Equatorial Mounts for a 30.8 lb Optical Tube.?

I will be continually posting questions I have, as I am looking to buy an equatorial mount for my 'scope. The optical tube weighs 30.8 lbs. The focal length is 1200mm and the focal ratio is f/4.7. I will be using it to keep the objects in view and do some broadcasts of my views online. I may try to take "long" exposures of say M31 or M51 etc. The longest exposures I would possibly do are only several seconds to two minutes (probably not even). I just want to delve into doing broadcasts, and minor  astrophotography, even if they suck lol.

Just looking to compare these mounts. Differences between the Sirius EQ-G and the Celestron CGEM, again, the optical tune is 30.8 lbs, so will the Celestron CGEM be a better option because it says it supports 40lbs? Thanks.

I have a budget of around $1,200. Obviously I can go slightly above. I want something that's ok enough to delve into astrophotography that I won't be trading it in in two months. Lol.

Celestron CGEM
http://www.celestron.com/astronomy/mounts/celestron-cgem-computerized-mount.html

Orion Sirius EQ-G
http://www.telescope.com/Mounts-Tripods/Equatorial-Mounts-Tripods/Orion-Sirius-EQ-G-Computerized-GoTo-Telescope-Mount/pc/-1/c/2/sc/34/p/24336.uts

Celestron CG-5
http://www.telescopes.com/telescope-accessories/mounts-and-tripods/celestroncg5computerizedmount.cfm

2012-03-18T16:40:17Z

@Wally. Since you did your reasearch into my previous questions you should have noted that each question was not alike. Each one added upon new information. In a science section I am surprised that you would have a problem with this. Maybe of you didn't just troll yahoo answers to make snark remarks you would have slowed down enough to read my first sentence, "I will be continually posting questions I have, as I am looking to buy an equatorial mount for my 'scope...". You would have noticed that I had planned on doing just what you are so opposed to. Besides, the amount of questions I choose to ask are entitled to me. The subject matter is completely up to me.

?2012-03-18T14:54:23Z

Favorite Answer

None of these mounts is heavy enough to support a 31 pound tube assembly. Those of us with experience with mounts (and I own two of these, Sirius and CGEM) will tell you to divide manufacturer's loads in half to get the real answer. I own a 31-pound tube assembly, and the only mount I've found that will carry it is the Losmandy G-11:
http://www.losmandy.com/g-11.html
Don't be scared off by the prices on the Losmandy site; most dealers sell for a lot less.

The Orion Atlas and the Celestron CGEM DX might be able to handle it; I have no personal experience with these.

[Edit] One problem with all these mounts is that they are way too high for use with Newtonians. You will need to find some way to shorten the tripod or mount on a short pier.

20

wallyrush2012-03-18T15:39:22Z

I have answered your question here-
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AvAmbhlFHBkInctThgDdH7Psy6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20120318093151AA5bKtI
Or you can keep asking until you hear what you want.
Wally

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