Wedgepod C8 to EQ mount upgrade

Hi,
I own a Celestar C8 on a standard wedgepod which I modified to improve for CCD imaging. I added latitude and azimuth fine controls, however the wedge is still not stable enough for me to be pleased. It giggles a bit when adjusting for polar alignment. I have a Zentithstar 66 piggybacked on the C8 and no counterweights as yet. I use digital setting circles which work quite well. Unfortunately I find that the RA drive does not turn un-aided due to the weight of both scopes. I've heard of people using elastic to rectify this problem but I don't feel that its an adequate solution. Moreover, my wedgepod does not have adjustable legs and is very heavy since I filled the legs with sand to make them more stable.

I am now considering changing from a fork mount and wedge to a Equatorial mount, preferably a GOTO one. I have seen several models used for a C8 including the LDX75, the CGE5 and of course the better Losmandy 8 and 11 models and the CGE, however these are way over my budget.

I was wandering whether any of you have advice on suitable mounts for the C8 and piggybacked 66 especially for CCD work.

Regards,

Bernard

Attached Image:

Bernard Ferry said:



I am now considering changing from a fork mount and wedge to a Equatorial mount, preferably a GOTO one. I have seen several models used for a C8 including the LDX75, the CGE5 and of course the better Losmandy 8 and 11 models and the CGE, however these are way over my budget.

Good thinkin'.

As far as "Which" GEM, stay away from the LXD75 _IMHO_. It's better than the LXD55, but my discussions with 75 owners recently reveal that _some_ (not all) are having problems similar to those common to the 55.

In the same price class, the Celestron CG5 is a step up. I've taken plenty of autoguided pix with it. If the focal ratio of the C8 is kept down to f/6.3, or, better, f/4 - 3.3, you won't have any trouble with it.

A step up from that is the Orion Sirius/HEQ5. Heftier, but the software ain't as full-featured ain't as full featured as the NexStar stuff.

Up from there is the Losmandy GM8. Very capable, but lots of folks don't like the Gemini go-to system.

Next up, steadiness wise, anyway (it's very inexpensive), is the Atlas EQ6. Great mount. I love mine. The software is the same as that on the Sirius, but, like the Sirius, you can run it with the wonderful EQMOD driver instead. The attached pic shows my Atlas/C8 at Chiefland.

G11. Hard to say "no" to this old standard. Not perfect, but as much as many folks will need. Again, some folks don't like the Gemini.

Celestron CGE. Very similar to the G11, but with the superior Celestron NexStar computer.

An' you can keep goin' up in price/payload. But one of these mounts will do it for most beginnin/intermediate imagers (or dabblers like yours truly ;-))...

Attached Image: