Jim7728
Postmaster
Reged: 04/10/05
Posts: 7284
Loc: Stoop Landing Observatory, NYC
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 I just noticed that Orion is offering another GoTo mount,packaged with their line of telescopes.
ORION LINK
It looks like a relabeled Skywatcher HEQ5 with GoTo.
Hmmm...If they offer that mount alone,that'll make 3 different GoTo mounts (Atlas,CG5-GT and Sirius)being offered in their catolog. How times have changed.
But seriously...Sirius? I always associate that name with thier eyepiece set.  
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<Jim>15x70-Ultra~TV-85/SM-60~MN-66
Unistar Deluxe~Unimount Light~DM-6
 
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Sky Captain
Metal Whisperer
Reged: 11/07/04
Posts: 10375
Loc: Loc: Loc:
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Yep, I checked KW Telescope's HEQ5 and its a relable.
Which is great because now we can get it here in the states.
Orion is getting quite a line up.
Are they going to be the next telescope super power  
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Kerry
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Jim7728
Postmaster
Reged: 04/10/05
Posts: 7284
Loc: Stoop Landing Observatory, NYC
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Quote:
Are they going to be the next telescope super power
I would think so,especially after Synta acquired Celestron.
The Sirius EQ-G seems like an odd fit in between the CG5-GT and Atlas GT. The mount head resembles the Atlas but looks smaller and with 1.75" legs. I 'am not familiar with its weight capacity, but 2" steel legs would have been nicer feature.
More choices for us equipment junkies. 
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<Jim>15x70-Ultra~TV-85/SM-60~MN-66
Unistar Deluxe~Unimount Light~DM-6
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celestial_search
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 11/18/04
Posts: 2569
Loc: Iowa, USA
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Thanks for the heads up. More options for amateurs (and more questions, debate, and arguing for CNers). 
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Frank
C-11 XLT
8" f/6 Newt on GEM
Tak FS-102II
SV 80L Triplet APO
EQ-6 Mount on pier in backyard observatory (EQMOD)
CG-5 AS (GOTO)
SBIG ST-5C CCD and Canon Rebel XSI
SSAG
Oberwerk 15X70s and Pentax 10X21s
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Zamboni
professor emeritus
Reged: 01/03/05
Posts: 521
Loc: Colorado Springs
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4 computerized mounts if you count the SVP intelliscope "push to".
Essentially, they have the Skywatcher Pro 100ED for 1899, and the 80ED for 1500.
Sweet.
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-Tristan Schwartz-
6 inch Orion DSE dob
Coronado PST #107958
Orion Steadypix iPhone afocal adapter
Boatloads of Plössls and filters
Former Resident Astro-Guru, Arizona Museum of Natural History
Colorado Springs Astronomical Society
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Patrick
Postmaster
Reged: 05/16/03
Posts: 10382
Loc: Franklin, Ohio
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Quote:
The Sirius EQ-G seems like an odd fit in between the CG5-GT and Atlas GT. The mount head resembles the Atlas but looks smaller and with 1.75" legs. I 'am not familiar with its weight capacity, but 2" steel legs would have been nicer feature.
Orion says the weight capacity for the Sirius is 30lbs. IIRC, Celestron says the weight capacity for the CG5 is 35lbs. The CG5 does have 2" tubular legs. The CG5-GT can be had for $700, but the Sirius runs $1000.
So...is the Sirius mount better than the CG5 mount in some way? Why does it cost $300 more but have a lower weight capacity? Is it a better astrophotography platform? Better PEC, better gotos?
Lots of questions, but no answers... 
Patrick
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CPC1100;AT66ED;Denk S1;
EdgeHD C8; C6 SCT
6"f/4.8MN ES Comet Hunter
10"f/6 Newt
Vixen GP2;CGEM Mount
Canon 60D;Lodestar Guider
The Lord sits enthroned above the circle of the earth...He stretched out the heavens like a canopy.
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JakeJ
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 08/31/04
Posts: 1556
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The ratings by Celestron are a bit optimistic, and the ratings by Orion a bit conservative.
The EQ5 (Sirius) is sturdier than the CG-5, but not as sturdy as the EQ6 (Atlas). Think of it as a Chinese version of a GM-8, just like the CG-5 is a Chinese version of a GP, and the Atlas is a Chinese version of the G-11 class. That should give you a better idea of the weight capabilities. PE is another matter entirely. 
-Jake
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12.5" Discovery TD
Vixen ED103S
...and way too many eypieces to list!
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Jim7728
Postmaster
Reged: 04/10/05
Posts: 7284
Loc: Stoop Landing Observatory, NYC
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Quote:
Lots of questions, but no answers...
I see a shootout coming...CG5-GT vs. Sirius EQ-G 
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<Jim>15x70-Ultra~TV-85/SM-60~MN-66
Unistar Deluxe~Unimount Light~DM-6
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darylf96
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 08/28/04
Posts: 1432
Loc: Danville, California
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You know, if this mount is really good for long-exposure photo work, it is a very good deal. There are just too many mounts being touted as capable of astrophotography that just plain are NOT quality mounts for long expsure
photo work. I think these companies need to clean up their acts with regard to this issue. As good a deal as the CG5-GT is as a go-to mount, it must be torn down and modified to be useful as a photo platform. And now the Synta mounts are making claims that we really can't trust. No matter how good the price is, if it doesn't perform as advertised, then there is a problem.
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Intes Micro MN66 - Meade 10" SCT
Orion EON 120mm ED f7.5 Apo
Skywatcher 150mm f8 Achro
G-11, CG5A-GT Mounts
DM-6 With Sky Commander DSC
Astro-Tech AT80 Refractor f6.9 APO
Stellarvue 20x85 binos - Unimount
Kunming United Optics 7x50 binocs
Canon Rebel XT, Canon 20D, Canon 7D, Canon SXi
SBIG ST-8XE
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Astrodave
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 05/28/04
Posts: 1206
Loc: Manassas Park, Va. USA
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I wouldnt hold my breath for long exposure AP work with a $999 goto mount. It will probably be in the range of the cg5-gt as far as AP work is concerned, just with a higher payload. Even my GP with ss2k is borderline for anything >2-3 mins unguided at 600mm and it's japanese vixen quality.
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Northern Virginia
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darylf96
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 08/28/04
Posts: 1432
Loc: Danville, California
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Dave:
I doubt that this mount would carry more than my CG5-A.
Is it rated over 35 lbs for visual work?
Daryl
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Intes Micro MN66 - Meade 10" SCT
Orion EON 120mm ED f7.5 Apo
Skywatcher 150mm f8 Achro
G-11, CG5A-GT Mounts
DM-6 With Sky Commander DSC
Astro-Tech AT80 Refractor f6.9 APO
Stellarvue 20x85 binos - Unimount
Kunming United Optics 7x50 binocs
Canon Rebel XT, Canon 20D, Canon 7D, Canon SXi
SBIG ST-8XE
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