Tak FS128 - Which Mount?Posted By Jay Gamble |
Steve,
I'll offer my perspective as a GM-8 and G-11 owner to your specific question. I have a Tak FC100 and FS152, but once had an AP130 doublet which is similar in weight/size to the FS128.
IMHO, the GM-8 is not stable enough for a 5" refractor for my tastes. But there are trade-offs to consider. If you must travel frequently to dark sites, the GM-8 is a lot less mount to handle all the time. You may compromise then on stability. If you observe primarily from your backyard as I do (nice dark skies), the G-11 offers a dramatic difference in stability for a 5" refractor.
RE: Tak mounts. Know that you are paying for precision drive gear machining and low PE for imaging in Tak mounts. Since your concern is load capacity related for visual use, either the Losmandy G-11 or the Celestron CGE as mentioned will suffice nicely. Put your savings into EPs and 2" diagonal.
Attached is a picture of a G-11 on my home-made wheeley bars with pneumatic tires that rolls very easily anywhere. It is always set-up. The driveway has index marks so that it is 95% aligned when parked. The tires are from Grainger's catalog, and the frame is channel iron. Less than $100 in it, and far superior to "wheeley bars" which I had previously owned.
My $.02 for your consideration.
Jay
I'll offer my perspective as a GM-8 and G-11 owner to your specific question. I have a Tak FC100 and FS152, but once had an AP130 doublet which is similar in weight/size to the FS128.
IMHO, the GM-8 is not stable enough for a 5" refractor for my tastes. But there are trade-offs to consider. If you must travel frequently to dark sites, the GM-8 is a lot less mount to handle all the time. You may compromise then on stability. If you observe primarily from your backyard as I do (nice dark skies), the G-11 offers a dramatic difference in stability for a 5" refractor.
RE: Tak mounts. Know that you are paying for precision drive gear machining and low PE for imaging in Tak mounts. Since your concern is load capacity related for visual use, either the Losmandy G-11 or the Celestron CGE as mentioned will suffice nicely. Put your savings into EPs and 2" diagonal.
Attached is a picture of a G-11 on my home-made wheeley bars with pneumatic tires that rolls very easily anywhere. It is always set-up. The driveway has index marks so that it is 95% aligned when parked. The tires are from Grainger's catalog, and the frame is channel iron. Less than $100 in it, and far superior to "wheeley bars" which I had previously owned.
My $.02 for your consideration.
Jay