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Mach 2 + 12.5" AGO iDK?

Bill Long #78122 What say ye? 12.5″ Imaging Dall Kirkham \| AG Optical 46lbs, but would need to add focuser (8lbs), TCS System (1lb), and camera/accessories (call these 5 lbs). The OTA is about 18" tall (maybe 17.5" but lets call it 18") so this puts me at 18" and 60 lbs. This puts me right on the yellow on the Mach 2 graph AP has. Length of everything, in focus with camera gear on would be about 45". Seems right at the limits, but likely safe. Any ideas on this from AP or others? -Bill
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Roland Christen #78124 Well, I've never tried that scope, but I have loaded my Mach2 to the limit and imaged/guided just fine. Balance is critical and is easy to do. Weight makes for larger moment, which makes the mount slower to respond to external disturbance, like wind. If your scope is open tube with no shroud, wind will not be a problem. I will be loading my Mach2 with a 12" F8 carbon fiber Maksutov astrograph in the next couple days. Weight is about the same as your system. I expect that it will handle it fine and will post some guiding results. Will be getting ready for galaxy season. Rolando toggle quoted message Show quoted text -----Original Message----- From: Bill Long <bill@...> To: AP-GTO Groups. io <ap-gto@groups.io> Sent: Fri, Apr 23, 2021 7:07 pm Subject: [ap-gto] Mach 2 + 12.5" AGO iDK? What say ye? 12.5″ Imaging Dall Kirkham \| AG Optical 46lbs, but would need to add focuser (8lbs), TCS System (1lb), and camera/accessories (call these 5 lbs). The OTA is about 18" tall (maybe 17.5" but lets call it 18") so this puts me at 18" and 60 lbs. This puts me right on the yellow on the Mach 2 graph AP has. Length of everything, in focus with camera gear on would be about 45". Seems right at the limits, but likely safe. Any ideas on this from AP or others? -Bill -- Roland Christen Astro-Physics
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Wayne Hixson #78125 Bill, I had that combo along with a FLI4040 and big FLI filter wheel with MMOAG and it was fine. toggle quoted message Show quoted text On Apr 23, 2021, at 5:44 PM, Roland Christen via groups.io <chris1011@...> wrote: Well, I've never tried that scope, but I have loaded my Mach2 to the limit and imaged/guided just fine. Balance is critical and is easy to do. Weight makes for larger moment, which makes the mount slower to respond to external disturbance, like wind. If your scope is open tube with no shroud, wind will not be a problem. I will be loading my Mach2 with a 12" F8 carbon fiber Maksutov astrograph in the next couple days. Weight is about the same as your system. I expect that it will handle it fine and will post some guiding results. Will be getting ready for galaxy season. Rolando -----Original Message----- From: Bill Long <bill@...> To: AP-GTO Groups. io <ap-gto@groups.io> Sent: Fri, Apr 23, 2021 7:07 pm Subject: [ap-gto] Mach 2 + 12.5" AGO iDK? What say ye? 12.5″ Imaging Dall Kirkham \| AG Optical 46lbs, but would need to add focuser (8lbs), TCS System (1lb), and camera/accessories (call these 5 lbs). The OTA is about 18" tall (maybe 17.5" but lets call it 18") so this puts me at 18" and 60 lbs. This puts me right on the yellow on the Mach 2 graph AP has. Length of everything, in focus with camera gear on would be about 45". Seems right at the limits, but likely safe. Any ideas on this from AP or others? -Bill -- Roland Christen Astro-Physics
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Bill Long #78127 Yeah balancing the Mach 2 has been a breeze. I will get the 12.5 ready and test it out and see how it does. It is a truss design, I can leave the shroud off if you think that will help out. toggle quoted message Show quoted text From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> on behalf of Roland Christen via groups.io <chris1011@...> Sent: Friday, April 23, 2021 5:44 PM To: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Mach 2 + 12.5" AGO iDK? Well, I've never tried that scope, but I have loaded my Mach2 to the limit and imaged/guided just fine. Balance is critical and is easy to do. Weight makes for larger moment, which makes the mount slower to respond to external disturbance, like wind. If your scope is open tube with no shroud, wind will not be a problem. I will be loading my Mach2 with a 12" F8 carbon fiber Maksutov astrograph in the next couple days. Weight is about the same as your system. I expect that it will handle it fine and will post some guiding results. Will be getting ready for galaxy season. Rolando -----Original Message----- From: Bill Long <bill@...> To: AP-GTO Groups. io <ap-gto@groups.io> Sent: Fri, Apr 23, 2021 7:07 pm Subject: [ap-gto] Mach 2 + 12.5" AGO iDK? What say ye? 12.5″ Imaging Dall Kirkham \| AG Optical 46lbs, but would need to add focuser (8lbs), TCS System (1lb), and camera/accessories (call these 5 lbs). The OTA is about 18" tall (maybe 17.5" but lets call it 18") so this puts me at 18" and 60 lbs. This puts me right on the yellow on the Mach 2 graph AP has. Length of everything, in focus with camera gear on would be about 45". Seems right at the limits, but likely safe. Any ideas on this from AP or others? -Bill -- Roland Christen Astro-Physics
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Bill Long #78129 Good to know! 🙂 toggle quoted message Show quoted text From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> on behalf of Wayne Hixson via groups.io <wayneh9026@...> Sent: Friday, April 23, 2021 5:48 PM To: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Mach 2 + 12.5" AGO iDK? Bill, I had that combo along with a FLI4040 and big FLI filter wheel with MMOAG and it was fine. On Apr 23, 2021, at 5:44 PM, Roland Christen via groups.io <chris1011@...> wrote: Well, I've never tried that scope, but I have loaded my Mach2 to the limit and imaged/guided just fine. Balance is critical and is easy to do. Weight makes for larger moment, which makes the mount slower to respond to external disturbance, like wind. If your scope is open tube with no shroud, wind will not be a problem. I will be loading my Mach2 with a 12" F8 carbon fiber Maksutov astrograph in the next couple days. Weight is about the same as your system. I expect that it will handle it fine and will post some guiding results. Will be getting ready for galaxy season. Rolando -----Original Message----- From: Bill Long <bill@...> To: AP-GTO Groups. io <ap-gto@groups.io> Sent: Fri, Apr 23, 2021 7:07 pm Subject: [ap-gto] Mach 2 + 12.5" AGO iDK? What say ye? 12.5″ Imaging Dall Kirkham \| AG Optical 46lbs, but would need to add focuser (8lbs), TCS System (1lb), and camera/accessories (call these 5 lbs). The OTA is about 18" tall (maybe 17.5" but lets call it 18") so this puts me at 18" and 60 lbs. This puts me right on the yellow on the Mach 2 graph AP has. Length of everything, in focus with camera gear on would be about 45". Seems right at the limits, but likely safe. Any ideas on this from AP or others? -Bill -- Roland Christen Astro-Physics
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michael mccann #78131 Hi Rolando Who makes a 12” fiber Maksutov. I don’t see many over 8” listed. Cheers toggle quoted message Show quoted text On Apr 23, 2021, at 6:44 PM, Roland Christen via groups.io <chris1011@...> wrote: Well, I've never tried that scope, but I have loaded my Mach2 to the limit and imaged/guided just fine. Balance is critical and is easy to do. Weight makes for larger moment, which makes the mount slower to respond to external disturbance, like wind. If your scope is open tube with no shroud, wind will not be a problem. I will be loading my Mach2 with a 12" F8 carbon fiber Maksutov astrograph in the next couple days. Weight is about the same as your system. I expect that it will handle it fine and will post some guiding results. Will be getting ready for galaxy season. Rolando -----Original Message----- From: Bill Long <bill@...> To: AP-GTO Groups. io <ap-gto@groups.io> Sent: Fri, Apr 23, 2021 7:07 pm Subject: [ap-gto] Mach 2 + 12.5" AGO iDK? What say ye? 12.5″ Imaging Dall Kirkham \| AG Optical 46lbs, but would need to add focuser (8lbs), TCS System (1lb), and camera/accessories (call these 5 lbs). The OTA is about 18" tall (maybe 17.5" but lets call it 18") so this puts me at 18" and 60 lbs. This puts me right on the yellow on the Mach 2 graph AP has. Length of everything, in focus with camera gear on would be about 45". Seems right at the limits, but likely safe. Any ideas on this from AP or others? -Bill -- Roland Christen Astro-Physics
