The Losmandy G-11 (with Gemini GoTo approx $A4800 plus GST) price subject to change with $A to $US
The Losmandy G-11 is an ideal astrophotographic mount
for the following larger optical tube assemblies: see (specification
summary)
Meade SCT's 10", 12"
Celestron 11", 14" SCT
RCOS 10"
Astrophysics 10" Mak, 5" EDF, 6" EDF
Most other telescope tube assemblies up to 20kg
The Losmandy range is designed for exacting astro-photographic, CCD imaging and visual users in both the field or at a permanent installation.
The G-11 design has evolved over nearly a decade and incorporates features simply not found in competing equatorial mounts. All structural parts are fully machined from aircraft grade aluminum or stainless steel. Aluminum parts are anodized: a process, which significantly hardens the metal surface and protects it against corrosion. Utilizing the latest Computer Numeric Control (CNC) technology tolerances to within a few thousands of an inch are rigidly maintained across the entire assembly: guaranteeing smooth, precise and dependable performance for many years to come.
Being all-machined, the G-11 is extremely
rigid. Add large thrust surfaces plus innovative design features such as; polar
altitude lock, oversized shafts, large diameter gears, precision bearings and
you create a mount easily capable of supporting payloads of up to 20kg, yet
still retain excellent field portability.
Note: while the G-11 can support much heavier telescopes (up to 30kg) the rigidity of the system will depend upon the length of the telescope tube.
The drive assembly uses dependable, high-torque stepper motors, each driving a super hard, tempered stainless steel worm gear. Unlike the turned gears used in less capable mounts, each worm gear is precision ground to tolerances of a few ten thousands of an inch. The result is consistent tracking accuracy of less than 10 arc seconds without the aid of periodic error correction electronics (also built into every G-11 mount).
Unique to every Losmandy mount is their precision dovetail and saddle system. A single doveplate can be attached to almost any telescope, which can then be attached to the mount saddle in seconds. Perfect balance of the system can then be easily achieved by simply sliding the telescope along the saddle.
Completing the mechanical system is Losmandy’s field tripod: a semi-pier head, coupled to thick walled, large diameter tubular legs giving the field system excellent rigidity and dampening characheristics. Vibrations literally damp out within fractions of a second, a far cry from the jelly like wobble seem in many competing systems.
Electronically, the G-11 has features tailored for the advanced astro-imager. Three guiding rates, plus three slewing rates. Quartz locked tracking at Sidereal, Solar, Lunar and King rates is also provided. The periodic error correction circuit is unique as it does not alter the set tracking rate, nor slowly drift out of phase. Tracking with the PEC engaged is virtually error free. Any residual mechanical backlash in the declination drive can also be easily removed by the built in TVC feature, giving the user precise and instant drive correction response. An autoguider jack allows trouble free interfacing with currently available autoguiders. A compact hand paddle allows drive corrections to be applied in the correct sense, no matter what the optical configuration or telescope orientation through reversible R.A and Declination switches.
The Losmandy G-11 can also be delivered with (or later upgraded) the Gemini Computerised GOTO system. The G-11 offers high precision, high payload, excellent stability, innovative compact design and jewel like finish which combine to make it the ideal foundation for a superb astro-imaging system.
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DUAL-AXIS
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