Thinking about a mount....

Hi all,

Now that I have the DSO imaging bug I'm thinking about a new mount for my Orion ED100. I have the Skyview Pro with dual axis drives, but would love to mount the scope on a mount that supports autoguiding. I see the Atlas mount does just this. IYHO would this be a good option or do any of you have another suggestion. Thing is, the OTA weights probably 10 pounds or so, so basically the mount is overkill. The lower end Orion mounts don't have the autoguider ability. My new camera, an ST2000 XCM is due in any day now.

Hey, thanks to all!!
Paul Maxson

Paul, when Imaging, there is no such thing as being OVERMOUNTED. Just get the best mount you can get... so that you won't have to think about "upgrades" for a while... 8)

I have not heard much about the Atlas and Astrophotography, but I guess that should be fine...

Other options would be a GM-8, a G-11 or a CGE, for example...

Paul, I would consider a Losmandy GM-8. It is fairly small and lightweight, and would easily handle your scope. You will definitely want to use the autoguider in the ST2000.... I wouldn't even consider a mount without autoguiding capability. When it comes to deep space work, if there is any one place not to skimp, it is the mount. Spend the money now and you may be able to use the mount for many years. In fact, you may want to go up to a G-11, then you could go with much heavier scopes in the future without upgrading the mount. That is my 2-cents worth.
Cheers,
Tyler

Paul,
How about a Tak EM-200? It's good for up to 25-27 lbs for imaging so you will have lots of capacity room to spare. The GM-8 has a weaker tripod, unless you use a G-11 tripod.
Ivan

Hello:
I would think that a G-8 or G-11 would work well. I was out last night with a friend showing me how to use the ST-4 with my G-11, and the autoguiding worked well but windshake was an issue. The G-11 was holding a pair of 4" refractors at the time. My friend was using a G-8 with a 4" refractor and a ST2000 CCD. If you want rock-like stability, another friend of mine shoots with a 4" refractor and a 60mm guide scope on an NJP mount! No stability problems there! I agree with the notion that when it comes to astrophotography, no mount is too big.

Cheers
Mike