TOA-150 on a Losmandy G-11?

Started by William123, 09/27/2008 07:50PM
Posted 09/27/2008 07:50PM Opening Post
Has anyone observed (or even imaged) with this combination? I'm wondering whether I might risk putting a TOA-150 on a G-11 for visual. Other mounts in this weight class tend to be outside my price range.

Ed Ting, on his website, has a pic of such a set-up, but he expresses no opinion of its stability:

http://scopereviews.com/bfsp.html

Thank you.

Bill

Posted 09/27/2008 08:32PM #1
Hello William,
I think it would be fine for visual. I had a 6" F-12 riding on top on my G-11 without problem. However, it proved marginal in windy conditions. You also may want to invest in a Losmandy 12" pier extension. That would make for more comfortable viewing. I am confident a G-11 woulds carry it just fine.

Regards,
Harry
Posted 09/28/2008 12:06AM #2
Bill, I had my TOA 130 on a G11, and found that to be marginal for visual, but I might be a bit picky. I don't like the scope to jiggle alot when you touch the focuser and I do high mag double star work. I would supect a 150 would be even worse. I also use 2" nagler EPs quite often. I had to use two couterweights on my G11 to balance the load of the 130, so I surmise you would have to use 3 for the 150. I put it on an NJP. Rock solid.

Kevin
Posted 09/28/2008 04:21PM | Edited 09/28/2008 04:22PM #3
I have a photographic load of about 33 lbs or so on my G-11 (MN66 44" long with an 80mm guide scope) and that seems just fine. You will have about 45-50 lbs load on the mount with this scope I believe, which should be OK for visual and possibly OK for photo. The length of the scope and how balanced it is by length will also influence the ability to hold it steady. Wind is a big issue and too much will certainly cause some wiggle. I do know people that use a 14" Meade SCT on the G-11 with no problem, which is heavy but shorter.

[SIZE="Large"][/SIZE][COLOR="Blue"][/COLOR] Floyd Blue grin
Amateur Imager
Posted 09/28/2008 08:41PM #4
It's not a TOA 150, but you get the idea.

Pic shows G-11 with Mewlon 250S, FS78, SBIG ST2K. Total instrument weight on the dovetail is 46lbs.

If including the counterweights -- weight on the balanced RA axis is 99lbs.

Total weight on the Binoscope tripod (all of the above and including the EQ head) is 139lbs.

All is well balanced and the tripod is solidly steady

Attached Image:

reconair's attachment for post 125246

Scott Busby
A.K.A. Reconair

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