Product Description
GM811GT Features
Photographic instrument weight capacity 50 lbs
Low temperature operation: 0 F
Equatorial Head Weight 27 lbs
Removable counterweight shaft with safety stop; 1.25" diameter
Includes one 11 lb weight
Saddle plate works with both Losmandy Style and Vixen Dovetail
Dovetail plate drops in and locks allowing for interchanging of any tube assembly - reduces the need for DEC weights.
All machined aluminum and stainless steel, black anodized.
All stainless steel hardware.
Variable slip clutch one knob per axis design.
Through the axis polar scope mounting, works in Northern and Southern Hemisphere. Polar scope optional.
7 lb and 21 lb extra counterweights available
SPECIFICATION: R.A. AXIS
All machined aluminum and stainless steel, black anodized.
All stainless steel hardware.
One 3.750” diameter needle thrust bearing.
One 2.000” diameter needle thrust bearing.
Two 1.500” diameter needle bearings.
5.625” diameter, 7075 aluminum worm gear, 360 tooth.
Dual supported, ball bearing housed ground High Precision Brass Worm.
One Piece Worm Block Design.
Spring Loaded Worm
Variable slip clutch one knob per axis design.
1.250” diameter stainless steel shaft.
Fully locking, unique tangent arm design altitude adjustment, 0-68 degrees, large knob for easy alignment.
Laser engraved latitude scale in 2 degree increments.
Single knob azimuth control, bi-directional +/- 8.5 degree.
5.625” diameter, 7075 aluminum worm gear, 360 tooth.
Dual supported, ball bearing housed ground High Precision Brass Worm.
SPECIFICATION: DEC AXIS
All machined aluminum and stainless steel, black anodized.
All stainless steel hardware.
One 2.100" diameter needle thrust bearing.
One 2.000" diameter needle thrust bearing.
Two 1.500” diameter needle bearings.
2.812" diameter, 7075 aluminum worm gear, 180 tooth.
Dual supported, ball bearing housed ground High Precision Brass Worm.
One Piece Worm Block Design.
Spring Loaded Worm
Variable slip clutch one knob design.
Porter Slip Ring Design
1.250" diameter aluminum shafts.
Dovetail saddle-plate fits both "D" Losmandy Style Dovetail or Vixen Style Dovetail. Allows for the interchanging of any tube assembly-reduces need for DEC. weights.
2.812” diameter, 7075 aluminum worm gear, 180 tooth.
Dual supported, ball bearing housed ground High Precision Brass Worm.
FOLDING HD TRIPOD OPTION
All machined aluminum, black anodized
Tripod height, adjustable from 33"-48"
Folding leg design for easy transporting.
Tripod weight 35 lbs.
DRIVE ELECTRONIC GEMINI 2 GOTO
GEMINI 2 GOTO ELECTRONICS (G)
Full Color Graphic Touch Screen clearly displays all functions.
Classic four-button pattern for guiding, centering, moving and slewing on both the touch screen and tactile membrane on the rear.
Periodic Error Correction (PEC).
Programmable DEC. Backlash Compensation (TVC).
Control panel dimmer, Day and Night Modes.
Accepts auto-guider systems.
Northern and Southern Hemisphere operation.
Tiltable control panel for easy access.
Stand Alone System. No PC required
Ethernet 10/100 with full IP function permits operation from anywhere using a browser, ASCOM, or app over the web or Serial Port
DC Servos for imporved accuracy with higher torque than steppers
Non-Volatile Memory and Real-Time Clock
English, German, French & Spanish displays
Over 40,000 objects
USB ports; Virtual COM to PC, ASCOM or planetarium program.
Firmware upgrade via internet
Auto Guide Port (TTL)
Dual 12-18V DC input/output (3.0A)
Tech Details
Reviews
The GM8 is a great grab and go mount. It is designed to host 30lb of instrumentation. Many mounts provide a max weight and in this it means for visual but for imaging you need to be closer to 50% the max to get good tracking for imaging so in most mounts that really means 15lb but not in the case of Losmandy. , The instrumentation weight specified is the real weight for imaging.
On the build of the mount, most mounts have all the gears and electronics internal to the mount which means if there is an issue, the mount needs to be shipped back to the manufacturer. Losmandy mounts their worms and motors externally which means if you need to replace parts, you can do so yourself. Just purchase the replacement part and switch them out yourself. This saves time and costs.
Finally on the most important part of the mount, tracking for long exposures. As an imagers mount, Losmandy is unsurpassed as mobile imaging mounts. Everyone I know that is a serious imager but needs the ability to setup and tear down their rig use Losmandy. It is the top of its line in price-point and provides tracking , features and results of a much more expensive mount.
Losmandy support is also unsurpassed. A call to them provides a knowledge person on the other side, not just a call center but someone who actively uses the mounts and provides immediate help.
In summary, I will never use any other mount for imaging. First class hardware, first class results and first class service , you can't ask for better. (Posted on 7/24/2019)
Immediately I was impressed with the quality of workmanship and just what a great piece of precision machinery it is.
The depth of what's available to you in the software for the hand controller is a little daunting at first but eventually you're going to dig in there and realize what an amazing tool you've got under the hood. If you don't like the small screen, you can get in there and set things up using a web interface on your computer via ethernet cable.
You can guide with ST-4 style commands, through the ASCOM protocol on the Ethernet jack or through a USB cable.
There is a huge community of users in the online forums and questions you have can be answered there and on a couple websites that have interactive tutorials on hand controller functions.
It's a little on the bulky side if you have to move it but no one piece is all that heavy. I move mine every time I use it and it's not a big deal at all.
The only weird thing about it is there's no place to put the hand controller when you're not holding it so I put velcro dots on all three legs so no matter which side of the scope I'm on I've got the controller easy to reach.
I've had mine almost a year and my photos took a big step up with the new larger instrument and precision pointing. I've got a 33 lb scope and 32 lbs of counterweights and it's not complaining at all.
Bill the Sky Guy (Posted on 11/22/2018)