If someone you knew was buying a new Losmandy G-11...

...what would you recommend them get in addition to the mount?

Besides a polar scope, dovetail plate for the optics, tripod, and the tube rings. Assume they are buying the Gemini GOTO as well.

In other words, what "stuff" would be a good idea to get along with the mount itself? Motor covers, doo-dads, voltage, etc.

Thanks!
Jason

Hi Jason,

I replaced the saddle plate on my G-11 with a Robin Casady "tip-in" saddle --> http://www.robincasady.com/Astro/dovetail.html

I also grabbed a 12V-18V converter from James Lacey. I include his web site here, but don't see the product. Perhaps you could contact him directly to see if he's still making them.
http://home1.gte.net/res0zbiw/index.html#dcdc

I store the equatorial head in a Pelican 1620.

Get something good and strong to carry the head in.

Obviously you need the dovetail plate and radius blocksand/or rings to attach the main tube to your saddle plate. You do not need Losmandy accessory rings, balance system, etc. for attaching guide scopes, etc. (at least as part of the basic mount. You may want them for other purposes.)

I think the metal motor covers seem to help over the plastic ones, and certainly over the old rubbery kind.

The knurled knobs don't add much functionality. I've never seen need for the clutch handles.

You may want to consider the upgraded worm gear if you are taking pictures.

I don't knkow what kind of plate they send (if anything) with a new scope that attaches to the two ears that stick out the side of the tripod head. (Maybe they don't send anything--does the electronics box connect directly to it--I forgot, It has been so long since I used the tripod.) However, it is nice to put the electronics box in this position if possible. One can be made very easily, or, I understand there are several after-markets for this.

Alex

You definitly want to get Gemini. The stepper motors
in the standard Digital Drive System make alot of
vibration. Took me a while to figure out why my
nice 0.985 Strehl APO made triangular star images...
until I turned off the drive on the G11....

Maybe get some anti-vibration pads for under the
tripod feet, just in case anyway. I sometimes
use these DrScholl's Gel Insoles (WalMart, large
grocers, drug store) as quick and dirty vibration fix.
Look funky but work great.

Try to find some black self-stick felt or rubber
pads and put them everywhere where the mount will crash
into itself. Especially on the RA drive motor where
Dec gear housing slams into it.

The tripod knobs are really useful (unless you've
got a permanant setup). Fooling with allen wrenches
in the dark gets old real fast.

The fancy clutch knobs look great but the stock ones
work fine (IMHE).

I think you do not need the aluminum motor covers
if you get Gemini.

As other guy comments, get a Cassady tip-in saddle.
It can be really tricky to get the OTA+dovetail mounted
properly in the dark using the stock saddle. The tip-in
style is much, much easier.

You might disassemble it right away and check / clean-out
metal shavings. I got mine many years ago, but it
arrived full of metal shavings in the RA and Dec
shaft and bearing assemblies. Not what you like to see
in precision assemblies.