Mount for OrionOptics VX12

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turboscrew
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Mount for OrionOptics VX12

#1

Post by turboscrew »


I really think I need a tracking mount, and I wonder if CEM70 would be good?
The tube weights 14 kg, and I think CEM70 would be good enough for possible future AP?
Also does CEM70 have problems I should be aware of?
Or are there other, maybe even cheaper options?

I was planning to build a mount myself, but I realized that I have far too little knowledge about tolerances and such of the mechanical components.
- Juha

Senior Embedded SW Designer
Telescope: OrionOptics XV12, Mount: CEM120, Tri-pier 360 and alternative dobson mount.
Grab 'n go: Omegon AC 102/660 on AZ-3 mount
Eyepieces: 26 mm Omegon SWAN 70°, 15 mm TV Plössl, 12.5 mm Baader Morpheus, 10 mm TV Delos, 6 mm Baader Classic Ortho, 5 mm TV DeLite, 4 mm and 3 mm TV Radians
Cameras: ZWO ASI 294MM Pro, Omegon veLOX 178C
OAG: TS-Optics TSOAG09, ZWO EFW 7 x 36 mm, ZWO filter sets: LRGB and Ha/OIII/SII
Explore Scientific HR 2" coma corrector, Meade x3 1.25" Barlow, TV PowerMate 4x 2"
Some filters (#80A, ND-96, ND-09, Astronomik UHC)
Laptop: Acer Enduro Urban N3 semi-rugged, Windows 11
LAT 61° 28' 10.9" N, Bortle 5

I don't suffer from insanity. I'm enjoying every minute of it.

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Re: Mount for OrionOptics VX12

#2

Post by JayTee »


The CEM 70 has not yet hit the stores to my knowledge. If they have, then they just got there. Putting a 12" Newt on an EQ mount is just a scary thought for me. I look at the level of frustrations that could occur and it makes me look at an 8 or10" RC instead. That way you'll only need the CEM 60.

Cheers,
JT
∞ Primary Scopes: #1: Celestron CPC1100 #2: 8" f/7.5 Dob #3: CR150HD f/8 6" frac
∞ AP Scopes: #1: TPO 6" f/9 RC #2: ES 102 f/7 APO #3: ES 80mm f/6 APO
∞ G&G Scopes: #1: Meade 102mm f/7.8 #2: Bresser 102mm f/4.5
∞ Guide Scopes: 70 & 80mm fracs -- The El Cheapo Bros.
∞ Mounts: iOptron CEM70AG, SW EQ6, Celestron AVX, SLT & GT (Alt-Az), Meade DS2000
∞ Cameras: #1: ZWO ASI294MC Pro #2: 662MC #3: 120MC, Canon T3i, Orion SSAG, WYZE Cam3
∞ Binos: 10X50,11X70,15X70, 25X100
∞ EPs: ES 2": 21mm 100° & 30mm 82° Pentax XW: 7, 10, 14, & 20mm 70°

Searching the skies since 1966. "I never met a scope I didn't want to keep."

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turboscrew
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Re: Mount for OrionOptics VX12

#3

Post by turboscrew »


JayTee wrote: Mon Aug 03, 2020 1:52 pm The CEM 70 has not yet hit the stores to my knowledge. If they have, then they just got there. Putting a 12" Newt on an EQ mount is just a scary thought for me. I look at the level of frustrations that could occur and it makes me look at an 8 or10" RC instead. That way you'll only need the CEM 60.

Cheers,
JT
It's just that if I use bigger magnifications, I don't even have a chance to focus before the target moves away from my FOV.
And what's scary about putting 12" newt on an equatorial mount?

Also, I understand that practically CEM60 is no more a good option, since it looks like iOptron is replacing it with CEM70.
- Juha

Senior Embedded SW Designer
Telescope: OrionOptics XV12, Mount: CEM120, Tri-pier 360 and alternative dobson mount.
Grab 'n go: Omegon AC 102/660 on AZ-3 mount
Eyepieces: 26 mm Omegon SWAN 70°, 15 mm TV Plössl, 12.5 mm Baader Morpheus, 10 mm TV Delos, 6 mm Baader Classic Ortho, 5 mm TV DeLite, 4 mm and 3 mm TV Radians
Cameras: ZWO ASI 294MM Pro, Omegon veLOX 178C
OAG: TS-Optics TSOAG09, ZWO EFW 7 x 36 mm, ZWO filter sets: LRGB and Ha/OIII/SII
Explore Scientific HR 2" coma corrector, Meade x3 1.25" Barlow, TV PowerMate 4x 2"
Some filters (#80A, ND-96, ND-09, Astronomik UHC)
Laptop: Acer Enduro Urban N3 semi-rugged, Windows 11
LAT 61° 28' 10.9" N, Bortle 5

I don't suffer from insanity. I'm enjoying every minute of it.

