waassaabee
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 11/26/07
Posts: 2710
Loc: Central California Coast
|
|
I was surfing Celestron's site this morning and noticed a new offering...
CGE Pro view 1
CGE Pro View 2
--------------------
Gary
34N 120W
-My kingdom for blue squares!-
WO Megrez 90FD/TV 0.8x FR/FF
AT8RC
mini Borg 50/Q-Guide/PHD
CGEM
Canon 350D Hap Griffin Baader mod - o.o
My Friend Flickr
Edited by waassaabee (01/01/09 01:20 PM)
|
rodney
Vendor - Explora Dome
Reged: 03/08/05
Posts: 812
Loc: Asbury, NJ
|
|
This was discussed last summer.
http://www.cloudynights.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=2477166&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=all&vc=1
Clear skies,
Rodney
--------------------
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
|
Luigi
Post Laureate
Reged: 07/03/07
Posts: 4947
Loc: MA
|
|
I wouldn't dismiss it so quickly. The inclusion on the current website suggests they have changed their minds and are offering it as a new product.
--------------------
17.5" f/5 Dob. IM-715 MCT. 120ED. Lunt 60mm Ha.
Zeiss, Leica, Fujinon, Nikon, Pentax, Bushnell bins
Edited by Charlie Hein (01/02/09 12:28 PM)
|
GrassyPond
sage
Reged: 02/06/07
Posts: 318
Loc: South Georgia
|
|
Price?
--------------------
Turtle Creek Observatory
Joe
12" LX200R
MallinCam Hyper Plus Color
10' HomeDome Automated with LesveDome
|
Yedgy
sage
Reged: 07/22/08
Posts: 457
Loc: Phoenix, AZ, USA
|
|
The price isn't listed on Celestron's website. Sure looks like a beauty, though! Given that the CGE is $3K I'd guess that this one is in the $5K area to compete with the Losmandy Titan.
Tony
--------------------
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
|
waassaabee
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 11/26/07
Posts: 2710
Loc: Central California Coast
|
|
Quote:
Price?
I couldn't find a price listed, their new site design isn't very good in my opinion. But a CGE PRO... the Pro part has to add $1K easy..
--------------------
Gary
34N 120W
-My kingdom for blue squares!-
WO Megrez 90FD/TV 0.8x FR/FF
AT8RC
mini Borg 50/Q-Guide/PHD
CGEM
Canon 350D Hap Griffin Baader mod - o.o
My Friend Flickr
Edited by Charlie Hein (01/02/09 12:31 PM)
|
jrcrilly
Refractor wienie no more
Reged: 04/30/03
Posts: 25203
Loc: NE Ohio
|
|
Quote:
This was discussed last summer.
Those photos don't look anything like the CGE Pro that was originally to be offered with the C20 (I've seen that model). This is a different mount; they are apparently just reviving the name.
--------------------
John C
Urban Observatory
A&M/Astreya 76mm F/6 APO
TMB/LOMO 80mm F/7.5 APO
Tak FSQ-106N F/5 APO
Meade 178ED F/9 "APO"
Meade ETX-125AT
C14
Teeter 20" F/3.8 truss Newt w/ServoCat
NJP, GPDX/SS2KPC, CG5-GT
ST-10XME, DSI Pro
|
rmollise
Post Laureate
Reged: 07/06/07
Posts: 4595
|
|
Quote:
Those photos don't look anything like the CGE Pro that was originally to be offered with the C20 (I've seen that model). This is a different mount; they are apparently just reviving the name.
This one is much more rationally and reasonably priced. Oddest thing? Apparently Celestron has suddenly taken it back off the website. Tease?
IMHO, lotsa folks are gonna like it. Nice payload--comparable to the Losmandy Titan for considerably less.
--------------------
Uncle Rod
Rod's New Book:
Choosing and Using a New CAT
Available now!
|
GrassyPond
sage
Reged: 02/06/07
Posts: 318
Loc: South Georgia
|
|
That was the shortest production run in history.
--------------------
Turtle Creek Observatory
Joe
12" LX200R
MallinCam Hyper Plus Color
10' HomeDome Automated with LesveDome
|
skybsd
professor emeritus
Reged: 02/01/08
Posts: 601
|
|
Hi,
Quote:
This one is much more rationally and reasonably priced. Oddest thing? Apparently Celestron has suddenly taken it back off the website. Tease?
IMHO, lotsa folks are gonna like it. Nice payload--comparable to the Losmandy Titan for considerably less.
Was it the now-removed page at Celestron's site that provided details on capability and other specifications you're referencing here?
Thanks.
Regards,
skybsd
|
Luigi
Post Laureate
Reged: 07/03/07
Posts: 4947
Loc: MA
|
|
That's amazing. I saw it there just this morning. Somebody took it down today, a holiday!
--------------------
17.5" f/5 Dob. IM-715 MCT. 120ED. Lunt 60mm Ha.
Zeiss, Leica, Fujinon, Nikon, Pentax, Bushnell bins
|
LLEEGE
Running out of Oxygen
Reged: 03/03/05
Posts: 9080
Loc: Cloud-chester,NY
|
|
Looks like an interesting mount that is targeting the NJP/AP900 class mounts.
--------------------
"Okay! You draw the straws. I'm-a taking the parachute."
|
Scott Beith
SRF
Reged: 11/26/03
Posts: 37214
Loc: Frederick, MD
|
|
C14 riding on that would be sweet.
--------------------
   SLAP Observer (TMB130SS, SV102V, SV80ED)
"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." -- Edmund Burke.
"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." -- George Orwell
"The measure of a man’s greatness is not determined by what he accomplishes for himself, but by what he accomplishes for others.” -- Some Bald Guy
|
Ricky
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 09/09/03
Posts: 2362
Loc: Nor Cal
|
|
"This one is much more rationally and reasonably priced."
How much is "...reasonably priced." ?
--------------------
Regards Ricky
_______________
ADM Mount w/SiTech GoTo
WO ZS66
Orion Autoguider
|
rmollise
Post Laureate
Reged: 07/06/07
Posts: 4595
|
|
Quote:
"This one is much more rationally and reasonably priced."
How much is "...reasonably priced." ?
About 5K...as compared to about 7K for the Titan.
--------------------
Uncle Rod
Rod's New Book:
Choosing and Using a New CAT
Available now!
|
rmollise
Post Laureate
Reged: 07/06/07
Posts: 4595
|
|
Quote:
Hi,
Quote:
This one is much more rationally and reasonably priced. Oddest thing? Apparently Celestron has suddenly taken it back off the website. Tease?
IMHO, lotsa folks are gonna like it. Nice payload--comparable to the Losmandy Titan for considerably less.
Was it the now-removed page at Celestron's site that provided details on capability and other specifications you're referencing here?
Thanks.
Regards,
skybsd
Yep, except for the price, which came from one of our favorite dealers...who just happens to own a website near and dear to all of us...starts with a "C"... 
--------------------
Uncle Rod
Rod's New Book:
Choosing and Using a New CAT
Available now!
|
Dave H.
sage
Reged: 02/29/08
Posts: 219
Loc: Northern Virginia
|
|
I saw the GGE Pro on the Celestron site today as well, and spent quite a bit of time admiring that sweet new mount design...
Advertised weight I believe was 152 pounds assembled with counter weight, and payload of 90 pounds.
I don't recall all the details but they were advertising .75" worm gears, the new all star polar alignment, tracking 20 degrees past the meridian, and the price was listed as only $2,999..., yeah, the price part I do remember for sure!
Perhaps the price was a typo and that is why they pulled it off the site on a holiday, as that looks like a super sweet mount for the same price as the old CGE. If that really is going to be the price, there will be fire sales on all the current dealer inventory of the old CGE mount, that is for sure.
Personally I have been planning to get a CGEM when they show up in the next couple weeks, but now after looking at the CGE Pro I am not so sure...
--------------------
CPC1100XLT
CGEM Mount
Skywatcher Pro 120 ED
Celestron C6XLT
Baader Modified Canon 450D, and far too much other stuff!
Edited by RideSober (01/01/09 08:23 PM)
|
celestial_search
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 11/18/04
Posts: 2533
Loc: Iowa, USA
|
|
I was "fishing" on the site also and saw the word "Discontinued" for the CGE-14. I hope that Celestron is not disontinuing the C-14 OTA, but I'm not sure what it up.
--------------------
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
|
Ricky
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 09/09/03
Posts: 2362
Loc: Nor Cal
|
|
Id be REALLY surprised if the CGE Pro is priced under 4k.
--------------------
Regards Ricky
_______________
ADM Mount w/SiTech GoTo
WO ZS66
Orion Autoguider
|
jrcrilly
Refractor wienie no more
Reged: 04/30/03
Posts: 25203
Loc: NE Ohio
|
|
Quote:
I was "fishing" on the site also and saw the word "Discontinued" for the CGE-14. I hope that Celestron is not disontinuing the C-14 OTA, but I'm not sure what it up.
It's possible that they intend to bundle the C14 only with the new, beefier mount. The CGE is derived from a mount designed for the C11, and is generally considered a bit light for the c14. The now-disappeared pages on the website referred specifically to the new mount as an ideal platform for a C14.
Able to hold our 14" SCT telescope more securely
--------------------
John C
Urban Observatory
A&M/Astreya 76mm F/6 APO
TMB/LOMO 80mm F/7.5 APO
Tak FSQ-106N F/5 APO
Meade 178ED F/9 "APO"
Meade ETX-125AT
C14
Teeter 20" F/3.8 truss Newt w/ServoCat
NJP, GPDX/SS2KPC, CG5-GT
ST-10XME, DSI Pro
Edited by jrcrilly (01/01/09 08:50 PM)
|
rmollise
Post Laureate
Reged: 07/06/07
Posts: 4595
|
|
Quote:
Id be REALLY surprised if the CGE Pro is priced under 4k.
It's not: 4999
--------------------
Uncle Rod
Rod's New Book:
Choosing and Using a New CAT
Available now!
|
rmollise
Post Laureate
Reged: 07/06/07
Posts: 4595
|
|
Quote:
I was "fishing" on the site also and saw the word "Discontinued" for the CGE-14. I hope that Celestron is not disontinuing the C-14 OTA, but I'm not sure what it up.
They ain't.
--------------------
Uncle Rod
Rod's New Book:
Choosing and Using a New CAT
Available now!
|
AlexN
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 08/09/08
Posts: 979
Loc: Brisbane - Australia
|
|
looks like a big leap ahead in amateur mounts to me....
--------------------
Apogee Ortho-Star LOMO 80/480 APO
WO ZS70ED
HEQ5 Pro + EQMOD
Astrodon NB Filters
Orion SS Pro 2
SBIG ST-8300M on order.