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Bill Long #78132 He made it I would imagine... :) toggle quoted message Show quoted text From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> on behalf of michael mccann via groups.io <mmccawsprojects@...> Sent: Friday, April 23, 2021 8:18 PM To: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Mach 2 + 12.5" AGO iDK? Hi Rolando Who makes a 12” fiber Maksutov. I don’t see many over 8” listed. Cheers On Apr 23, 2021, at 6:44 PM, Roland Christen via groups.io <chris1011@...> wrote: Well, I've never tried that scope, but I have loaded my Mach2 to the limit and imaged/guided just fine. Balance is critical and is easy to do. Weight makes for larger moment, which makes the mount slower to respond to external disturbance, like wind. If your scope is open tube with no shroud, wind will not be a problem. I will be loading my Mach2 with a 12" F8 carbon fiber Maksutov astrograph in the next couple days. Weight is about the same as your system. I expect that it will handle it fine and will post some guiding results. Will be getting ready for galaxy season. Rolando -----Original Message----- From: Bill Long <bill@...> To: AP-GTO Groups. io <ap-gto@groups.io> Sent: Fri, Apr 23, 2021 7:07 pm Subject: [ap-gto] Mach 2 + 12.5" AGO iDK? What say ye? 12.5″ Imaging Dall Kirkham \| AG Optical 46lbs, but would need to add focuser (8lbs), TCS System (1lb), and camera/accessories (call these 5 lbs). The OTA is about 18" tall (maybe 17.5" but lets call it 18") so this puts me at 18" and 60 lbs. This puts me right on the yellow on the Mach 2 graph AP has. Length of everything, in focus with camera gear on would be about 45". Seems right at the limits, but likely safe. Any ideas on this from AP or others? -Bill -- Roland Christen Astro-Physics
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michael mccann #78133 👍 toggle quoted message Show quoted text On Apr 23, 2021, at 9:31 PM, Bill Long <bill@...> wrote: He made it I would imagine... :) From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> on behalf of michael mccann via groups.io <mmccawsprojects@...> Sent: Friday, April 23, 2021 8:18 PM To: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Mach 2 + 12.5" AGO iDK? Hi Rolando Who makes a 12” fiber Maksutov. I don’t see many over 8” listed. Cheers On Apr 23, 2021, at 6:44 PM, Roland Christen via groups.io <chris1011@...> wrote: Well, I've never tried that scope, but I have loaded my Mach2 to the limit and imaged/guided just fine. Balance is critical and is easy to do. Weight makes for larger moment, which makes the mount slower to respond to external disturbance, like wind. If your scope is open tube with no shroud, wind will not be a problem. I will be loading my Mach2 with a 12" F8 carbon fiber Maksutov astrograph in the next couple days. Weight is about the same as your system. I expect that it will handle it fine and will post some guiding results. Will be getting ready for galaxy season. Rolando -----Original Message----- From: Bill Long <bill@...> To: AP-GTO Groups. io <ap-gto@groups.io> Sent: Fri, Apr 23, 2021 7:07 pm Subject: [ap-gto] Mach 2 + 12.5" AGO iDK? What say ye? 12.5″ Imaging Dall Kirkham \| AG Optical 46lbs, but would need to add focuser (8lbs), TCS System (1lb), and camera/accessories (call these 5 lbs). The OTA is about 18" tall (maybe 17.5" but lets call it 18") so this puts me at 18" and 60 lbs. This puts me right on the yellow on the Mach 2 graph AP has. Length of everything, in focus with camera gear on would be about 45". Seems right at the limits, but likely safe. Any ideas on this from AP or others? -Bill -- Roland Christen Astro-Physics
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Roland Christen #78135 We made two of them. One is in Chile at our remote observatory. The other is here in our AP observatory. Rolando toggle quoted message Show quoted text -----Original Message----- From: michael mccann via groups.io <mmccawsprojects@...> To: main@ap-gto.groups.io Sent: Fri, Apr 23, 2021 10:18 pm Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Mach 2 + 12.5" AGO iDK? Hi Rolando Who makes a 12” fiber Maksutov. I don’t see many over 8” listed. Cheers On Apr 23, 2021, at 6:44 PM, Roland Christen via groups.io <chris1011@...> wrote: Well, I've never tried that scope, but I have loaded my Mach2 to the limit and imaged/guided just fine. Balance is critical and is easy to do. Weight makes for larger moment, which makes the mount slower to respond to external disturbance, like wind. If your scope is open tube with no shroud, wind will not be a problem. I will be loading my Mach2 with a 12" F8 carbon fiber Maksutov astrograph in the next couple days. Weight is about the same as your system. I expect that it will handle it fine and will post some guiding results. Will be getting ready for galaxy season. Rolando -----Original Message----- From: Bill Long <bill@...> To: AP-GTO Groups. io <ap-gto@groups.io> Sent: Fri, Apr 23, 2021 7:07 pm Subject: [ap-gto] Mach 2 + 12.5" AGO iDK? What say ye? 12.5″ Imaging Dall Kirkham \| AG Optical 46lbs, but would need to add focuser (8lbs), TCS System (1lb), and camera/accessories (call these 5 lbs). The OTA is about 18" tall (maybe 17.5" but lets call it 18") so this puts me at 18" and 60 lbs. This puts me right on the yellow on the Mach 2 graph AP has. Length of everything, in focus with camera gear on would be about 45". Seems right at the limits, but likely safe. Any ideas on this from AP or others? -Bill -- Roland Christen Astro-Physics -- Roland Christen Astro-Physics
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Bill Long #79603 Circling back on this as I finally got to test this out. I put my 12.5" AGO iDK, Moonlight Nitecrawler, FLI Proline 16803, CFW 5-7, Sagitta OAG, and Ultrastar guide camera on the Mach 2. Balancing the load was pretty easy to do, and I had just enough weights on hand for the job. This is pretty much at capacity for the mount based on the specifications. Might even be a tad over. 😁 Performance was stellar. I made a 98pt model in APPM, and used 5 second guide exposures. I took 5 hours worth of 20 minute HA subs and not a single one had any trailing at all. Very nice tight round stars in all of the images. Guiding was about 0.2-0.35" range throughout the night. Graph picture below. I'll be getting some more data over the next few nights. I'll share some subs later this evening when I'm back on the Astro PC. Conclusion: Mach 2 is a beastly mount that easily handled this challenge and passed with flying colors. Well done AP! toggle quoted message Show quoted text From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> on behalf of Roland Christen via groups.io <chris1011@...> Sent: Friday, April 23, 2021 5:44 PM To: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Mach 2 + 12.5" AGO iDK? Well, I've never tried that scope, but I have loaded my Mach2 to the limit and imaged/guided just fine. Balance is critical and is easy to do. Weight makes for larger moment, which makes the mount slower to respond to external disturbance, like wind. If your scope is open tube with no shroud, wind will not be a problem. I will be loading my Mach2 with a 12" F8 carbon fiber Maksutov astrograph in the next couple days. Weight is about the same as your system. I expect that it will handle it fine and will post some guiding results. Will be getting ready for galaxy season. Rolando -----Original Message----- From: Bill Long <bill@...> To: AP-GTO Groups. io <ap-gto@groups.io> Sent: Fri, Apr 23, 2021 7:07 pm Subject: [ap-gto] Mach 2 + 12.5" AGO iDK? What say ye? 12.5″ Imaging Dall Kirkham \| AG Optical 46lbs, but would need to add focuser (8lbs), TCS System (1lb), and camera/accessories (call these 5 lbs). The OTA is about 18" tall (maybe 17.5" but lets call it 18") so this puts me at 18" and 60 lbs. This puts me right on the yellow on the Mach 2 graph AP has. Length of everything, in focus with camera gear on would be about 45". Seems right at the limits, but likely safe. Any ideas on this from AP or others? -Bill -- Roland Christen Astro-Physics
