Step One...

I have tried to comprehend the significance of what I am about to ask, however, I feel that I may be getting in over my head. I am new to the equipment procurement area of astronomy and have few face to face references for advice. I am looking into purchasing equipment of the highest quality (best resale vale if needed) that I can use for a lifetime. The first step in this journey is the mount. What I need to know is can I over-rate the mount? I know that too much weight on a mount can be very bad, but is the opposite also true? I am asking because the waiting list for the AP900GTO or the AP1200GTO is very long. If I go ahead and get the AP1200 and place a small scope (with possible upgrade way later), will that work? The AP900 will work for my near goals, but way way down the road it may not. (I am looking into the mount first due to the time it takes to get one.) I also would like to know if anyone knows the relative wait time for the AP mounts. That way I can arrange a financing from the loan shar… er um… loan brokers to pay for the mount.

P.S. For those of you who want to know what my overall goals are… astrophotography, wonderful planetary viewing, and superb deep space observing. Still considering that the scope will ultimately have Dall-Kirkham optics.

Thanks,

Eric

Eric, Mounts are the foundation of your setup, you cannot go wrong by getting a much bigger one than you need. (if weight/size/price are not an issue)

AP900-1200 are awesome mounts..., if you are able to get one, go get it!


Good luck!


Ivan

The AP-1200 is a great mount, but keep in mind that is quite large and heavy. What kind of scope are thinking of getting? You want it to be solidly mounted, but not too overmounted or you won't want to put out the effort to set it up (exception - if you have a permanent observing site where you can leave it set up, then get the biggest mount you can).

If you are getting an 8" SCT or 4" refractor or similar, I wouldn't get the AP1200 - too much weight to set up for that size scope. At most, get a smaller mount now and put your name on the waitlist for the AP1200, and see what size scope you have when your name comes up.

Before you buy a mount like this, try to find someone near you who has one, and help them set it up one night to see what is involved. Make sure you will be willing to do that on a regular basis before you buy. If not, get something smaller. You could also get a smaller mount for visual use, and a higher end one for photography, so you have something to use on nights when the big mouint is too much trouble to haul out.

Since the AP wait is so long, you should also look at the Losmandy mounts, and the Mountain Instruments ones. They are also excellent mounts, but are available sooner.

Jarad

Since you said that you were new to the area of "equipment procurement" I am wondering what sort of equipment do you currently have and what sort of experience observing do you have?

Jon