My town wouldn't let me construct a small shed in my side yard to
house my AP1200/C14 imaging rig. I set up in my driveway every good
observing night, and broke down at the end of the night and wheeled
everything back into the garage, taking a good 45 minutes to an hour
total for polar alignment, setting up and taking down fabric screens
to block the neighborhood lights - time better spent actually
observing...so I designed a "natural observatory" and had it built
last week. I've posted some pictures in the photos section in a file
named Morgan's natural observatory. It had 'first light' last night
and other than a few human glitches (why is it getting harder to read
a manual at 10 p.m. after 2 glasses of wine than it used to be?), the
flagstone platform and the screening hedge of arborvitae worked
great, blocking neighborhood lights and keeping curious dogwalkers in
the dark. No more polar aligning! (By the way, using the meridian
delay method described in aforementioned manual, I got to within 4
minutes of the pole in altitude and 2.5 minutes in azimuth according
to Tpoint. I'll be working with PoleAlignMax to refine that, maybe
tonight..). I wheel a little equipment box, and a computer setup on a
kitchen cart out of the garage - total setup time, ten minutes. The
setup is wirelessly networked so I can run it from inside the house on
chilly nights on my Mac in the home office...I may have to give away
my collection of toe warmers. Take a look and let me know what you
think...

Morgan
Larchmont, NY
40.55.17N, 73.45.06W

AP1200 GTO, C14 OTA, Borg 76ED OTA, Meade giant field tripod, SBIG
ST2000XM camera

AP600E GTO, Questar 7 OTA, Meade field tripod, JMI wheeley bars,

Rob,

First, recommend you simply call AP after the holiday They are the
nicest bunch and have answered every question I've ever had. They
will know best and give honest answers. Certainly smartest before
investing in a high $ OTA, and one that would be a bear to sell if
unhappy.
AFAIK, the 900 is the mount of choice for capacity /portability
compromises - the 1200 classically best for capacity but not nearly
as portable as the 1200.
If I did not have the NJP I'd be after the 900 myself.
Have a Mach 1 in delivery - arriving Thursday but don't yet have a
suitable tripod for it.
Regarding the weights, not sure what you mean but capacity figures
are before counterweights, I don't understand why but am sure of
this so the 75lb is not even counting the counterweights, meaning
you get full payload of 75lb+, plus whatever CW you need to keep
balance. I suppose it's a torque thing - the metal likely can hold
well in excess of 75lbs but needs to be balanced by whatever weight
is needed.
For me the Mewlon 250 is a bear. Not so heavy but awkward to
hoist, balance in my arms AND align the dovetail - I have the BRC
arrangement with rings and D size dovetail. The 300 -- I can't even
begin to imagine my dread at hoisting that. Good luck




--- In ap-gto@..., rbgetz <rbgetz@...> wrote:

Hi Howie,
&nbsp;
Thank you for responding.&nbsp;&nbsp;This&nbsp;does help. I had to

ask to be careful since I am looking into&nbsp;a new OTA.&nbsp; My
AP900 is on an ATS 8x42 portable&nbsp;pier.&nbsp; So.. compared to
my old G-11/tripod, it's quite solid. I knew with&nbsp;my old setup
when I got close, 75%+ of capacity, it became questionable.&nbsp;
You&nbsp;made a good point about the moment arm. I think to add the
9" extension&nbsp;shaft&nbsp;would be a good idea to minimize
the&nbsp;# of&nbsp;weights which could help with the overall force
on the mount. I re-checked and I think the published
capacity&nbsp;is 70 lbs. I may think this over some more.

&nbsp;
Kind Regards,
Rob

--- On Sun, 5/25/08, derek.ec halfdoc@... wrote:

From: derek.ec halfdoc@...
Subject: [ap-gto] Re: AP900 - The Real Weight Capacity?
To: ap-gto@...
Date: Sunday, May 25, 2008, 10:18 AM






Rob,

I am certainly not the one to advise here as I've only had an

AP400 a

while back and completely unfamiliar with the 900 BUT, AP and

others

like Takahashi are well known to underate their capacities. IF

specs

say 75 lbs then you can be sure it'll hold it capably. I do have a
Mewlon 250 on a Tak NJP which holds it quite well and am sure can

take

more. The Mewlon 300, while bulky,heavy is probably not a huge

moment-

arm setup, so that's in your favor. Of course, everything is
relative and what supports well in one situation, may have some
difficulty with say wind if at maximums. Also, (almost) as

important

is the tripod you mount it on. Put that setup on flimsy and you'll
have difficulty imaging owing to vibration.

