Mike Harvey
professor emeritus
Reged: 03/01/04
Posts: 695
Loc: Orlando, FL.
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I just finished unboxing and assembling the mount...it only took about 15 mins.
FIRST IMPRESSION: This is a substantial mount!
The CG-5 is PETITE...downright DAINTY!
I can pick up the CG-5 EQ head in one hand and hardly notice the weight. On the CGEM, it's more of 'both hands and cradled in your arms'.
The CGEM is NOT a "grab 'n go" mount!
Yes, I can carry the mount and tripod, assembled but w/out counterweights, out of the garage to the driveway without TOO much strain...but, if you have serious back problems or are not "in shape", you're gonna' want wheelie-bars or a scope-buggy (you may want them just for convenience!).
Be advised, the mount alone comes with ONE (1) 17lb. counterweight. If you buy the mount WITH the C-9.25, it comes with a 17 lb. and an 11 lb. If you get the C-11, it comes with TWO (2) 17-pounders.
That is optimistic!
With my Carbon Fiber SN-10, I needed 50 lbs. (!) to balance it properly! And that OTA only weighs 30 lbs. - even with heavy duty focuser, finder, dew heaters/controllers and an eyepiece!
Yes, the height of the mounting rings and the additional mass of the longer tube add to the total weight needed to balance...but - just FYI.
The hand controller is identical to the one supplied with the CG-5.
The power cord has a nice feature that my CG-5 did not have - a 'lock' that threads onto a ring (around the
power input on the EQ head) and prevents the power cord from accidentally coming loose or pulling out.
I'm about to read the new alignment procedures and power the thing up.
More to come....
Mike Harvey
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zjc26138
Postmaster
Reged: 02/24/05
Posts: 5251
Loc: Mingo Junction, Ohio and Morga...
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Pics? Sounds like a great mount Mike! 
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Custom AR5
Stellarvue 80/9D
Bosma Goto Mount
Clear, dark skies everywhere,
-Zachary
Edited by zjc26138 (12/16/08 06:35 PM)
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Yedgy
sage
Reged: 07/22/08
Posts: 457
Loc: Phoenix, AZ, USA
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Pics please!  And please describe the sounds it makes slewing & tracking!
Thanks, and congrats on your new toy!
Tony
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The Universe is an awesome place. I'm glad I live here.- Takahashi FS-60CB
- HyperTuned Atlas EQ-G
- Mountain Instruments MI-8P pier
- Spectrum-Enhanced Canon EOS 450D
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BobH
super member
Reged: 01/03/08
Posts: 143
Loc: PA
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Mike,
I'm as excited as you are  .
Looking forward to the pictures and "review."
Bob
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"Wise men learn more from fools than fools from the wise." - Cato the Elder
Meade 8" LX200 GPS
ETX 125 PE
Tasco 50mm x 600mm
StellarVue 115ST on MiniTower
Orion Astroview 100
Celestron 8x42 Outland LX
'03 Harley FXDL (oops, wrong forum)
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rodney
Vendor - Explora Dome
Reged: 03/08/05
Posts: 807
Loc: Asbury, NJ
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Mike,
Yes pics. And if you could get a clear set of pics of the tripod mounting surface that would be supreme. Agreed, lets us know if it is quieter than the AS-GT mount.
I'm not jealous, seriously, right!
Clear skies,
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Explora Dome information can be found here:
www.exploradome.us
Rodney
Meade 10 SCT
AT 8/F4 imaging scope
13 Truss
C8-NGT
Orion 80mm/F11
Canon 300D
Canon XSi
Two AS-GT mounts
Extremely happy Explora Dome home observatory owner
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Doug76
Postmaster
Reged: 12/05/07
Posts: 5551
Loc: SE Louisiana, future Texan
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I've seen pics. I'm interested in that, but more in how loud is it, and what does it sound like?
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kaaikop
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 07/13/08
Posts: 766
Loc: North of the Montreal nebula
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Yeah, no pics, no mount!
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Benoit, RASC Montreal
-C9.25 on EQ6 Pro - C6/ED80 on Portamount
-TV Plossls, Radians, Nags, Pans, UO Orthos.
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Jim7728
Postmaster
Reged: 04/10/05
Posts: 5063
Loc: Stoop Landing Observatory, NYC
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We all know what the CGEM looks like  , now take your time and report back here tomorrow with a 500 word in depth report
...with pictures. 
BTW
Thanks Mike, for your initial impressions of the new mount. 
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Jim
Genesis SDF-f/5.4 FS-102-f/8
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tboss70
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 11/25/05
Posts: 2326
Loc: Missouri
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Great news, and congrats! Can't wait to hear more about your impressions.
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Todd
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w orchid
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 04/23/07
Posts: 832
Loc: Tampa, Fl
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Mike are you taking the new family member to CAV next weekend?
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Celestron C8 orange tube circa 1982
Stellarvue SV102ED
Celestron NS1100GPS
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CHASLX200
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 09/29/07
Posts: 1808
Loc: Tampa area Florida
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Wonder if it would hold my 8" F8 Newt?
Chas
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tboss70
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 11/25/05
Posts: 2326
Loc: Missouri
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I wonder how long it would autoguide with my TSA-102???
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Todd
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N7XW
sage
Reged: 05/04/07
Posts: 354
Loc: Westport, WA
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We are anxious, aren't we? Me too!! 
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N7XW
ETX125pe with UHTC
4.5" Reflector
60mm Refractor
Philips SPC900NC
Zhumell eyepieces & filters
3 sets of good ol' binocs
"Don't worry about what telescope you own, or its quality. Just get out under the night sky, and enjoy God's wondrous universe."
- Thomas M. Back, from a November 2006 interview with CN
Rest In Peace, Thomas
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Luigi
Post Laureate
Reged: 07/03/07
Posts: 4938
Loc: MA
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Can you itemize what the parts weigh? It'll resolve some contradictions in the specs from various sources.
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17.5" f/5 Dob. IM-715 MCT. 120ED. Lunt 60mm Ha.
Zeiss, Leica, Fujinon, Nikon, Pentax, Bushnell bins
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dickbill
member
Reged: 09/30/08
Posts: 92
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Can you use the CG5 counterweights in the CGEM ?
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tboss70
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 11/25/05
Posts: 2326
Loc: Missouri
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Mike! Dude, where are you? We need reports.
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Todd
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Strgazr27
Vendor - Deep Space Mods and Composites
Reged: 10/04/04
Posts: 6984
Loc: StonyHill Observatory
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Bobby
StonyHill Observatory
Skywatcher EQ6 Pro (On it's way)
AT 130 F/6 Prototype
Royce 10" f/4 Astrograph (Under Construction)
Self Modded 40D
70-200 F2.8 L IS
SSAG
YAHOO TMB 130SS Group
Astronomy Technologies Yahoo Group
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Mike Harvey
professor emeritus
Reged: 03/01/04
Posts: 695
Loc: Orlando, FL.
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Quote:
Mike are you taking the new family member to CAV next weekend?
Unfortunately, no. I won't be able to get back up there until January, at the earliest.
Mike
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Mike Harvey
professor emeritus
Reged: 03/01/04
Posts: 695
Loc: Orlando, FL.
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Quote:
Can you use the CG5 counterweights in the CGEM ?
Yes!
Mike
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LLEEGE
Running out of Oxygen
Reged: 03/03/05
Posts: 9056
Loc: Cloud-chester,NY
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And still no pictures. 
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"Okay! You draw the straws. I'm-a taking the parachute."
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