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Bill Long #79610 Here are some sample subs: AG12 Setup I took the highest and lowest FWHM from the data set and shared them. toggle quoted message Show quoted text From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> on behalf of Bill Long <bill@...> Sent: Sunday, July 25, 2021 10:12 AM To: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Mach 2 + 12.5" AGO iDK? Circling back on this as I finally got to test this out. I put my 12.5" AGO iDK, Moonlight Nitecrawler, FLI Proline 16803, CFW 5-7, Sagitta OAG, and Ultrastar guide camera on the Mach 2. Balancing the load was pretty easy to do, and I had just enough weights on hand for the job. This is pretty much at capacity for the mount based on the specifications. Might even be a tad over. 😁 Performance was stellar. I made a 98pt model in APPM, and used 5 second guide exposures. I took 5 hours worth of 20 minute HA subs and not a single one had any trailing at all. Very nice tight round stars in all of the images. Guiding was about 0.2-0.35" range throughout the night. Graph picture below. I'll be getting some more data over the next few nights. I'll share some subs later this evening when I'm back on the Astro PC. Conclusion: Mach 2 is a beastly mount that easily handled this challenge and passed with flying colors. Well done AP! From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> on behalf of Roland Christen via groups.io <chris1011@...> Sent: Friday, April 23, 2021 5:44 PM To: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Mach 2 + 12.5" AGO iDK? Well, I've never tried that scope, but I have loaded my Mach2 to the limit and imaged/guided just fine. Balance is critical and is easy to do. Weight makes for larger moment, which makes the mount slower to respond to external disturbance, like wind. If your scope is open tube with no shroud, wind will not be a problem. I will be loading my Mach2 with a 12" F8 carbon fiber Maksutov astrograph in the next couple days. Weight is about the same as your system. I expect that it will handle it fine and will post some guiding results. Will be getting ready for galaxy season. Rolando -----Original Message----- From: Bill Long <bill@...> To: AP-GTO Groups. io <ap-gto@groups.io> Sent: Fri, Apr 23, 2021 7:07 pm Subject: [ap-gto] Mach 2 + 12.5" AGO iDK? What say ye? 12.5″ Imaging Dall Kirkham \| AG Optical 46lbs, but would need to add focuser (8lbs), TCS System (1lb), and camera/accessories (call these 5 lbs). The OTA is about 18" tall (maybe 17.5" but lets call it 18") so this puts me at 18" and 60 lbs. This puts me right on the yellow on the Mach 2 graph AP has. Length of everything, in focus with camera gear on would be about 45". Seems right at the limits, but likely safe. Any ideas on this from AP or others? -Bill -- Roland Christen Astro-Physics
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Bill Long #79611 We had mild wind here about 5-6MPH and so I wanted to show that as well. No impact at all to subs, and the Mach 2 handled it fine. toggle quoted message Show quoted text From: Bill Long <bill@...> Sent: Sunday, July 25, 2021 8:47 PM To: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Mach 2 + 12.5" AGO iDK? Here are some sample subs: AG12 Setup I took the highest and lowest FWHM from the data set and shared them. From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> on behalf of Bill Long <bill@...> Sent: Sunday, July 25, 2021 10:12 AM To: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Mach 2 + 12.5" AGO iDK? Circling back on this as I finally got to test this out. I put my 12.5" AGO iDK, Moonlight Nitecrawler, FLI Proline 16803, CFW 5-7, Sagitta OAG, and Ultrastar guide camera on the Mach 2. Balancing the load was pretty easy to do, and I had just enough weights on hand for the job. This is pretty much at capacity for the mount based on the specifications. Might even be a tad over. 😁 Performance was stellar. I made a 98pt model in APPM, and used 5 second guide exposures. I took 5 hours worth of 20 minute HA subs and not a single one had any trailing at all. Very nice tight round stars in all of the images. Guiding was about 0.2-0.35" range throughout the night. Graph picture below. I'll be getting some more data over the next few nights. I'll share some subs later this evening when I'm back on the Astro PC. Conclusion: Mach 2 is a beastly mount that easily handled this challenge and passed with flying colors. Well done AP! From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> on behalf of Roland Christen via groups.io <chris1011@...> Sent: Friday, April 23, 2021 5:44 PM To: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Mach 2 + 12.5" AGO iDK? Well, I've never tried that scope, but I have loaded my Mach2 to the limit and imaged/guided just fine. Balance is critical and is easy to do. Weight makes for larger moment, which makes the mount slower to respond to external disturbance, like wind. If your scope is open tube with no shroud, wind will not be a problem. I will be loading my Mach2 with a 12" F8 carbon fiber Maksutov astrograph in the next couple days. Weight is about the same as your system. I expect that it will handle it fine and will post some guiding results. Will be getting ready for galaxy season. Rolando -----Original Message----- From: Bill Long <bill@...> To: AP-GTO Groups. io <ap-gto@groups.io> Sent: Fri, Apr 23, 2021 7:07 pm Subject: [ap-gto] Mach 2 + 12.5" AGO iDK? What say ye? 12.5″ Imaging Dall Kirkham \| AG Optical 46lbs, but would need to add focuser (8lbs), TCS System (1lb), and camera/accessories (call these 5 lbs). The OTA is about 18" tall (maybe 17.5" but lets call it 18") so this puts me at 18" and 60 lbs. This puts me right on the yellow on the Mach 2 graph AP has. Length of everything, in focus with camera gear on would be about 45". Seems right at the limits, but likely safe. Any ideas on this from AP or others? -Bill -- Roland Christen Astro-Physics
