Mesu + Esprit 120 + Sharpstar 61

[Neil27]

Good evening everyone.

I am seriously considering purchasing a Mesu mount for my ROR observatory. This will be a set up and forget mount as many of you have alluded too. I have spent quite a substantial amount of time pondering over in my mind the many telescope combinations and what I enjoy looking at and would like to photograph on the astronomy tools website.

So with the mount, I would pair an esprit 120 with a suitable wide field scope of around the 60 to 70 range and around 350 to 450mm focal length. The sharpstar 61 seems to fit the bill and with the option to fit a reducer, the scope can go even wider. The esprit is a well loved instrument but the Sharpstar scopes are fairly new so I would welcome any feedback from new owners.

The Mesu, what can I say? From pouring over various owners posts and threads these past 12 months and seeing the impact on ‘relatively’ trouble free use, it is undeniably worthy of consideration. My only concern is the sitech control system and the numerous ‘niggles’ users have encountered over the years on this forum. Another consideration is the Gemini EFric but for the price and a little bit more money, the Mesu makes a very good case for itself. Do I need 50kg carrying capacity, probably not. Possibly like the majority of current owners. And lastly the Ogem (now the Trident), it’s difficult birth and delays on production and delivery have made me a little wary to be fair. 

The final piece of the jigsaw is the camera. Not too sure but the one shot colours are preferred  due to time and the different objects I want to view / image. Thinking along the lines of the Atik Horizon II. 

The star of the show though is clearly the mount in the equipment list. Just been speaking to Bernard at MA and he has one left in stock (pre Brexit stock) and I am sorely tempted. I don’t have the funds at the moment I’m about 2 months away from having the money, do I - get a low rate loan and pay it off when the money arrives or pass it up and wait until the money is here and the mount is likely sold and wait for the next one (post Brexit). Not sure 🤔 

Update - deposit now paid!

As always your thoughts are welcome.

Edited February 11, 2021 by Neil27
Update

[Skipper Billy]

If my Mesu was stolen I would buy another without a second thought.

Big tick for the scope choice - cant comment on the camera.

If Bernard has one in stock I am sure he would keep it for you against a substantial deposit - the next batch are almost certain to increase in price.

Dont be put off the SiTech software - the GUI is very '70's but it works superbly. Take care in setting up the initial parameters and you will probably never need to touch it again.

I often describe it as my most boring astro purchase - nothing to twiddle or play with - turn it on - use it - turn it off - repeat.

I would be on the phone to Bernard first thing tomorrow!!!!

[newbie alert]

And lastly the Ogem (now the Trident), it’s difficult birth and delays on production and delivery have made me a little wary to be fair. 

Don't even think about this option...

[Neil27]

17 minutes ago, newbie alert said:

And lastly the Ogem (now the Trident), it’s difficult birth and delays on production and delivery have made me a little wary to be fair. 

Don't even think about this option...

I did dally with the possibility, but it’s a no from me!

On 25/01/2021 at 21:42, Skipper Billy said:

If my Mesu was stolen I would buy another without a second thought.

Big tick for the scope choice - cant comment on the camera.

If Bernard has one in stock I am sure he would keep it for you against a substantial deposit - the next batch are almost certain to increase in price.

Dont be put off the SiTech software - the GUI is very '70's but it works superbly. Take care in setting up the initial parameters and you will probably never need to touch it again.

I often describe it as my most boring astro purchase - nothing to twiddle or play with - turn it on - use it - turn it off - repeat.

I would be on the phone to Bernard first thing tomorrow!!!!

Thank you Skipper, I did 👍😉

Edited January 27, 2021 by Neil27

[Xsubmariner]

Hi Neil,

I don’t believe you can go wrong with the Mesu MK2, it is definitely a mount that does what it says, unlike some other mounts I have tried.  Your camera choice is interesting, while I have a mix of Cmos and CCD camera’s (QHY, ZWO & SX) my last three additions are all IMX455/571 sensor based units. These sensors offer considerable improvement over the older Cmos sensors and are worthy of some investigation.

[Laurin Dave]

6 minutes ago, Xsubmariner said:

Hi Neil,

I don’t believe you can go wrong with the Mesu MK2, it is definitely a mount that does what it says, unlike some other mounts I have tried.  Your camera choice is interesting, while I have a mix of Cmos and CCD camera’s (QHY, ZWO & SX) my last three additions are all IMX455/571 sensor based units. These sensors offer considerable improvement over the older Cmos sensors and are worthy of some investigation.

I'd agree ... look at the newer CMOS cameras which do not suffer from the microlensing (which I believe the Horizon does) and which also have higher QE..  alternatively you might pick up a bargain CCD as folk switch over to the 455/571 chips, there was an Atik KAF8300 on here last week at a very good price and there have been KAF16200 cameras about too .. the 10 or 20 or 30 minute subs required with these are not an issue with the Mesu  ... although cloud always can be...  Also the Esprit120 can do full frame ... 

Dave

[Neil27]

2 hours ago, Xsubmariner said:

Hi Neil,

I don’t believe you can go wrong with the Mesu MK2, it is definitely a mount that does what it says, unlike some other mounts I have tried.  Your camera choice is interesting, while I have a mix of Cmos and CCD camera’s (QHY, ZWO & SX) my last three additions are all IMX455/571 sensor based units. These sensors offer considerable improvement over the older Cmos sensors and are worthy of some investigation.

 

2 hours ago, Laurin Dave said:

I'd agree ... look at the newer CMOS cameras which do not suffer from the microlensing (which I believe the Horizon does) and which also have higher QE..  alternatively you might pick up a bargain CCD as folk switch over to the 455/571 chips, there was an Atik KAF8300 on here last week at a very good price and there have been KAF16200 cameras about too .. the 10 or 20 or 30 minute subs required with these are not an issue with the Mesu  ... although cloud always can be...  Also the Esprit120 can do full frame ... 

Dave

Thanks for the advice Martin and Dave, camera is being mulled over and reconsidered.

At least I got the mount and scope choice right 👍😉

And to everyone that has messaged me with advice, David, Adam, Martin and Jon I thank you all.

More questions to follow no doubt.

Edited January 27, 2021 by Neil27

[Neil27]

Update, deposit now paid 😊

Thanks to @Skipper Billy , @tooth_dr, @Jonk and lastly special thanks to @Xsubmariner for all the advice and bouncing ideas off you all regarding my set up.

More questions will follow no doubt.

[Jonk]

Good luck!