Mount Load Capacities

[paler31]

Hi this has probably been asked already but I can not find it in the forums so here it is again. When you look at a mounts specification it tells you the mounts load capacity does this just refer to the tellescopes weight or do you have to add in the weight of the counter weights as well? Obviousley if you have to take into account the counter weights as well this significantly affects the size of the telescope the mount can support. I am thinking about buying a new mount but before I do I really would like to get straight in my mind what is meant by load capacity. Any help would be appreciated.

John

[Parus major]

Just the telescope weight so there's room to breathe if you use the extension bar for the weights.

[Cornelius Varley]

The load capacity of a mount is taken as the weight of the telescope and eyepiece, diagonal etc. The counterweights are part of the mount so are not part of the payload.

Peter

[paler31]

Thanks for the info that makes sense. Think i am going to go for the celestron cgem to give me scope (pardon the pun) to go to an 11 inch.