QHY5
|
Astronomics
Vendor if you must, AKA The Mighty Kong.
Reged: 06/07/04
Posts: 3075
Loc: Right Here
|
|
$5 k is right.
--------------------
Michael Bieler
Father and Husband
Owner
www.astronomics.com
www.astronomytechnologies.com
www.cloudynights.com
|
Astronomics
Vendor if you must, AKA The Mighty Kong.
Reged: 06/07/04
Posts: 3075
Loc: Right Here
|
|
I appears the CGE is discontinued. However, that is not set in stone. The site was not supposed to go live yet, hence the info being gone.
--------------------
Michael Bieler
Father and Husband
Owner
www.astronomics.com
www.astronomytechnologies.com
www.cloudynights.com
|
Scott Beith
SRF
Reged: 11/26/03
Posts: 37214
Loc: Frederick, MD
|
|
Now if they would just add active cooling to the C14, but that is for another thread.
--------------------
SLAP Observer (TMB130SS, SV102V, SV80ED)
"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." -- Edmund Burke.
"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." -- George Orwell
"The measure of a man’s greatness is not determined by what he accomplishes for himself, but by what he accomplishes for others.” -- Some Bald Guy
|
jrcrilly
Refractor wienie no more
Reged: 04/30/03
Posts: 25203
Loc: NE Ohio
|
|
Quote:
I appears the CGE is discontinued. However, that is not set in stone.
I hope they don't drop the CGE. It'd leave a heckuva big gap in the lineup.
--------------------
John C
Urban Observatory
A&M/Astreya 76mm F/6 APO
TMB/LOMO 80mm F/7.5 APO
Tak FSQ-106N F/5 APO
Meade 178ED F/9 "APO"
Meade ETX-125AT
C14
Teeter 20" F/3.8 truss Newt w/ServoCat
NJP, GPDX/SS2KPC, CG5-GT
ST-10XME, DSI Pro
|
Jeff55
sage
Reged: 04/14/05
Posts: 374
Loc: Boston MA
|
|
I wonder if most of this mount consists of castings with just a few CNC parts plus Asian production and maybe (more my hope really) they could produce it at a very attractive price. There was a rumor years ago that SYNTA was going to produce a more heavy duty mount above the EQ-6...just wonder if this is the progeny of that.
--------------------
Jeff Kurtz
CGEM
Celestron C9.25
WO Megrez 90
Denk Binoviewer
Leica 14mm/22mm Eyepieces
Meade 40mm UWA
|
rmollise
Post Laureate
Reged: 07/06/07
Posts: 4595
|
|
Quote:
I hope they don't drop the CGE. It'd leave a heckuva big gap in the lineup.
Not really.
For the bargain hunter: CG5
For 11-inch and smaller: CGEM
For 14-inch and larger: CGE Pro
For those as is interested, I've cranked up a Yahoogroup for the CGE Pro:
http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/cgepro/
--------------------
Uncle Rod
Rod's New Book:
Choosing and Using a New CAT
Available now!
|
jrcrilly
Refractor wienie no more
Reged: 04/30/03
Posts: 25203
Loc: NE Ohio
|
|
Quote:
Quote:
I hope they don't drop the CGE. It'd leave a heckuva big gap in the lineup.
Not really.
For the bargain hunter: CG5
For 11-inch and smaller: CGEM
For 14-inch and larger: CGE Pro
For those as is interested, I've cranked up a Yahoogroup for the CGE Pro:
http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/cgepro/
I was thinking more along the lines of this gap:
$800
$1400
$5000
Seems as though there'd be an incentive to boost the CGEM price to even things out a little. I'd like to see them avoid that.
--------------------
John C
Urban Observatory
A&M/Astreya 76mm F/6 APO
TMB/LOMO 80mm F/7.5 APO
Tak FSQ-106N F/5 APO
Meade 178ED F/9 "APO"
Meade ETX-125AT
C14
Teeter 20" F/3.8 truss Newt w/ServoCat
NJP, GPDX/SS2KPC, CG5-GT
ST-10XME, DSI Pro
|
rmollise
Post Laureate
Reged: 07/06/07
Posts: 4595
|
|
Quote:
was thinking more along the lines of this gap:
$800
$1400
$5000
Seems as though there'd be an incentive to boost the CGEM price to even things out a little. I'd like to see them avoid that.
I don't think that price gap means a whole lot in this context. The CGEM will carry the 8 - 11-inch tubes well, and is far cheaper to produce than the CGE.
--------------------
Uncle Rod
Rod's New Book:
Choosing and Using a New CAT
Available now!
|
jrcrilly
Refractor wienie no more
Reged: 04/30/03
Posts: 25203
Loc: NE Ohio
|
|
Quote:
I don't think that price gap means a whole lot in this context. The CGEM will carry the 8 - 11-inch tubes well, and is far cheaper to produce than the CGE.
True enough if we restrict ourselves to single optical tubes, and to Celestron's lineup. When I used a CGE it carried a C11 plus a 5" Vixen refractor and a guidescope and cameras very well. I wouldn't expect a CGEM to be suitable for imaging with that load but it didn't require a mount in the class the CGE Pro shoots for. The setup I'm rigging up now (on the LXD750) is a 178mm F/9 refractor plus an FSQ-106N and cameras; not suitable for the CGEM but a CGE should just about manage it. I'm gonna pop for the CGE Pro to be conservative (the extra weight handling of the 750 - and then some - but better precision), but it'd be nice to still have the CGE option available.
--------------------
John C
Urban Observatory
A&M/Astreya 76mm F/6 APO
TMB/LOMO 80mm F/7.5 APO
Tak FSQ-106N F/5 APO
Meade 178ED F/9 "APO"
Meade ETX-125AT
C14
Teeter 20" F/3.8 truss Newt w/ServoCat
NJP, GPDX/SS2KPC, CG5-GT
ST-10XME, DSI Pro
|
bseltzer
sage
Reged: 10/28/07
Posts: 306
Loc: East S.F.Bay, CA
|
|
Isn't this all a bit speculative? I mean, as of the morning, the Celstron site shows no sign of the "CGE Pro".
I am admittedly very naive in regards the amateur astronomy industry. But if it's anything like the information technology industry with which I'm far more familiar, there's little point in pursuing every piece of vaporware and unobtainium that happens to pop up on the horizon.
As entertaining as it might be to discuss these things, I personally wouldn't be making any plans/decisions just yet. At least not based on what I've heard/seen so far.
Regards,
Bert
--------------------
8" F4 Newtonian (Royce Mirror)
SV 105 APO Raptor
SV 80/9D (Erstwhile guide scope)
Losmandy G-11/Gemini L4
SBIG ST-2000 XM
SBIG ST-4000 XCM
A whole bunch of other stuff...
|
David Pavlich
Postmaster
Reged: 05/18/05
Posts: 8683
Loc: Mandeville, LA USA 30.22 X 90....
|
|
Quote:
I was "fishing" on the site also and saw the word "Discontinued" for the CGE-14. I hope that Celestron is not disontinuing the C-14 OTA, but I'm not sure what it up.
The only way Celestron would discontinue the present C14 is if they made some sort of improvement to it as Meade has done with their LX200s. The C14 is a terrific scope.
David
--------------------
Proud Member; PAS NOLA,
"If we knew what we were doing, it wouldn't be called research..."
A. Einstein
|
jrcrilly
Refractor wienie no more
Reged: 04/30/03
Posts: 25203
Loc: NE Ohio
|
|
Quote:
I am admittedly very naive in regards the amateur astronomy industry. But if it's anything like the information technology industry with which I'm far more familiar, there's little point in pursuing every piece of vaporware and unobtainium that happens to pop up on the horizon.
While there are some vaporware announcements in this field, they usually come from new startups or from a couple of small outfits who are known to make a practice of this.
With Meade and Celestron it's usually a safe bet. I ordered the CGE the day they announced it because I figured that by the time they hit the supply chain there'd be a waiting list. Same for the 14" LX200GPS. Both were real, both did arrive, and each pleased me in its own way.
Celestron's C20 and CGE Pro (not the same mount) did turn out to be vaporware, but only because they were extravagantly expensive and aimed at a small market portion. When they began to struggle financially the projects were dropped and the OTA design left with the designers, who then proceeded to offer it themselves. The mount never resurfaced. With mainstream gear such as this new CGE Pro, it is to be expected that the product is well on its way to market.
--------------------
John C
Urban Observatory
A&M/Astreya 76mm F/6 APO
TMB/LOMO 80mm F/7.5 APO
Tak FSQ-106N F/5 APO
Meade 178ED F/9 "APO"
Meade ETX-125AT
C14
Teeter 20" F/3.8 truss Newt w/ServoCat
NJP, GPDX/SS2KPC, CG5-GT
ST-10XME, DSI Pro
|
jrcrilly
Refractor wienie no more
Reged: 04/30/03
Posts: 25203
Loc: NE Ohio
|
|
Quote:
Quote:
I was "fishing" on the site also and saw the word "Discontinued" for the CGE-14. I hope that Celestron is not disontinuing the C-14 OTA, but I'm not sure what it up.
The only way Celestron would discontinue the present C14 is if they made some sort of improvement to it as Meade has done with their LX200s. The C14 is a terrific scope.
David
All of the CGE models without XLT can be found to be shown as discontinued on the website - but the XLT models cannot.
--------------------
John C
Urban Observatory
A&M/Astreya 76mm F/6 APO
TMB/LOMO 80mm F/7.5 APO
Tak FSQ-106N F/5 APO
Meade 178ED F/9 "APO"
Meade ETX-125AT
C14
Teeter 20" F/3.8 truss Newt w/ServoCat
NJP, GPDX/SS2KPC, CG5-GT
ST-10XME, DSI Pro
|
AlexN
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 08/09/08
Posts: 979
Loc: Brisbane - Australia
|
|
I tend to agree... Jumping on the bandwagon before a mount is even announced is perhaps a bit silly. I will be very interested to see more info on this mount when/if it comes to fruition.. The pics make it look mighty tuff indeed. Could well be a beefy gem for the masses.. that said... It could well become the phantom mount that never sees the light of day.. I hope the former.. but not getting excited yet.
--------------------
Apogee Ortho-Star LOMO 80/480 APO
WO ZS70ED
HEQ5 Pro + EQMOD
Astrodon NB Filters
Orion SS Pro 2
SBIG ST-8300M on order.
QHY5
|
celestial_search
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 11/18/04
Posts: 2533
Loc: Iowa, USA
|
|
Quote:
Jumping on the bandwagon before a mount is even announced is perhaps a bit silly.