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Bill Long #79664 A total of 4 all night imaging runs with this combo and still not a single sub thrown out. Excellent tracking and guiding performance. I haven't touched PA, PHD2 settings, or the model since night one when I set the mount up outside. It just works. Tonight will be night 5. toggle quoted message Show quoted text From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> on behalf of Bill Long <bill@...> Sent: Monday, July 26, 2021 2:49 AM To: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Mach 2 + 12.5" AGO iDK? We had mild wind here about 5-6MPH and so I wanted to show that as well. No impact at all to subs, and the Mach 2 handled it fine. From: Bill Long <bill@...> Sent: Sunday, July 25, 2021 8:47 PM To: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Mach 2 + 12.5" AGO iDK? Here are some sample subs: AG12 Setup I took the highest and lowest FWHM from the data set and shared them. From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> on behalf of Bill Long <bill@...> Sent: Sunday, July 25, 2021 10:12 AM To: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Mach 2 + 12.5" AGO iDK? Circling back on this as I finally got to test this out. I put my 12.5" AGO iDK, Moonlight Nitecrawler, FLI Proline 16803, CFW 5-7, Sagitta OAG, and Ultrastar guide camera on the Mach 2. Balancing the load was pretty easy to do, and I had just enough weights on hand for the job. This is pretty much at capacity for the mount based on the specifications. Might even be a tad over. 😁 Performance was stellar. I made a 98pt model in APPM, and used 5 second guide exposures. I took 5 hours worth of 20 minute HA subs and not a single one had any trailing at all. Very nice tight round stars in all of the images. Guiding was about 0.2-0.35" range throughout the night. Graph picture below. I'll be getting some more data over the next few nights. I'll share some subs later this evening when I'm back on the Astro PC. Conclusion: Mach 2 is a beastly mount that easily handled this challenge and passed with flying colors. Well done AP! From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> on behalf of Roland Christen via groups.io <chris1011@...> Sent: Friday, April 23, 2021 5:44 PM To: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Mach 2 + 12.5" AGO iDK? Well, I've never tried that scope, but I have loaded my Mach2 to the limit and imaged/guided just fine. Balance is critical and is easy to do. Weight makes for larger moment, which makes the mount slower to respond to external disturbance, like wind. If your scope is open tube with no shroud, wind will not be a problem. I will be loading my Mach2 with a 12" F8 carbon fiber Maksutov astrograph in the next couple days. Weight is about the same as your system. I expect that it will handle it fine and will post some guiding results. Will be getting ready for galaxy season. Rolando -----Original Message----- From: Bill Long <bill@...> To: AP-GTO Groups. io <ap-gto@groups.io> Sent: Fri, Apr 23, 2021 7:07 pm Subject: [ap-gto] Mach 2 + 12.5" AGO iDK? What say ye? 12.5″ Imaging Dall Kirkham \| AG Optical 46lbs, but would need to add focuser (8lbs), TCS System (1lb), and camera/accessories (call these 5 lbs). The OTA is about 18" tall (maybe 17.5" but lets call it 18") so this puts me at 18" and 60 lbs. This puts me right on the yellow on the Mach 2 graph AP has. Length of everything, in focus with camera gear on would be about 45". Seems right at the limits, but likely safe. Any ideas on this from AP or others? -Bill -- Roland Christen Astro-Physics
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Roland Christen #79675 Great! So, this combination mount and scope is a winner. Good to know. Thanks, Rolando toggle quoted message Show quoted text -----Original Message----- From: Bill Long <bill@...> To: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> Sent: Wed, Jul 28, 2021 10:57 am Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Mach 2 + 12.5" AGO iDK? A total of 4 all night imaging runs with this combo and still not a single sub thrown out. Excellent tracking and guiding performance. I haven't touched PA, PHD2 settings, or the model since night one when I set the mount up outside. It just works. Tonight will be night 5. From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> on behalf of Bill Long <bill@...> Sent: Monday, July 26, 2021 2:49 AM To: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Mach 2 + 12.5" AGO iDK? We had mild wind here about 5-6MPH and so I wanted to show that as well. No impact at all to subs, and the Mach 2 handled it fine. From: Bill Long <bill@...> Sent: Sunday, July 25, 2021 8:47 PM To: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Mach 2 + 12.5" AGO iDK? Here are some sample subs: AG12 Setup I took the highest and lowest FWHM from the data set and shared them. From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> on behalf of Bill Long <bill@...> Sent: Sunday, July 25, 2021 10:12 AM To: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Mach 2 + 12.5" AGO iDK? Circling back on this as I finally got to test this out. I put my 12.5" AGO iDK, Moonlight Nitecrawler, FLI Proline 16803, CFW 5-7, Sagitta OAG, and Ultrastar guide camera on the Mach 2. Balancing the load was pretty easy to do, and I had just enough weights on hand for the job. This is pretty much at capacity for the mount based on the specifications. Might even be a tad over. 😁 Performance was stellar. I made a 98pt model in APPM, and used 5 second guide exposures. I took 5 hours worth of 20 minute HA subs and not a single one had any trailing at all. Very nice tight round stars in all of the images. Guiding was about 0.2-0.35" range throughout the night. Graph picture below. I'll be getting some more data over the next few nights. I'll share some subs later this evening when I'm back on the Astro PC. Conclusion: Mach 2 is a beastly mount that easily handled this challenge and passed with flying colors. Well done AP! From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> on behalf of Roland Christen via groups.io <chris1011@...> Sent: Friday, April 23, 2021 5:44 PM To: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Mach 2 + 12.5" AGO iDK? Well, I've never tried that scope, but I have loaded my Mach2 to the limit and imaged/guided just fine. Balance is critical and is easy to do. Weight makes for larger moment, which makes the mount slower to respond to external disturbance, like wind. If your scope is open tube with no shroud, wind will not be a problem. I will be loading my Mach2 with a 12" F8 carbon fiber Maksutov astrograph in the next couple days. Weight is about the same as your system. I expect that it will handle it fine and will post some guiding results. Will be getting ready for galaxy season. Rolando -----Original Message----- From: Bill Long <bill@...> To: AP-GTO Groups. io <ap-gto@groups.io> Sent: Fri, Apr 23, 2021 7:07 pm Subject: [ap-gto] Mach 2 + 12.5" AGO iDK? What say ye? 12.5″ Imaging Dall Kirkham \| AG Optical 46lbs, but would need to add focuser (8lbs), TCS System (1lb), and camera/accessories (call these 5 lbs). The OTA is about 18" tall (maybe 17.5" but lets call it 18") so this puts me at 18" and 60 lbs. This puts me right on the yellow on the Mach 2 graph AP has. Length of everything, in focus with camera gear on would be about 45". Seems right at the limits, but likely safe. Any ideas on this from AP or others? -Bill -- Roland Christen Astro-Physics -- Roland Christen Astro-Physics
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Bill Long #79676 Yep. Absolutely no problem at all. toggle quoted message Show quoted text From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> on behalf of Roland Christen via groups.io <chris1011@...> Sent: Thursday, July 29, 2021 12:08 AM To: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Mach 2 + 12.5" AGO iDK? Great! So, this combination mount and scope is a winner. Good to know. Thanks, Rolando -----Original Message----- From: Bill Long <bill@...> To: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> Sent: Wed, Jul 28, 2021 10:57 am Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Mach 2 + 12.5" AGO iDK? A total of 4 all night imaging runs with this combo and still not a single sub thrown out. Excellent tracking and guiding performance. I haven't touched PA, PHD2 settings, or the model since night one when I set the mount up outside. It just works. Tonight will be night 5. From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> on behalf of Bill Long <bill@...