Should i upgrade my mount?

[Paul2019]

Hi All,

currently running an EQM3-5 and I’m pondering an upgrade. 
 

Scope wise I’m currently using a 130pds with an asi183mm pro. I’m not particularly happy with the FOV I get for most deep sky but it’s pretty decent for galaxy work. 
However, I’m not enjoying the colimation or addition faff with coma correctors. 
 

So I’m considering buying a refractor, either a redcat or perhaps the new offering from Sharpstar the 50edph with matching reducer. 
 

leading to the main question, should I upgrade to a AM3? Evidently I’m sure the EQM will be fine with a short focal length refractor and if this is going to be my main imaging rig, will I feel the benefit of the AM3? If I didn’t upgrade the mount I could afford a substantially better scope. 

thanks for your reply’s

 

paul

[happy-kat]

When you say better telescope from the 50ELP do you mean better match your field of view requirement or something else?

[Paul2019]

10 minutes ago, happy-kat said:

When you say better telescope from the 50ELP do you mean better match your field of view requirement or something else?

As in a full blown astrograph, thinking potentially along the lines of a fra300 or a Zwo ff65 or potentially a WO GT series scope. 
 

Whilst the general advice given that I’ve seen tends to be get the best mount you can afford, I’m more on the cusp of get a better mount than I already have or better optics and utilise what I already have. 
 

difficult decision, one half of me says that I need a better mount but the other says if I get a widefield refractor (albeit likely without massively wide views with my camera) that the EQM will be plenty sufficient. 
 

thanks 

 

paul

[Elp]

The main benefit of a HD mount is the lack of need for counterweights, so useful if you setup and break down each time or if you need to pack it all together or carry it off site. The added benefit of the ZWO ones (and equivalent that have HD drives in both Ra and Declination) is you don't need to spend time balancing in both axis either, extremely useful for your pds. They can also carry relatively large loads for their incredibly light weight and small form factors.

If your current mount is performing and not offering any inconveniences then there's no real need to replace or upgrade it, only you can decide this also due to your financial investment.

I understand your "want" to change scope or get an additional, I had the 130pds and though it offers fantastic value and sharp optics, it needs considerable tweaks to get it up to good performance, but being a Newtonian it will also always be cumbersome compared to a small refractor if you need to setup every time and it will also be more susceptible to breeze vibration if not setup in a wind shielded area, something refractors are less prone to.

If you want wide, a small refractor frames targets much better. If you want wide AND fast, consider the Samyang 135mm F2 lens instead, an equivalent refractor can't touch it for raw speed and it's one of the best astro imaging optics period, crazy considering it's not even designed for the purpose. There is a slight quality lottery with them, and you may (will) get tilt issues but you can get them at decent prices used if you're patient. I've been using them for a few years with the 183, works fantastic, have a look at my latest project of the heart and soul nebula in the deep sky imaging section.

[Xsubmariner]

Hi Paul, you mention astrograph and reducers so I assume your primary goal is DSO Astrophotography (AP).  What is no clear is if you require lightweight equipment and easy mobility. You have implied financial limitations. 

21 hours ago, Paul2019 said:

If I didn’t upgrade the mount I could afford a substantially better scope. 

May I suggest you consider lower cost mount options along the lines of the NEQ6 etc, this will free more funds for the inevitable extras that come with DSO AP (focus motor, guide scope and camera, filters, filter wheel if mono). My mobile system consists of an NEQ6 (dark frame tweaked) mount that has ably supported up to 130mm triplet with full AP accessories. Depending on DSO target of interest I swap out the 130 for an Esprit 80 or Redcat 51. AP is an exciting hobby that can get expensive very quickly as your expertise grows. Enjoy the journey and good luck.

[Paul2019]

On 26/12/2023 at 23:19, Elp said:

The main benefit of a HD mount is the lack of need for counterweights, so useful if you setup and break down each time or if you need to pack it all together or carry it off site. The added benefit of the ZWO ones (and equivalent that have HD drives in both Ra and Declination) is you don't need to spend time balancing in both axis either, extremely useful for your pds. They can also carry relatively large loads for their incredibly light weight and small form factors.

