin

Hi, I'm going the same way

. I decided to buy 10micron gm1000 this year. I have 10 rc scope, with all gear on, it weights arround 18kg. Only thing that worries me if mount will carry all that. Manufacturer says, 25 kg will be no problem. It would be nice to hear an opinion from an actual user. Some of you guys might say, go and get gm 2000

, but considering my average weather conditions, I can't invest that much and I'd like to stick to gm's 1000 portability. Most of the time it will sit permanently in observatory, but I'd like to take it with me to astrophotography trips to Namibia, or elsewhere.

Antanas Paulauskas:
Hi, I'm going the same way . I decided to buy 10micron gm1000 this year. I have 10 rc scope, with all gear on, it weights arround 18kg. Only thing that worries me if mount will carry all that. Manufacturer says, 25 kg will be no problem. It would be nice to hear an opinion from an actual user. Some of you guys might say, go and get gm 2000 , but considering my average weather conditions, I can't invest that much and I'd like to stick to gm's 1000 portability. Most of the time it will sit permanently in observatory, but I'd like to take it with me to astrophotography trips to Namibia, or elsewhere.

No problem at all, 25kg is ok.

When I decided to upgrade my mount, I was looking at either AstroPhysics or Software Bisque. I live in the U.S., so I decided to go with a domestic mount in case it needs repairs at some point. I got lucky because I chose a Software Bisque mount without realizing how greatly I would benefit from the software. There is no luxury like doing automated polar alignment after setting up at a dark site and being ready to image 10 minutes after dark with an accurate pointing model. There are dozens of other features in TheSkyX and TPoint that help me bring home more hours of integration time, which is what really counts for someone who sets up from scratch every night. I cannot comment on 10 Micron or AP because I have not owned either brand, but in the category of high-quality mounts, I can say a lot of nice things about the Paramount MX and its control software. Buying it was not a decision I regretted.

Hi, for what it's worth, and assuming you have not already purchased your new mount, here are my comments. I recently bought a 10 Micron 1000 HPS which is permanently mounted on a pier in my observatory. My rig is an Altair 250 TT RC. Prior to installing the observatory I was in the same situation as many having to drag my scope out into the garden, set up and align etc only for the clouds to roll in. Now I can be imaging within minutes and my back is eternally grateful. What I love about the mount is that with absolute encoders and good polar alignment the pointing accuracy is second to none. I KNOW that when I select an object for imaging that object WILL be in the centre of the field of view. I have yet to create a "star model" but thus far I am more than happy with the unguided performance, especially with a 2000 mm focal length. The build quality of the mount is fantastic.

Yes, the mount is expensive, but when you consider what it is capable of in terms of outright unguided tracking performance I believe it is worth every penny. To quote a previous correspondent "buy the 10 Micron and save yourself the grief".

Steve

I suggest you take a look at a video on youtube where Per Frejvall gives a demonstration on the 10 Micron mount (i choose the GM2000 based on Per's recommendation of the mount)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfkQnZTFXzo

For software i suggest you take a look at Sequence Generator Pro, it's much cheaper than the alternatives and the devs listens a lot to the users.
Demonstration of it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dv_G7kWYbrM

Ole Alexander

My only concern about 10 Micron is that everyone relies on Per's Model Maker software... which is a 3rd party piece of software that is not provided by or paid for by 10 Micron... Just Per. I don't know anyone with a 10 Micron mount who doesn't use it. Even if you don't have to... there is no other way to model.

So, what's going to happen if or when he stops supporting it and vanishes. No one can say... and I don't feel comfortable pinning a good deal of the performance of my imaging system to a piece of 3rd party software, I've been burned many times before by 3rd parties disappearing, even after multiple assurances that they would be around for many years.

I know that Per has been around for a while and Model Maker won't suddenly stop working if he does vanish (hopefully). But its still something to think about....

With time there will probably be an automatic model maker that will support DSLR's and CCD's that doesn't rely on something like Maxim DL.

Also you can just do a plate solving + sync with any software to create a model, i use a DSLR so the model maker doesn't work for me.
I use Astrotortilla + BackyardEOS to make models, it's a little more work than with the model maker since you got to slew manually, but it's definitely not a hugh deal.

yep, model maker is not mandatory, you can even model with an eyepiece and without any computer.
Very smart for dslr users.
As said, you can also make a semi automated model with any plate solving software.
Moreover, Prism software is able to make automated models with 10 micron mounts thnka to a script allready available.
Also , it exists a python script that works with sgpro to make automated models…

Wes Chilton:
My only concern about 10 Micron is that everyone relies on Per's Model Maker software... which is a 3rd party piece of software that is not provided by or paid for by 10 Micron... Just Per. I don't know anyone with a 10 Micron mount who doesn't use it. Even if you don't have to... there is no other way to model.So, what's going to happen if or when he stops supporting it and vanishes. No one can say... and I don't feel comfortable pinning a good deal of the performance of my imaging system to a piece of 3rd party software, I've been burned many times before by 3rd parties disappearing, even after multiple assurances that they would be around for many years.

I know that Per has been around for a while and Model Maker won't suddenly stop working if he does vanish (hopefully). But its still something to think about....

Wes is absolutely right.

The other thing you have to consider is the support after the sale. I had a very bad experience with my 10 Micron and the dealer will not even answer the phone. How is that after spending 13,000?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23L1sUr0pzM

HA

Hobby Astronomer:
Wes Chilton:
My only concern about 10 Micron is that everyone relies on Per's Model Maker software... which is a 3rd party piece of software that is not provided by or paid for by 10 Micron... Just Per. I don't know anyone with a 10 Micron mount who doesn't use it. Even if you don't have to... there is no other way to model.So, what's going to happen if or when he stops supporting it and vanishes. No one can say... and I don't feel comfortable pinning a good deal of the performance of my imaging system to a piece of 3rd party software, I've been burned many times before by 3rd parties disappearing, even after multiple assurances that they would be around for many years.I know that Per has been around for a while and Model Maker won't suddenly stop working if he does vanish (hopefully). But its still something to think about....

Wes is absolutely right.

The other thing you have to consider is the support after the sale. I had a very bad experience with my 10 Micron and the dealer will not even answer the phone. How is that after spending 13,000?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23L1sUr0pzM

HA

Lol the video is somehow funny, dec slack demo against a carpet...?? come on are you serious ?
By the way NO, Wes was not right on this.

I did propose you my help on PM at CN but you do not respond HA.

If you have problems with your dealer, you should consider (after really checking that the problem cannot be solve with him, such as a mount exange...)
talking directly to BAADER ? But a good advice is generally to comply with you dealer process about service...
I saw your second video with the C8 edge on the mount and clearly the noise you show is abnormal but cannot see where it is coming from
Did you check if the mount's dovtail clamp was fixed ok on it ?
PM me here if you want some help.

I am glad to see that Hobby Astronomer is back to lying someplace else since he got kicked off of CloudyNights for it. He stopped getting calls from me after he became abusive in both e-mails and on the phone after I provided him with a brand new mount to replace the one that he sent in without permission that then got damaged by FedEx during shipping (at least that is all I know). When he refused to file a claim for the damage I was forced to file it for him and go through several denials of the claim and months of fighting with FedEx in order to get the claim covered for a shipment that should never have been made in the first place. I spent many hours on this and eventually got him a brand new mount (rather than a repaired one) and never got even a "thank you" from him, only name calling, character assassination on public forums and complaints to 10Micron that were completely false. In addition, he has shown a complete lack of ability to use one of the easies premium mounts to use that is available but likes to also lie about the amount of time he supposedly put into it.

Model Maker is now a commercial program paid for by Baader that will be adopted as part of 10Micron's software suite. It is most certainly possible to model without this program, but the program streamlines and quickens the process.

Unguided imaging can only be done with rigid systems. The advantage that 10Micron has in this regard is its ability to model the entire mount and imaging system with less than 100 model points as opposed to the hundreds of points required by other mounts.

Ed,

You are still in the possession of my property which you have refused to return to me. When my mount arrived it was not even shipped in the official packaging required to have the warranty in place. That is being abusive. I have never sent one harassing email or made a harassing phone call. On the contrary I have spent thousands and thousands of dollars with your business and even offered to help do your taxes for free before this all went down. I advised you at no charge how to restructure to save tens of thousands of dollars of taxes over many years. But for you it is all about Ed. I offered to compensate for your time but never offered for you to take my property. I have never ever refused to pay you money for any work you have ever performed for me.

And this is the treatment that I get as a customer? Is this how you want to represent 10 Micron? What confidence can someone have in purchasing a 10 Micron mount with you carrying on in the forums but not willing to help people with technical questions? You do not even own one of these mounts that you are selling. What does that say?

HA

Nothing but a bunch of lies. This guy can't tell the truth to save his life. This is how a liar and cheat are treated. I will forego posting the numerous abusive e-mails, texts, continuous phone calls to my number after hours and voice mails that show you for what you are. You not only refused to pay me, you refused to even do the work to get the claim taken care of. If it wasn't for me, you would have nothing at this point but a broken beat up mount. Instead you have a brand new mount as well as duplicate parts that you didn't pay for but claimed you had sent back. You can just keep on with your lying and slanderous posts since I enjoy continuing to collect evidence of your unethical conduct.

Ed Thomas:
Nothing but a bunch of lies. This guy can't tell the truth to save his life. This is how a liar and cheat are treated. I will forego posting the numerous abusive e-mails, texts, continuous phone calls to my number after hours and voice mails that show you for what you are. You not only refused to pay me, you refused to even do the work to get the claim taken care of. If it wasn't for me, you would have nothing at this point but a broken beat up mount. Instead you have a brand new mount as well as duplicate parts that you didn't pay for but claimed you had sent back. You can just keep on with your lying and slanderous posts since I enjoy continuing to collect evidence of your unethical conduct.

Rest my case. Nothing else needs to be said. Here is your reaction.

HA

It has been made perfectly clear by both myself and 10Micron that technical questions will be answered but abusive e-mails and phone calls will not be responded to. No one has to put up with your phone tantrums, screaming and name calling on the phone or in text. Time to join the reality program Deaver and live by the rules of conduct for accountants in Texas. If you are so unsatisfied with the GM1000HPS, please sell it. I already offered to buy it back from you which you also refused so now it is up to you to get rid of the piece of equipment that you are unable to learn how to use. Either learn how to use it or shut up and go buy one of the US-made mounts that you now seem to think are the greatest in the world (in contrast to your numerous posts to the contrary on CN and your poster assignation attempts on that forum). I never treat customers like this but you ceased to be my customer when you tried to cheat both me and FedEx out of time and money. You did offer to do my taxes and I offered to do things like HyperTune your CGEM for free. I am thankful every day that I didn't hand you my accounting information considering your inability to follow the most basic of TSBPA ethics rules. The information you supposedly supplied for tax purposes was as useless and unethical as your postings here are.

I'm done with this now. You can keep posting and let me know what the TSBPA has to say.