Astro Physics 1100GTO vs 1600GTO Mount - a comparison

[@Rafastro]

The quality of a good video can be easily described by its usefulness four years after it was done. Found everything I was looking for. Awesome 👏🏼

[@starastronomer]

Wow, thank you so much Rafa!!!

[@jeffjastro]

Thanks so much for this. Solidified my buy of the AP1100GTO - and you are so correct, have not seen a side by side (even years later) and it is an eye opener how much larger that 1600 is. Thanks again for this (and all of your other astro hardware vids).

[@starastronomer]

Thank you jeffjastro. Glad it helped you.

[@axnyslie]

I also got a black CP4 box for my 1100. Since I mount it directly to the Losmandy HD tripod It definitely looks better black.

[@RobertKarlBerta]

Interesting and useful comparison. I have both a 900 GTO CP3 and 1100 GTO CP4 that support either a 11" SCT HD in Hyperstar mode or a 152mm f8 APO refractor with SBIG camera. Also have a club 1200 GTO CP3 supporting a 8" f12 refractor. There are some differences that are worth talking about. First the 1100 and I believe the 1600 have eliminated the old setting circles (I am old school so miss them). Going from the 900 to 1100, the DEC axis sits a bit higher so you will need either to move your counterweights farther out or add more counterweight. There are two huge improvements between the 900 and 100 and also between the 1200 and 1600. First is the Azimuth knobs are on the South end of the mount which makes them a LOT easier to get to. The old clutches used friction material that dragged a bit making it a little harder to get good balance....I used (at Rolands recommendation) a fish scale on the 900 mount to balance it. The 1100 and 1600 can completely disconnect so there is 0 drag. That makes it extremely easy to fine tube balance. Note that even through it is disconnected, the PEC is not changed when reconnected. Originally I was thinking of selling he 900 mount but decided that I would keep it for portable use and the 1100 for observatory. In any case the 900 is a great mount also despite not having some of the upgrades I talked about above. I riun a lot of wires and the internal routing of the 1100 and 1600 make that a LOT less messier and is very well done. I won't get into the CP3 vs. the CP4 but the CP4 has a lot of additioonal features and built in wireless. Final thought...AP is a first rate company and when ever I call them I get immediate support and good answers.

[@starastronomer]

Thanks Robert, and also for your information.

[@collaredkeeper]

Great Video! Really helped my research on the right mount to buy! Do you know if the sight hole cap is the same between the AP1100 and the AP1600? Looks a bit bigger but I have a QHY like yours and wasn't sure if their QHY AP900/AP1100 adapters would work on the AP1600. Thanks! EDIT: I think you may have answered my question after rewatching again at 13:10 or so. Keep up the helpful videos!

[@starastronomer]

collaredkeeper Thank You so much! The cap is bigger on the 1600. Which mount did you decide on? As a heads up the 1600 is a beast. Surprised me how heavy it actually is. I have put both my 175 and 130 on it at the same time. The mount didn't even care.

[@collaredkeeper]

@@starastronomer I just purchased a used AP1600. I had plans for the AP1100 but I got a good deal of just under the cost of a new AP1100 for a used AP1600. I am hoping to run it with my C14 EdgeHD, no refractors yet. Watching your new AP1600 video now, really not much comparing the two mounts besides your videos!

[@starastronomer]

collaredkeeper Congratulations on the purchase of the 1600!

[@cesarecannavo1134]

Great video informations and beautiful technic.. Congratulations to mister Christens Astro Physics..

[@starastronomer]

Cesare Cannavò THANKS! AP equipment is top notch.

[@cesarecannavo1134]

@@starastronomer Yes I know this. I have one AP Travelr 105mm. I thinking to buy now the AP-1100 standard only encoders for the first time. Possibly in later years insert the encoder. But for the beginning only encoder used. I have fro beginning this year selling my first and oldest AP-mount the 400CNC QMD. You video are very interesting for me. Best wishes from Switzerland 🇨🇭

[@starastronomer]

@@cesarecannavo1134 Thanks and hello to Switzerland! I also had the 105mm Traveler [smooth tube] but sold it when I got my first 130GT. Clear skies.

