In a message dated 6/12/2001 8:25:23 PM Pacific Daylight Time,
gilles@... writes:

I received my brand new AP900GTO mount last week and have been using for the
past few nights with my laptop. I previoulsy owned an "older style"
AP900GTO (with the older GTO control box) that I passed on to a friend when
I received the new one

The "old" and new style control boxes have the same internal electronics.
There are no differences in the circuits or components except for the layout
of the boards. i doubt that this is the cause for any differences with your
laptop. There is no internal delay in the servo circuit. It excecutes a
command the moment it receives it without delay.

Roland Christen

Hi Jerry,

Thanks! It is almost 3 degrees across according to TheSky!

-Ray

Wow Ray! That is one super image. IC1396 must be huge! Do you know
how many are arc minutes it subtends?

Jerry

--- In ap-gto@y..., "Ray Gralak" <ray@g...> wrote:

I now have an ST-10E and a new Research grade H-alpha filter
that I've finally had a chance to use.

My first ST-10E "project" was pretty ambitious... it is an
HAlpha LRGB 6-frame color mosaic of IC1396 in Cepheus that
took me three nights to complete since the nights tend to be
short now.

Each of the Halpha luminance frames consisted of 50 minutes
total exposure (5x10 mins) with my AP Traveler at f/4.5, AP
1200GTO and ST-10E with 2x2 binning. All of the 10 min exposures
were unguided and from my light polluted backyard in San Jose,
CA. Color was 3x3 binned (30 mins total each color each frame).
The color was difficult to balance with the moonlight but I
think it came out ok. I may try redoing it once the moon is
not up at the same time.

http://www.gralak.com/Astro/IC1396-ST10Mosaic-AP105-HaRGB.jpg

http://www.gralak.com/Astro/IC1396-ST10Mosaic-AP105-HaRGB-

Reduced.jpg

-Ray Gralak

I received my brand new AP900GTO mount last week and have been using for the
past few nights with my laptop. I previoulsy owned an "older style"
AP900GTO (with the older GTO control box) that I passed on to a friend when
I received the new one. I have noticed that my laptop seems to be much
slower when communicating with the the new mount than with the older . It
takes several more seconds now to start slewing using The Sky... even
locked up once! I have not made any changes to the laptop configuration
from the time I used it with the older mount ( 2 weeks ago). I updated with
the newest version of The Sky and used it with the older mount without any
troubles. I'm using the same cable also. Any idea as to why things are
slower now?

Gilles

Thanks Mike!

-Ray

Done. Thanks for reminding me.

Marj

--- In ap-gto@y..., cspratt@i... wrote:

Suggest this be added to the PDF file describing the use of the

Polar

Scope.

--- In ap-gto@y..., marj@a... wrote:

We have received reports from several of customers that the new

polar

scopes do not fit into their mount. After evaluating the polar

scopes

that remain on the shelf and several of the mounts we have on

hand,

we have concluded that there may be an excess buildup of the
anodizing sealer on the threads of the polar scopes causing the
threads to be tight.

We urge you to try the polar scope on your mount(s) as soon as

you

receive it. If you experience any difficulty threading it onto

place,

use a tiny amount of WD40, 3 in 1 household oil or any similar

oil

to

provide a little lubrication. We suggest that you put a small

amount

onto your finger or cloth and rub it around the threads. If you

apply

the oil directly to the polar scope, you are likely to use too

much

causing an unnecessary mess.

After you apply the oil, carefully thread the polar scope in

place.

Thread it in and out several times.

If this doesn't solve your problem, give us a call.

Marjorie Christen
Astro-Physics

Jeffrey D. Gortatowsky wrote:

I don't know what it says about me but: I plan on using my 900GTO as a
(trans)'portable' mount. I have no choice if I want to see stars. :)

Same here. Yard is heavily wooded, so I must travel to observe. The 900 is
easy for me to transport. The 1200 would not be.

Gus

Ray.

Wow! They just keep getting better.

Mike G.