Dagnabit, y'alls takin the fun outta it! [how is that for Texas diction?]
It is fun to speculate! It can't be a phantom given the two pictures and likely price noted by Unk'l Rod and Mike B.
New equipment and CNers speculating are like fleas on a dog, ticks on a deer, flies on cowpies . . . they just go together!
--------------------
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
|
SleepIsWrong
sage
Reged: 12/07/05
Posts: 448
Loc: Baltimore, MD
|
|
Yup - fun to speculate! Here's a bit of speculation;
The new CGEPro - if it exists - would hold a C14 pretty well, so it appears. Maybe it's even been designed for something larger? Yay! Now that's some speculation for ya! The C14 has to be one of the greatest telescopes ever produced but it would sure be nice if they made something a bit larger. I'll add one downer note, however. One of the photos I saw showed the Aux & HC ports - using the same lame cat5 connections which have been the bane of the CGE. But as pointed out, it's all vaporware so far anyways. I surely hope that if they are making a new mount they'll avoid one of their biggest past mistakes.
Mike
--------------------
14" Celestron CGE (two of 'em)
Soupy, orange, mag 4. skies (woof!)
ST9-XE, ST8-XME
ssp-3 photometer
Mira Pro UE7 & ProScript, IDL v7.1, AIP4Win, MaxIm DL, TheSky6 Pro, PC-IRAF 2.14.1
Way too many white squares in the graphic, below
|
jrcrilly
Refractor wienie no more
Reged: 04/30/03
Posts: 25203
Loc: NE Ohio
|
|
Quote:
I'll add one downer note, however. One of the photos I saw showed the Aux & HC ports - using the same lame cat5 connections which have been the bane of the CGE.
Hi, Mike.
Both Meade and Celestron (and many others) have been using those same handbox connectors for many years (over 15, in Meade's case) without any apparent problems. The issue with the CGE was that they used the same connectors for power and encoder connections (which Meade has also done successfully for over 15 years) AND they used the shield to supply motor power. That shield connection hasn't worked well. This mount uses different (DB-9) connectors for encoders and motor power - problem solved.
--------------------
John C
Urban Observatory
A&M/Astreya 76mm F/6 APO
TMB/LOMO 80mm F/7.5 APO
Tak FSQ-106N F/5 APO
Meade 178ED F/9 "APO"
Meade ETX-125AT
C14
Teeter 20" F/3.8 truss Newt w/ServoCat
NJP, GPDX/SS2KPC, CG5-GT
ST-10XME, DSI Pro
|
mclewis1
Thread Killer
Reged: 02/25/06
Posts: 3958
Loc: New Brunswick, Canada
|
|
Mike,
The issue on the original CGE appears to be the RJ45/Cat5 RA and DEC cables. I've never heard of any specific problems with the RJ11/12 connectors for the AUX and HC other than the folks who would like a longer coiled HC cable and there to be a socket on the HC (not a hard wired cable).
--------------------
Mark
C11, C6, APM/TMB115, and AT80ED - Tandem mount CGE and CG-5A, WO EZ-Touch and AT Voyager
25x100s and 8x56s, T-Mount Light, Mark 1 eyeballs - Modded 350D, DSI-P, SPC900, Mallincam
Just because you can doesn't necessarily mean that you should
|
rmollise
Post Laureate
Reged: 07/06/07
Posts: 4595
|
|
Quote:
Yup - fun to speculate! Here's a bit of speculation;
The new CGEPro - if it exists - would hold a C14 pretty well, so it appears. Maybe it's even been designed for something larger? Yay! Now that's some speculation for ya! The C14 has to be one of the greatest telescopes ever produced but it would sure be nice if they made something a bit larger. I'll add one downer note, however. One of the photos I saw showed the Aux & HC ports - using the same lame cat5 connections which have been the bane of the CGE. But as pointed out, it's all vaporware so far anyways. I surely hope that if they are making a new mount they'll avoid one of their biggest past mistakes.
Mike
Since some dealers are now accepting pre-orders, I'd say this is past the vaporware stage. Maybe.
Me? I'd love to see Celestron bring the C16 back after 30 years absence.
--------------------
Uncle Rod
Rod's New Book:
Choosing and Using a New CAT
Available now!
|
celestial_search
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 11/18/04
Posts: 2533
Loc: Iowa, USA
|
|
Quote:
Me? I'd love to see Celestron bring the C16 back after 30 years absence.
Yea, baby, yea! I have my eye on an eventual C-14, but the C-16 would change everything! I had the steel pier in my backyard (converted shed) observatory fabricated to handle a larger mount and C-14 (looking ahead) and it would handle the C-16! 
Okay, that was enought excitement for today.
--------------------
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
|
jrcrilly
Refractor wienie no more
Reged: 04/30/03
Posts: 25203
Loc: NE Ohio
|
|
Quote:
Yup - fun to speculate! Here's a bit of speculation;
The new CGEPro - if it exists - would hold a C14 pretty well, so it appears.
Better yet, it should be able to handle a Meade 14" ACF. That's something the CGE couldn't do. 
--------------------
John C
Urban Observatory
A&M/Astreya 76mm F/6 APO
TMB/LOMO 80mm F/7.5 APO
Tak FSQ-106N F/5 APO
Meade 178ED F/9 "APO"
Meade ETX-125AT
C14
Teeter 20" F/3.8 truss Newt w/ServoCat
NJP, GPDX/SS2KPC, CG5-GT
ST-10XME, DSI Pro
|
Strgazr27
Vendor - Deep Space Mods and Composites
Reged: 10/04/04
Posts: 6984
Loc: StonyHill Observatory
|
|
Well I'm placing my pre-order as we speak 
--------------------
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
|
lineman_16735
Tak-o-holic
Reged: 12/04/04
Posts: 2604
Loc: Central PA
|
|
Has anyone else noticed the obviously GIGANTIC clutch knobs? Can you say "Cable Snag"?
--------------------
Chris
A mount from Illinois
A scope from Japan
A camera from Cal-I-Fornia
A dog from Kentucky
A wife and kids from the "Twilight Zone"
The Geek Shed
|
jrcrilly
Refractor wienie no more
Reged: 04/30/03
Posts: 25203
Loc: NE Ohio
|
|
Quote:
Well I'm placing my pre-order as we speak
I think I beat you.
--------------------
John C
Urban Observatory
A&M/Astreya 76mm F/6 APO
TMB/LOMO 80mm F/7.5 APO
Tak FSQ-106N F/5 APO
Meade 178ED F/9 "APO"
Meade ETX-125AT
C14
Teeter 20" F/3.8 truss Newt w/ServoCat
NJP, GPDX/SS2KPC, CG5-GT
ST-10XME, DSI Pro
|
Space99
member
Reged: 08/14/08
Posts: 75
|
|
Hi folks,
let me chip in of this subject.
I working on a old mount, striping the AC synchronous drive
and improving the bearings/clutch system.
What I don't understand in the current eq-market is that
up-to the EQ6 level the drive worm is limited in diameter
and it's not a wheel but a "tube" and I suspect it's not hobbed and lapped, but cut in a lathe.
In the "old" school the worm diameter should be the size of the mirror like the old Byers.
I know, cost an arm-and-leg...
The next step is the G11 class, but the worm wheel is still
only 6" dia.
So, what is the reason the Chinese not cranking up the manufacturing of "reasonable" quality worm wheels?
The moment of arm in a long refractor or a long focus Cass.
would justify the old way...
My 2c.
Mick.
|
SleepIsWrong
sage
Reged: 12/07/05
Posts: 448
Loc: Baltimore, MD
|
|
John - that's VERY good news! I've thought of retro-fitting my two CGEs with DB9s - I love the mounts otherwise. I run both of my C14s at full 4m focal length and am able to guide at typically better than 1 arcsec rms error - so no complaints there. Just when the whole rig decides to up and run away in the middle of the night ... ARGH!
Mike
--------------------
14" Celestron CGE (two of 'em)
Soupy, orange, mag 4. skies (woof!)
ST9-XE, ST8-XME
ssp-3 photometer
Mira Pro UE7 & ProScript, IDL v7.1, AIP4Win, MaxIm DL, TheSky6 Pro, PC-IRAF 2.14.1
Way too many white squares in the graphic, below
|
hapo
sage
Reged: 03/06/05
Posts: 364
Loc: Europe
|
|
Google cache has some images of this mount and a C14 on it: here and here
From the image with the C14 on it is does not seem much larger than the current CGE and the electronics pillar seems to be the same as the current one. So it might be only a face lift with some improvements?
Edited by hapo (01/02/09 06:32 PM)
|
Astronomics
Vendor if you must, AKA The Mighty Kong.
Reged: 06/07/04
Posts: 3075
Loc: Right Here
|
|
Look for February deliveries.
--------------------
Michael Bieler
Father and Husband
Owner
www.astronomics.com
www.astronomytechnologies.com
www.cloudynights.com
|
rmollise
Post Laureate
Reged: 07/06/07
Posts: 4595
|
|
Quote:
From the image with the C14 on it is does not seem much larger than the current CGE and the electronics pillar seems to be the same as the current one. So it might be only a face lift with some improvements?
From the closeups of the mount head, its weight, and the payload figures, it is a long way from a mere facelift.
--------------------
Uncle Rod
Rod's New Book:
Choosing and Using a New CAT
Available now!
|
rmollise
Post Laureate
Reged: 07/06/07
Posts: 4595
|
|
Quote:
Well I'm placing my pre-order as we speak
Me? Uh-uh...
Oh, it looks good, very reasonable price, but until I can put up an observatory. Well...let's put it this way: I have a hard time convincing myself to drag the Atlas out to the darksite.
--------------------
Uncle Rod
Rod's New Book:
Choosing and Using a New CAT
Available now!
|
jrcrilly
Refractor wienie no more
Reged: 04/30/03
Posts: 25203
Loc: NE Ohio
|
|
Quote:
Quote:
Well I'm placing my pre-order as we speak
Me? Uh-uh...
Oh, it looks good, very reasonable price, but until I can put up an observatory. Well...let's put it this way: I have a hard time convincing myself to drag the Atlas out to the darksite.
I understand that. I'd have a hard time deciding to take a 75 pound EQ head plus a suitable platform into the field. Most of my mounts never make it outside at all until they leave. The timing is right on this one, though (if the February delivery is close to correct). I had just decided over the new year break to pull the trigger on a CGE. My only concern was that I felt it would be a little light for the intended load. My biggest reservation now is that I could probably pick up a used NJP for the same price (and I'm a big Tak fan) - so I'm trusting Celestron to get this one right.
