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  2. Does anyone have experience with the Celestron AS-GT (Advanced Series Go-To) Mount?

Does anyone have experience with the Celestron AS-GT (Advanced Series Go-To) Mount?

Troy Riedel
 

I recently picked-up a C-8 on as ASGT. I've never used a Go-To equatorial and I haven't regularly used equatorial mounts, period, since about 1997.

I have the polar scope calibrated and I plan to take it out on the next clear night ... I <think> I have a handle on it, but in case I run into a question I am looking to see if there's anyone I could ask advice of - offline - off the board, as I suspect the populous wouldn't care to read about it?

I picked-up the C-8 & mount b/c it is lighter and breaks down into 3 components vice two like my CPC1100 (I have a bum shoulder that might need surgery so until I'm healed, I wanted something bigger than my C5 grab-n-go that I could handle with the injury).

Thanks.
jimcoble2000
 

I am not sure of I can help but while I usually use a simple alt az with setting circles at NWRP, most of my observing is with a full go-to GEM mount. Each go to mounts are a little different but if there is a general question on EQ mounts, I could field that. I currently use Losmandy mounts. Have used both the G-11 and GM8

On Tuesday, October 25, 2022 at 10:30:16 AM EDT, Troy Riedel <troy.riedel@...> wrote:


I recently picked-up a C-8 on as ASGT. I've never used a Go-To equatorial and I haven't regularly used equatorial mounts, period, since about 1997.

I have the polar scope calibrated and I plan to take it out on the next clear night ... I <think> I have a handle on it, but in case I run into a question I am looking to see if there's anyone I could ask advice of - offline - off the board, as I suspect the populous wouldn't care to read about it?

I picked-up the C-8 & mount b/c it is lighter and breaks down into 3 components vice two like my CPC1100 (I have a bum shoulder that might need surgery so until I'm healed, I wanted something bigger than my C5 grab-n-go that I could handle with the injury).

Thanks.

Troy Riedel
 

Thanks, mate.

Must of us old(er) guys started out with EQ-1/2/3 mounts ... no polar scope, just eyeball an alignment and observe. I'm very curious how much care will be needed to make the Go-To actually work. Part of my issue is that I only have the South open enough to observe from the house ... I can't polar align on Polaris. Hopefully I'll get my feet wet Thursday Night as that might be the only clear night this week. I think I got a decent deal on the C-8 & ASGT ... the seller even gave me a back-up ASGT mount head (fully working) since it would be tough finding spare parts. With two working mount heads, I might keep it going as long as I'm still ticking.

I'll reach-out if I fumble this!

Thanks & Cheers,

Troy
jimcoble2000
 

That does present a problem, not being able to see Polaris. There are a few ways around that in a GEM. If you are just looking at the moon or planets, things that are easily seen then sort of north alignment is just fine. You can take a compass (corrected for declination), align the axis, and you are go to go for visual.

Now if you need accurate goto then you have a greater challenge. I have done the drift method where I roughly align the axis north and then find a star. A cross hair eyepiece is a bit of a help. Center the star and as it drifts bring it back to center with the head RA/DEC adjusting mechanism. Don't move the scope, adjust the head until the star does not drift off the center. This takes a bit of practice and a certain amount of patience. You want to use stars not too high or too low or too far in the north. This may get you into a decent navigation state. Maybe not good enough for double star location but if it can get the object in the view then you are good to go.

Unfortunately, Polaris with a compensation polar scope is the best way to align in the end for GEM goto navigation.





On Wednesday, October 26, 2022 at 10:45:45 AM EDT, Troy Riedel <troy.riedel@...> wrote:


Thanks, mate.

Must of us old(er) guys started out with EQ-1/2/3 mounts ... no polar scope, just eyeball an alignment and observe. I'm very curious how much care will be needed to make the Go-To actually work. Part of my issue is that I only have the South open enough to observe from the house ... I can't polar align on Polaris. Hopefully I'll get my feet wet Thursday Night as that might be the only clear night this week. I think I got a decent deal on the C-8 & ASGT ... the seller even gave me a back-up ASGT mount head (fully working) since it would be tough finding spare parts. With two working mount heads, I might keep it going as long as I'm still ticking.

I'll reach-out if I fumble this!

Thanks & Cheers,

Troy

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