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Orion Atlas help

Started by tnboy426, 07/09/2003 05:04PM
Posted 07/09/2003 05:04PM Opening Post
I currently own a Celestron C9.25, mounted on a CG-5 with motor drives. I have a good solid tripod, but an looking to upgrade the mount/tripod. I have been looking at a Losmandy GM8, but it is a bit out of my budget at the moment. I was wondering if anyone out there has any experience with the Orion Atlas mount. It's priced at around half the price of a GM8, and already comes with an illuminated polar scope. There is a ton of experience on this forum. So, I'm hoping that someone out there could tell me if this would be a reasonable substitute for the GM8? I'm hoping for something that tracks pretty well. I don't do a lot of long exposure ccd work, but would like to take some pictures through the scope either with a webcam or my digital camera (I have a 6.3 reducer). Also, would the dovetail size work with the one on my C9.25, or is it a different size? Thank you in advance for any information you might have.
Posted 07/09/2003 05:35PM #1
The Orion Atlas / Synta EQ-6 mount is a very solid platform for the 20lb C9.25; it will accept any generic Vixen style dovetail bar, which includes the C9.25 extruded aluminum bar.

The mount is heavy and more of a burden to move around than a GM8.

ITE offers an autoguider upgrade to the basic mount (which lacks this feature):

http://www.iteastronomy.com/products/accessories/overview.php?p=EQ-6+MOUNT