--------------------
John C
Urban Observatory
A&M/Astreya 76mm F/6 APO
TMB/LOMO 80mm F/7.5 APO
Tak FSQ-106N F/5 APO
Meade 178ED F/9 "APO"
Meade ETX-125AT
C14
Teeter 20" F/3.8 truss Newt w/ServoCat
NJP, GPDX/SS2KPC, CG5-GT
ST-10XME, DSI Pro
|
mclewis1
Thread Killer
Reged: 02/25/06
Posts: 3958
Loc: New Brunswick, Canada
|
|
Might be a bit more than a "face lift" since the maximum payload is now listed as 90lbs ... that's about a 50% increase from the CGE. The RA and DEC shafts are now 1.57" tubes (0.4" walls) vs. 1" solid shafts in the CGE. The bearings are now 2.68" OD vs. 2.047" in the CGE.
The worm drive is also improved, 0.75" pitch diameter steel worms vs. 0.4375" in the original CGE. The drive gear is now a 255 tooth 6" pitch diameter gear vs. the older 180 tooth 5.625" gear.
It is also quite clear that Celestron has been doing some homework on the usability issues with popular mounts. The beefed up alt and az adjustments on both the CGEM and CGE Pro are good examples. The other popular upgrade incorporated into the CGE Pro appears to be a "no tools" capability of breaking down the mount (sorry Anthony). Some improved mount geometry allows tracking 20° beyond the meridian.
In the "if it's not broken" category the popular servo/encoder and Nexstar electronics combination has been retained.
Now we await the first light postings from Bobby and John (with pictures!).
--------------------
Mark
C11, C6, APM/TMB115, and AT80ED - Tandem mount CGE and CG-5A, WO EZ-Touch and AT Voyager
25x100s and 8x56s, T-Mount Light, Mark 1 eyeballs - Modded 350D, DSI-P, SPC900, Mallincam
Just because you can doesn't necessarily mean that you should
|
AlexN
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 08/09/08
Posts: 979
Loc: Brisbane - Australia
|
|
After having now seen the Celestron page for the mount on thanks to the links on the previous page, I will say this... Loooks Awesome.. Cant wait for real world tests...
--------------------
Apogee Ortho-Star LOMO 80/480 APO
WO ZS70ED
HEQ5 Pro + EQMOD
Astrodon NB Filters
Orion SS Pro 2
SBIG ST-8300M on order.
QHY5
|
jason_milani
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 09/03/04
Posts: 1736
Loc: Northeast Ohio
|
|
Looks attractive but i think i'd spend a little more on a used AP900GTO and get a proven piece of equipment. Not knocking the new Celestron but 5 grand is a good chunk of change to lay out for an unproven commodity.
--------------------
Celestron C-14
Celestron C-8
Celestron C-5
Orion/Vixen ED114SS APO
William Optics Megrez 72mm ED
Celestron CGE mount
Discmount DM-4
Mallincam Hyper Color Plus
Baader UV/IR Modded Canon 40D
|
jrcrilly
Refractor wienie no more
Reged: 04/30/03
Posts: 25203
Loc: NE Ohio
|
|
Quote:
Looks attractive but i think i'd spend a little more on a used AP900GTO and get a proven piece of equipment. Not knocking the new Celestron but 5 grand is a good chunk of change to lay out for an unproven commodity.
Sure - there are other options also. A used NJP or Titan would be about the same or less than the CGE Pro. Still, I'm feeling lucky so I'll give it a go.
--------------------
John C
Urban Observatory
A&M/Astreya 76mm F/6 APO
TMB/LOMO 80mm F/7.5 APO
Tak FSQ-106N F/5 APO
Meade 178ED F/9 "APO"
Meade ETX-125AT
C14
Teeter 20" F/3.8 truss Newt w/ServoCat
NJP, GPDX/SS2KPC, CG5-GT
ST-10XME, DSI Pro
|
AlexN
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 08/09/08
Posts: 979
Loc: Brisbane - Australia
|
|
Yeah Im not removing myself from the waiting list for the Astro-Physics mount for a Celestron... No doubt it will be a nice mount when released, however, Will it be as good as a AP900/AP1200? I highly doubt it....
--------------------
Apogee Ortho-Star LOMO 80/480 APO
WO ZS70ED
HEQ5 Pro + EQMOD
Astrodon NB Filters
Orion SS Pro 2
SBIG ST-8300M on order.
QHY5
|
Strgazr27
Vendor - Deep Space Mods and Composites
Reged: 10/04/04
Posts: 6984
Loc: StonyHill Observatory
|
|
Quote:
Looks attractive but i think i'd spend a little more on a used AP900GTO and get a proven piece of equipment. Not knocking the new Celestron but 5 grand is a good chunk of change to lay out for an unproven commodity.
Around $2000 is a little more than "A little more" At least that's the cheapest I've seen used 900's go for. Yes there are definitely other choices out there but I look at it like this:
AP900 - At least $1500-2000 more and I have a used mount
MI-250 - About $3000 more and I have to deal with the archaic Gemini system (You do get Larry and that is a big bonus)
NJP - No GoTo without a computer and slow slew speeds. (Amazing tracking though)
Titan - Beautiful to look at and use but again, that @#$% Gemini system Lol
So the way I look at it, all the CGE's I owned could be autoguided to levels approaching any of the mounts listed above. If the Pro can reach the same level of performance or better, carry 90 lbs easily and offer the GoTo database of the NExstar with all it's features, how can you go wrong??
--------------------
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
|
Lord Beowulf
professor emeritus
Reged: 10/13/08
Posts: 674
Loc: Cedar Park, TX
|
|
Having just redesigned a product where we'd done the same, I have to say that it's understandably tempting to use RJ connectors for tasks they weren't designed for, but you'll definitely regret it! They're probably just fine for guide ports and serial ports, but they should NEVER be used to carry power of any current draw whatsoever. We were welding pins to the connectors due to weak contact! Power over Ethernet applications use a high voltage low current configuration to limit the resistive losses in the system, but even there I wouldn't trust it to be able to power much. Thus, it's not surprising that this has been a weakness of the CGE that (hopefully) won't be repeated in future designs.
On a more general note regarding all the speculation, after the announcement of the CGEM I'd been suspecting that after its release, Celestron would logically take steps to apply the same advances to a replacement/update for the CGE. The real question is the pricepoint and location in the line-up. It wouldn't be surprising that even if the CGE-Pro started out as a CGE replacement, that once the features and enhancements were added they decided it didn't fit into the same slot in the product line. For me it's not about whether I'd spring for a presumed $5000 CGE-Pro over something else, but rather if they WILL release an upgrade to the CGE at a similar price point. That's always the tricky thing about designing a "replacement" product, is that you have to be very careful about what gets out early (or even what the market may be speculating) as it can canibalize sales on an existing product that's not yet end of lifed, long before its replacement is available. Essentially that's what happened with me as I've chosen to buy the CGEM now for my 8" SCT and wait on whatever replaces the CGE before I get a larger OTA.
Beo
--------------------
Celestron 8SE w/ Zhumell Focuser, Orion ST-80 & StarShoot AG. 11" NexStar GPS w/ MotoFocus.
CGEM w/ ADM Saddle, Knobs, and SBS Dual Saddles.
Modded Canon 450D & Nikon D90 DSLR w/ various adapters.
Denkmeier PowerxSwitch S2, WO 1.25" & 2" Dielectric Diags.
TV 8, 13, 17 mm Ethos, 1rpd 30 mm, Astro Tech 40 mm, Celestron 1.25" EP & filter kit.
1.25" Filters: TV OIII Filter; Lumicon selector, UHC, H-Beta, & Deep Sky.
f6.3 reducer/corrector & SCT filters.
Various custom carrying cases.
|
jrcrilly
Refractor wienie no more
Reged: 04/30/03
Posts: 25203
Loc: NE Ohio
|
|
Quote:
They're probably just fine for guide ports and serial ports, but they should NEVER be used to carry power of any current draw whatsoever.
Actual experience in this application suggests otherwise. Meade ran motor/encoder connections through them for 10 years; Celestron's been doing it for nearly ten years successfully. Neither was ever a problem. The problem ensued when they decided to run power through the shield on this particular model. The connectors aren't designed to provide a positive contact to that. All the thousands of systems in the field using these connectors (but not the shield) for this application will remain in service and will continue to work fine.
--------------------
John C
Urban Observatory
A&M/Astreya 76mm F/6 APO
TMB/LOMO 80mm F/7.5 APO
Tak FSQ-106N F/5 APO
Meade 178ED F/9 "APO"
Meade ETX-125AT
C14
Teeter 20" F/3.8 truss Newt w/ServoCat
NJP, GPDX/SS2KPC, CG5-GT
ST-10XME, DSI Pro
|
g__day
super member
Reged: 06/19/07
Posts: 109
Loc: Sydney
|
|
If they are going to play at this level - I would imagine you'd desire something alot more powerful than the basic hand controller and NexRemote software.
The pointing and tracking sound fine - but its not spec'd as even half as good as the far old Vixen Atlux and SkySensor2000-PC combination. (nb +/- 3 arc minutes for pointing vs +/-1 with say Maxpoint, < 2 arc secs PE once PEC enabled, tracking - done 10 minute unguided shots with round stars at 2.3 metre focal length - and can track objects that don't move at sideral rates - e.g. Moon, Planets, Satellites). I am yet to see a modern consumer mount with a better hand controller than the circa 1995s SkySensor2000 - which is disappointing.
When US Marketing cliams 100 lbs - say 45 kgs - are they talking:
1) Counterweights
2) OTA or
3) Gear + Counterweights < 45 kgs for visual or
4) Gear + counterweights < 45 kgs for astrophotography?
Does this thing come with software like ProTrack or SmartTrack if it aims to track better than 15 arcs seconds?
Interesting marketing position for this mount for sure!
|
jrcrilly
Refractor wienie no more
Reged: 04/30/03
Posts: 25203
Loc: NE Ohio
|
|
Quote:
Does this thing come with software like ProTrack or SmartTrack if it aims to track better than 15 arcs seconds?
The spec is +-8 arcseconds WITHOUT using the PPEC. With PPEC a substantial improvement can be expected. And yes, in addition, PecTool is supplied at no charge if it still isn't good enough.
--------------------
John C
Urban Observatory
A&M/Astreya 76mm F/6 APO
TMB/LOMO 80mm F/7.5 APO
Tak FSQ-106N F/5 APO
Meade 178ED F/9 "APO"
Meade ETX-125AT
C14
Teeter 20" F/3.8 truss Newt w/ServoCat
NJP, GPDX/SS2KPC, CG5-GT
ST-10XME, DSI Pro
|
blueman
Vendor Blue Sky Accessories
Reged: 07/20/07
Posts: 1434
|
|
When these are actually in the field and tests are made by owners and users with no connections to Celestron and they confirm the specs and ability to handle the stated load, then it might be time to start talking.
