Losmandy G11-G equatorial mount.

A technical mount, but one that really delivers once you get used to it

The Losmandy G11 is an intermediate-level equatorial mount. It’s been around for many years, yet despite many tweaks and refinements since its first incarnation its core design retains the same characteristics that have earned it a loyal following. The version we’re reviewing here is the G11-G, fitted with Losmandy’s Gemini-2 Mini control system.

The mount is a package of three parts: a tripod, a mount head and the Gemini-2 Mini controller. The tripod is a solid affair constructed from sturdy, black-anodised aluminium tubing. The legs connect to a central column by a pivot and can be folded for transport. In contrast to earlier versions of the G11, this folding leg arrangement makes the mount relatively painless to move around.

The mount head locks into the central column via three hex bolts and when tightened the structure is as solid as a rock. The Gemini-2 Mini bolts to the column in a way that allows it to be tilted to a convenient angle for you. Two 94cm cables connect it to the RA and dec. servo drives. A separate handset and an external 12-18V power supply complete the basic setup.

The Gemini-2 Mini’s handset is a curious affair because it’s double sided. On one you have a recessed colour touchscreen, through which most operations take place. On the reverse are four directional buttons, used for RA and dec. movement, which duplicate the slewing functions offered via the touchscreen. It took a while for us to get used to this design. The fact there is no hanging loop or securing cradle for the handset appears to be an oversight.

Interface quirks

The touchscreen interface is comprehensive, but can be confusing. The control system is functionally rich, but the interface could be polished more. For example, the electronic display helps you to achieve balance on the RA and dec. axes by reporting how the servos are working. All the technical information you need is there, but the initial reason isn’t always obvious.

The Gemini-2 system provides a polar alignment routine to get you within 1° of the pole. Once this has been completed, you can create a ‘model’ to refine the mount’s pointing accuracy. Separate models are constructed for the east and west