[@cesarecannavo1134]

@@starastronomer Hello. I understand well what you wrote. I too have thought a lot about selling my AP_Traveler, and buying the 130 GT with 4" back-focus. Although very nice, it was better if by selling the Traveler I had ordered an AP_175mm in time. Since I have not yet started making real astro ccd, but I make many observations, I think that I should not miss the chance to buy the AP_175. With it making observations or astro ccd, it would be all different than just the Traveler making observations. Anyway, after seeing your super informative video of the AP_1100, I am of the opinion that I want to buy soon. Having it, I plan to buy a Celestron C14 "EDGE HD tube, so with the barlowe lens I have a 2" 2x AP (the first model), and the Powermate TeleVue 2 "4x, with the C14" I will have the option to look much better at 7820mm or 15640mm. Clear the light will decrease a lot when using the Powermate 4x. If you want, I also have three focal lengths available with an EDGE HD. The affirmative quality of Astro Physics optics will never be clear. Greetings from Switzerland.

[@seansmith908]

great video, thanks for the info!

[@starastronomer]

You're welcome Sean Smith. Which one are you getting?

[@seansmith908]

@@starastronomer Currently I have a Paramount MX+ and Celestron CGXL in my observatory. When the Celestron starts to give me trouble I might consider the 1100. The Paramount does really well for me so I may also stay in that camp. Its nice to have options.

[@starastronomer]

@@seansmith908 Indeed it is...❗️

[@joep1551]

Wow, those mounts scream quality all the way down to the bubble level! And what a sky, astrophotography heaven. Suddenly my cem120 doesn't seem so impressive. Is that ground just behind your backyard? Or is it your backyard? I can see why people wait so long for AP products. Beautiful! Congrats.

[@starastronomer]

Joseph...THANKS! Yes, part of the ground behind me is my yard, 4 acres. Then a field is beyond that. Love the country. Indeed AP is meticulously designed and constructed. The wait list now is unbelievable. My first AP was a 6" f/12 Superplanetary ordered in July 1991. Got it in a little less than a year. My second was a 105 Traveler which took 6 months to get. Shortly after that came the now famous "wait lists". But you know Joseph, any instrument used to see the night sky is better than no instrument. Enjoy the stars!

[@osamadessouky802]

Is the newer gearbox on the newer 1100 significantly different to the one you show and describe here in your 1100? Thanks and great videos.

[@starastronomer]

Osama Dessouky THANK YOU! They are different to the point that you can mechanically lift them off the gear. My 1600 has that and it makes balancing a breeze. Now, given the chance to buy one used I would not be too concerned if it didn't have that feature. I sold my 1100 when I got my Mach2. The 1100 is an excellent size for weight to capacity in my opinion.

[@michaelmurphy5029]

Super video, so I've got a pier and wish to adapt it for a new future 1600. You showed a 12" base plate which looked like a ring. How did Astro-Physics intend base plate to be bolted to any pier? Or could I make my own adapter plate?

[@starastronomer]

Thanks Michael. You could make your own adapter plate or buy from AP. The part you need is "Flat Surface Adapter for 1600GTO and all 1200 Mounts (1612FSA)". Check out this video I did if you haven't seen it yet: kzbin.info/www/bejne/b6G2e5mgZpifkMU

[@davidstanden480]

The 1600 is a beast, but solid as a rock I bet!

[@starastronomer]

INDEED...........

[@dooncoz]

thanks for the videos. Can your ap175 work ok on the 1100 or is the 1600 more ideal?

[@starastronomer]

James Muldoon You're welcome. Glad you like my AP videos. The 175 f/8 rode fine on the 1100 mount. The 1100 is ideal (I think) in its size range. Less size and weight than the 1600 and much more portable too. Are you looking to buy either the 1100 or 1600? The 1600 is a beast.

[@S70IP]

Hi what was the reason behind the “play” in your other video you made for George? Was it normal. Thanks for the video

[@starastronomer]

Hello Matt. Haven't got an answer yet from George. It's the Labor Day weekend so hopefully this Tuesday I will get an answer. I assume it is a simple "free play" adjustment. HOPEFULLY I can do it with directions from George. Can't imagine it being anything major. As you can see the 1600 is built like a BEAST! AP gear is built to the nth degree. Will do an update video when I find out.

[@mys721tx]

That's either a tiny dog or a giant mount!

[@starastronomer]

mys721tx You are correct on both sir. little MOOSE is 2.3 lbs and yes, that is a big mount. Both are very nice :)

[@MrFlextor]

Well, it is terrifying what mankind made with the origin of the wolve... 🤐 Same happens to mankind itselfe, it is called "civilization"

[@MEDDERX314]

If you still have the 1100 and have decided you want to sell I would be interested

[@starastronomer]

I will keep that in mind Sean.

[@Riornaldo]

I love Moose!

[@starastronomer]

Thank you ❤️