I could have egg on my face but am willing to bet you'll have no
problem. At least as long as you already have the equipment at

least,

I can say that. I wouldn't use my input as a guide to actually BUY
anything though :)
Hopefully someone knowledgeable will chime in.

Howie

--- In ap-gto@yahoogroups. com, "rbgetz" rbgetz@ wrote:

I know the published weight capacity is 75 lbs., but I was

looking at

an OTA that is about 57 lbs (mewlon 300), and by the time you

add a

small 80mm APO on top and imaging equipment, I realized I'll

be

really

close to the max..if not right there. Being new with the

AP900, I

wanted to see if others have had experience with this type of

weight

on

the AP900 and would like to get comment or thoughts on this.

Thank You,

Rob

Hi Howie,
&nbsp;
Thank you for responding.&nbsp;&nbsp;This&nbsp;does help. I had to ask to be careful since I am looking into&nbsp;a new OTA.&nbsp; My AP900 is on an ATS 8x42 portable&nbsp;pier.&nbsp; So.. compared to my old G-11/tripod, it's quite solid. I knew with&nbsp;my old setup when I got close, 75%+ of capacity, it became questionable.&nbsp; You&nbsp;made a good point about the moment arm. I think to add the 9" extension&nbsp;shaft&nbsp;would be a good idea to minimize the&nbsp;# of&nbsp;weights which could help with the overall force on the mount. I re-checked and I think the published capacity&nbsp;is 70 lbs. I may think this over some more.
&nbsp;
Kind Regards,
Rob

Rob,

I am certainly not the one to advise here as I've only had an AP400 a
while back and completely unfamiliar with the 900 BUT, AP and others
like Takahashi are well known to underate their capacities. IF specs
say 75 lbs then you can be sure it'll hold it capably. I do have a
Mewlon 250 on a Tak NJP which holds it quite well and am sure can take
more. The Mewlon 300, while bulky,heavy is probably not a huge moment-
arm setup, so that's in your favor. Of course, everything is
relative and what supports well in one situation, may have some
difficulty with say wind if at maximums. Also, (almost) as important
is the tripod you mount it on. Put that setup on flimsy and you'll
have difficulty imaging owing to vibration.

I could have egg on my face but am willing to bet you'll have no
problem. At least as long as you already have the equipment at least,
I can say that. I wouldn't use my input as a guide to actually BUY
anything though :)
Hopefully someone knowledgeable will chime in.

Howie





--- In ap-gto@..., "rbgetz" <rbgetz@...> wrote:

I know the published weight capacity is 75 lbs., but I was looking at
an OTA that is about 57 lbs (mewlon 300), and by the time you add a
small 80mm APO on top and imaging equipment, I realized I'll be

really

close to the max..if not right there. Being new with the AP900, I
wanted to see if others have had experience with this type of weight

on

the AP900 and would like to get comment or thoughts on this.

Thank You,

Rob

Hi Pierre,
sorry for this very late reply. Did you observe that "in LOC:E" the
LST and GMT are totall different (in my case +2h) from that, shown in
TheSky or "at LOC: 1"??
Guido




--- In ap-gto@..., "phenrotay" <Pierre.Henrotay@...>
wrote:

OOPS...indeed. And it is explained in details in the keypad manual.
Silly me.
I need to apologize for my useless post. Please ignore that post,

sorry

again.

Pierre
--- In ap-gto@..., "Rick K" <JunkMailGoesHere@> wrote:

Do not use Main Menu 2=Setup > 1=Locations & Time > 3=Get Time/Loc
FRMnt. Once you do so, the keypad is locked out of a lot of its
functionality, including editing time. If you want to check the

time,

use the keypad main (top) menu 4=Time/LST. If you want to edit the
time, then you use the 2=Setup > 1=Locations & Time > 2=Set Date

&

Time.

I will start saving my Silver Eagles! :-)

Of course my wife will want me to sell my Traveler but I'm not sure I
will be willing to do that!

Maybe a tandem bar is in my future.

Hi Jim!

Well, my eyepiece collection activity (if one could call it that)
suffered greatly during the great imaging OCD period of years gone
by. Not that I have any regrets mind you! Far from it. I am very
proud of the imaging that I did especially the collaborative efforts
between Trent, Roland and myself. I have two beautiful "trophies" on
my walls here at the house. M42 and M31 in framed 30"x50" glory are
hanging in my living room.