But there have been many things that have been promised that did not live up to the promise. So time will tell.
I for one would not like to be a $5000 beta tester and will be looking after the 2nd year of production.
I bought a Losmandy G-11 because they are still in production after many years and there are parts and upgrades available and it is easy to work on too.
Blueman
--------------------
14.5" Starmaster with ServoCat and Argo Navis
AT 8" RC
TV NP101 f/5.4 APO Telvue .8 Focal Reducer
WO 80mm f/6 APO Televue .8 focal reducer
SBig ST2000xm with CFW-9 filter wheel
Astrodon Gen2 filters RGBL
Baader HA,O-III, H-Beta, S-II Filters
Losmandy G-11 Gemini Auto-guided
|
Alph
sage
Reged: 11/23/06
Posts: 261
Loc: Melmac
|
|
Quote:
done 10 minute unguided shots with round stars at 2.3 metre focal length
That does not tell me much. What was your image/plate resolution?
Quote:
When US Marketing cliams 100 lbs - say 45 kgs - are they talking:
1) Counterweights
2) OTA or
3) Gear + Counterweights < 45 kgs for visual or
4) Gear + counterweights < 45 kgs for astrophotography?
Just OTA + Gear. Counterweights are weightless to them.
Quote:
Does this thing come with software like ProTrack or SmartTrack if it aims to track better than 15 arcs seconds?
It comes with an old and boring Nexstar controller that has not changed much in almost 10 years.
|
Strgazr27
Vendor - Deep Space Mods and Composites
Reged: 10/04/04
Posts: 6984
Loc: StonyHill Observatory
|
|
Quote:
When these are actually in the field and tests are made by owners and users with no connections to Celestron and they confirm the specs and ability to handle the stated load, then it might be time to start talking.
But there have been many things that have been promised that did not live up to the promise. So time will tell.
I for one would not like to be a $5000 beta tester and will be looking after the 2nd year of production.
I bought a Losmandy G-11 because they are still in production after many years and there are parts and upgrades available and it is easy to work on too.
Blueman
I'm curious as to why you feel this way? It is true the first run of CGE's had some pretty horrific PE numbers as well as QC issues but that was quite a while ago and the latest CGE's are pretty impressive performers for the money. I think Celestron is wising up to what we as the consumer is looking for and have quite a bit of confidence that this will be everything they are claiming. And no I don't work for nor represent them
Quote:
It comes with an old and boring Nexstar controller that has not changed much in almost 10 years.
Actually there have been several updates to the Nexstar controller over the last few years, most notably, the ability to flash upgrade. I see no reason to update what is a very solid performer with the features that most of us need. Why screw up a good thing? If the Nexstar is boring and outdated the Losmandy system must seem like the stone age And Welcome to CN's
--------------------
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
|
skybsd
professor emeritus
Reged: 02/01/08
Posts: 601
|
|
Hi,
Quote:
Quote:
When these are actually in the field and tests are made by owners and users with no connections to Celestron and they confirm the specs and ability to handle the stated load, then it might be time to start talking.
But there have been many things that have been promised that did not live up to the promise. So time will tell.
I for one would not like to be a $5000 beta tester and will be looking after the 2nd year of production.
I bought a Losmandy G-11 because they are still in production after many years and there are parts and upgrades available and it is easy to work on too.
Blueman
I'm curious as to why you feel this way? It is true the first run of CGE's had some pretty horrific PE numbers as well as QC issues but that was quite a while ago and the latest CGE's are pretty impressive performers for the money. I think Celestron is wising up to what we as the consumer is looking for and have quite a bit of confidence that this will be everything they are claiming. And no I don't work for nor represent them
Actually., Blueman's position is quite prudent and indeed the norm for purchasing in other industries and markets.
I'm not doubting the fact that Celestron has attempted to work out the bugs and quality issues with the CGE, but as with the majority of manufacturers, release products are to be viewed with a measure of caution - ESPECIALLY where new design and functionalities are the cornerstone to a new release. This is generally the case from cars, entertainment centres, especially software to toaster ovens 
From what I've learnt observing others' activities in amateur astronomy, like computing, there are those that are quite content to go "bleeding edge" in their purchases whether for REAL functional needs of their specific implementations, or to simply know that they're at the head of the curve - and for this (privilege), they're very happy to PAY.
For others - its better to wait 'n see - even more so when they already have a solution that meets their own requirements.
Regards,
skybsd
|
g__day
super member
Reged: 06/19/07
Posts: 109
Loc: Sydney
|
|
Can anyone hazard a size comparision of this mount - side-by-side against a CGE, meaning would the CGE Pro be about 30% bigger?
Having owned a CG5 before the Atlux here are some things I'd love to see Celestron provide in their flash upgradeable units that existed over a decade ago for other hand controllers (like the SS2K).
Ability to track very, very reliably when you're way of polar alignment (say only within 20 degrees. It simply means running the motors at differential rates to hit the transit rate and path of your target. Sure you will still get star field rotation, but doing a 2 or 3 star align when you're wildly off polar alignment - then seeing all gotos and all tracking be spot on - its very, very impressive.
Altering the RA rate with elevation to account for the air's differing refractive index at different elevations - say using the King rates.
Altering tracking rates to suit solar system, lunar and satellites - things that don't necesarily move at sidereal rates.
Having the ability to store the start-up / set-up paramters for mutliple physical locations - your favourite sites set ups stored.
Having a dead accurate wake from hibernate mode (a favourite for those with their rigs sited on permanent piers).
These are just a few of the things I've been spolied with lately that I wouldn't like to relinquish!
Alph
"one 10 minute unguided shots with round stars at 2.3 metre focal length" - 0.65 arc seconds per pixel I believe, the C9.25 was mated straight into a Canon 400D DSLR. Set up exactly right - the Atlux + SS2K is simply superb.
|
Starman1
Vendor - Scope City
Reged: 06/24/03
Posts: 12230
Loc: Los Angeles
|
|
The latest price list from Celestron definitely shows the CGE is history. So there will be a big gap between the $1400 CGEM and $4999 CGE Pro.
I foresee a huge increase in the sales of Losmandy G11 mounts.
--------------------
Don Pensack
12.5" Truss Dob, 5" Maksutov, Fujinon Binos
Sustaining Lifetime IDA member
|
Luigi
Post Laureate
Reged: 07/03/07
Posts: 4947
Loc: MA
|
|
I think the consesus is that the CGE is a bit better than the G11. I had a G11 for many years. Will the CGEM be similar or better in performance than the CGE, and by inference, the G11?
--------------------
17.5" f/5 Dob. IM-715 MCT. 120ED. Lunt 60mm Ha.
Zeiss, Leica, Fujinon, Nikon, Pentax, Bushnell bins
|
jrcrilly
Refractor wienie no more
Reged: 04/30/03
Posts: 25203
Loc: NE Ohio
|
|
Quote:
Will the CGEM be similar or better in performance than the CGE, and by inference, the G11?
Not likely at less than half the price.
I foresee a jump in the price of used CGE mounts.
--------------------
John C
Urban Observatory
A&M/Astreya 76mm F/6 APO
TMB/LOMO 80mm F/7.5 APO
Tak FSQ-106N F/5 APO
Meade 178ED F/9 "APO"
Meade ETX-125AT
C14
Teeter 20" F/3.8 truss Newt w/ServoCat
NJP, GPDX/SS2KPC, CG5-GT
ST-10XME, DSI Pro
|
Luigi
Post Laureate
Reged: 07/03/07
Posts: 4947
Loc: MA
|
|
I dunno. For what they are, I think mounts are very expensive. Two shaft and bearings, two slip clutches, and two worm drives. It's only the worm drives that are critical and those don't push current straighforward fabrication technology. I think $1300 is more in line with what a CGE, G11, or CGEM is. IMHO
--------------------
17.5" f/5 Dob. IM-715 MCT. 120ED. Lunt 60mm Ha.
Zeiss, Leica, Fujinon, Nikon, Pentax, Bushnell bins
|
Lord Beowulf
professor emeritus
Reged: 10/13/08
Posts: 674
Loc: Cedar Park, TX
|
|
Luigi,
While I'd tend to agree that mounts and associated hardware seem to be a bit pricey, when I've considered what would be involved in manufacturing equivalent hardware myself, it's probably not too far off. Given the low volume manufacture involved in this market, it would be difficult to reduce the price point significantly and still make any profit over the manufacturing cost, much less recover the cost of any up-front engineering and development necessary to produce a quality product in the first place. This parallels the situation in the industry in which I work, where we manufacture low volume, high cost test and measurement equipment. If a significant percentage of the population was purchasing a high end mount, chances are you'd see the prices drop considerably, since the NRE could be spread across a broader base. In addition, as the market size grows, competition helps to push prices down. At the same time, that tends to result in lower quality "get it out quick" products that can be very disappointing. However, in a low volume market where quality matters, I'd certainly prefer to pay a bit more to cover the cost of good engineering to know that my investment won't go to waste! And frankly, that's where I've been a bit disappointed in much of what I've purchased from Celestron to date. While they have the advantage of a larger market share and more advanced products (in terms of firmware/software, etc.) than some of the smaller companies, I think their drive to produce consumer grade products that are more accessible to a larger audience has resulted in a level of confusion (to put it nicely) as to what some of their products are really capable of doing. So, while I'm not thrilled about paying for what these mounts are running, and am happy to see something like the CGEM come along that appears to fill a nice niche at a decent price point, I have no illusions that we should expect to see more for significantly less!
Beo
--------------------
Celestron 8SE w/ Zhumell Focuser, Orion ST-80 & StarShoot AG. 11" NexStar GPS w/ MotoFocus.
CGEM w/ ADM Saddle, Knobs, and SBS Dual Saddles.
Modded Canon 450D & Nikon D90 DSLR w/ various adapters.
Denkmeier PowerxSwitch S2, WO 1.25" & 2" Dielectric Diags.
TV 8, 13, 17 mm Ethos, 1rpd 30 mm, Astro Tech 40 mm, Celestron 1.25" EP & filter kit.
1.25" Filters: TV OIII Filter; Lumicon selector, UHC, H-Beta, & Deep Sky.
f6.3 reducer/corrector & SCT filters.
Various custom carrying cases.
|
Alph
sage
Reged: 11/23/06
Posts: 261
Loc: Melmac
|
|
Quote:
Can anyone hazard a size comparision of this mount - side-by-side against a CGE, meaning would the CGE Pro be about 30% bigger?