If your current mount is performing and not offering any inconveniences then there's no real need to replace or upgrade it, only you can decide this also due to your financial investment.

I understand your "want" to change scope or get an additional, I had the 130pds and though it offers fantastic value and sharp optics, it needs considerable tweaks to get it up to good performance, but being a Newtonian it will also always be cumbersome compared to a small refractor if you need to setup every time and it will also be more susceptible to breeze vibration if not setup in a wind shielded area, something refractors are less prone to.

If you want wide, a small refractor frames targets much better. If you want wide AND fast, consider the Samyang 135mm F2 lens instead, an equivalent refractor can't touch it for raw speed and it's one of the best astro imaging optics period, crazy considering it's not even designed for the purpose. There is a slight quality lottery with them, and you may (will) get tilt issues but you can get them at decent prices used if you're patient. I've been using them for a few years with the 183, works fantastic, have a look at my latest project of the heart and soul nebula in the deep sky imaging section.

Amazing images, I actually used to own a decent sy135, very much regret getting shot now! Your very much correct in that I just don’t want to make the required tweets at this time to the 130pds and with the 183, the FOV isn’t as wide as I would like for some targets I would like to image. 
 

your heart and soul looks amazing, far better than my attempt last year. Albeit this was with an EQ6r, sy135, and 2000d. 
 

 

which leads to the next point, 

On 27/12/2023 at 14:49, Xsubmariner said:

Hi Paul, you mention astrograph and reducers so I assume your primary goal is DSO Astrophotography (AP).  What is no clear is if you require lightweight equipment and easy mobility. You have implied financial limitations. 

May I suggest you consider lower cost mount options along the lines of the NEQ6 etc, this will free more funds for the inevitable extras that come with DSO AP (focus motor, guide scope and camera, filters, filter wheel if mono). My mobile system consists of an NEQ6 (dark frame tweaked) mount that has ably supported up to 130mm triplet with full AP accessories. Depending on DSO target of interest I swap out the 130 for an Esprit 80 or Redcat 51. AP is an exciting hobby that can get expensive very quickly as your expertise grows. Enjoy the journey and good luck.

the reason I sold my eq6r was due to the weight and setup time involved, now with the EQM I’m having a similar issue. Not that I’m unhealthy or unable to move it but it deters me from making use of the limited imaging time available. 
 

I suppose that I know the am3 is the mount for my needs (weight, portability) and I intend at least initially to use the skywatcher tripod from the EQM, but should I prioritise this over optics? 
 

Either way, I need a small widefield refractor for my imaging needs this will be either: 

Redcat 51 (currently number 1 on the list) 

Askar FRA300 

Sharpstar 50EDPH plus matching reducer

ZWO FF65

Now if I don’t get the mount my budget will enable me to get any scope on the list but if I go for the mount I may either have to extend the budget to get quality optics or take a punt on the Sharpstar which frankly could be a bit of a gamble as it has no proven history yet…. 
 

this post may even just be me convincing myself that it’s a good purchase for my needs. 
 

thanks 

 

paul

Edited December 29, 2023 by Paul2019

[happy-kat]

what's your current guide scope, if it is a 50ED could use that as the widefield for the time being if go for the mount option as a thought

[Mandy D]

1 hour ago, happy-kat said:

what's your current guide scope, if it is a 50ED could use that as the widefield for the time being if go for the mount option as a thought

This is a cracking little scope for not a lot of money and at f/4.8 it is reasonably fast and wide, plus there is a dedicated field flattener for it that, again, is very inexpensive. I'll second this suggestion.

[Paul2019]

So after much deliberation I decided to purchase the am3, Sharpstar 50edph and reducer. 
 

review on the 50edph when it arrives and clear skies show their head! 
 

I came to the conclusion that I just needed to go for it, and while I was there I bought all the parts for a new pc for pixinsight whilst I was at it! 
 

thanks for your replies and help,

 

paul