That being said, I have only 4 eyepieces at the present time.

17mm TeleVue Nagler 4
12mm AP SPL
5mm AP SPL
3.5mm Pentax Ortho.

I am finding that the "thrill of the hunt" challenge to see the
dimmest object possible is great fun. It is challenging in a 4" but
the thrill I get when that dim object shows itself is proving to be
as much fun as anything I have ever done in this hobby.

I plan on attending some star parties this year starting with a
possible trip to Nebraska and an 99% definite trip to Chiefland
planned. I will be getting active once again in the local astronomy
club to join the gang at the dark sky sites we have close to home. We
have some pretty decent sites within a 30-40 minute drive so I look
forward to being mobile and the Mach1/Eagle6/Traveler combo just
can't be beat for that!

Of course a new 130 Gran Turismo would beat it I suppose! ;-)

Clear skies my friend!

Mark

I know the published weight capacity is 75 lbs., but I was looking at
an OTA that is about 57 lbs (mewlon 300), and by the time you add a
small 80mm APO on top and imaging equipment, I realized I'll be really
close to the max..if not right there. Being new with the AP900, I
wanted to see if others have had experience with this type of weight on
the AP900 and would like to get comment or thoughts on this.

Thank You,

Rob

In a message dated 5/23/2008 4:42:43 PM Central Daylight Time,
mark@... writes:

Of course a new 130 Gran Turismo would beat it I suppose! ;-)

It's in the works. maybe you'll get one.

Rolando


**************
Get trade secrets for amazing burgers. Watch "Cooking
with Tyler Florence" on AOL Food.

(http://food.aol.com/tyler-florence?video=4&;?NCID=aolfod00030000000002)

Should we be sure that the software is using J2000 epoch? Which
epoch is the keypad using?

Dave

--- In ap-gto@..., "spbeckwith2003" <stevebeckwith@...>
wrote:

Is it possible you have a mismatch of EPOCH's between the Keypad

and

Maxim DL?

- Steve


--- In ap-gto@..., "Mike McDermott" <wildwood7711@>
wrote:

--- In ap-gto@..., chris1011@ wrote:

In a message dated 5/20/2008 5:45:09 PM Central Daylight Time,
wildwood7711@ writes:

Hi, I have a usb/serial converter that now allows me to

connect

the

mount to MaximDL. However something funny is going on and

hoping

someone has a fix, ie: telescope control thru MaximDl for

NGC3640

the

ASCOM setup states the RA 11h21m00sec,DEC +03 deg 15 min 05

sec.

I am

keeping the keypad to yes and not Ext. When I goto the keypad

states

the NGC3640 RA 11h 21m 26sec DEC 3deg 12 min 20 sec.

Therefore

when I

goto thru Maximdl the object is nowhwere in the low powered

eyepiece.

If I try the keypad's goto the object is dead centered in the

eyepiece.

I do not know why the ASCOM 4.125 is allowing the incorrect

RA/DEC.

This is causing a hassle in getting the image on the camera

chip

when

using the computer to control the telescope. Can anybody

help! -

Mike

It's not Ascom's job to change the co-ordinates of an object.

All

it does is

translate the protocol from your computer program to the AP

servo

protocol.

Maxim may have an error in its object library, and you just

discovered it.

Rolando
Wow! Another issue when I am the park 2 position, the RA/DEC in

Maximdl and the AP-CP3 keypad coordinances are also off.

Therefore,

if I am understanding this correctly Maximdl is useless in using

with

a computer for it is not just one incorrect coordinances there

are

numerous errors! If anyone else uses Maximdl I would appreciate

if

they would try what I have tried to see the same results! Thanks,

Mike

**************
Wondering what's for Dinner Tonight? Get new twists on
family favorites at AOL Food.

(http://food.aol.com/dinner-tonight?NCID=aolfod00030000000001)


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

I have an AP160 and will be getting an AP900 mount soon. What is the
recommended pier height for this setup? I do about 50/50 visual and
imaging and am 6' 3" tall.

Thanks!

Christopher Vedeler

In a message dated 5/23/08 12:44:19 PM, vedeler@... writes:

I have an AP160 and will be getting an AP900 mount soon.  What is the
recommended pier height for this setup?  I do about 50/50 visual and
imaging and am 6' 3" tall.

Chris:
I wouldn't go any shorter than the 48 inch pier, maybe taller.

