Anyone know what mount this is?

[Geordie mc]

Hi. A friend has been offered a Skywatcher 200p on this mount. The mount looks a bit too small for it I think but I don’t recognise it. Anyone know what it is and if it would cope with the 200P? Thanks.

[John]

The mount is sometimes called the GEM 1. It is about the same in capacity as the EQ3-2 so not really up to a 200P Skywatcher, even for visual observing.

If that is the scope it is not a Skywatcher 200P by the way.

 

[Geordie mc]

Thank you. The chap selling it said it was a 200p but I must admit I had a 200PDS which looked very different. Thanks for the mount info too. The lady asking me wants it for her nephew but I have big reservations. I think I’ll tell her to give it a miss. 
Much appreciated.

John

[John]

Just now, Geordie mc said:

Thank you. The chap selling it said it was a 200p but I must admit I had a 200PDS which looked very different. Thanks for the mount info too. The lady asking me wants it for her nephew but I have big reservations. I think I’ll tell her to give it a miss. 
Much appreciated.

John

I would have big reservations as well if that is the scope. Worth avoiding I think.

[Cornelius Varley]

I doubt that the telescope is a 200p. The mount is typical of the type sold on ebay under different brand names with a 200/800 (f4) reflector. The primary on these is probably spherical. Even if that is not true, a fast reflector like that needs a much better primary mirror than this one.

[John]

I think the same scope under different branding is being discussed in this thread from another forum:

https://www.cloudynights.com/topic/784837-adventures-with-a-helios-explorer/

[Geordie mc]

Thanks everyone. I’ll pass on the info. I really hope she doesn’t buy it. Her nephew is 10 and I think it’ll discourage him.