Agreed! I'll also look to do some testing by mounting my EdgeHD 8 which weighs in at 23.2 lbs on the AM5 which has a stated payload of 28 lbs without a counter weight. If testing is successful I purchase the AM3 for the RedCat, use the AM5 for the EdgeHD and sell my EQ6-R Pro. Now that working out would be a real back saver! 😉 But that would mean I'd be at 82% of the stated payload capacity of the AM5 without my aluminum dew shield. We'll see what we see.
You are welcome! GMARS, Red Rock Canyon, and Amboy, California each have their pluses and minuses but all three are worth checking out. GMARS is my favorite because of the level cement pad, access to the houses / bathrooms on new moon weekends, good cellular connectivity, and electricity at the pads.
Thanks! The AM5 was a pleasure to have over the HEQ-5. Lighter, takes up less cargo space, and who doesn't love red! I don't have enough time on it yet to do a video but I will at some point. I will be moving my RedCat and AM5 off the ASIAir Plus and over to N.I.N.A. Should happen over the next two months. That will enable me to use the Guiding Assistant in PHD2 where I can see if there is an opportunity to tune the AM5 even more. It will at a minimum provide additional data about how it guides.
I always find it best to get CFO permission before buying. You're going to like the simplicity of the AM5 with the ASI Air Plus not to mention its guides very well.
Yes CFO approval keeps the ship[p sailing in smooth waters! I'm thinking of going back to NINA and selling my ASIAir Plus Devices before Nebula season in 2024. The Pegasus Astro Pocket Powerbox Advance at about $341.00 and a Beelink U59 at about $219.00 would work. Also researching Primaluce Labs Eagle devices. Guess I'm one of those that like to explore and change things up! Are you heading to Father Crowley's Overlook for new moon? I'm thinking about heading to Red Rock Canyon SP on the 11th and staying for a few days.
Hi bill Sorry to here about the accident with your new redcat....I cannot even Imagine how you felt when you looked out and saw that thing laying on the ground. Well I hope it survived. I was heading out for a week of camping in my trailer and was wondering where you go camping around Landers I am looking for a good dark site to figure out how to dial in all my equipment. I have never been to a good dark site yet and the Opportunity just came up so off I go......
Just returned from my October new moon trip and the RedCat checked out fine. Lucky me. How long is your trailer? There is RV parking at GMARS in Landers. Red Rock Canyon State Park can handle trailers up to a certain size. You could check their website. No hookups at Red Rock but I understand they have a dump station for a fee.
@AstroVagabond Thanks Bill Just watched your new moon video yesterday..good information.... Trailer is 21foot...Good to here that the red cat survived the fall. Did you get a chance to test the mount? I am still looking for a mount for my ES Ed 102.
Yes Sonny, I do think it would be fine per the AM3 specifications. I actually may purchase the AM3 for my RedCat 51 if I find my AM5 performs well with my EdgeHD 8 since I have put my Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro up for sale.
Why should guiding performance improve? Strain gears are theoretically not as good as conventional? That said, I heard that some copies of AM5 are exceptionally good.
There is much I do not know about mounts but the AM5 will enable me to learn a bit more. Based upon my use of the AM5 with my RedCat 51 on the trip I just returned from the metrics look improved over my HEQ5 Pro which is not belt modified. But this is observation and not an analysis using log files.
@@AstroVagabond It will be great to have solid data on this. For example, what are integrated files’ Eccentricity and FWHM after am5 versus SkyWatch mount?
Amazing Set Up. You doing it :) 🤩
Thanks! 😁
Your back will thanks you 🙂
Agreed! I'll also look to do some testing by mounting my EdgeHD 8 which weighs in at 23.2 lbs on the AM5 which has a stated payload of 28 lbs without a counter weight. If testing is successful I purchase the AM3 for the RedCat, use the AM5 for the EdgeHD and sell my EQ6-R Pro. Now that working out would be a real back saver! 😉 But that would mean I'd be at 82% of the stated payload capacity of the AM5 without my aluminum dew shield. We'll see what we see.