> Sent: Monday, July 26, 2021 2:49 AM To: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Mach 2 + 12.5" AGO iDK? We had mild wind here about 5-6MPH and so I wanted to show that as well. No impact at all to subs, and the Mach 2 handled it fine. From: Bill Long <bill@...> Sent: Sunday, July 25, 2021 8:47 PM To: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Mach 2 + 12.5" AGO iDK? Here are some sample subs: AG12 Setup I took the highest and lowest FWHM from the data set and shared them. From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> on behalf of Bill Long <bill@...> Sent: Sunday, July 25, 2021 10:12 AM To: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Mach 2 + 12.5" AGO iDK? Circling back on this as I finally got to test this out. I put my 12.5" AGO iDK, Moonlight Nitecrawler, FLI Proline 16803, CFW 5-7, Sagitta OAG, and Ultrastar guide camera on the Mach 2. Balancing the load was pretty easy to do, and I had just enough weights on hand for the job. This is pretty much at capacity for the mount based on the specifications. Might even be a tad over. 😁 Performance was stellar. I made a 98pt model in APPM, and used 5 second guide exposures. I took 5 hours worth of 20 minute HA subs and not a single one had any trailing at all. Very nice tight round stars in all of the images. Guiding was about 0.2-0.35" range throughout the night. Graph picture below. I'll be getting some more data over the next few nights. I'll share some subs later this evening when I'm back on the Astro PC. Conclusion: Mach 2 is a beastly mount that easily handled this challenge and passed with flying colors. Well done AP! From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> on behalf of Roland Christen via groups.io <chris1011@...> Sent: Friday, April 23, 2021 5:44 PM To: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Mach 2 + 12.5" AGO iDK? Well, I've never tried that scope, but I have loaded my Mach2 to the limit and imaged/guided just fine. Balance is critical and is easy to do. Weight makes for larger moment, which makes the mount slower to respond to external disturbance, like wind. If your scope is open tube with no shroud, wind will not be a problem. I will be loading my Mach2 with a 12" F8 carbon fiber Maksutov astrograph in the next couple days. Weight is about the same as your system. I expect that it will handle it fine and will post some guiding results. Will be getting ready for galaxy season. Rolando -----Original Message----- From: Bill Long <bill@...> To: AP-GTO Groups. io <ap-gto@groups.io> Sent: Fri, Apr 23, 2021 7:07 pm Subject: [ap-gto] Mach 2 + 12.5" AGO iDK? What say ye? 12.5″ Imaging Dall Kirkham \| AG Optical 46lbs, but would need to add focuser (8lbs), TCS System (1lb), and camera/accessories (call these 5 lbs). The OTA is about 18" tall (maybe 17.5" but lets call it 18") so this puts me at 18" and 60 lbs. This puts me right on the yellow on the Mach 2 graph AP has. Length of everything, in focus with camera gear on would be about 45". Seems right at the limits, but likely safe. Any ideas on this from AP or others? -Bill -- Roland Christen Astro-Physics -- Roland Christen Astro-Physics
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Bill Long #79711 Night 5, still the same story. Excellent performance with a massive load on the Mach 2 mount. I have still done nothing at all in terms of the model, PA, or anything else. I should probably add in for new people that this rig sits 2 stories in the air, on a wooden deck that is over 15 years old. If that doesn't show the power of this mount, nothing will. This is the ULTIMATE torture test. The mount is at its limits, and its environment is well past its limits. Yet -- with good equipment even you can image on a tightrope. 😄 toggle quoted message Show quoted text From: Bill Long <bill@...> Sent: Thursday, July 29, 2021 12:19 AM To: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Mach 2 + 12.5" AGO iDK? Yep. Absolutely no problem at all. From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> on behalf of Roland Christen via groups.io <chris1011@...> Sent: Thursday, July 29, 2021 12:08 AM To: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Mach 2 + 12.5" AGO iDK? Great! So, this combination mount and scope is a winner. Good to know. Thanks, Rolando -----Original Message----- From: Bill Long <bill@...> To: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> Sent: Wed, Jul 28, 2021 10:57 am Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Mach 2 + 12.5" AGO iDK? A total of 4 all night imaging runs with this combo and still not a single sub thrown out. Excellent tracking and guiding performance. I haven't touched PA, PHD2 settings, or the model since night one when I set the mount up outside. It just works. Tonight will be night 5. From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> on behalf of Bill Long <bill@...> Sent: Monday, July 26, 2021 2:49 AM To: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Mach 2 + 12.5" AGO iDK? We had mild wind here about 5-6MPH and so I wanted to show that as well. No impact at all to subs, and the Mach 2 handled it fine. From: Bill Long <bill@...> Sent: Sunday, July 25, 2021 8:47 PM To: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Mach 2 + 12.5" AGO iDK? Here are some sample subs: AG12 Setup I took the highest and lowest FWHM from the data set and shared them. From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> on behalf of Bill Long <bill@...> Sent: Sunday, July 25, 2021 10:12 AM To: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Mach 2 + 12.5" AGO iDK? Circling back on this as I finally got to test this out. I put my 12.5" AGO iDK, Moonlight Nitecrawler, FLI Proline 16803, CFW 5-7, Sagitta OAG, and Ultrastar guide camera on the Mach 2. Balancing the load was pretty easy to do, and I had just enough weights on hand for the job. This is pretty much at capacity for the mount based on the specifications. Might even be a tad over. 😁 Performance was stellar. I made a 98pt model in APPM, and used 5 second guide exposures. I took 5 hours worth of 20 minute HA subs and not a single one had any trailing at all. Very nice tight round stars in all of the images. Guiding was about 0.2-0.35" range throughout the night. Graph picture below. I'll be getting some more data over the next few nights. I'll share some subs later this evening when I'm back on the Astro PC. Conclusion: Mach 2 is a beastly mount that easily handled this challenge and passed with flying colors. Well done AP! From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> on behalf of Roland Christen via groups.io <chris1011@...> Sent: Friday, April 23, 2021 5:44 PM To: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Mach 2 + 12.5" AGO iDK? Well, I've never tried that scope, but I have loaded my Mach2 to the limit and imaged/guided just fine. Balance is critical and is easy to do. Weight makes for larger moment, which makes the mount slower to respond to external disturbance, like wind. If your scope is open tube with no shroud, wind will not be a problem. I will be loading my Mach2 with a 12" F8 carbon fiber Maksutov astrograph in the next couple days. Weight is about the same as your system. I expect that it will handle it fine and will post some guiding results. Will be getting ready for galaxy season. Rolando -----Original Message----- From: Bill Long <bill@...> To: AP-GTO Groups. io <ap-gto@groups.io> Sent: Fri, Apr 23, 2021 7:07 pm Subject: [ap-gto] Mach 2 + 12.5" AGO iDK? What say ye? 12.5″ Imaging Dall Kirkham \| AG Optical 46lbs, but would need to add focuser (8lbs), TCS System (1lb), and camera/accessories (call these 5 lbs). The OTA is about 18" tall (maybe 17.5" but lets call it 18") so this puts me at 18" and 60 lbs. This puts me right on the yellow on the Mach 2 graph AP has. Length of everything, in focus with camera gear on would be about 45". Seems right at the limits, but likely safe. Any ideas on this from AP or others? -Bill -- Roland Christen Astro-Physics -- Roland Christen Astro-Physics
