AlienFirstClass
Vendor
Reged: 02/13/09
|
CGE availability
#2947794 - 02/24/09 08:48 PM
|
Edit
|
Reply
|
Quote |
Quick Reply
|
|
|
I am considering buying a Celestron CGE mount.
While looking at different vendors, I came across this.
Would someone care to comment on what is going on?
http://www.optcorp.com/product.aspx?pid=12577
|
Astronomics
Vendor if you must, AKA The Mighty Kong.
Reged: 06/07/04
Loc: Right Here
|
Re: CGE availability
[Re: AlienFirstClass]
#2947814 - 02/24/09 09:02 PM
|
|
Edit
|
Reply
|
Quote |
Quick Reply
|
|
|
The CGE is still a current product that any Celestron dealer can get. Some will show up as special order as they were discontinued and taken off the Celestron price list. That however has changed.
|
AlienFirstClass
Vendor
Reged: 02/13/09
|
Re: CGE availability
[Re: Astronomics]
#2947841 - 02/24/09 09:29 PM
|
|
Edit
|
Reply
|
Quote |
Quick Reply
|
|
|
Thank you for your response.
Then what is going on with the OPT FAQ page?
|
Astronomics
Vendor if you must, AKA The Mighty Kong.
Reged: 06/07/04
Loc: Right Here
|
Re: CGE availability
[Re: AlienFirstClass]
#2947855 - 02/24/09 09:39 PM
|
|
Edit
|
Reply
|
Quote |
Quick Reply
|
|
|
I guess it hasn't been fixed since Celestron announced the change a few weeks ago.
|
rick rian
Seeker of Truth(s)
Reged: 08/03/04
Loc: Upper Mid West
|
Re: CGE availability
[Re: AlienFirstClass]
#2947862 - 02/24/09 09:42 PM
|
|
Edit
|
Reply
|
Quote |
Quick Reply
|
|
|
Maybe you should send an email to OPT and ask them.
|
AlienFirstClass
Vendor
Reged: 02/13/09
|
Re: CGE availability
[Re: rick rian]
#2947887 - 02/24/09 09:53 PM
|
|
Edit
|
Reply
|
Quote |
Quick Reply
|
|
|
Quote:
Maybe you should send an email to OPT and ask them.
Good idea.
But I am asking here...now....also.
|
Alph
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 11/23/06
Loc: Melmac
|
Re: CGE availability
[Re: AlienFirstClass]
#2948226 - 02/25/09 01:46 AM
|
|
Edit
|
Reply
|
Quote |
Quick Reply
|
|
|
Quote:
Would someone care to comment on what is going on?
http://www.optcorp.com/product.aspx?pid=12577
Disregard it. This vendor is notorious for providing wrong information on their website.
|
AlienFirstClass
Vendor
Reged: 02/13/09
|
Re: CGE availability
[Re: Alph]
#2948247 - 02/25/09 02:20 AM
|
|
Edit
|
Reply
|
Quote |
Quick Reply
|
|
|
Quote:
Quote:
Would someone care to comment on what is going on?
http://www.optcorp.com/product.aspx?pid=12577
Disregard it. This vendor is notorious for providing wrong information on their website.
Okay...could you expand on that?
I am shopping for a number of items that they carry.
Any other wrong information on their web site that you are aware of?
|
Lane
Post Laureate
Reged: 11/19/07
Loc: Frisco, Texas
|
Re: CGE availability
[Re: AlienFirstClass]
#2948261 - 02/25/09 02:36 AM
|
|
Edit
|
Reply
|
Quote |
Quick Reply
|
|
|
I have never seen any incorrect info on the OPT site and from what I have seen it appears this information was correct when they posted it, but it is not correct now. I guess the economy has celestron doing some rethinking.
|
dougspeterson
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 09/01/04
Loc: SANTA ANA, CA
|
Re: CGE availability
[Re: Lane]
#2948508 - 02/25/09 08:53 AM
|
|
Edit
|
Reply
|
Quote |
Quick Reply
|
|
|
I find the info on OPT to be reliable, but one error I noticed is the EON72 they have continuted to show for several months as being discontinued by Orion, yet the scope is still for sale and has had several sales. BTW it is a great scope, my friend measured his at 1/10 wave on the interferometer.
