Orion Atlas mount

My wife has a Meade 10" LXD55 Schmidt-Newtonian and the optics on this tube are spectacular. However, the mount provided by Meade is a little on the slippery side. It just can't handle the weight of the tube. I've weighed it and on a bathroom scale it is checking in at about 33#. We have had the mount in the shop twice for gear related problems and inability to drive this sizable tube. I have also read reviews from other less than satisfied users claiming the mount has failed and let the tube hit the ground. It has become pretty clear that Meade sells this 10"-SN with the LXD55 and now the LXD75 mount knowing they are pushing these mounts to the limit.

I have a Celestron CGE11 and that mount is indestructible but I don't exactly have the $$ separately for a $3,000 mount. I would also prefer a mount that she can handle and the CGE11 mount isn't exactly light.

Does any one have any experience with the Orion Atlas mount? It claims to hold upwards of 45# and would be a candidate for the 10" LXD55.

Suggestions welcome.

I have an Atlas and it handles my C-11 SCT very well. It came with the Orion 10-inch Newt and it was like the mount wasn't even loaded. The general feeling is that the mount is good for 40 lbs, not the 45 lbs which was originally spec'ed.

I drive my Atlas with the EQMOD GoTo software and it performs well. The mount is very quiet with no grinding noises so prevalent with some mounts.

If you use a computer to control your mount(s), there is no need to purchase the full GoTo version. The motors and drive unit are the same on the non GoTo version and it can be driven directly from the computer without using the hand controller.

CS......Jim