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Bill Long #79800 Had to take a break but should be back in the swing tonight with this combo. I took Rolands advice and neutral balanced both axis on the Mach 2. Here is a photo of the beast in route to a fun night. Counterweights are 1x30, 3x18, 2x10, aka all the weights I own. 😂 She's perfectly balanced though. We'll see how the night goes. toggle quoted message Show quoted text From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> on behalf of Bill Long <bill@...> Sent: Friday, July 30, 2021 12:14 AM To: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Mach 2 + 12.5" AGO iDK? Night 5, still the same story. Excellent performance with a massive load on the Mach 2 mount. I have still done nothing at all in terms of the model, PA, or anything else. I should probably add in for new people that this rig sits 2 stories in the air, on a wooden deck that is over 15 years old. If that doesn't show the power of this mount, nothing will. This is the ULTIMATE torture test. The mount is at its limits, and its environment is well past its limits. Yet -- with good equipment even you can image on a tightrope. 😄 From: Bill Long <bill@...> Sent: Thursday, July 29, 2021 12:19 AM To: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Mach 2 + 12.5" AGO iDK? Yep. Absolutely no problem at all. From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> on behalf of Roland Christen via groups.io <chris1011@...> Sent: Thursday, July 29, 2021 12:08 AM To: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Mach 2 + 12.5" AGO iDK? Great! So, this combination mount and scope is a winner. Good to know. Thanks, Rolando -----Original Message----- From: Bill Long <bill@...> To: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> Sent: Wed, Jul 28, 2021 10:57 am Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Mach 2 + 12.5" AGO iDK? A total of 4 all night imaging runs with this combo and still not a single sub thrown out. Excellent tracking and guiding performance. I haven't touched PA, PHD2 settings, or the model since night one when I set the mount up outside. It just works. Tonight will be night 5. From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> on behalf of Bill Long <bill@...> Sent: Monday, July 26, 2021 2:49 AM To: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Mach 2 + 12.5" AGO iDK? We had mild wind here about 5-6MPH and so I wanted to show that as well. No impact at all to subs, and the Mach 2 handled it fine. From: Bill Long <bill@...> Sent: Sunday, July 25, 2021 8:47 PM To: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Mach 2 + 12.5" AGO iDK? Here are some sample subs: AG12 Setup I took the highest and lowest FWHM from the data set and shared them. From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> on behalf of Bill Long <bill@...> Sent: Sunday, July 25, 2021 10:12 AM To: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Mach 2 + 12.5" AGO iDK? Circling back on this as I finally got to test this out. I put my 12.5" AGO iDK, Moonlight Nitecrawler, FLI Proline 16803, CFW 5-7, Sagitta OAG, and Ultrastar guide camera on the Mach 2. Balancing the load was pretty easy to do, and I had just enough weights on hand for the job. This is pretty much at capacity for the mount based on the specifications. Might even be a tad over. 😁 Performance was stellar. I made a 98pt model in APPM, and used 5 second guide exposures. I took 5 hours worth of 20 minute HA subs and not a single one had any trailing at all. Very nice tight round stars in all of the images. Guiding was about 0.2-0.35" range throughout the night. Graph picture below. I'll be getting some more data over the next few nights. I'll share some subs later this evening when I'm back on the Astro PC. Conclusion: Mach 2 is a beastly mount that easily handled this challenge and passed with flying colors. Well done AP! From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> on behalf of Roland Christen via groups.io <chris1011@...> Sent: Friday, April 23, 2021 5:44 PM To: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Mach 2 + 12.5" AGO iDK? Well, I've never tried that scope, but I have loaded my Mach2 to the limit and imaged/guided just fine. Balance is critical and is easy to do. Weight makes for larger moment, which makes the mount slower to respond to external disturbance, like wind. If your scope is open tube with no shroud, wind will not be a problem. I will be loading my Mach2 with a 12" F8 carbon fiber Maksutov astrograph in the next couple days. Weight is about the same as your system. I expect that it will handle it fine and will post some guiding results. Will be getting ready for galaxy season. Rolando -----Original Message----- From: Bill Long <bill@...> To: AP-GTO Groups. io <ap-gto@groups.io> Sent: Fri, Apr 23, 2021 7:07 pm Subject: [ap-gto] Mach 2 + 12.5" AGO iDK? What say ye? 12.5″ Imaging Dall Kirkham \| AG Optical 46lbs, but would need to add focuser (8lbs), TCS System (1lb), and camera/accessories (call these 5 lbs). The OTA is about 18" tall (maybe 17.5" but lets call it 18") so this puts me at 18" and 60 lbs. This puts me right on the yellow on the Mach 2 graph AP has. Length of everything, in focus with camera gear on would be about 45". Seems right at the limits, but likely safe. Any ideas on this from AP or others? -Bill -- Roland Christen Astro-Physics -- Roland Christen Astro-Physics
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Bill Long #79808 Well then.... 20 mins here: toggle quoted message Show quoted text From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> on behalf of Bill Long <bill@...> Sent: Sunday, August 1, 2021 9:08 PM To: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Mach 2 + 12.5" AGO iDK? Had to take a break but should be back in the swing tonight with this combo. I took Rolands advice and neutral balanced both axis on the Mach 2. Here is a photo of the beast in route to a fun night. Counterweights are 1x30, 3x18, 2x10, aka all the weights I own. 😂 She's perfectly balanced though. We'll see how the night goes. From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> on behalf of Bill Long <bill@...> Sent: Friday, July 30, 2021 12:14 AM To: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Mach 2 + 12.5" AGO iDK? Night 5, still the same story. Excellent performance with a massive load on the Mach 2 mount. I have still done nothing at all in terms of the model, PA, or anything else. I should probably add in for new people that this rig sits 2 stories in the air, on a wooden deck that is over 15 years old. If that doesn't show the power of this mount, nothing will. This is the ULTIMATE torture test. The mount is at its limits, and its environment is well past its limits. Yet -- with good equipment even you can image on a tightrope. 😄 From: Bill Long <bill@...> Sent: Thursday, July 29, 2021 12:19 AM To: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Mach 2 + 12.5" AGO iDK? Yep. Absolutely no problem at all. From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> on behalf of Roland Christen via groups.io <chris1011@...> Sent: Thursday, July 29, 2021 12:08 AM To: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Mach 2 + 12.5" AGO iDK? Great! So, this combination mount and scope is a winner. Good to know. Thanks, Rolando -----Original Message----- From: Bill Long <bill@...> To: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> Sent: Wed, Jul 28, 2021 10:57 am Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Mach 2 + 12.5" AGO iDK? A total of 4 all night imaging runs with this combo and still not a single sub thrown out. Excellent tracking and guiding performance. I haven't touched PA, PHD2 settings, or the model since night one when I set the mount up outside. It just works. Tonight will be night 5. From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> on behalf of Bill Long <bill@...