Ray Gralak wrote:

Addition to previous message as suggested by a customer:
I would add to your message that it is important to wipe the inside
and outside threads clean with a cloth or swab between threadings
until the scope threads in without resistance. (Otherwise buildup of
removed anodizing particles could cause damage to the threads).

Marj

--- In ap-gto@y..., marj@a... wrote:

We have received reports from several of customers that the new

polar

scopes do not fit into their mount. After evaluating the polar

scopes

that remain on the shelf and several of the mounts we have on hand,
we have concluded that there may be an excess buildup of the
anodizing sealer on the threads of the polar scopes causing the
threads to be tight.

We urge you to try the polar scope on your mount(s) as soon as you
receive it. If you experience any difficulty threading it onto

place,

use a tiny amount of WD40, 3 in 1 household oil or any similar oil

to

provide a little lubrication. We suggest that you put a small

amount

onto your finger or cloth and rub it around the threads. If you

apply

the oil directly to the polar scope, you are likely to use too much
causing an unnecessary mess.

After you apply the oil, carefully thread the polar scope in place.
Thread it in and out several times.

If this doesn't solve your problem, give us a call.

Marjorie Christen
Astro-Physics

Hi Richard, (And All) My forgivness for stating that the Pics of the NRG 1200GTO Cases are in the files section of this group. They are not. They are filed in the AP-UG group. Mark

I now have an ST-10E and a new Research grade H-alpha filter
that I've finally had a chance to use.

My first ST-10E "project" was pretty ambitious... it is an
HAlpha LRGB 6-frame color mosaic of IC1396 in Cepheus that
took me three nights to complete since the nights tend to be
short now.

Each of the Halpha luminance frames consisted of 50 minutes
total exposure (5x10 mins) with my AP Traveler at f/4.5, AP
1200GTO and ST-10E with 2x2 binning. All of the 10 min exposures
were unguided and from my light polluted backyard in San Jose,
CA. Color was 3x3 binned (30 mins total each color each frame).
The color was difficult to balance with the moonlight but I
think it came out ok. I may try redoing it once the moon is
not up at the same time.

http://www.gralak.com/Astro/IC1396-ST10Mosaic-AP105-HaRGB.jpg

http://www.gralak.com/Astro/IC1396-ST10Mosaic-AP105-HaRGB-Reduced.jpg

-Ray Gralak

Hi Richard, I had a set of these cases, and while I myself, and another person were somewhat dissatisfied with them, there were others who ordered these Thermodyne cases, and were quite happy. The shortcomings I noticed were: I was not satisfied with the latching hardware, nor the hinges, and felt these could have been of better construction. Storage of the RA portion in a sideways configuration, which would need much toying with latitude to get it back into it's case properly after use (Unless your at 38 Deg Lat, this what the case was designed for) I also felt the Dec Case had an inadequate amount of foam at the bottom. Fine for transporting by car, and storage, but possibly lacking for all out Air transportation.
Out of 400 cases they stock, it seemed like either they were too small, or too large for this application. Nothing in stock was just right IMO.

In Thermodyne's defense, they are a very fine company to work with. Highly professional, and polite folks.
If these are the type of cases you desire (Poly) then these are your best bet over other brands. The Material used is unbelievably solid!

I am currently working with another company called NRG Cases in Hollywood Calif. I did hit an obstacle with these folks last week, as they had misplaced my payment, but it has been found, and my cases are currently being manufactured by them. If you would like to see pics of these cases, they are pictured right here in this group in the files section under C-14guy (Dave Jurasevich) Dave is absolutely satisfied with his cases, and to me there appears to be none of the shortcomings I have listed above. (They will probably be slightly heavier than the Thermodyne Cases though)

Full length Piano hinges used on all cases, ultra heavy duty "Anvil" type latches, and High quality construction throughout.

If you'd like more info about either company, feel free to email me.
Mark (Sorry for such a long letter)

Suggest this be added to the PDF file describing the use of the Polar
Scope.

