got a similar setup. The AM5 is very capable with my EdgeHD 8 on it with no counterweight. i put a 25lb weight in the sling and had no issues. guiding around .50" on average with the celestron OAG and an ASI174Mini guidescope. fantastic mount
Best of luck. I tried with AM5 and 8”SCT using OAG but found the strain mount needed OAG to be set to 0.5s calibration sensing and my guiding was so tricky finding multiple stable stars for that to be effective so went back to my AZEQ6 which lets me use 2s and simplifies my guiding. Pity because the mount itself was much more manageable!
Great information. Thank you for sharing. I use 2s with my EQ6-R Pro as well. I don't recall what I used when I ran my EdgeHD on the AM5 for about 90 minutes. Since that one test run I've no gone back tot he AM5 as I have my RedCat 51 Gen II on it. ~ Bill
I have an EdgeHD 9.25 and so far haven't had the confidence to try to mount it on my AM5. I like the sandbag idea for additional stability on the legs.
I think the 9.25 is about 20 lbs. Should stay within the 28 lbs without counter weight specification once you add your image train I expect. Give us an update if you decide to try it Marvin. 👍
If you have the counterweight, why not test with just the counterweight and no scope? that would test it just as well without worrying about the scope falling.
I have a C8 SCT. What is the guiding results like with your Edge HD on the AM5 . With my image train (ASI071MC Pro, Starizona focal reducer, Celestron OAG, filter drawer) my rig weighs about 19lbs. I keep reading reports that ZWO recommends the AM5 for focal lengths under 1000mm but I see lots of SCT owners using the AM5. If I buy one I would also purchase the PE200 pier because it has an adapter that can be used on my AVX mount. I understand the PE of strain wave mounts is higher than GEMs, so I'm interested in your guiding results in PHD2. PHD2 doesn't seem to like my AVX mount, always complaining about DEC backlash, orthogonal angles and other stuff I'm not sure to do to correct.. I have to set up and tear down after every session so I recalibrate every session. How was the HEQ5 guiding with your EdgeHD? I'm thinking for a GEM replacement for my AVX the HEQ5 and install a belt mod, and even if necessary the bearings. The videos of the HEQ5 mods makes it look so much easier to take apart than the AVX. If you hadn't damaged your HEQ5 would you have upgraded to AM5? Thanks.
I never tried the EdgHD 8 with the HEQ5. I did not see much difference if any between the AM5 and EQ6-R Pro when my EdgeHD was mounted on it. So these days I mount the EdgeHD 8 on my EQ6-R Pro and my ReCat on the AM5.
I have the counter weight and rod. My concern is mostly driven by the winds that come up unexpectedly in the desert. Also I have the sandbags which I used in my photography studio. Call me cautious. 😊
11 lbs. I made a change and clip then on the inside perimeter of the tripod legs. My next video will show this change. And as you saw in the video I have an 11 lbs weight in the center of the basket. I imaged for an hour last night to test that I properly configured my PrimaLuce Lab Eagle 5 S with the right software and drivers. I was watching the motion detection readout on the Eagle and did not see any movement that to me further supports my AM5 is very stable running my EdgeHD 8 without the need for a counter weight.
I'm not near my EdgeHD at the moment but I believe it was this dovetail : www.highpointscientific.com/adm-d-series-dovetail-plate-for-celestron-8inch-ota-dc8?ADM-DC8&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwmrqzBhAoEiwAXVpgoqTsbcxTsjbSQ2p2g5oi55TjOSNq3CU-cXL6kferqPRt1WmTC1JgeBoC_gQQAvD_BwE
Looking good Bill. As always it's a process. See you for test 2.
Thanks Perry! I'm encouraged but until I see the guiding metrics I remain cautious. 🙏
got a similar setup. The AM5 is very capable with my EdgeHD 8 on it with no counterweight. i put a 25lb weight in the sling and had no issues. guiding around .50" on average with the celestron OAG and an ASI174Mini guidescope. fantastic mount
Good to know. Thank you for taking the time to view and comment. Much appreciated. ~ Bill
I’m hoping this is the case. I was tossing up between the asi220mm mini and the asi174mm mini. Looks like I need to go the 174. Thanks
Best of luck. I tried with AM5 and 8”SCT using OAG but found the strain mount needed OAG to be set to 0.5s calibration sensing and my guiding was so tricky finding multiple stable stars for that to be effective so went back to my AZEQ6 which lets me use 2s and simplifies my guiding. Pity because the mount itself was much more manageable!