It makes sense that Celestron would rethink killing the CGE and keep it part of a family of options.
Edited by dougspeterson (02/25/09 08:58 AM)
|
Alph
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 11/23/06
Loc: Melmac
|
Re: CGE availability
[Re: dougspeterson]
#2950791 - 02/26/09 11:41 AM
|
|
Edit
|
Reply
|
Quote |
Quick Reply
|
|
|
Quote:
but one error I noticed is the EON72 they have continuted to show for several months as being discontinued by Orion, yet the scope is still for sale
There you go. CGE is also discontinued - right. Anything in red font has to be taken with a grain of salt. They very often run specials on their website way beyond expiration time.
|
PhilCo126
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 01/14/05
Loc: coastline of Belgium
|
Re: CGE availability
[Re: Alph]
#2963230 - 03/04/09 01:02 PM
|
|
Edit
|
Reply
|
Quote |
Quick Reply
|
|
|
If the CGE would be discontinued, prices will drop soon 
|
Kolenka
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 06/01/08
Loc: Seattle Area, WA, USA
|
Re: CGE availability
[Re: PhilCo126]
#2963311 - 03/04/09 01:36 PM
|
|
Edit
|
Reply
|
Quote |
Quick Reply
|
|
|
Prices have been dropping. OPT has the CGE for 320$ off right now.
|
phanf4
super member
Reged: 07/31/07
Loc: Over there in Chattanooga
|
Re: CGE availability
[Re: Kolenka]
#2963409 - 03/04/09 02:21 PM
|
|
Edit
|
Reply
|
Quote |
Quick Reply
|
|
|
I guess this crushes hopes to get the cge user "hard spots" fixed. If they were thinking about discontinuing it in the first place, nothing was going to get fixed. It may be a long time now if it does.
Tom
|
Lane
Post Laureate
Reged: 11/19/07
Loc: Frisco, Texas
|
Re: CGE availability
[Re: phanf4]
#2963859 - 03/04/09 06:17 PM
|
|
Edit
|
Reply
|
Quote |
Quick Reply
|
|
|
It is possible that they were not really planning to eliminate the CGE, they could have been planning to replace it with a redesigned CGE that looks more like the CGEM and CGE Pro. The economy could have changed those plans. I would find it very hard to believe they would have left a gap like that in their lineup. Certainly would have made Losmandy happy though, they would have sold a lot more G11's.
|
MichaelW
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 06/03/06
Loc: Cartoon City, Nirvana
|
Re: CGE availability
[Re: Lane]
#2965013 - 03/05/09 09:36 AM
|
|
Edit
|
Reply
|
Quote |
Quick Reply
|
|
|
It's like DeJaVu all over again. 
I am on a holding pattern on a mount with all this. As much as I really enjoyed my CGE and in reality was enough for what I wanted to do... I will probably move up and possibly out of the Celestron lineup unless the CGE-Pro is exceptionally stellar from the git-go.
|
idahoman
professor emeritus
Reged: 11/25/05
Loc: Idaho, USA
|
Re: CGE availability
[Re: MichaelW]
#2966211 - 03/05/09 07:05 PM
|
|
Edit
|
Reply
|
Quote |
Quick Reply
|
|
|
I agree with Lane. It seems strange that they would leave such a gap. I was planning to defork my celestron and get a middle of the road GEM with 50 to 60 lb capacity. I didn't want to spend $5K to $7K. That left the CGE and G11. The G11 needs some serious updating. So, CGE. Now that's gone? Argh! My decision -- keep using my fork and AO-8.