--- In ap-gto@y..., marj@a... wrote:

We have received reports from several of customers that the new

polar

scopes do not fit into their mount. After evaluating the polar

scopes

that remain on the shelf and several of the mounts we have on hand,
we have concluded that there may be an excess buildup of the
anodizing sealer on the threads of the polar scopes causing the
threads to be tight.

We urge you to try the polar scope on your mount(s) as soon as you
receive it. If you experience any difficulty threading it onto

place,

use a tiny amount of WD40, 3 in 1 household oil or any similar oil

to

provide a little lubrication. We suggest that you put a small

amount

onto your finger or cloth and rub it around the threads. If you

apply

the oil directly to the polar scope, you are likely to use too much
causing an unnecessary mess.

After you apply the oil, carefully thread the polar scope in place.
Thread it in and out several times.

If this doesn't solve your problem, give us a call.

Marjorie Christen
Astro-Physics

We have received reports from several of customers that the new polar
scopes do not fit into their mount. After evaluating the polar scopes
that remain on the shelf and several of the mounts we have on hand,
we have concluded that there may be an excess buildup of the
anodizing sealer on the threads of the polar scopes causing the
threads to be tight.

We urge you to try the polar scope on your mount(s) as soon as you
receive it. If you experience any difficulty threading it onto place,
use a tiny amount of WD40, 3 in 1 household oil or any similar oil to
provide a little lubrication. We suggest that you put a small amount
onto your finger or cloth and rub it around the threads. If you apply
the oil directly to the polar scope, you are likely to use too much
causing an unnecessary mess.

After you apply the oil, carefully thread the polar scope in place.
Thread it in and out several times.

If this doesn't solve your problem, give us a call.

Marjorie Christen
Astro-Physics

In a message dated 6/11/2001 9:35:54 AM Pacific Daylight Time,
CS-Imaging@... writes:

What is the outside diameter of the 65 mounting rings for the AP155 f7
Starfire.

8.6 inches.

Roland Christen

From: Richard Crisp <rdcrisp@...>
Date: Tue, 12 Jun 2001 05:32:11 -0700

There were some nice pics of the Thermodyne cases posted in the FILES section
of the APGTO site, but unfortunately there was not enough information that
would permit me to simply pick up the phone and place an order. Would some
kind soul out there help this new AP1200GTO user that wants to become mobile?
thanks in advance!

My review that goes along with the pictures is in message# 1886 of the
ap-gto group. Search for Thermodyne to pull up the entire thread on
them.

Note: The case number for the DEC assembly should be: 102407-2

Let me know if you have problems finding it and I will email it to you
privately.

I still like the Thermodyne cases a lot. I even had them send me some
additional hinges to install on a case they did for me to hold the 54"
portable pier for the 1200 mount. The hinges took maybe 30 seconds to
install. Very clever design.

-Doug

USPS: Douglas W. Forehand INTERNET: dwf@...
Sun Microsystems Inc. VOICE: (408) 774-8015
901 San Antonio Road, MS USUN02-301 FAX: (408) 774-2098
Palo Alto, California 94303-4900

Well I certainly plan to transport my AP1200GTO/portable pier, but at the
moment I'd like to figure out what cases I should buy. I saw a really nice
set of photos of the Thermodyne cases on the ap-gto site, but haven't a clue
what model(s) of Thermodyne cases to buy, how much they cost, how to get the
form-fitted foam and where to buy all this stuff. If anyone can offer
suggestions, I'd be very grateful.
rdc

From: <chris1011@...>

The purpose of the damper knob is to add a bit of friction to the shaft so
that gusty winds do not move the axes in their bearings. If there is the

Ah ha! That makes sense. Thanks. I'd cut and paste that paragraph right into
the manual. :)


Clear skies
Jeff

Well that is an equally intriguing counter-offer!

Catch is, as much as I would love to get a 1200, it is 1) way beyond
what I need and 2) is not portable like the 600. I seriously
considered the 900 but knew full well it would never get any travel
so for a first mount figured stick with the 600 - and maybe get a 900
later for a permanent one up at the cottage and just use the 600 when
travelling.

