-------------------------------
This is a branch of another post which makes an intro about my project and needs:
https://www.aavso.org/advice-astro-photography-setup-doing-science
-------------------------------
I am about to visit USA and I want to bring a telescope kit for making some photometric science, WITH BEST QUALITY / PRICE RATIO
MY BUDGET FOR MOUNT + OTA + CMOS CAMERA IS 2000-2200 USD
IMPORTANT: 
In this post, I will mark the questions I WOULD like to be answered with this emoticon
and italics, to make a little easier to identify my questions .. Of course, you are invited in all comments you like,but this are the questions I would made if this were a conversation.
MAIN GOALS: MAKING SCIENCE
- Stellar astro photometry /astrophotography of Variable Stars, Supernovae, and Near Objects (NEO) asteroids, and other pinpoint objects
- Astrometry or measurement of position, of asteroids , NEOs,
- Occultation observation of stars by asteroids
- Observations of far - faint comets
- Other transient events
- Precise photometry of exoplanet transits
- Measurement of orbits of faint moons of outer system planets
- Measurement of proper motion of fast moving stars
- Parallax experiments
IMPORTANT! WHAT ARE NOT MY GOALS! .... (but I can do very rare if the gear allow to, btw)
- Color artistic photography
- Nebula photography
- Direct observation by a viewfinder
- Planetary
- Solar
- Near big comets
I want to make astro photography with photometry with a IMX178 based camera like the QHY 178M Monochrome Astronomy Camera # QHY178M, the ZWO ASI178MM or an Orion StarShoot G4 Monochrome
Is a small 1/1.8″ sensor with 2.4um pixels and very sensitive.
My mount will be a weight light reflector of 8" like the aluminium tube
- ORION 8" F5 (16.5 lbs)(https://www.telescop...mbly/p/9788.uts) or the
- CELESTRON - C8-N ADVANCED NEWTONIAN OTA 8" F5. which are about 14lbs. https://telescopes.n...tonian-ota.html
My favourite choice is the STEEL GSO 8" F5 which is 22lbs with all accesories (https://agenaastro.c...lector-ota.html( but will need a heavy mount, if I choose GSO I think I will have to choose the 6" version which is around 16lbs.
CHOOSING A GEM MOUNT
.
SIDENOTE: Size + weight
MY BUDGET FOR MOUNT + OTA + CMOS CAMERA IS 2000-2200 USD
My Loving mounts in the price range we have are the following
Sky Watcher EQM-35 Equatorial Go To Mount # S30500
725USD https://www.highpointscientific.com/sky-watcher-eqm-35-equatorial-goto-mount-s30500
PROS: UNEXPENSIVE BUt good enough for not-heavy payloads. Is very beautiful, and not quite heavy. Good brand. Polar scope. Stepper motor(I think is better , what do you think? ) . I think Robert Spellman has one... see above the photos of their setups... and He works fine with it (I think with a 6" f4 GSO). Also have a nice feature to mount a DSLR with an objective to make wide angle photo... and satellites photos (I do that)...
CONS: Above 15-17LBS will work not very well in astrophoto. It is difficult find a 8" OTA for this mount. Except the Celestron SC mentioned above ( C8-A XLT 8" f/10 SCT that is about 14lbs). Is not a very sturdy mount. But Is the less expensive GOOD option I think. Does it have an after sale good and warranty support, I have no references?What do you think about my pros and consCan you suggest me an 8" telescope suitable for this mount in my budgetiOptron CEM25P Equatorial Mount with 1.5" Tripod - 7100P
898USD https://www.highpointscientific.com/ioptron-cem25p-equatorial-mount-with-1-5-tripod-7100p
PROS:I love the very weightlight design and the management of the gravity center. Is a very nice design, and it sells in a very compact box or a nice (more cost) aluminium hard case. Is very precise and have a very nice precision gear.Less than +/- 10 arc seconds periodic error, GPS, very good polar scope. It is quite compact!!! to transport it.
CONS: More expensive but not impressive payload cappacity. I will be in the limit with most of the OTAs. It is a very fragile mount, you can broke if you dont manage properly. It is a very picky gear and there are cases of damage in the gears if you did not a very good equilibrium in the setup. Does it have an after sale good and warranty support, I have no references?What do you think about my pros and cons Celestron Advanced VX Mount with Dual Saddle Plate # 91519
898USD https://www.highpointscientific.com/celestron-advanced-vx-equatorial-mount-91519
Celestron Advanced VX 8" Newtonian Telescope # 32062
1229USD
https://www.highpointscientific.com/celestron-advanced-vx-series-8-quot-newtonian-go-to-telescope-32062
PROS: Good brand, I hope a good aftersale support, am I right? , If I but the kit with the 8" OTA I will have a perfect fit between the different parts. Also includes the eyefinder, the power connector, and the DC power cable... I think doesnt include the AC cable, are you sure? . This mount HAS VERY GOOD REFERENCES for beginner astrophotography. And very good objective data in much performance annalisys https://www.darkframeoptics.com/blog/mount-performance-charts-1 . It has a lot of users, and a lot of opinion in the internet. Its one of the basic mounts. and can hold HEAVIER telecopes if y want to upgrade in a future... Also this mount avoid the meridian flip
CONS: The boxes where they ship this are HUGE
, and the mount is very HEAVY . Perhaps is the best option, but if I cannot handle by myself in the transport from tecate/san diego to the tijuana airport. Im in a BIG problem
. Ive watched carefully the unboxing of this mount and the kit. IT DOESN INCLUDE the polar finder.
Did I say this boxes are F K N G LARGE + HEAVY????
What do you think about this mount and my thoughts?ALTERNATIVES (PLAN B)
BUDGET PLAN in MOUNTS
I prefer the Sky Watcher EQM-35 but I've watched other options
Explore Scientific EXOS-2GT Computerized Mount with PMC-8 GoTo Electronics - Black - ES-EXOS2GTPMCT3-00
It seems a budget one, but specs say it can hold heavier scopes than the EQM-35. Not very popular. But If i need a budget option for a 8" tube. is this an option?
Orion Sirius EQ-G Go-To German Equatorial Mount - 09995
1099USD https://www.highpointscientific.com/orion-sirius-eq-g-go-to-german-equitorial-mount-9995
IS a good reference, and a very good mount for entry level. But it is more expensive. Is an option if budget works...
Of course around 1000-1200USD mounts are a lot of very good options , like ieq30pro, HEQ5, CEM40, CGEM (But I think they are clearly over budget!!!!! .... what do you think about this "other alternatives"
What do you think specifically about the Meade LX85 alternative?SOME EXAMPLES. I WANT TO be based ON (copy)
THESE SETUPS, OR SIMILAR ONES
I like very much two telescopes built by an amateur astronomer : Robert spellman
, take a look. He takes wonderful B&W photos with this gear:
It is a 150mm Astrograph f4 with the ORION STARSHOOT G4 and a Skywatcher EQM35-Pro
Thank very much for your advice
-------------------------------
This is a branch of another post which makes an intro about my project and needs:
https://www.aavso.org/advice-astro-photography-setup-doing-science
-------------------------------