The OTAs and your proposed 12.5" CDK would be a piece of cake for the 900. The C14 should be ok but may be a bit of a challenge in a breeze.
Don 


________________________________
From: Saad Abbasi <nil.recurring@...>
To: ap-gto@...
Sent: Thursday, April 26, 2012 2:19:01 PM
Subject: [ap-gto] Considering the AP900GTO


 
Hi all,

First post in this user group. I've been considering the AP900GTO for some time now. The OTAs I currently own are a Takahashi FSQ-85ED and a AT RC8 - both of which are hardly a challenge for the AP900GTO.

I will have these OTAs for quite sometime and will probably upgrade to a 12" CDK or RC in the next few years (read 5+ years).

Will the 900GTO be able to handle, say, Planewave 12.5" CDK which weighs 46 lbs and a focal length of ~2500mm?

What about a C14?

I would have loved the AP1200 but that's no longer an option. The AP1600 is just too big for me to lug around. i don't have an observatory (but long terms plans include one.), so I"ll have to setup the mount every time. I was also considering the Paramount MX but the AP900GTO has a proven track record. The new polar scope, it seems, will polar alignment a piece of cake too.