I've had an AVX for many years and I think it's an excellent mount. It certainy carries 10 kg for imaging.

Jo's point about having a set up that is quick and easy to set up - and more importantly close down in a hurry - is a good one, and the AVX does it for me. I've got two 80mm scopes mounted side by side with a Raspi 3 driving an Atik 383L+, an ASI 1120mm guide camera, a Moonlite focuser and a quantum filter wheel. The mount is controlled using a separate Pi zero. Everything is connected wirelesly and I'm using 12V to 5V adaptors so the whole lot is driven by one 12V supply. I can carry it out and set it up in 5 minutes and get it in in two.

One thing about the Celestron mounts is that the alignment and control is mature and just works.

Thank you Chris. Do you have any issues with AVX with Ecos/Indi use?


Thank you
Mohamed

Do you think Celestron Vibration Suppression Pads will solve this problem?

www.celestron.com/products/vsp-vibration-suppression-pads

Short answer is 'no', because what is vibrating are the wooden 2x4s on the deck. I made that experience first hand a few years ago when I wanted to image a moonrise in a nature preserve in New Mexico. There was an observation deck, sturdier that your patio deck, and whenever someone moved at the other end of the deck the entire camera moved about half a moon's width. That was with a 600 mm lens. Imagine the trails that will make with your 8"! I could see the image shaking even from breathing in and out when I was alone on that deck.

I also have vibration pads, they are good to prevent the tripod legs from sinking into the grass, so definitely they will work there, but they will make no difference at all on your deck.

You can try that out with your current setup, just take 10s exposures with your Alt/Az mount while moving around on your deck, then look at the star trails. If you are serious about astrophotography, you will see right away that that is not going to work.
Don't take my word for it, try it out. You already have the equipment to do that test.

PS: If you run the rig exclusively from inside the house, maybe, just maybe, you will get a few useful frames, but the problem with that will be that for the polar alignment you will have to step out on the deck and that will bend the 2x4s enough to throw off your polar alignment. I see no way how can get around that. What you could do, is cut a hole in the deck and sink a concrete pier into the ground below, at least 3 to 4' deep. Make sure that the deck is not touching the pier anywhere. Then that site will work for your mount.

No. If there were problems I would fix them.

Out of curiosity, Chris, why did you give up your AVX mount?

I am considering getting an intermediate one between my iOptronSmartEQPro+ and my Atlas EQ/AZ. The latter being an outstanding mount in all respects and I love it, but it is getting a little too heavy and awkward to lift out through my patio door into the backyard. I am getting worried that I will slip a disk one day. The former being not precise enough for focal lengths longer than 300 mm or so.

I have been debating about the iOptronCEM25P, the HEQ-5 and the Celestron AVX.

They are all very comparable, with Pros and Cons.

What are your thoughts? Which one would you pick?

Best wishes and have a great Sunday,

Jo

I haven't given up my AVX, it's the mount I use most.

Thank you everyone for your inputs... I ended up with Celestron AVX and I love it...

I am thinking about getting an intermediate one between my iOptronSmartEQPro+ and my Atlas EQ/AZ. The latter being an notable mount in all respects and I love it, however it is getting a little too heavy and awkward to elevate out thru my patio door into the backyard. I am getting concerned that I will slip a disk one day. The former being no longer specific sufficient for focal lengths longer than 300 mm or so.

Hi Chris, I had tons of issues with AVX. I received it in early June, but I decided to do a final return for a refund today. It was too much for me... I ordered HEQ5 instead.

What happened between "I ended up with Celestron AVX and I love it..."
and "I had tons of issues with AVX."?

Anything we could have helped with?

Hi Chris,

Unfortunately, it was not EKOS or any software issue. It was a defective mount. It started by mount going insane while slewing to a new target, then the HC doesn't show anything, then invalid packages 69, 86, and many others. After upgrading the firmware to fix the package issue, the enter button stopped working after a few minutes from startup!!!

Celestron tried to help, but they don't have HC units to send me (back-ordered) and don't have new mounts to replace. They offered to fix the HC unit, but I didn't like the idea of fixing a brand new mount. They accepted the return and ordered a replacement from the supplier, who confirmed today that they don't have any in stock and don't know when they can have it!!!

This was the final straw...