Judging by the weight and design of the new mount, 30% is a very conservative estimate
Quote:
Having a dead accurate wake from hibernate mode (a favourite for those with their rigs sited on permanent piers).
The Nexstar's hibernation mode works pretty well. However, none of the other features you mentioned have been implemented yet. In the 2 year history of the flashable Nexstar controller, Celestron provided only one minor update - cord wrap fix for their Alt-Az mounts. As I said earlier, no major change in functionality to the Nexstar controller in 10 years - sad but true.
|
Alph
sage
Reged: 11/23/06
Posts: 261
Loc: Melmac
|
|
Quote:
The latest price list from Celestron definitely shows the CGE is history
Not really. It would not make sense to name the new mount CGE Pro if Celestron were about to discontinue the CGE.
|
blueman
Vendor Blue Sky Accessories
Reged: 07/20/07
Posts: 1434
|
|
Hi, I say this because the CGE had initial problems. Why should the CGE Pro come out without any problems? I never like to be the first to own anything, just not a great idea to me.
Blueman
--------------------
14.5" Starmaster with ServoCat and Argo Navis
AT 8" RC
TV NP101 f/5.4 APO Telvue .8 Focal Reducer
WO 80mm f/6 APO Televue .8 focal reducer
SBig ST2000xm with CFW-9 filter wheel
Astrodon Gen2 filters RGBL
Baader HA,O-III, H-Beta, S-II Filters
Losmandy G-11 Gemini Auto-guided
|
blueman
Vendor Blue Sky Accessories
Reged: 07/20/07
Posts: 1434
|
|
I would disagree that the CGE is superior to the G-11. It is more integrated but it does not have better PE or tracking or guiding or Go-To.
The G-11 has been in production for a long time, which is a good thing.
Blueman
--------------------
14.5" Starmaster with ServoCat and Argo Navis
AT 8" RC
TV NP101 f/5.4 APO Telvue .8 Focal Reducer
WO 80mm f/6 APO Televue .8 focal reducer
SBig ST2000xm with CFW-9 filter wheel
Astrodon Gen2 filters RGBL
Baader HA,O-III, H-Beta, S-II Filters
Losmandy G-11 Gemini Auto-guided
|
blueman
Vendor Blue Sky Accessories
Reged: 07/20/07
Posts: 1434
|
|
Why not discontinue it? If they wish to push the CGE Pro instead, this would be perfectly rational.
Right now many things are likely to be discontinued. IF the economy continues as it is, there will be much less spent on astronomy in my opinion and there will be a lot casualties.
Blueman
--------------------
14.5" Starmaster with ServoCat and Argo Navis
AT 8" RC
TV NP101 f/5.4 APO Telvue .8 Focal Reducer
WO 80mm f/6 APO Televue .8 focal reducer
SBig ST2000xm with CFW-9 filter wheel
Astrodon Gen2 filters RGBL
Baader HA,O-III, H-Beta, S-II Filters
Losmandy G-11 Gemini Auto-guided
|
Starman1
Vendor - Scope City
Reged: 06/24/03
Posts: 12230
Loc: Los Angeles
|
|
Quote:
Quote:
The latest price list from Celestron definitely shows the CGE is history
Not really. It would not make sense to name the new mount CGE Pro if Celestron were about to discontinue the CGE.
Unfortunately, the CGE is neither in their price list nor in their ad plans for the next several months (remember a 3-month lag time). I think the significant changes to the mount, coupled with the on-shelf availability of the CGE, meant a new name was required.
So it does, indeed, look like the CGE is being retired. And it might be OK if the CGEM actually works better (though at a lower carrying capacity).
It's a pity, though. It would be a great thing to have such optimized scope mount combos as the:
CG5/C8
CGEM/C925
CGE/C11
CGE Pro/C14
--------------------
Don Pensack
12.5" Truss Dob, 5" Maksutov, Fujinon Binos
Sustaining Lifetime IDA member
|
g__day
super member
Reged: 06/19/07
Posts: 109
Loc: Sydney
|
|
I asked a couple of noted amateur astronomers in Australia about the G11 + Gemini vs CGE's capabilities about a year ago - the key points of view were:
1. G11 performs well out of the box, has better gears, better tolerances and therefore better tracking and pointing and plenty of spare parts available
2. The CGE can carry more weight but often needs to be tuned (considerably - like a Dr Clay redo) to achieve its full potential, it is less likely to burn out motors when load is imbalanced, has a more modern design with less cable clutter.
|
mclewis1
Thread Killer
Reged: 02/25/06
Posts: 3958
Loc: New Brunswick, Canada
|
|
Quote:
As I said earlier, no major change in functionality to the Nexstar controller in 10 years - sad but true.
There have indeed been substantial changes in functionality over the years ...
Sync
SkyAlign, Solar System Align and One Star Align
Precise GoTo
Calibrate Goto
Constellation tour
NexRemote support (debatable as to whether this is a new function or a fix to enable a new capability)
There have also been numerous enhancements to existing functionality (PAR and PEC training to name a few).
Quote:
In the 2 year history of the flashable Nexstar controller, Celestron provided only one minor update - cord wrap fix for their Alt-Az mounts.
Actually there have been at least 5 updates since v4 was introduced, some of the updates (in addition to the new features mentioned above) are ... Backlight control, Blank display on power up, and sw upgrade to MCs via HC cable.
Have a look at Mike's site for more details http://www.nexstarsite.com/index.html
--------------------
Mark
C11, C6, APM/TMB115, and AT80ED - Tandem mount CGE and CG-5A, WO EZ-Touch and AT Voyager
25x100s and 8x56s, T-Mount Light, Mark 1 eyeballs - Modded 350D, DSI-P, SPC900, Mallincam
Just because you can doesn't necessarily mean that you should
|
WadeH237
sage
Reged: 02/24/07
Posts: 499
Loc: Snohomish, WA
|
|
It's a shame that it looks like the CGE is discontinued.
When I bought my CGE-1400 in 2003, I had a case of aperture fever and was looking for a step up from my Ultima 2000. I was mainly looking at 18" and up truss dobs until I saw the CGE.
For just over $6000, the CGE-1400 offered a package with 14" of aperture, full goto and tracking. It breaks down such that no single part is over 50lb and one person can easily set it up. And with a smaller OTA, it makes a very fine imaging platform.
For what it is, the CGE-1400 is just about the best deal out there. Moving the C14 to the CGE Pro is going to raise the cost of entry for a visual setup and also result in a package that is significantly less portable.
-Wade
--------------------
http://www.faintfuzzy.net
Stuff
Visual Stuff (shared with wife and kids, 10 & 12): Generic 6" F/8 Dob, C8-SGT, CGE-1400, Orion ED80 on a CG5-GT, Coronado PST, 6" Meade Schmidt-Newtonian, Astroscan, 12x70 Binoculars.
Imaging Stuff: Meade 8" LX200ACF with Optec TCF-S focuser on a CGE mount, SBIG ST-10XME with CFW8 and remote guide head, Astro-Tech AT66ED guide scope, Astrodon filters, QHY8PRO, DSI Pro, Canon EOS 20D, Hyperstar 3 for C8.
|
Alph
sage
Reged: 11/23/06
Posts: 261
Loc: Melmac
|
|
Quote:
So it does, indeed, look like the CGE is being retired
If that’s the case, then the MI-250 might be a big winner too. CGE Pro weighing 75 lb with the max payload of 90 lb seems terribly inefficient and clunky if you consider the fact that Paramount ME weighs 68lb and is rated at 150 lb (300 lb including counterweights). Suddenly Titan looks good too.
|
AlexN
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 08/09/08
Posts: 979
Loc: Brisbane - Australia
|
|
Personally, I think this mount will offer an entry level peek at high end mounting systems. It looks the part, carries the same weight etc, however it seems to lack sophistication in comparison to say, The MI-250/AP900/HGM-Titan
As mentioned, being 75lbs and carrying 90lbs is pretty damn inefficient indeed.
--------------------
Apogee Ortho-Star LOMO 80/480 APO
WO ZS70ED
HEQ5 Pro + EQMOD
Astrodon NB Filters
Orion SS Pro 2
SBIG ST-8300M on order.
QHY5
|
LLEEGE
Running out of Oxygen
Reged: 03/03/05
Posts: 9080
Loc: Cloud-chester,NY
|
|
Quote:
Personally, I think this mount will offer an entry level peek at high end mounting systems. It looks the part, carries the same weight etc, however it seems to lack sophistication in comparison to say, The MI-250/AP900/HGM-Titan
As mentioned, being 75lbs and carrying 90lbs is pretty damn inefficient indeed.
IDK. I wish my 900 had all the software features my CGE did.
--------------------
"Okay! You draw the straws. I'm-a taking the parachute."
|
AlexN
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 08/09/08
Posts: 979
Loc: Brisbane - Australia
|
|
When it comes down to it, do the software features make it track better than the AP900? make it a better bit of gear...
Software is just that.. Software.. you can have the best operating system in the world, but if its running on a substandard machine, the overall experience is still going to be substandard..
--------------------
Apogee Ortho-Star LOMO 80/480 APO
WO ZS70ED
HEQ5 Pro + EQMOD
Astrodon NB Filters
Orion SS Pro 2
SBIG ST-8300M on order.
QHY5
|
mclewis1
Thread Killer
Reged: 02/25/06
Posts: 3958
Loc: New Brunswick, Canada
|
|
Quote:
Personally, I think this mount will offer an entry level peek at high end mounting systems. It looks the part, carries the same weight etc, however it seems to lack sophistication in comparison to say, The MI-250/AP900/HGM-Titan
As mentioned, being 75lbs and carrying 90lbs is pretty damn inefficient indeed.
Setting aside the individual mount characteristics and capabilities a quick review reveals ...
(See the attached spreadsheet)
I'm not suggesting that the CGE-Pro is in the same league in all aspects as these mounts but in terms of price point I think it appears to be a very efficient mount. I'm sure for an extra $1000 Celestron could have considered some slick CNC work to bring the weight down a bit ... but that doesn't appear to be the market they are after. Add to the equation availability (extra CNC work and the like reduces the "manufacturability" of a mount) ... there is a good reason why these mounts usually don't ship "off the shelf".
There is slso a "sweet spot" under these mounts and above the CGE/G11 price points. The competition already in the ~$5000 price range has no where near the capacity of the CGE-Pro (Atlux, Mach1, EM-200).
I think the folks at Celestron have done their homework ... I just hope that they are also considering a follow on to the CGE in the $3000 range.
