Losmandy G-11 German Equatorial Mount

I purchased my Losmandy G-11 mount way back in December 1993 in order to carry an Astro-Physics 105mm Traveler. Since then, I've used it to do deep sky astrophotography with an Astro-Physics 130mm StarFire EDF Refractor, and have photographed both solar and lunar eclipses with it. In the nearly 20 years I've owned it, the G-11 has remained one of the best values in its class. It is a particularly attractive choice for a precision equatorial mount that is truly portable and yet, can carry heavy payloads up to 60 pounds while maintaining a high degree of tracking accuracy and reliability.

After building Bifrost Observatory, I decided to add an outside concrete pad and pier for wide field photography in 2011. The G-11 is now semi-permanently mounted on this pier where it remains in perfect polar alignment and ready for use with just a few minutes of preparation. The periodic error of the G-11 Worm Gear typically about 10 arc-seconds peak-to-peak over a 4-minute cycle. This excellent for a portable mount. When doing wide field astrophotography with the G-11, it isn't even necessary to use a guide scope for the typical exposures of 2 to 6 minutes.

New versions of the G-11 are also available with GOTO options, but the original model serves me well and is a solid workhorse.

Losmandy G-11 German Equatorial Mount


The table below contains the technical specifications on the Losmandy G-11. For more information, see the Losmandy web site.


SPECIFICATIONS OF G-11 MOUNT SYSTEM
R.A. Gear Wheel: 5.625", 360 tooth 7075 T35 aluminum
DEC. Gear Wheel: 5.625", 360 tooth 7075 T35 aluminum
DEC. and R.A. Worm gear: 440C Stainless (54 Rockwell hardness)
Worm gear support: Dual supported ball bearings
Worm gear coupling: Oldham
Laser Engraved Setting Circles: Porter Slip Ring design, 5" DEC. and R.A.,
Right ascension resolution: 4 minute increments, pointer
Declination circle resolution: 1 degree increments, pointer
R.A. Axis Needle Thrust Bearings: one 3.75", one 2", and two 1.625"
DEC. Axis Needle Thrust Bearings: one 3.75", one 2", and two 1.625"
DEC. and R.A. Clutches: Slip clutch, variable friction, one knob ea. axis
Latitude Tangent Arm range: 12 to 64 degrees with polar scope, 8 to 68 with minor modification
Azimuth adjustment range: +-8.5 degrees
Dovetail Saddle Plate: "D" Series Standard
Weight of Mount Head Approximately 31 lbs.
Weight of Field Tripod approximately 20 lbs.
Semi-Pier Tripod Height 34 to 48 inch
Load Capacity: Approximately 60 lbs.

Links for Losmandy G-11



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