I need a mount for a 13 lbs, 127mm, f/8 refractor (Burgess 1278). With accessories (rings, finder, binoviewers) probably looking at 16 lbs and 39 inches.
Some obserivng habits:
1. Visual only
2. I move around a lot in my driveway, street and neighbor's driveways to see the different parts of the sky
3. Tracking is highly desired, but I'd like the ability to go manual for cruising
4. goto/dsc not required, but would like the option to add it
5. I have never owned nor operated anything but a dob
I am leaning towards the CG5 Advanced with single axis drive. Atlas is too heavy. Vixen/Losmandy too expensive. Gibraltar is very nice, but won't track. Apogee HD is in the running, but quality is unknown. I have no idea what to expect, just don't want wobbly.
I was also looking at some surveyor tripods to replace the Apogee HD tripod. Is that a good route?
Pls help a dob guy make it in the world of eq mounts.
Clear skies,
Tom
Some obserivng habits:
1. Visual only
2. I move around a lot in my driveway, street and neighbor's driveways to see the different parts of the sky
3. Tracking is highly desired, but I'd like the ability to go manual for cruising
4. goto/dsc not required, but would like the option to add it
5. I have never owned nor operated anything but a dob
I am leaning towards the CG5 Advanced with single axis drive. Atlas is too heavy. Vixen/Losmandy too expensive. Gibraltar is very nice, but won't track. Apogee HD is in the running, but quality is unknown. I have no idea what to expect, just don't want wobbly.
I was also looking at some surveyor tripods to replace the Apogee HD tripod. Is that a good route?
Pls help a dob guy make it in the world of eq mounts.
Clear skies,
Tom