How about this for my AP platform?

[roka]

Hello all,

I'm new to the SGL and have a million questions about AP. So far I've been using an iOptron SkyTracker and am starting to get some half way decent results with my Canon 70D + 400mm f/5.6 lens. I'm considering getting a scope and EQ mount so I can do guiding for longer exposures. I found this at OPT:

http://www.optcorp.com/tpo-6inch-f9-rc-ritchey-chretien-91519-package.html

My thinking is that the AVX mount it comes with is a decent mount from what I've been reading. It costs around $800 by itself so for about $200 I'm also getting the 6" RC scope that I'd use with my DSLR. Even if the scope isn't the greatest quality I haven't invested much in it. I'd also be getting a guiding scope and camera. Any comments/thoughts/suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

[carastro]

The RC scopes have a good reputation, but I'd be more concerned about the mount.  There are no specs on it on the page you have linked to. 

The mount is the most important part of the imaging kit, and if it isn't man enough for the job then the best telescope in the world isn't going to produce anything decent.  So not to advertise the mount specs on an imaging ad to me shows lack of real intuition into the hobby by the retailer.  

It needs to be heavy enough to take the biggest telescope you plan to have and for imaging I believe you should halve the recommended payload stated for observing.

It also needs an autoguiding port.

The mount in the picture looks very much like the old CG5 GT mount, which I used for a couple of years.  It does work, but I found those sticking out motor housings a real pain as they often got in the way, and on some occasions, cables got jammed in them mid imaging run, and they even jammed on each other on one occasion.  It was very noisy and not terribly accurate on the GoTos.

You have different kit available to you accross the pond, but the mounts most recommended over here are the Skywatcher HEQ5 or the Skywatcher NEQ6 (heavier), and I think the Orion is the US equivalent.  Also the Avalon and Ioptron mounts seem to be used and recommended.

See what other people think.

[carastro]

OK, just checked it out on FLO's website here in the UK, it does have an autoguide port and it looks like an improvement has been made to the latitude and azimuth bolts.  

It  also said the motor housings have been re-designed so there is no clash.  

Probably will be OK so long as you don't have too heavy a scope on it.

If you want to control the mount by something like EQMOD I would check that out, as I know when I had the CG5 GT it wasn't supported.

http://www.firstlightoptics.com/celestron-mounts/celestron-advanced-vx-mount.html

Carole 

[steppenwolf]

I reviewed the Celestron A-VX mount in march 2013 and it is a nice mount with updated spec. over a typical 'EQ5' type mount. The issue here for AP is that the 6" R/C has a focal length of 1370mm (i.e. quite long) so long-exposure tracking accuracy will need to be very good and I do wonder if this mount would be up to the task. The 6" R/C is a very capable little 'scope, I'm seriously considering buying this 'scope myself for zeroing in on features of the nebulae that I normally capture in a much wider field of view.

Personally, I'd prefer a more heavy duty mount as I believe that this one would be right on the edge of its operating envelope for long exposures at this focal length but with autoguiding and careful balancing, it may well do the job but with little to spare.

[Owmuchonomy]

If I've learnt anything in my first year of trying to image it is that there are three things that are of major importance.

1) a decent EQ mount

2) oh yes, and a decent EQ mount

3) and finally a reliable EQ mount

Basically as Steve says above and frankly who else need you ask?

Enjoy your adventure ;-)

[roka]

Thanks for the comments. The mount is the Celestron AVX which is rated for 30 lbs. I know the rule of thumb is to keep the load to 1/2 the mount's capacity but I've read plenty of reports of people loading these mounts to capacity. Anyways, the scope is about 12 lbs, my DSLR is around 2 lbs and a guide scope/camera would most likely come in at under 2 lbs. So the load would be about 16 lbs or roughly 1/2 the capacity.

Are there any other mount in the $800 - $1000 range that anyone would recommend I also consider? I've looked at the iOptron ZEQ25 but was somewhat put off at the mods that most people seem to have to make to get it dialed in. I'd prefer something that worked out of the box.

[steppenwolf]

The A-VX is a nice mount and at that price point it represents good value for money and from a purely personal point of view I prefer it to the iOptron ZEQ 25. Astrophotography is a cruel mistress (especially on the pocket) and without a doubt, the mount is the most important component for deep sky imaging.

[Owmuchonomy]

My HEQ5 pro is supposedly 'rated' at about 11kg for imaging. With 9 kg on it it is pushing it too much in my opinion. I don't have a big budget so I'm sticking with it. I'm happy with my first 12 months of images but they could be better. I have however ordered the Rowan belt mod as the single biggest headache is the backlash. Don't believe the manufacturers claims and at least validate the weight limits with the experts on here.