I have my AP160 and 1200 on a 48 inch pier for imaging and occasional visual
use.
This puts the CCD camera and/or eyepiece in diagonal at about chair viewing
height.
The AP900 is shorter than the 1200 so you might want to go to the next
heigth.

Kent Kirkley


**************
Get trade secrets for amazing burgers. Watch
"Cooking with Tyler Florence" on AOL Food.

(http://food.aol.com/tyler-florence?video=4&;?NCID=aolfod00030000000002)


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Welcome back Mark! Visual observations are wonderful. I need to do more
myself. The Mach 1 and your Traveller will provide all you need for a
truly beautiful tour of the sky. Which eyepieces are you using?

All the Best,

Jim Phillips

Congrats!

It is indeed a fine mount and is an outstanding performer.

Dean

Congradulations on your New mount......
Sounds like it fits the picture, or should I
say images....:~)
I too am expecting my Mach1 and since I started receiving my
social security I think it will very advantageous to my " stage in
life"....without compromising the scopes I have...tks Roland.....
esp for those of us who "haul" everything out of the house for
viewing/imaging........




--- In ap-gto@..., Mark Jenkins <mark@...> wrote:

I made a deal and traded my 1200GTO for a Mach1.

I am down to a Traveler as my only scope and the 1200 was simply

too

much mount to use as a quick setup mount for casual observing. It

has

gone unused in the observatory for a couple of years now and well,
you get the picture.

The Mach1 arrived yesterday but I didn't get home until 11:00 pm.

I

unpacked it and set it up on my AP Aluminum Tripod that I was

using

with my Modified Teegul.

Within an hour including unpacking and setting it up I was

observing.

I did a very gross polar alignment (basically just sighted polaris
through the mount) and was able to spend an hour or so slewing

around

and observing some old time favorites. The polar alignment was not
too good so objects would appear at the outer edge of the eyepiece

or

just outside the fov. Not bad.

Tonight I set up earlier and got a better polar alignment but

still

not perfect. Was able to observe several familiar objects and then
went into the "What's Up?" function. Took a tour of a few
constellation objects and was viewing down to about Mag 9 - 9.6
according to the keypad's Object Info.

The Traveler is a fantastic little telescope. I forgot how much

fun

visual astronomy can be and last night and tonight brought me back
into this most wonderful of hobbies.

Looking forward to trekking out to dark skies with my new quick

setup

and possibly even attending some major star parties this year.

It's good to be back under the stars!

Clear Skies!

Mark

I made a deal and traded my 1200GTO for a Mach1.

I am down to a Traveler as my only scope and the 1200 was simply too much mount to use as a quick setup mount for casual observing. It has gone unused in the observatory for a couple of years now and well, you get the picture.

The Mach1 arrived yesterday but I didn't get home until 11:00 pm. I unpacked it and set it up on my AP Aluminum Tripod that I was using with my Modified Teegul.

Within an hour including unpacking and setting it up I was observing. I did a very gross polar alignment (basically just sighted polaris through the mount) and was able to spend an hour or so slewing around and observing some old time favorites. The polar alignment was not too good so objects would appear at the outer edge of the eyepiece or just outside the fov. Not bad.

Tonight I set up earlier and got a better polar alignment but still not perfect. Was able to observe several familiar objects and then went into the "What's Up?" function. Took a tour of a few constellation objects and was viewing down to about Mag 9 - 9.6 according to the keypad's Object Info.

The Traveler is a fantastic little telescope. I forgot how much fun visual astronomy can be and last night and tonight brought me back into this most wonderful of hobbies.

Looking forward to trekking out to dark skies with my new quick setup and possibly even attending some major star parties this year.

It's good to be back under the stars!

Clear Skies!

Mark

Is it possible you have a mismatch of EPOCH's between the Keypad and
Maxim DL?

- Steve


--- In ap-gto@..., "Mike McDermott" <wildwood7711@...>
wrote:

--- In ap-gto@..., chris1011@ wrote:

In a message dated 5/20/2008 5:45:09 PM Central Daylight Time,
wildwood7711@ writes:

Hi, I have a usb/serial converter that now allows me to connect

the

mount to MaximDL. However something funny is going on and

hoping

someone has a fix, ie: telescope control thru MaximDl for

NGC3640

the

ASCOM setup states the RA 11h21m00sec,DEC +03 deg 15 min 05

sec.