--------------------
Mark
C11, C6, APM/TMB115, and AT80ED - Tandem mount CGE and CG-5A, WO EZ-Touch and AT Voyager
25x100s and 8x56s, T-Mount Light, Mark 1 eyeballs - Modded 350D, DSI-P, SPC900, Mallincam
Just because you can doesn't necessarily mean that you should
|
hapo
sage
Reged: 03/06/05
Posts: 364
Loc: Europe
|
|
Can someone give me a link to the specifications of this CGE Pro mount? I haven't found those online store that advertise it.
|
Alph
sage
Reged: 11/23/06
Posts: 261
Loc: Melmac
|
|
Quote:
you can have the best operating system in the world
It is like my cell-phone running Windows Mobile. WinMo is indeed a great OS in my not so humble opinion but it does not make my smart phone better than iphone or blackberry. In fact, I have to reboot it every few days to keep the data service functioning. Luckily I did not see the dreaded blue screen yet 
|
Alph
sage
Reged: 11/23/06
Posts: 261
Loc: Melmac
|
|
Quote:
Can someone give me a link to the specifications of this CGE Pro mount? I haven't found those online store that advertise it.
Click here CGE Pro
|
hapo
sage
Reged: 03/06/05
Posts: 364
Loc: Europe
|
|
Thanks Alph! I have found myself the picture too, but no specifications on this mount. I am myself debating of weather to purchase a CGE now that still exists or to wait for a CGE PRO. If the CGE PRO has substantially more weight than the CGE, than maybe I will hurry for a CGE now.
|
Yedgy
sage
Reged: 07/22/08
Posts: 457
Loc: Phoenix, AZ, USA
|
|
I believe the CGE Pro was listed on Celestron's site as weighing 153 pounds, but I might be off on that last digit.
Tony
--------------------
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
|
mclewis1
Thread Killer
Reged: 02/25/06
Posts: 3958
Loc: New Brunswick, Canada
|
|
Tripod and Pier Weight : 52 lb (23.59 kg)
EQ Mount Weight : 75 lb (34.02 kg)
Counterweight Bar : 5 lb (2.27 kg)
Counterweights : 1 x 22 lb (10 kg)
Total weight : 154lbs (70 kg)
--------------------
Mark
C11, C6, APM/TMB115, and AT80ED - Tandem mount CGE and CG-5A, WO EZ-Touch and AT Voyager
25x100s and 8x56s, T-Mount Light, Mark 1 eyeballs - Modded 350D, DSI-P, SPC900, Mallincam
Just because you can doesn't necessarily mean that you should
|
Starman1
Vendor - Scope City
Reged: 06/24/03
Posts: 12230
Loc: Los Angeles
|
|
I just got word the CGE series is NOT discontinued by Celestron. There may be a few changes coming (not specified), but the CGE is going to continue to exist.
Phew!
--------------------
Don Pensack
12.5" Truss Dob, 5" Maksutov, Fujinon Binos
Sustaining Lifetime IDA member
|
jrcrilly
Refractor wienie no more
Reged: 04/30/03
Posts: 25203
Loc: NE Ohio
|
|
Quote:
I just got word the CGE series is NOT discontinued by Celestron. There may be a few changes coming (not specified), but the CGE is going to continue to exist.
Phew!
That's a relief!
--------------------
John C
Urban Observatory
A&M/Astreya 76mm F/6 APO
TMB/LOMO 80mm F/7.5 APO
Tak FSQ-106N F/5 APO
Meade 178ED F/9 "APO"
Meade ETX-125AT
C14
Teeter 20" F/3.8 truss Newt w/ServoCat
NJP, GPDX/SS2KPC, CG5-GT
ST-10XME, DSI Pro
|
mclewis1
Thread Killer
Reged: 02/25/06
Posts: 3958
Loc: New Brunswick, Canada
|
|
That will be one sweet line up later this year ...
CG5-A (~30 lbs) - $700
CGEM (40 lbs) - $1400
CGE (revised) (65 lbs) - $3000
CGE-Pro (90 lbs) - $5000
Edited the capacity figures for CG5/CGEM
--------------------
Mark
C11, C6, APM/TMB115, and AT80ED - Tandem mount CGE and CG-5A, WO EZ-Touch and AT Voyager
25x100s and 8x56s, T-Mount Light, Mark 1 eyeballs - Modded 350D, DSI-P, SPC900, Mallincam
Just because you can doesn't necessarily mean that you should
|
jrcrilly
Refractor wienie no more
Reged: 04/30/03
Posts: 25203
Loc: NE Ohio
|
|
It's back up!
http://www.celestron.com/c3/category.php?CatID=75
--------------------
John C
Urban Observatory
A&M/Astreya 76mm F/6 APO
TMB/LOMO 80mm F/7.5 APO
Tak FSQ-106N F/5 APO
Meade 178ED F/9 "APO"
Meade ETX-125AT
C14
Teeter 20" F/3.8 truss Newt w/ServoCat
NJP, GPDX/SS2KPC, CG5-GT
ST-10XME, DSI Pro
|
Ricky
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 09/09/03
Posts: 2362
Loc: Nor Cal
|
|
Nice looking mount...
--------------------
Regards Ricky
_______________
ADM Mount w/SiTech GoTo
WO ZS66
Orion Autoguider
|
celestial_search
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 11/18/04
Posts: 2533
Loc: Iowa, USA
|
|
Quote:
I just got word the CGE series is NOT discontinued by Celestron. There may be a few changes coming (not specified), but the CGE is going to continue to exist.
Phew!
Don:
Good news! Thanks for sharing that. I was worried about my future C-14.
--------------------
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
|
jrcrilly
Refractor wienie no more
Reged: 04/30/03
Posts: 25203
Loc: NE Ohio
|
|
Quote:
Good news! Thanks for sharing that. I was worried about my future C-14.
I'll bet that it won't be offered as a bundle with the C14 any more, though.
--------------------
John C
Urban Observatory
A&M/Astreya 76mm F/6 APO
TMB/LOMO 80mm F/7.5 APO
Tak FSQ-106N F/5 APO
Meade 178ED F/9 "APO"
Meade ETX-125AT
C14
Teeter 20" F/3.8 truss Newt w/ServoCat
NJP, GPDX/SS2KPC, CG5-GT
ST-10XME, DSI Pro
|
celestial_search
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 11/18/04
Posts: 2533
Loc: Iowa, USA
|
|
John:
That means the cost will likely rise per each component. The bundled CGE Pro with C-14 will still be more, but, I may have to consider that option. But, the option is still there!
--------------------
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
|
lineman_16735
Tak-o-holic
Reged: 12/04/04
Posts: 2604
Loc: Central PA
|
|
Interesting. The shafts and worm gears are a bit small for the stated capacity though. I like the looks but the long and large knobs are a bit distracting.
--------------------
Chris
A mount from Illinois
A scope from Japan
A camera from Cal-I-Fornia
A dog from Kentucky
A wife and kids from the "Twilight Zone"
The Geek Shed
|
jrcrilly
Refractor wienie no more
Reged: 04/30/03
Posts: 25203
Loc: NE Ohio
|
|
Quote:
But, the option is still there!
Yup. I liked the CGE and would hate to see it die. It's probably due for an update, so that's OK.
--------------------
John C
Urban Observatory
A&M/Astreya 76mm F/6 APO
TMB/LOMO 80mm F/7.5 APO
Tak FSQ-106N F/5 APO
Meade 178ED F/9 "APO"
Meade ETX-125AT
C14
Teeter 20" F/3.8 truss Newt w/ServoCat
NJP, GPDX/SS2KPC, CG5-GT
ST-10XME, DSI Pro
|
Carl M
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 02/21/07
Posts: 907
Loc: Vermont, USA
|
|
Yup - Celestron sent out a newletter last evening at 10:45pm EST announcing the new mount, along with some other new products, including the CGEM.
--------------------
Carl
JStar 12" Truss Dob w/Swayze Mirror
StellarVue SV50 "Little Rascal"
SV102ED
SV80ED(NHNG )
SV70ED
LS60THa/B1200
AT66 (Chrome)
G-11 Gemini, GM-8
AT, WO, and TV eyepieces
Lake Runnemede Observatory
|
Lord Beowulf
professor emeritus
Reged: 10/13/08
Posts: 674
Loc: Cedar Park, TX
|
|
Quote:
Yup - Celestron sent out a newletter last evening at 10:45pm EST announcing the new mount, along with some other new products, including the CGEM.
Yeah, they have it listed on their website now too, but I don't see any pricing info.
Beo
--------------------
Celestron 8SE w/ Zhumell Focuser, Orion ST-80 & StarShoot AG. 11" NexStar GPS w/ MotoFocus.
CGEM w/ ADM Saddle, Knobs, and SBS Dual Saddles.
Modded Canon 450D & Nikon D90 DSLR w/ various adapters.
Denkmeier PowerxSwitch S2, WO 1.25" & 2" Dielectric Diags.
TV 8, 13, 17 mm Ethos, 1rpd 30 mm, Astro Tech 40 mm, Celestron 1.25" EP & filter kit.
1.25" Filters: TV OIII Filter; Lumicon selector, UHC, H-Beta, & Deep Sky.
f6.3 reducer/corrector & SCT filters.
Various custom carrying cases.
|
Chris Rowland
sage
Reged: 02/28/05
Posts: 270
|
|
We've been testing the software for the CGE Pro for some time now (the AS-GT, CGEM, CGE and CGE Pro all use the same HC software).
There are a lot of incremental upgrades that for some reason Celestron don't make a fuss about. This leaves me in a bit of a quandry because I don't know if I should talk about them or not.
I really like the new AllStar polar alignment. After doing this the scope reports a polar align error of a few arc minutes (usually 1' - 2') and I get the impression that the accuracy is only limited by how well I do the alignments (initial and polar).
After about an hour of imaging using a DSLR I find that DeepSkyStacker reports less than 0.1 degrees of image rotation over that period.
That's the best I can do for numbers on alignment accuracy, I'm not an expert imager at all, do these numbers look good?
Chris
|
rmollise
Post Laureate
Reged: 07/06/07
Posts: 4595
|
|
Quote:
Quote:
Yup - Celestron sent out a newletter last evening at 10:45pm EST announcing the new mount, along with some other new products, including the CGEM.
Yeah, they have it listed on their website now too, but I don't see any pricing info.
Beo
$4999.00 from Those Who Know.
--------------------
Uncle Rod
Rod's New Book:
Choosing and Using a New CAT
Available now!
|
jrcrilly
Refractor wienie no more
Reged: 04/30/03
Posts: 25203
Loc: NE Ohio
|
|
I was alerted by a post on the Yahoo Group that the 2009 catalog does not contain the CGE mount.
Checking the PDF version online, I see that this is the case.
I still think this leaves too large a gap in the product line, and suspect that a revised CGE is in the works for a later date.