This I am sure will make you truly ponder my sanity; I will be flying
into Maryland to pick up my OTA from Company Seven probably around
late August (will time the summer vacation trip to the cottage with a
trip to pick up the OTA which is being built currently). That will
give me a tube but no mount until.....I don't know but figure based
on examining the way the production runs seem to work --- June
2002?? Seems to be produced in 3 month cycles; 3 months of 400, 3 of
600 etc so having just missed the 600 January run figure I am not up
until next year - and that is praying, knock on wood, that I get in
on that round.

This leaves me wondering, how well do you think I can aim a Questar 7
holding it like a pair of binoculars! Doh...

Scott

--- In ap-gto@y..., markh@s... wrote:

Scott,

Intriguing offer! :-) Now if you were about to take delivery of an
AP 1200 I would offer to let you "maintain" my 600 while I "break

in

and align" your new 1200! :-)

Do you know where you are on the list? It can be a teadious wait!
In my case I ordered it and was informed it was gonna be 9 months.

So for nine months I would go out and image first with my super
polaris then later with my little GM-8. Not a bad mount at all but
when you are trying to put something on a tiny little CCD chip they
just don't cut it!

Then in January of 2000 my 600 shipped. Suddenly I got three

emails

from UPS shipping saying 3 boxes had shipped to me from AP. Now

that

week was hell because it was just beautiful out at night. Crisp,
cold, clear. Oh how I wanted overnight shipping.

The day my mount arrived it was raining so hard that our streets

were

flooding. And as it was I didn't get to use it until roughly mid-
march! So it arrived in January and it rained pretty much from the
day it arrived until mid-march. Because of that I'm a firm

believer

in the "buy an AP mount, get rain" philosophy that sneaks around

here

at times!

Well one thing is for sure you won't be sorry. If nothing else it

is

a good investment. At one star party at Mount Pinos in California

a

guy drove up in an expensive motor home and when he saw the AP 600

he

explained that he was desparately trying to buy one. He then
asked, "How much will you take for it?" I told him it wasn't for
sale. He then offered me $6500 for the mount alone!!!

I have often considered buying about 5 mounts from AP then simply
going to a star party and running an auction! I think you would do
REALLY well! :-)

Mark
--- In ap-gto@y..., yellowwducky@y... wrote:

Hi Mark,

I was thinking, being on the waiting list for a 600 myself, that

if

you would like I could 'maintain' it here for you for a little
while......just until I get my hands on one of my own of

course! ;)

Unfortunately, I am sure you won't go for this and I am sure I

will

not be seeing my own for probably a year if I am lucky. Oh well.

Scott

--- In ap-gto@y..., markh@s... wrote:

I have the AP600E goto.

I've owned it for just about 1.5 years and it has given me

NOTHING

but flawless performance. The RA axis is still smooth as

silk.

My

Dec axis has always been a little "thicker" but still

beautifully

smooth!

Recently, I was helping a friend balance a G-11 and was

surprized

at

how "rough" in comparison the RA and dec axis were. I could

actually

feel the bearings. I get no such felling from my little AP600.

And... It never ceases to turn a few heads at Star Parties.

Probably

my biggest worry is that I'll turn around and it will be gone!

It's

just a little TOO portable.

Anyway on to the real point of this post: Maintenance...

My mount has lived it's short life operating once a month and

being

packed away in a pelican case the rest of the time.

My question is what I can do to keep it running as nicely as it

has

for the last 1.5 years? Should it goto back to AP for the 5000
objects slewed to overhaul? :-)

How does everyone clean their mounts? Unfortunately I have to
operate from some dusty roads. Everything seems to get a fine

layer

of dust on it. I have been reluctant to clean anything because

I

know how much damage dust can do if rubbed in.

So guys and gals... Help me out. What should I do to maintain

this

little beauty?

Mark