Mount Advice - Upgrade Or Replace

[timfuller]

Hi everyone,

As above I am facing a bit of a decision...

I currently have a Bresser NT203 Newtonian Reflector on a Bresser Mon-2 Mount. I have been fairly successfully using the manual tracking/adjustment to observe/follow both planets and some DSO.

My real interest is for imaging. Planetary and then DSO with a DSLR.

I have just purchased an Altair-Astro GP Cam Colour to start me on the road. Plan being that this can become a Guide Scope cam for Auto Tracking in the future.

I tried to do some imaging last night and managed to get everything working but found the mount to be fairly wobbly. It was quite windy so this did not help. I have looked today and I think the OTA (13kg) is right at the max of the mounts weight capability.

I am planning to upgrade to GoTo - This is where my question sits.

Should I upgrade the existing mount with a GoTo or should I keep/sell this mount and look for a mount with higher weight capacity and GoTo (HEQ-5) ?

Many thanks

[Owmuchonomy]

Its simple really.  You can't be over-mounted for AP especially if you want to chase DSOs.  Therefore your minimum entry is the HEQ5 Pro to achieve your objectives.  If you can go higher than that say a NEQ6 then great.  GoTo on your current mount won't make any difference.  What you need is a stable EQ tracking platform.

[Leveye]

Get the better mount. It is the most important thing in your imaging chain In my opinion. I'd get one that can handle at least 40 lbs just to be sure.

[timfuller]

Thanks both for the response.

I have decided that a mount upgrade is the best long term approach. I will prob get an HEQ5. I think this will give me the best options down the road.

May keep the MON2 as a slightly more portable set up.

Thanks again.