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Re: Mount for OrionOptics VX12

#4

Post by JayTee »


It is when you referenced AP that the word scary came to mind. Not so much for visual use. I think iOptron is in limbo right now because they have stopped producing the CEM 60 and CEM 70s are not quite at the stores yet.

JT
∞ Primary Scopes: #1: Celestron CPC1100 #2: 8" f/7.5 Dob #3: CR150HD f/8 6" frac
∞ AP Scopes: #1: TPO 6" f/9 RC #2: ES 102 f/7 APO #3: ES 80mm f/6 APO
∞ G&G Scopes: #1: Meade 102mm f/7.8 #2: Bresser 102mm f/4.5
∞ Guide Scopes: 70 & 80mm fracs -- The El Cheapo Bros.
∞ Mounts: iOptron CEM70AG, SW EQ6, Celestron AVX, SLT & GT (Alt-Az), Meade DS2000
∞ Cameras: #1: ZWO ASI294MC Pro #2: 662MC #3: 120MC, Canon T3i, Orion SSAG, WYZE Cam3
∞ Binos: 10X50,11X70,15X70, 25X100
∞ EPs: ES 2": 21mm 100° & 30mm 82° Pentax XW: 7, 10, 14, & 20mm 70°

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Re: Mount for OrionOptics VX12

#5

Post by turboscrew »


Note "possible future AP". :D
CEM70 is supposed to carry 31 kg, and my tube weights 14 kg.
- Juha

Senior Embedded SW Designer
Telescope: OrionOptics XV12, Mount: CEM120, Tri-pier 360 and alternative dobson mount.
Grab 'n go: Omegon AC 102/660 on AZ-3 mount
Eyepieces: 26 mm Omegon SWAN 70°, 15 mm TV Plössl, 12.5 mm Baader Morpheus, 10 mm TV Delos, 6 mm Baader Classic Ortho, 5 mm TV DeLite, 4 mm and 3 mm TV Radians
Cameras: ZWO ASI 294MM Pro, Omegon veLOX 178C
OAG: TS-Optics TSOAG09, ZWO EFW 7 x 36 mm, ZWO filter sets: LRGB and Ha/OIII/SII
Explore Scientific HR 2" coma corrector, Meade x3 1.25" Barlow, TV PowerMate 4x 2"
Some filters (#80A, ND-96, ND-09, Astronomik UHC)
Laptop: Acer Enduro Urban N3 semi-rugged, Windows 11
LAT 61° 28' 10.9" N, Bortle 5

I don't suffer from insanity. I'm enjoying every minute of it.

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Re: Mount for OrionOptics VX12

#6

Post by turboscrew »


JayTee wrote: Mon Aug 03, 2020 2:12 pm It is when you referenced AP that the word scary came to mind. Not so much for visual use. I think iOptron is in limbo right now because they have stopped producing the CEM 60 and CEM 70s are not quite at the stores yet.

JT
It seems to keep bugging me: what's the scary thing? What could happen?
Does it have something to do with the height of the eyepiece?
- Juha

Senior Embedded SW Designer
Telescope: OrionOptics XV12, Mount: CEM120, Tri-pier 360 and alternative dobson mount.
Grab 'n go: Omegon AC 102/660 on AZ-3 mount
Eyepieces: 26 mm Omegon SWAN 70°, 15 mm TV Plössl, 12.5 mm Baader Morpheus, 10 mm TV Delos, 6 mm Baader Classic Ortho, 5 mm TV DeLite, 4 mm and 3 mm TV Radians
Cameras: ZWO ASI 294MM Pro, Omegon veLOX 178C
OAG: TS-Optics TSOAG09, ZWO EFW 7 x 36 mm, ZWO filter sets: LRGB and Ha/OIII/SII
Explore Scientific HR 2" coma corrector, Meade x3 1.25" Barlow, TV PowerMate 4x 2"
Some filters (#80A, ND-96, ND-09, Astronomik UHC)
Laptop: Acer Enduro Urban N3 semi-rugged, Windows 11
LAT 61° 28' 10.9" N, Bortle 5

I don't suffer from insanity. I'm enjoying every minute of it.