Great information. Thank you for sharing. I use 2s with my EQ6-R Pro as well. I don't recall what I used when I ran my EdgeHD on the AM5 for about 90 minutes. Since that one test run I've no gone back tot he AM5 as I have my RedCat 51 Gen II on it. ~ Bill
I too have an Edge8HD with the AM5 and all seems fine.
Great feedback because I just put my Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro up for sale and will be using my AM5 for my EdgeHD going forward. Much appreciated. 👍
I have an EdgeHD 9.25 and so far haven't had the confidence to try to mount it on my AM5. I like the sandbag idea for additional stability on the legs.
I think the 9.25 is about 20 lbs. Should stay within the 28 lbs without counter weight specification once you add your image train I expect. Give us an update if you decide to try it Marvin. 👍
I plan to mount a 9.25" on the Am-5 I will probably counterweight ... Staraizona claim it will be ok.
I recommend not using the TC40 and get a better tripod! iOptron 1.75" ...
If you have the counterweight, why not test with just the counterweight and no scope? that would test it just as well without worrying about the scope falling.
Good point. 👍
I have a C8 SCT. What is the guiding results like with your Edge HD on the AM5 . With my image train (ASI071MC Pro, Starizona focal reducer, Celestron OAG, filter drawer) my rig weighs about 19lbs. I keep reading reports that ZWO recommends the AM5 for focal lengths under 1000mm but I see lots of SCT owners using the AM5. If I buy one I would also purchase the PE200 pier because it has an adapter that can be used on my AVX mount. I understand the PE of strain wave mounts is higher than GEMs, so I'm interested in your guiding results in PHD2. PHD2 doesn't seem to like my AVX mount, always complaining about DEC backlash, orthogonal angles and other stuff I'm not sure to do to correct.. I have to set up and tear down after every session so I recalibrate every session.
How was the HEQ5 guiding with your EdgeHD? I'm thinking for a GEM replacement for my AVX the HEQ5 and install a belt mod, and even if necessary the bearings. The videos of the HEQ5 mods makes it look so much easier to take apart than the AVX. If you hadn't damaged your HEQ5 would you have upgraded to AM5?
Thanks.
I never tried the EdgHD 8 with the HEQ5. I did not see much difference if any between the AM5 and EQ6-R Pro when my EdgeHD was mounted on it. So these days I mount the EdgeHD 8 on my EQ6-R Pro and my ReCat on the AM5.
why not add a small counterweight - less hassle than all those weights on the TC40?
I have the counter weight and rod. My concern is mostly driven by the winds that come up unexpectedly in the desert. Also I have the sandbags which I used in my photography studio. Call me cautious. 😊
I was wondering what guide camera you are using with the OTA in this setup. Thanks
ASI 174MM Mini ..
Nice video. What is the weight of your sandbags? Thanks
11 lbs. I made a change and clip then on the inside perimeter of the tripod legs. My next video will show this change. And as you saw in the video I have an 11 lbs weight in the center of the basket. I imaged for an hour last night to test that I properly configured my PrimaLuce Lab Eagle 5 S with the right software and drivers. I was watching the motion detection readout on the Eagle and did not see any movement that to me further supports my AM5 is very stable running my EdgeHD 8 without the need for a counter weight.
Thanks!, looking forward to your next video
ZWO suggests up to 900mm max focal length: looking forward to seeing more from this to see if it can keep up!
curious what Losmandy plate and mounts are you using on the top of the 8"?
I'm not near my EdgeHD at the moment but I believe it was this dovetail : www.highpointscientific.com/adm-d-series-dovetail-plate-for-celestron-8inch-ota-dc8?ADM-DC8&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwmrqzBhAoEiwAXVpgoqTsbcxTsjbSQ2p2g5oi55TjOSNq3CU-cXL6kferqPRt1WmTC1JgeBoC_gQQAvD_BwE
@@AstroVagabond I ended up wioth the PrimaLuceLabs ...