Mounts

Currently I'm using a Skywatcher NEQ-6. This mount is still portable (even though I'm not a strong person) and carries the C9 and 6+ kilos of spectrograph (and in addition the counterweights) without any problem. I particularly like the possibility to use computer-controlling for the goto pointing (see Guiding page).

Before that I used a Losmandy GM-8 with electronic setting circles. The friction clutches on this mount make it very convenient for manual operation (better than the EQ-6). However, the 6" telescope with SMette spectrograph was the maximum load it could take (an 8" SCT with spectrograph was already too wobbly). Being used to the computer control of the EQ-6, the manual operation of the GM-8 looks a bit cumbersome now (although I must concede that getting the whole EQ-6 electronics and computer running takes its time as well, and thanks to Microsoft one may have to do it more than once).