Drive options for Meade Research Grade mount?

Hello everybody,

I have the opportunity to purchase a Meade RG mount. It has a stock AC RA drive, no dec drive (needs the dec arm), and what looks like a home-brewed/prototype drive corrector. I would want to get all the necessary stuff to get it fully driven. What is the best way to go? JMI motodec? Mototrak III-IV-V? (could be hard to find). What kind of drive accuracy could I expect with a Mototrak? Also, what is the REAL capacity of this mount? I want to hang a 45lb 12.5" f5.6 Newt on it. I have seen 16" OTAs on this mount and it looks like an exercise in insanity to me!

With a $500 initial investment, could another $600 make it a sturdy sub-5 arcsec error mount (with the Mototrak's PEC)?

Or is there new technology that would do the same in the $1000-1200 range?

Am I crazy to try making the RG an imaging mount?

I am counting on all you old equipment honchos to give me the honest, unvarnished truth . . .

TYIA,

Matt
Glendale, AZ

Here's an image:

Attached Image:

Hi:

NOt an old timer but I just bought a 1978 Meade 12.5 Inch F6 RG complete with mount.

For visual, it works, move it like a DOB except that it tracks when you let it go. I also like that polished Aluminum casting, reminds me of an old Norton or BSA. I handles the weight of the OTA which must be around 80lbs.

But for photography, other than short exposures of 10 or 15 seconds, I think its a no go. I like the simplicity but its crude and not up to the job IMHO.

Curious about your 12.5 inch F5.6 Newt that views 45 lbs, thats pretty light.

Jon