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Re: Mount for OrionOptics VX12

#7

Post by Lady Fraktor »


For visual a large Newtonian on a EQ mount is usually passable but for doing AP it can be a bit more difficult.
The cross section size of the tube makes a great sail if the wind starts to gust.
Also because of the size of the telescope it is a lot of momentum for the motors to stop when slewing.
Think of the size of tube compared to size of attachment point.
See Far Sticks: Antares Elita 103/1575, AOM FLT 105/1000, Bresser BV 127/1200, Nočný stopár 152/1200, Vyrobené doma 70/700, Stellarvue NHNG DX 80/552, TAL RS100/1000, Vixen SD115s/885
EQ: TAL MT-1, Vixen SXP, AXJ, AXD
Az/Alt: AYO Digi II/ Argo Navis, Stellarvue M2C/ Argo Navis
Tripods: Berlebach Planet (2), Uni 28 Astro, Report 372, TAL factory maple, Vixen ASG-CB90, Vixen AXD-TR102
Diagonals: Astro-Physics, Baader Amici, Baader Herschel, iStar Blue, Stellarvue DX, Takahashi prism, TAL, Vixen flip mirror
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Re: Mount for OrionOptics VX12

#8

Post by turboscrew »


Lady Fraktor wrote: Mon Aug 03, 2020 6:24 pm For visual a large Newtonian on a EQ mount is usually passable but for doing AP it can be a bit more difficult.
The cross section size of the tube makes a great sail if the wind starts to gust.
Also because of the size of the telescope it is a lot of momentum for the motors to stop when slewing.
Think of the size of tube compared to size of attachment point.
This I have to ponder for a while.
A quick thought would be, why are big EQ mounts - or ALT-AZ for that matter, made. Like the ones that can carry 100 kg.
What do people usually attach to them? Are they usually for CASes? Lots of weight, but closer to the mounting point (less leverage). Also, I don't think there is any less momentum at the end of slewing if used for visual.

I'm asking, because I'm getting confused. And I can't really "think of the size compared to the mounting point", because I've never seen a "real" mount (not a toy). There are no local shops around.
- Juha

Senior Embedded SW Designer
Telescope: OrionOptics XV12, Mount: CEM120, Tri-pier 360 and alternative dobson mount.
Grab 'n go: Omegon AC 102/660 on AZ-3 mount
Eyepieces: 26 mm Omegon SWAN 70°, 15 mm TV Plössl, 12.5 mm Baader Morpheus, 10 mm TV Delos, 6 mm Baader Classic Ortho, 5 mm TV DeLite, 4 mm and 3 mm TV Radians
Cameras: ZWO ASI 294MM Pro, Omegon veLOX 178C
OAG: TS-Optics TSOAG09, ZWO EFW 7 x 36 mm, ZWO filter sets: LRGB and Ha/OIII/SII
Explore Scientific HR 2" coma corrector, Meade x3 1.25" Barlow, TV PowerMate 4x 2"
Some filters (#80A, ND-96, ND-09, Astronomik UHC)
Laptop: Acer Enduro Urban N3 semi-rugged, Windows 11
LAT 61° 28' 10.9" N, Bortle 5

I don't suffer from insanity. I'm enjoying every minute of it.

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Re: Mount for OrionOptics VX12

#9

Post by Lady Fraktor »


For visual at 100kg you can load the mount to 100kg but if imaging only to 50kg-70kg.
Larger more expensive mounts also normally have much better build quality/ tolerances.

With large telescopes like a 12" Newtonian, normally you would turn the slew speed down one or two steps to make things easier on the motors.
With my ASGT and C6-R I set maximum slew speed at 7 out of 9. With my Vixen SXP it does not even notice the refractor on it anyways ;)
See Far Sticks: Antares Elita 103/1575, AOM FLT 105/1000, Bresser BV 127/1200, Nočný stopár 152/1200, Vyrobené doma 70/700, Stellarvue NHNG DX 80/552, TAL RS100/1000, Vixen SD115s/885
EQ: TAL MT-1, Vixen SXP, AXJ, AXD
Az/Alt: AYO Digi II/ Argo Navis, Stellarvue M2C/ Argo Navis
Tripods: Berlebach Planet (2), Uni 28 Astro, Report 372, TAL factory maple, Vixen ASG-CB90, Vixen AXD-TR102
Diagonals: Astro-Physics, Baader Amici, Baader Herschel, iStar Blue, Stellarvue DX, Takahashi prism, TAL, Vixen flip mirror
Eyepieces: Antares to Zeiss
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Re: Mount for OrionOptics VX12

#10

Post by JayTee »


turboscrew wrote: Mon Aug 03, 2020 6:00 pmIt seems to keep bugging me: what's the scary thing? What could happen? Does it have something to do with the height of the eyepiece?
I apologize for using an English language term that was painting a picture versus using a more accurate term which is more understandable. What was "scaring" me was all the frustrations you would encounter by putting a large Newtonian OTA on an EQ mount. Gabrielle has outlined a few of the major frustrations. Sorry for the confusion.