Thank you bill.. the site you guys were at looks great. I will give it a try.
You are welcome! GMARS, Red Rock Canyon, and Amboy, California each have their pluses and minuses but all three are worth checking out. GMARS is my favorite because of the level cement pad, access to the houses / bathrooms on new moon weekends, good cellular connectivity, and electricity at the pads.
@AstroVagabond for the info.
I think I will give GMARS a try.
Nice, good luck! I'll be interested to hear about your experience of the AM5
Thanks! The AM5 was a pleasure to have over the HEQ-5. Lighter, takes up less cargo space, and who doesn't love red! I don't have enough time on it yet to do a video but I will at some point. I will be moving my RedCat and AM5 off the ASIAir Plus and over to N.I.N.A. Should happen over the next two months. That will enable me to use the Guiding Assistant in PHD2 where I can see if there is an opportunity to tune the AM5 even more. It will at a minimum provide additional data about how it guides.
The AM5 is so great. Hope you like it as much as I do. Cheers.
You and me both!
Ive been lusting after this mount for some time. Looking forward to how it performs for you.
I'll keep you posted Perry!
I always find it best to get CFO permission before buying. You're going to like the simplicity of the AM5 with the ASI Air Plus not to mention its guides very well.
Yes CFO approval keeps the ship[p sailing in smooth waters! I'm thinking of going back to NINA and selling my ASIAir Plus Devices before Nebula season in 2024. The Pegasus Astro Pocket Powerbox Advance at about $341.00 and a Beelink U59 at about $219.00 would work. Also researching Primaluce Labs Eagle devices. Guess I'm one of those that like to explore and change things up! Are you heading to Father Crowley's Overlook for new moon? I'm thinking about heading to Red Rock Canyon SP on the 11th and staying for a few days.
@@AstroVagabond We are going to Fossil Falls for October new moon. It's just a little north of Red Rock on 395. I'll give you a call.
Hi bill
Sorry to here about the accident with your new redcat....I cannot even Imagine how you felt when you looked out and saw that thing laying on the ground. Well I hope it survived. I was heading out for a week of camping in my trailer and was wondering where you go camping around Landers I am looking for a good dark site to figure out how to dial in all my equipment. I have never been to a good dark site yet and the Opportunity just came up so off I go......
Just returned from my October new moon trip and the RedCat checked out fine. Lucky me. How long is your trailer? There is RV parking at GMARS in Landers. Red Rock Canyon State Park can handle trailers up to a certain size. You could check their website. No hookups at Red Rock but I understand they have a dump station for a fee.
@AstroVagabond Thanks Bill
Just watched your new moon video yesterday..good information....
Trailer is 21foot...Good to here that the red cat survived the fall. Did you get a chance to test the mount? I am still looking for a mount for my ES Ed 102.
Dont you think the AM3 would be fine with a Redcat 51? Do you need the pier with a short telescope?
Yes Sonny, I do think it would be fine per the AM3 specifications. I actually may purchase the AM3 for my RedCat 51 if I find my AM5 performs well with my EdgeHD 8 since I have put my Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro up for sale.
Why the solid and not the open pier?
I ordered the one suggested by Patrick Carrigan who is an AM5 owner. This pier has two slots on the side near the bottom.
Why should guiding performance improve? Strain gears are theoretically not as good as conventional?
That said, I heard that some copies of AM5 are exceptionally good.
There is much I do not know about mounts but the AM5 will enable me to learn a bit more. Based upon my use of the AM5 with my RedCat 51 on the trip I just returned from the metrics look improved over my HEQ5 Pro which is not belt modified. But this is observation and not an analysis using log files.
@@AstroVagabond It will be great to have solid data on this. For example, what are integrated files’ Eccentricity and FWHM after am5 versus SkyWatch mount?