Not everyone in this hobby can afford a Astro-Physics, MI, etc.
|
jrbarnett
Eyepiece Hooligan
Reged: 02/28/06
Loc: Petaluma, CA
|
Re: CGE availability
[Re: idahoman]
#2967324 - 03/06/09 10:47 AM
|
|
Edit
|
Reply
|
Quote |
Quick Reply
|
|
|
I've done the G-11/CGE ping pong several times. I have a GM-8 as well. Overall I think the G-11 has several BIG (for me) advantages. Mechanical setting circles, hollow polar shaft, completely and easily user serviceable, and replacement parts availability. It's big downsides (to me) are limited availability of the mount itself and higher cost.
The most attractive aspect of the CGE (to me) is widespread availability, currently falling prices and simple, mature Nexstar firmware. I am tempted with the latest round of discounts, but no matter Celestron's waffling, I would say that the writing is on the wall for this mount.
The CGEM and CGE Pro are cast not CNC machined (likely in Asia). I am guessing that the CGE costs a lot to make by comparison. Maybe they'll cook up an intermediate design (capacity wise) that they can cast in Asia. In any case, I don't expect to see the CGE around for more than another year in its present form.
If they drop the CGE to $2250 and throw in the optional polar scope, I'll buy one.
Regards,
Jim
|
Alph
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 11/23/06
Loc: Melmac
|
Re: CGE availability
[Re: jrbarnett]
#2967835 - 03/06/09 02:33 PM
|
|
Edit
|
Reply
|
Quote |
Quick Reply
|
|
|
Quote:
The most attractive aspect of the CGE (to me) is widespread availability, currently falling prices and simple, mature Nexstar firmware.
The Gemini is much more advanced than the Nexstar. The CGE's higher capacity specs are dubious too. Some folks are using the M14 on the G11 which is much heavier than the C14. In retrospect I wish I bought the G11 or even the HGM Titan. The end to the CGE is a little or no loss to this hobby. CGE R.I.P. Long live G11!
|
DaveJ
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 01/07/05
Loc: NE Ohio
|
Re: CGE availability
[Re: Alph]
#2967871 - 03/06/09 02:47 PM
|
|
Edit
|
Reply
|
Quote |
Quick Reply
|
|
|
Hi Alph,
No offense, but I have to express the opposite opinion. I love my CGE! I had a Losmandy G11 at the time I bought the CGE. Had 'em and used 'em both for about six months and decided one of them had to go. I sold the G11, and for a lot less than I figured it was worth. Still have, and love, the CGE. Problems? One or two, like everybody else: cables and micro-switches - both easily corrected. I'd buy another one in a heart beat (if I needed one, that is).
|
Alph
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 11/23/06
Loc: Melmac
|
Re: CGE availability
[Re: DaveJ]
#2967924 - 03/06/09 03:11 PM
|
|
Edit
|
Reply
|
Quote |
Quick Reply
|
|
|
Quote:
Problems? One or two, like everybody else: cables and micro-switches - both easily corrected.
Is that it? What about PEC? I think it is really bad as compared to the G11. How about serviceability? You mentioned the micro-switches. Did you know that Celestron want you to ship the mount back to them just to replace the switches if it is under the warranty? That’s nuts! How about the supposedly superior motors that get easily damaged when the mount hits the hardstop past the Meridian because the micro-switch failed to turn off tracking?
|
jrcrilly
Refractor wienie no more
Reged: 04/30/03
Loc: NE Ohio
|
Re: CGE availability
[Re: Alph]
#2968101 - 03/06/09 04:45 PM
|
|
Edit
|
Reply
|
Quote |
Quick Reply
|
|
|
Quote:
What about PEC? I think it is really bad as compared to the G11. How about serviceability? You mentioned the micro-switches. Did you know that Celestron want you to ship the mount back to them just to replace the switches if it is under the warranty?