Cheers,
JT
∞ Primary Scopes: #1: Celestron CPC1100 #2: 8" f/7.5 Dob #3: CR150HD f/8 6" frac
∞ AP Scopes: #1: TPO 6" f/9 RC #2: ES 102 f/7 APO #3: ES 80mm f/6 APO
∞ G&G Scopes: #1: Meade 102mm f/7.8 #2: Bresser 102mm f/4.5
∞ Guide Scopes: 70 & 80mm fracs -- The El Cheapo Bros.
∞ Mounts: iOptron CEM70AG, SW EQ6, Celestron AVX, SLT & GT (Alt-Az), Meade DS2000
∞ Cameras: #1: ZWO ASI294MC Pro #2: 662MC #3: 120MC, Canon T3i, Orion SSAG, WYZE Cam3
∞ Binos: 10X50,11X70,15X70, 25X100
∞ EPs: ES 2": 21mm 100° & 30mm 82° Pentax XW: 7, 10, 14, & 20mm 70°

Searching the skies since 1966. "I never met a scope I didn't want to keep."

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Re: Mount for OrionOptics VX12

#11

Post by turboscrew »


Lady Fraktor wrote: Mon Aug 03, 2020 10:13 pm For visual at 100kg you can load the mount to 100kg but if imaging only to 50kg-70kg.
Larger more expensive mounts also normally have much better build quality/ tolerances.

With large telescopes like a 12" Newtonian, normally you would turn the slew speed down one or two steps to make things easier on the motors.
With my ASGT and C6-R I set maximum slew speed at 7 out of 9. With my Vixen SXP it does not even notice the refractor on it anyways ;)
Well, VX12 (14 kg) would load a CEM70 with less than half of its capacity (31 kg)...
- Juha

Senior Embedded SW Designer
Telescope: OrionOptics XV12, Mount: CEM120, Tri-pier 360 and alternative dobson mount.
Grab 'n go: Omegon AC 102/660 on AZ-3 mount
Eyepieces: 26 mm Omegon SWAN 70°, 15 mm TV Plössl, 12.5 mm Baader Morpheus, 10 mm TV Delos, 6 mm Baader Classic Ortho, 5 mm TV DeLite, 4 mm and 3 mm TV Radians
Cameras: ZWO ASI 294MM Pro, Omegon veLOX 178C
OAG: TS-Optics TSOAG09, ZWO EFW 7 x 36 mm, ZWO filter sets: LRGB and Ha/OIII/SII
Explore Scientific HR 2" coma corrector, Meade x3 1.25" Barlow, TV PowerMate 4x 2"
Some filters (#80A, ND-96, ND-09, Astronomik UHC)
Laptop: Acer Enduro Urban N3 semi-rugged, Windows 11
LAT 61° 28' 10.9" N, Bortle 5

I don't suffer from insanity. I'm enjoying every minute of it.

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Re: Mount for OrionOptics VX12

#12

Post by turboscrew »


JayTee wrote: Mon Aug 03, 2020 11:27 pm
turboscrew wrote: Mon Aug 03, 2020 6:00 pmIt seems to keep bugging me: what's the scary thing? What could happen? Does it have something to do with the height of the eyepiece?
I apologize for using an English language term that was painting a picture versus using a more accurate term which is more understandable. What was "scaring" me was all the frustrations you would encounter by putting a large Newtonian OTA on an EQ mount. Gabrielle has outlined a few of the major frustrations. Sorry for the confusion.

Cheers,
JT
Nothing to be sorry about. I just want to know if there would be nasty surprises.
- Juha

Senior Embedded SW Designer
Telescope: OrionOptics XV12, Mount: CEM120, Tri-pier 360 and alternative dobson mount.
Grab 'n go: Omegon AC 102/660 on AZ-3 mount
Eyepieces: 26 mm Omegon SWAN 70°, 15 mm TV Plössl, 12.5 mm Baader Morpheus, 10 mm TV Delos, 6 mm Baader Classic Ortho, 5 mm TV DeLite, 4 mm and 3 mm TV Radians
Cameras: ZWO ASI 294MM Pro, Omegon veLOX 178C
OAG: TS-Optics TSOAG09, ZWO EFW 7 x 36 mm, ZWO filter sets: LRGB and Ha/OIII/SII
Explore Scientific HR 2" coma corrector, Meade x3 1.25" Barlow, TV PowerMate 4x 2"
Some filters (#80A, ND-96, ND-09, Astronomik UHC)
Laptop: Acer Enduro Urban N3 semi-rugged, Windows 11
LAT 61° 28' 10.9" N, Bortle 5

I don't suffer from insanity. I'm enjoying every minute of it.

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