--------------------
John C
Urban Observatory
A&M/Astreya 76mm F/6 APO
TMB/LOMO 80mm F/7.5 APO
Tak FSQ-106N F/5 APO
Meade 178ED F/9 "APO"
Meade ETX-125AT
C14
Teeter 20" F/3.8 truss Newt w/ServoCat
NJP, GPDX/SS2KPC, CG5-GT
ST-10XME, DSI Pro
|
dickbill
member
Reged: 09/30/08
Posts: 92
|
|
Quote:
We've been testing the software for the CGE Pro for some time now (the AS-GT, CGEM, CGE and CGE Pro all use the same HC software).
There are a lot of incremental upgrades that for some reason Celestron don't make a fuss about. This leaves me in a bit of a quandry because I don't know if I should talk about them or not.
I really like the new AllStar polar alignment. After doing this the scope reports a polar align error of a few arc minutes (usually 1' - 2') and I get the impression that the accuracy is only limited by how well I do the alignments (initial and polar).
After about an hour of imaging using a DSLR I find that DeepSkyStacker reports less than 0.1 degrees of image rotation over that period.
That's the best I can do for numbers on alignment accuracy, I'm not an expert imager at all, do these numbers look good?
Chris
they sure look good, but you are talking about the cge pro, what about the cgem ?
|
DaveJ
sage
Reged: 01/07/05
Posts: 333
Loc: NE Ohio
|
|
Quote:
I was alerted by a post on the Yahoo Group that the 2009 catalog does not contain the CGE mount.
Take a look at my SIG lines. 
--------------------
Dave Jessie
Outreach Events
Scopes: TEC 140(#407), 12" LX200GPS, C11, M102ED, PST
Mounts: CGE, Meade LXD650, Voyager
Binoviewers: Denk IIs w/Denk R-1 PxS diagonal
Eyepieces: Naglers, 6E, 10E, 13E & 17E, 2 sets of Sheldon Faworski Orthos
Dew Prevention: DewBuster controller + Dew-Not Strips
Binoculars: Canon 15x50IS
|
Lord Beowulf
professor emeritus
Reged: 10/13/08
Posts: 674
Loc: Cedar Park, TX
|
|
Quote:
$4999.00 from Those Who Know.
Actually, I'm more interested in the price for a CGE Pro 1400... Presumably in the $8k range if you extrapolate from the CGE.
Beo
--------------------
Celestron 8SE w/ Zhumell Focuser, Orion ST-80 & StarShoot AG. 11" NexStar GPS w/ MotoFocus.
CGEM w/ ADM Saddle, Knobs, and SBS Dual Saddles.
Modded Canon 450D & Nikon D90 DSLR w/ various adapters.
Denkmeier PowerxSwitch S2, WO 1.25" & 2" Dielectric Diags.
TV 8, 13, 17 mm Ethos, 1rpd 30 mm, Astro Tech 40 mm, Celestron 1.25" EP & filter kit.
1.25" Filters: TV OIII Filter; Lumicon selector, UHC, H-Beta, & Deep Sky.
f6.3 reducer/corrector & SCT filters.
Various custom carrying cases.
|
jrcrilly
Refractor wienie no more
Reged: 04/30/03
Posts: 25203
Loc: NE Ohio
|
|
Quote:
Actually, I'm more interested in the price for a CGE Pro 1400... Presumably in the $8k range if you extrapolate from the CGE.
Beo
Just barely.
--------------------
John C
Urban Observatory
A&M/Astreya 76mm F/6 APO
TMB/LOMO 80mm F/7.5 APO
Tak FSQ-106N F/5 APO
Meade 178ED F/9 "APO"
Meade ETX-125AT
C14
Teeter 20" F/3.8 truss Newt w/ServoCat
NJP, GPDX/SS2KPC, CG5-GT
ST-10XME, DSI Pro
|
Dan G
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 06/27/06
Posts: 1761
Loc: Minisink, NY, USA
|
|
Quote:
Quote:
Actually, I'm more interested in the price for a CGE Pro 1400... Presumably in the $8k range if you extrapolate from the CGE.
Beo
Just barely.
But look how much you save!!
Dan in NY
--------------------
TV 76, Vixen VC200L, TV NP-127is
EM-200, NJP
ML 8300, ST-402
Tranquility Base Observatory aka "The Shed" by non-tranquil members of the house
|
WadeH237
sage
Reged: 02/24/07
Posts: 499
Loc: Snohomish, WA
|
|
Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
Actually, I'm more interested in the price for a CGE Pro 1400... Presumably in the $8k range if you extrapolate from the CGE.
Beo
Just barely.
But look how much you save!!
Dan in NY
Where does OPT get those list prices that they've crossed out? They are showing over $17,000 as the list price for a CGE Pro-1400.
I thought that was extreme, so out of curiosity, I looked at OPTs page for the plain old CGE-1400. They show it with a list price of over $12,000. I remember when ads directly from Celestron listed prices for the CGE-1400 and it was always very close to what OPT's "our price" amount is and never anywhere near what OPT shows as a list price.
-Wade
--------------------
http://www.faintfuzzy.net
Stuff
Visual Stuff (shared with wife and kids, 10 & 12): Generic 6" F/8 Dob, C8-SGT, CGE-1400, Orion ED80 on a CG5-GT, Coronado PST, 6" Meade Schmidt-Newtonian, Astroscan, 12x70 Binoculars.
Imaging Stuff: Meade 8" LX200ACF with Optec TCF-S focuser on a CGE mount, SBIG ST-10XME with CFW8 and remote guide head, Astro-Tech AT66ED guide scope, Astrodon filters, QHY8PRO, DSI Pro, Canon EOS 20D, Hyperstar 3 for C8.
|
rmollise
Post Laureate
Reged: 07/06/07
Posts: 4595
|
|
Quote:
Actually, I'm more interested in the price for a CGE Pro 1400... Presumably in the $8k range if you extrapolate from the CGE.
Beo
Around 9k at this time. I might expect to C to offer more of a break on this package after a while, though.
--------------------
Uncle Rod
Rod's New Book:
Choosing and Using a New CAT
Available now!
|
jouster
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 11/27/05
Posts: 819
|
|
Quote:
Quote:
Yup - fun to speculate! Here's a bit of speculation;
The new CGEPro - if it exists - would hold a C14 pretty well, so it appears.
Better yet, it should be able to handle a Meade 14" ACF. That's something the CGE couldn't do.
I guess I am misremembering, but I thought one of the criticisms of the RCX/ACF line was that some of the vital electronics were integral to the fork mount, making GEMs (with the exception of the MaxMount) unusable - or at least limited - with the tube.
If a fully-functional ACX would sit on this mount, it'd be a pretty compelling system right out of the box.
--------------------
Neil
|
jrcrilly
Refractor wienie no more
Reged: 04/30/03
Posts: 25203
Loc: NE Ohio
|
|
Quote:
one of the criticisms of the RCX/ACF line was that some of the vital electronics were integral to the fork mount, making GEMs (with the exception of the MaxMount) unusable - or at least limited - with the tube.
The RCX and ACF are two different lines. The above comment is true with regard to the RCX, but not to the ACF.
--------------------
John C
Urban Observatory
A&M/Astreya 76mm F/6 APO
TMB/LOMO 80mm F/7.5 APO
Tak FSQ-106N F/5 APO
Meade 178ED F/9 "APO"
Meade ETX-125AT
C14
Teeter 20" F/3.8 truss Newt w/ServoCat
NJP, GPDX/SS2KPC, CG5-GT
ST-10XME, DSI Pro
|
jouster
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 11/27/05
Posts: 819
|
|
Quote:
Quote:
one of the criticisms of the RCX/ACF line was that some of the vital electronics were integral to the fork mount, making GEMs (with the exception of the MaxMount) unusable - or at least limited - with the tube.
The RCX and ACF are two different lines. The above comment is true with regard to the RCX, but not to the ACF.
Well, there's my error. Thanks.
--------------------
Neil
|
mclewis1
Thread Killer
Reged: 02/25/06
Posts: 3958
Loc: New Brunswick, Canada
|
|
If anyone ever develops a relatively inexpensive way to de fork and properly support an RCX ota on a gem there will be a bunch of RCX owners beating a path to his/her door.
Imagine: A 12" Aplanatic SCT, F8, fixed primary, electric moving secondary, on a CGE-Pro ... where do I sign?
--------------------
Mark
C11, C6, APM/TMB115, and AT80ED - Tandem mount CGE and CG-5A, WO EZ-Touch and AT Voyager
25x100s and 8x56s, T-Mount Light, Mark 1 eyeballs - Modded 350D, DSI-P, SPC900, Mallincam
Just because you can doesn't necessarily mean that you should
|
AlienRatDog
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 07/15/05
Posts: 1093
Loc: Ann Arbor
|
|
Hmmmm I wonder if I can put a larger refractor....like DG 6" f/15....
--------------------
Abe -- the poor PhD student
-----------------------------------------
12" LX200GPS-SMT w/UHTC
Explore Scientific 127mm Triplet ED APO
Losmandy GM8 EQ mount
Nagler 31mm, 17mm, 13mm, 12mm, 9mm, 2.5x Powermate
12X50 Binoculars
Understanding wife
One beautiful daughter, Emma-Rose (born 7-29-2009)
Twin boys (cats), half Persian/half Alley Cat but all Vermin!
|
Starman1
Vendor - Scope City
Reged: 06/24/03
Posts: 12230
Loc: Los Angeles
|
|
Quote:
Hmmmm I wonder if I can put a larger refractor....like DG 6" f/15....
You would need a tall pier or tripod. The one provided would be inadequately high, even in its maximum "up" position.
The mount, though, should handle the weight and size easily.
--------------------
Don Pensack
12.5" Truss Dob, 5" Maksutov, Fujinon Binos
Sustaining Lifetime IDA member
|
jrbarnett
Eyepiece Hooligan
Reged: 02/28/06
Posts: 4349
Loc: Petaluma, CA
|
|
Abe, EXACTLY! Finally a readily available sub-$5k mount that may be able to handle the long moment arm of a large aperture long focus achromat! Keep your fingers crossed...
- Jim
--------------------
"I do not know what I may appear to the world; but to myself I seem to have been only like a boy playing on the seashore, and diverting myself in now and then finding a smoother pebble or a prettier shell than ordinary, whilst the great ocean of truth lay all undiscovered before me."
- Sir Issac Newton
|
Starman1
Vendor - Scope City
Reged: 06/24/03
Posts: 12230
Loc: Los Angeles
|
|
Previous
Index
Next
Threaded
Edit
Reply
Quote
[Re: