Re: [APML]: EQ Mount recommendations

[Wil Milan <wmilan@airdigital.com>]

Astro75 wrote:

>      I am looking to upgrade my current astrophoto setup (Meade 8"LX50) and
> was wanting input from everyone.  I get the feeling that most serious
> astrophotographers use the GEM for the work.  Any recommendations? It looks
> like the CG-11 is a good system with the G-11 mount. What about those Byers
> mounts?

A good fork mount can work very well, it's just that most older and low-end
SCTs are sold with light fork mounts not suited for photography. I use an
Astro-Physics GEM for the smaller scopes and an Ultima-11 fork mount for my 11"
SCT; both work quite well for photography.

One thing I really like about fork mounts is that most are much easier to put
up and take down than equivalent GEMs. My 11" Ultima mount and scope, though
much larger than my AP400 GEM, are certainly *much* quicker to set up and take
down. I also like that the Ultima runs on an internal battery and has a simple
one-plug drive corrector. The AP mount with its multiple plugs and cables is a
lot more of a pain in that regard.

Wil Milan
--
"When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars
which You have set in place, what is Man that you are
mindful of him, or the son of Man that you care for him?"  -- Psalm 8