> Sent: Monday, July 26, 2021 2:49 AM To: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Mach 2 + 12.5" AGO iDK? We had mild wind here about 5-6MPH and so I wanted to show that as well. No impact at all to subs, and the Mach 2 handled it fine. From: Bill Long <bill@...> Sent: Sunday, July 25, 2021 8:47 PM To: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Mach 2 + 12.5" AGO iDK? Here are some sample subs: AG12 Setup I took the highest and lowest FWHM from the data set and shared them. From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> on behalf of Bill Long <bill@...> Sent: Sunday, July 25, 2021 10:12 AM To: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Mach 2 + 12.5" AGO iDK? Circling back on this as I finally got to test this out. I put my 12.5" AGO iDK, Moonlight Nitecrawler, FLI Proline 16803, CFW 5-7, Sagitta OAG, and Ultrastar guide camera on the Mach 2. Balancing the load was pretty easy to do, and I had just enough weights on hand for the job. This is pretty much at capacity for the mount based on the specifications. Might even be a tad over. 😁 Performance was stellar. I made a 98pt model in APPM, and used 5 second guide exposures. I took 5 hours worth of 20 minute HA subs and not a single one had any trailing at all. Very nice tight round stars in all of the images. Guiding was about 0.2-0.35" range throughout the night. Graph picture below. I'll be getting some more data over the next few nights. I'll share some subs later this evening when I'm back on the Astro PC. Conclusion: Mach 2 is a beastly mount that easily handled this challenge and passed with flying colors. Well done AP! From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> on behalf of Roland Christen via groups.io <chris1011@...> Sent: Friday, April 23, 2021 5:44 PM To: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Mach 2 + 12.5" AGO iDK? Well, I've never tried that scope, but I have loaded my Mach2 to the limit and imaged/guided just fine. Balance is critical and is easy to do. Weight makes for larger moment, which makes the mount slower to respond to external disturbance, like wind. If your scope is open tube with no shroud, wind will not be a problem. I will be loading my Mach2 with a 12" F8 carbon fiber Maksutov astrograph in the next couple days. Weight is about the same as your system. I expect that it will handle it fine and will post some guiding results. Will be getting ready for galaxy season. Rolando -----Original Message----- From: Bill Long <bill@...> To: AP-GTO Groups. io <ap-gto@groups.io> Sent: Fri, Apr 23, 2021 7:07 pm Subject: [ap-gto] Mach 2 + 12.5" AGO iDK? What say ye? 12.5″ Imaging Dall Kirkham \| AG Optical 46lbs, but would need to add focuser (8lbs), TCS System (1lb), and camera/accessories (call these 5 lbs). The OTA is about 18" tall (maybe 17.5" but lets call it 18") so this puts me at 18" and 60 lbs. This puts me right on the yellow on the Mach 2 graph AP has. Length of everything, in focus with camera gear on would be about 45". Seems right at the limits, but likely safe. Any ideas on this from AP or others? -Bill -- Roland Christen Astro-Physics -- Roland Christen Astro-Physics
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Bill Long #79809 Not sure if it was the idea to move to neutral balance, or the seeing here is better. The guided performance is much better in this configuration. toggle quoted message Show quoted text From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> on behalf of Bill Long <bill@...> Sent: Sunday, August 1, 2021 11:31 PM To: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Mach 2 + 12.5" AGO iDK? Well then.... 20 mins here: From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> on behalf of Bill Long <bill@...> Sent: Sunday, August 1, 2021 9:08 PM To: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Mach 2 + 12.5" AGO iDK? Had to take a break but should be back in the swing tonight with this combo. I took Rolands advice and neutral balanced both axis on the Mach 2. Here is a photo of the beast in route to a fun night. Counterweights are 1x30, 3x18, 2x10, aka all the weights I own. 😂 She's perfectly balanced though. We'll see how the night goes. From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> on behalf of Bill Long <bill@...> Sent: Friday, July 30, 2021 12:14 AM To: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Mach 2 + 12.5" AGO iDK? Night 5, still the same story. Excellent performance with a massive load on the Mach 2 mount. I have still done nothing at all in terms of the model, PA, or anything else. I should probably add in for new people that this rig sits 2 stories in the air, on a wooden deck that is over 15 years old. If that doesn't show the power of this mount, nothing will. This is the ULTIMATE torture test. The mount is at its limits, and its environment is well past its limits. Yet -- with good equipment even you can image on a tightrope. 😄 From: Bill Long <bill@...> Sent: Thursday, July 29, 2021 12:19 AM To: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Mach 2 + 12.5" AGO iDK? Yep. Absolutely no problem at all. From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> on behalf of Roland Christen via groups.io <chris1011@...> Sent: Thursday, July 29, 2021 12:08 AM To: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Mach 2 + 12.5" AGO iDK? Great! So, this combination mount and scope is a winner. Good to know. Thanks, Rolando -----Original Message----- From: Bill Long <bill@...> To: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> Sent: Wed, Jul 28, 2021 10:57 am Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Mach 2 + 12.5" AGO iDK? A total of 4 all night imaging runs with this combo and still not a single sub thrown out. Excellent tracking and guiding performance. I haven't touched PA, PHD2 settings, or the model since night one when I set the mount up outside. It just works. Tonight will be night 5. From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> on behalf of Bill Long <bill@...> Sent: Monday, July 26, 2021 2:49 AM To: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Mach 2 + 12.5" AGO iDK? We had mild wind here about 5-6MPH and so I wanted to show that as well. No impact at all to subs, and the Mach 2 handled it fine. From: Bill Long <bill@...> Sent: Sunday, July 25, 2021 8:47 PM To: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Mach 2 + 12.5" AGO iDK? Here are some sample subs: AG12 Setup I took the highest and lowest FWHM from the data set and shared them. From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> on behalf of Bill Long <bill@...> Sent: Sunday, July 25, 2021 10:12 AM To: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Mach 2 + 12.5" AGO iDK? Circling back on this as I finally got to test this out. I put my 12.5" AGO iDK, Moonlight Nitecrawler, FLI Proline 16803, CFW 5-7, Sagitta OAG, and Ultrastar guide camera on the Mach 2. Balancing the load was pretty easy to do, and I had just enough weights on hand for the job. This is pretty much at capacity for the mount based on the specifications. Might even be a tad over. 😁 Performance was stellar. I made a 98pt model in APPM, and used 5 second guide exposures. I took 5 hours worth of 20 minute HA subs and not a single one had any trailing at all. Very nice tight round stars in all of the images. Guiding was about 0.2-0.35" range throughout the night. Graph picture below. I'll be getting some more data over the next few nights. I'll share some subs later this evening when I'm back on the Astro PC. Conclusion: Mach 2 is a beastly mount that easily handled this challenge and passed with flying colors. Well done AP! From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> on behalf of Roland Christen via groups.io <chris1011@...