Re: manual mount for heavier scopes?

A C11 has such a long focal length that tracking is almost mandatory for astro use.

I reccomend a Losmandy G11. You can use it without power and have it balanced so well, push the scope with your finger.

A Discmount DM6 is a good alt-az mount, simple and elegant. Will hold a C11 easy, and easy to track when balanced.

A classic Meade 10 or 12" LX200 will have a good fork mount and slo-mo controls. Does not need power to operate. Add a wedge for equatorial use. Easy to find good deals on these.

There you go.
John

john raymond said:

A C11 has such a long focal length that tracking is almost mandatory for astro use.

I reccomend a Losmandy G11. You can use it without power and have it balanced so well, push the scope with your finger.

A Discmount DM6 is a good alt-az mount, simple and elegant. Will hold a C11 easy, and easy to track when balanced.

A classic Meade 10 or 12" LX200 will have a good fork mount and slo-mo controls. Does not need power to operate. Add a wedge for equatorial use. Easy to find good deals on these.

There you go.
John

Hi all,
I use a G-11 for a 10" MAK. Similar weight to a C11. An undriven totally manual mount will get real old real fast. For a good bargain mount, the minimum I'd try on that OTA is a CI-700. You can dress them up or stay simple. Very similar to the Losmandy. I used one on a 7" MAK for years.

If you're only doing visual observing it would work. If power is the problem, buy a car battery booster at any popular car parts place. That's what I use on the G-11 mount. One did burn out on me, but at $78 each, it didn't break the bank either.
8)
Steve