I helped Charles pack his car with the goodies that he brought to AstroFest
99. I was amazed how all that fine equipment fit neatly into his sedan.
There was even some room left over for a sandwich or two. In fact, I think I
spotted a year old chicken salmonella sandwich in the front passenger floor
area. ~8^)

Charles, drive carefully. Your equipment is worth more than most peoples'
houses!

Charles S. had easily put both his 1200GTO, and his AP 7.1" F-7 EDFin his

Pontiac Sunfire!Fit, and finish is also much better than the Losmandy
products also. It is truly a work of art!You will not be making a mistake, I
can assure you. Can't wait to getmine! Mark

--- In ap-gto@..., "Wilson Beckett" <wwbeckett@e...> wrote:> "Hi Wilson, Was > thinking about your questions again today, and I kind ofwonderedwhy > you went with the 1200GTO as the mount of choice?"> > Hi Mark and Paul,> > Thanks for the replies. I think I will buy the 48in. pier and look > into the polar scope situation when I contact AP. I had trouble > deciding whether to order the 900 or 1200 mount. I decided to go> with > the big boy because I do hope to one day go up in scopes, perhaps > 'beyond' the likes of an AP 155, and I didn't want to have to wait> for > years to upgrade the mount. I may have bitten off more than I can > chew, but I look at this as my 'final' mount. So does my wife.> > Regards,> > Wilson Beckett Hi Wilson, I share your views exactly.I Previously owned the Losmandy HGM-200. A fine mount it was, butIMO, definitely not in the same league as the 1200QMD, or GTO. Afterlugging the cumbersome HGM around awhile, and then getting a taste atthe '99 Astrofest helping both Roland Christen. and Charles Sinsofskydisassemble, and experience the weight of the components firsthand, Iam totally amazed of how well the 1200 is constructed, and engineered.Much great thought was involved indeed! The individual componentsare relatively compact, and not as heavy as they look. (To me anyway) Much easier to handle,setup, and disassemble than the HGM-200. (Tome, it's a piece of cake) Charles S. had easily put both his 1200GTO, and his AP 7.1" F-7 EDFin his Pontiac Sunfire!Fit, and finish is also much better than the Losmandy products also. It is truly a work of art!You will not be making a mistake, I can assure you. Can't wait to getmine! Mark

"Hi Wilson, Was
thinking about your questions again today, and I kind of wonderedwhy
you went with the 1200GTO as the mount of choice?"

Hi Mark and Paul,

Thanks for the replies. I think I will buy the 48in. pier and look
into the polar scope situation when I contact AP. I had trouble
deciding whether to order the 900 or 1200 mount. I decided to go
with
the big boy because I do hope to one day go up in scopes, perhaps
'beyond' the likes of an AP 155, and I didn't want to have to wait
for
years to upgrade the mount. I may have bitten off more than I can
chew, but I look at this as my 'final' mount. So does my wife.

Regards,

Wilson Beckett

--- In ap-gto@..., "Wilson Beckett" <wwbeckett@e...> wrote:> Hello All,> > I was fortunate to be able to order an AP 1200 mount this year. It > should arrive in the Fall sometime. The folks at Astro-Physics > indicated I should order the appropriate accessories in June.> > My first question is; what height portable pier should I buy? Iwas > thinking 48" or 54". I'm 6ft. tall and would rather lift thingsthan > stoop over.> > I know I will need the DOVELM plate for my C-11 and Tak FS-102scopes > which I now use on a G-11 mount. I hope to upgrade my #1 telescope > before too long, perhaps to an AP155EDF if the gods are smiling. How > much counterweight should I buy? Should I order any other mounting > plate?> > Does this mount come with a polar scope? I can't find mention ofit > on AP's website. A 5x 'integral polar scope' is mentioned as an > accessory on Company Seven's website with no pricing or ordering > information. What's up with the polar scope?> > I would also appreciate any comments about accessory trays, keypad > covers and any other advice.> > Thanks,> > Wilson Beckett Hi Wilson, Was thinking about your questions again today, and I kind of wonderedwhy you went with the 1200GTO as the mount of choice? This would be considerable overkill for all three scopes you havementioned. The 900GTO may have served you better, as the 1200 isalmost twice the size of the 900. Unless you are thinking of futureupgrades of telescopes (Large Mak, Refractor, C-14, etc.) With myApomax 5.2" F-12, the 1200 will be a bit of overkill also, but I amconsidering additional larger scopes in the future, possibly a 10"APMak, or a HTPO 8.2" Apo. Either of these scopes would probably bebetter served on the 1200 In any case though, it is better to beover mounted, than under mounted. The 1200 will handle your scopes,or any combination of with ease.(Tak 102, and 155EDF together) Mark