> Sent: Friday, April 23, 2021 5:44 PM To: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Mach 2 + 12.5" AGO iDK? Well, I've never tried that scope, but I have loaded my Mach2 to the limit and imaged/guided just fine. Balance is critical and is easy to do. Weight makes for larger moment, which makes the mount slower to respond to external disturbance, like wind. If your scope is open tube with no shroud, wind will not be a problem. I will be loading my Mach2 with a 12" F8 carbon fiber Maksutov astrograph in the next couple days. Weight is about the same as your system. I expect that it will handle it fine and will post some guiding results. Will be getting ready for galaxy season. Rolando -----Original Message----- From: Bill Long <bill@...> To: AP-GTO Groups. io <ap-gto@groups.io> Sent: Fri, Apr 23, 2021 7:07 pm Subject: [ap-gto] Mach 2 + 12.5" AGO iDK? What say ye? 12.5″ Imaging Dall Kirkham \| AG Optical 46lbs, but would need to add focuser (8lbs), TCS System (1lb), and camera/accessories (call these 5 lbs). The OTA is about 18" tall (maybe 17.5" but lets call it 18") so this puts me at 18" and 60 lbs. This puts me right on the yellow on the Mach 2 graph AP has. Length of everything, in focus with camera gear on would be about 45". Seems right at the limits, but likely safe. Any ideas on this from AP or others? -Bill -- Roland Christen Astro-Physics -- Roland Christen Astro-Physics
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Roland Christen #79823 Not sure if it was the idea to move to neutral balance, or the seeing here is better. Probably both. Rolando -----Original Message----- From: Bill Long <bill@...> To: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> Sent: Mon, Aug 2, 2021 2:09 am Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Mach 2 + 12.5" AGO iDK? Not sure if it was the idea to move to neutral balance, or the seeing here is better. The guided performance is much better in this configuration. From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> on behalf of Bill Long <bill@...> Sent: Sunday, August 1, 2021 11:31 PM To: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Mach 2 + 12.5" AGO iDK? Well then.... 20 mins here: From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> on behalf of Bill Long <bill@...> Sent: Sunday, August 1, 2021 9:08 PM To: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Mach 2 + 12.5" AGO iDK? Had to take a break but should be back in the swing tonight with this combo. I took Rolands advice and neutral balanced both axis on the Mach 2. Here is a photo of the beast in route to a fun night. Counterweights are 1x30, 3x18, 2x10, aka all the weights I own. 😂 She's perfectly balanced though. We'll see how the night goes. From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> on behalf of Bill Long <bill@...> Sent: Friday, July 30, 2021 12:14 AM To: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Mach 2 + 12.5" AGO iDK? Night 5, still the same story. Excellent performance with a massive load on the Mach 2 mount. I have still done nothing at all in terms of the model, PA, or anything else. I should probably add in for new people that this rig sits 2 stories in the air, on a wooden deck that is over 15 years old. If that doesn't show the power of this mount, nothing will. This is the ULTIMATE torture test. The mount is at its limits, and its environment is well past its limits. Yet -- with good equipment even you can image on a tightrope. 😄 From: Bill Long <bill@...> Sent: Thursday, July 29, 2021 12:19 AM To: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Mach 2 + 12.5" AGO iDK? Yep. Absolutely no problem at all. From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> on behalf of Roland Christen via groups.io <chris1011@...> Sent: Thursday, July 29, 2021 12:08 AM To: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Mach 2 + 12.5" AGO iDK? Great! So, this combination mount and scope is a winner. Good to know. Thanks, Rolando -----Original Message----- From: Bill Long <bill@...> To: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> Sent: Wed, Jul 28, 2021 10:57 am Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Mach 2 + 12.5" AGO iDK? A total of 4 all night imaging runs with this combo and still not a single sub thrown out. Excellent tracking and guiding performance. I haven't touched PA, PHD2 settings, or the model since night one when I set the mount up outside. It just works. Tonight will be night 5. From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> on behalf of Bill Long <bill@...> Sent: Monday, July 26, 2021 2:49 AM To: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Mach 2 + 12.5" AGO iDK? We had mild wind here about 5-6MPH and so I wanted to show that as well. No impact at all to subs, and the Mach 2 handled it fine. From: Bill Long <bill@...> Sent: Sunday, July 25, 2021 8:47 PM To: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Mach 2 + 12.5" AGO iDK? Here are some sample subs: AG12 Setup I took the highest and lowest FWHM from the data set and shared them. From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> on behalf of Bill Long <bill@...> Sent: Sunday, July 25, 2021 10:12 AM To: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Mach 2 + 12.5" AGO iDK? Circling back on this as I finally got to test this out. I put my 12.5" AGO iDK, Moonlight Nitecrawler, FLI Proline 16803, CFW 5-7, Sagitta OAG, and Ultrastar guide camera on the Mach 2. Balancing the load was pretty easy to do, and I had just enough weights on hand for the job. This is pretty much at capacity for the mount based on the specifications. Might even be a tad over. 😁 Performance was stellar. I made a 98pt model in APPM, and used 5 second guide exposures. I took 5 hours worth of 20 minute HA subs and not a single one had any trailing at all. Very nice tight round stars in all of the images. Guiding was about 0.2-0.35" range throughout the night. Graph picture below. I'll be getting some more data over the next few nights. I'll share some subs later this evening when I'm back on the Astro PC. Conclusion: Mach 2 is a beastly mount that easily handled this challenge and passed with flying colors. Well done AP! From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> on behalf of Roland Christen via groups.io <chris1011@...> Sent: Friday, April 23, 2021 5:44 PM To: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Mach 2 + 12.5" AGO iDK? Well, I've never tried that scope, but I have loaded my Mach2 to the limit and imaged/guided just fine. Balance is critical and is easy to do. Weight makes for larger moment, which makes the mount slower to respond to external disturbance, like wind. If your scope is open tube with no shroud, wind will not be a problem. I will be loading my Mach2 with a 12" F8 carbon fiber Maksutov astrograph in the next couple days. Weight is about the same as your system. I expect that it will handle it fine and will post some guiding results. Will be getting ready for galaxy season. Rolando -----Original Message----- From: Bill Long <bill@...> To: AP-GTO Groups. io <ap-gto@groups.io> Sent: Fri, Apr 23, 2021 7:07 pm Subject: [ap-gto] Mach 2 + 12.5" AGO iDK? What say ye? 12.5″ Imaging Dall Kirkham \| AG Optical 46lbs, but would need to add focuser (8lbs), TCS System (1lb), and camera/accessories (call these 5 lbs). The OTA is about 18" tall (maybe 17.5" but lets call it 18") so this puts me at 18" and 60 lbs. This puts me right on the yellow on the Mach 2 graph AP has. Length of everything, in focus with camera gear on would be about 45". Seems right at the limits, but likely safe. Any ideas on this from AP or others? -Bill -- Roland Christen Astro-Physics -- Roland Christen Astro-Physics -- Roland Christen Astro-Physics
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