I am

keeping the keypad to yes and not Ext. When I goto the keypad

states

the NGC3640 RA 11h 21m 26sec DEC 3deg 12 min 20 sec. Therefore

when I

goto thru Maximdl the object is nowhwere in the low powered

eyepiece.

If I try the keypad's goto the object is dead centered in the

eyepiece.

I do not know why the ASCOM 4.125 is allowing the incorrect

RA/DEC.

This is causing a hassle in getting the image on the camera

chip

when

using the computer to control the telescope. Can anybody help! -

Mike

It's not Ascom's job to change the co-ordinates of an object. All

it does is

translate the protocol from your computer program to the AP servo

protocol.

Maxim may have an error in its object library, and you just

discovered it.

Rolando
Wow! Another issue when I am the park 2 position, the RA/DEC in

Maximdl and the AP-CP3 keypad coordinances are also off. Therefore,
if I am understanding this correctly Maximdl is useless in using

with

a computer for it is not just one incorrect coordinances there are
numerous errors! If anyone else uses Maximdl I would appreciate if
they would try what I have tried to see the same results! Thanks,

Mike

**************
Wondering what's for Dinner Tonight? Get new twists on
family favorites at AOL Food.

(http://food.aol.com/dinner-tonight?NCID=aolfod00030000000001)

--- In ap-gto@..., chris1011@... wrote:

In a message dated 5/20/2008 5:45:09 PM Central Daylight Time,
wildwood7711@... writes:

Hi, I have a usb/serial converter that now allows me to connect

the

mount to MaximDL. However something funny is going on and hoping
someone has a fix, ie: telescope control thru MaximDl for NGC3640

the

ASCOM setup states the RA 11h21m00sec,DEC +03 deg 15 min 05 sec.

I am

keeping the keypad to yes and not Ext. When I goto the keypad

states

the NGC3640 RA 11h 21m 26sec DEC 3deg 12 min 20 sec. Therefore

when I

goto thru Maximdl the object is nowhwere in the low powered

eyepiece.

If I try the keypad's goto the object is dead centered in the

eyepiece.

I do not know why the ASCOM 4.125 is allowing the incorrect

RA/DEC.

This is causing a hassle in getting the image on the camera chip

when

using the computer to control the telescope. Can anybody help! -

Mike

It's not Ascom's job to change the co-ordinates of an object. All

it does is

translate the protocol from your computer program to the AP servo

protocol.

Maxim may have an error in its object library, and you just

discovered it.

Rolando
Wow! Another issue when I am the park 2 position, the RA/DEC in

Maximdl and the AP-CP3 keypad coordinances are also off. Therefore,
if I am understanding this correctly Maximdl is useless in using with
a computer for it is not just one incorrect coordinances there are
numerous errors! If anyone else uses Maximdl I would appreciate if
they would try what I have tried to see the same results! Thanks, Mike

**************
Wondering what's for Dinner Tonight? Get new twists on
family favorites at AOL Food.

(http://food.aol.com/dinner-tonight?NCID=aolfod00030000000001)


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Hi, I have a usb/serial converter that now allows me to connect the
mount to MaximDL. However something funny is going on and hoping
someone has a fix, ie: telescope control thru MaximDl for NGC3640 the
ASCOM setup states the RA 11h21m00sec,DEC +03 deg 15 min 05 sec. I am
keeping the keypad to yes and not Ext. When I goto the keypad states
the NGC3640 RA 11h 21m 26sec DEC 3deg 12 min 20 sec. Therefore when I
goto thru Maximdl the object is nowhwere in the low powered eyepiece.
If I try the keypad's goto the object is dead centered in the eyepiece.
I do not know why the ASCOM 4.125 is allowing the incorrect RA/DEC.
This is causing a hassle in getting the image on the camera chip when
using the computer to control the telescope. Can anybody help! - Mike

I have used the IOGEAR converters for some time now. I am not sure which chip they have inside but they always worked fine for me with: Win 98, ME and now XP.



drgert1 <drgert1@...> wrote:
Hi Dale,

It's unfortunate that not many vendors offer or even know this detail.
So many times you don't know it until you find out when installing the
drivers. I have bought many cheap USB-serial adapter from eBay. Many
times <$5 from china. Neither do the vendors there know what chip set
is inside but after about 5 of them you find one with the FTDI chips
inside keep that one and give the others away. If you search online
for it you find a few offers online that give the chip type in their
spec sheet. (Like below)

http://www.usbgear.com/Serial-usb-adapter/index.cfm

Clear Skies,
Gert