I was fortunate to be able to order an AP 1200 mount this year. It
should arrive in the Fall sometime. The folks at Astro-Physics
indicated I should order the appropriate accessories in June.

My first question is; what height portable pier should I buy? I was
thinking 48" or 54". I'm 6ft. tall and would rather lift things than
stoop over.

Are you a stand-up or sit-down astronomer? I'm 6 ft 2 in and have a 155 EDF
on a 900 GTO with a 54" pier. It's a little too tall for viewing near the
horizon, but is OK when viewing near the zenith. The 48" is a better match.

Gus

--- In ap-gto@..., "Wilson Beckett" <wwbeckett@e...> wrote:> Hello All,> > I was fortunate to be able to order an AP 1200 mount this year. It > should arrive in the Fall sometime. The folks at Astro-Physics > indicated I should order the appropriate accessories in June.> > My first question is; what height portable pier should I buy? Iwas > thinking 48" or 54". I'm 6ft. tall and would rather lift thingsthan > stoop over.> > I know I will need the DOVELM plate for my C-11 and Tak FS-102scopes > which I now use on a G-11 mount. I hope to upgrade my #1 telescope > before too long, perhaps to an AP155EDF if the gods are smiling. How > much counterweight should I buy? Should I order any other mounting > plate?> > Does this mount come with a polar scope? I can't find mention ofit > on AP's website. A 5x 'integral polar scope' is mentioned as an > accessory on Company Seven's website with no pricing or ordering > information. What's up with the polar scope?> > I would also appreciate any comments about accessory trays, keypad > covers and any other advice.> > Thanks,> > Wilson Beckett Hi Wilson, Iwould venture to say that the 48" pier should be adequate for all 3scopes that you mention. The 54" would probably be more suitable forthe AP 7.1 F-9, and 42" may be a bit short for the refactors youmention. I estimate 1-18lb., and 1-10lb. CW should be adequate for anycombination of the 3 scopes you choose to use (Figuring thepossibility of future acessories such as photgraphic/guide scopesetc.)The Polar scope for these are currently not available, but these dopop up occasionally on Astromart used. (I had luckily found one)If memory serves me correctly, Marj Christen had mentioned not longago, that they are currently in the process of making these scopesonce again available. It's best to keep in touch with AP from timeto time. I like you, await the delievery of a 1200GTO in the fall. It is oneunbelievable mount! Mark

Hello All,

I was fortunate to be able to order an AP 1200 mount this year. It
should arrive in the Fall sometime. The folks at Astro-Physics
indicated I should order the appropriate accessories in June.

My first question is; what height portable pier should I buy? I was
thinking 48" or 54". I'm 6ft. tall and would rather lift things than
stoop over.

I know I will need the DOVELM plate for my C-11 and Tak FS-102 scopes
which I now use on a G-11 mount. I hope to upgrade my #1 telescope
before too long, perhaps to an AP155EDF if the gods are smiling. How
much counterweight should I buy? Should I order any other mounting
plate?

Does this mount come with a polar scope? I can't find mention of it
on AP's website. A 5x 'integral polar scope' is mentioned as an
accessory on Company Seven's website with no pricing or ordering
information. What's up with the polar scope?

I would also appreciate any comments about accessory trays, keypad
covers and any other advice.

Thanks,

Wilson Beckett