The PEC on my CGE worked flawlessly, and I've not seen any reports from others experiencing problems with it. Did you have a defective index switch? When I bought mine the published warranty expressly stated that they would repair defective products if shipped to the factory, so although mine never required service I was aware of the process.
|
Alph
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 11/23/06
Loc: Melmac
|
Re: CGE availability
[Re: jrcrilly]
#2968174 - 03/06/09 05:22 PM
|
|
Edit
|
Reply
|
Quote |
Quick Reply
|
|
|
Quote:
The PEC on my CGE worked flawlessly, and I've not seen any reports from others experiencing problems with it
PEC like in PE Curve
|
DaveJ
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 01/07/05
Loc: NE Ohio
|
Re: CGE availability
[Re: Alph]
#2968183 - 03/06/09 05:26 PM Attachment (29 downloads)
|
|
Edit
|
Reply
|
Quote |
Quick Reply
|
|
|
Hi again, Alph,
Yes, I know that Celestron wanted the mount back, under warranty, to repair my RA micro-switch. I found it a whole lot less expensive and faster to go to the closest Radio Shack and pay $3 for an identical switch and put it in myself - easy if you can de-solder two wires connected to the old switch and re-solder the new switch in. Gee, I think it took me all of 30 minutes. Granted, Celestron's use of the shielded 8-conductor CAT-5e network cables to carry 9 signals (using the shield as the all-important ground) was a poor way of doing things, but there are many viable work-arounds for this and I haven't had a problem since figuring that out...that's what groups like this one, or the Yahoo! groups, are for. I'll stand by my opinion that the CGE is a wonderful mount at its price point. Perfect? No, but nothing is. I remain happy that I sold my G11 and kept the CGE. Of course, your mileage may vary.
|
mclewis1
Thread Killer
Reged: 02/25/06
Loc: New Brunswick, Canada
|
Re: CGE availability
[Re: Alph]
#2968640 - 03/06/09 09:46 PM
|
|
Edit
|
Reply
|
Quote |
Quick Reply
|
|
|
Quote:
Is that it? What about PEC? I think it is really bad as compared to the G11.
You "think"? How about all the evidence here and on Yahoo/Groups that in the past 3 years both mounts out of the box deliver on average 20s or less peak to peak. There is virtually no difference.
Quote:
How about serviceability? You mentioned the micro-switches. Did you know that Celestron want you to ship the mount back to them just to replace the switches if it is under the warranty? That’s nuts! How about the supposedly superior motors that get easily damaged when the mount hits the hardstop past the Meridian because the micro-switch failed to turn off tracking?
Yes Scott designed the G11 to be easier to service. Well I didn't buy my CGE to tinker with. The basics are easy enough to service (cables, micro switches, etc.) and I don't feel the need to "upgrade" or service my 2 year old CGE, my PE is under 15s peak to peak, smooth and easily autoguided out.
Quote:
The Gemini is much more advanced than the Nexstar.
Hardly, the Gemini is older technology, has less features and most folks who use it dislike the menu system.
Quote:
The CGE's higher capacity specs are dubious too.
"Dubious", sorry but the mount carries 60-65lbs just fine, just like the spec says. There are folks who've successfully run CGEs with up to 90lbs (look up some of Jerry Wise's post from a few years ago). Both mounts can be loaded up in a similar fashion as they both have bearings, shafts and motors of a similar capability. I regularly run my CGE with a well balanced 55-60lbs and it performs flawlessly.
Quote:
Some folks are using the M14 on the G11 which is much heavier than the C14
And some folks are putting 2 or 3 scopes on a CGE which in total more weigh than a C14 ... what does that prove? Just because Celestron doesn't sell that particular combination doesn't mean the CGE isn't capable of handling it. There are plenty of examples of folks who have pushed their mounts with capacities far beyond what the vendor has spec'd.
Quote:
The end to the CGE is a little or no loss to this hobby.
Well Alph, you're certainly entitled to your opinion but I'll suggest that the CGE has a) outsold the G11 (anecdotal information ... no facts) and b) will still be providing good use to hundreds or possibly thousands of users years from now ... in my books that's hardly a "loss" to this hobby.
|
Bowmoreman
Clear enough skies
Reged: 09/11/06
Loc: Bolton, MA
|
Re: CGE availability
[Re: mclewis1]
#2973048 - 03/09/09 02:21 AM
|
|
Edit
|
Reply
|
Quote |
Quick Reply
|
|
|
Quote:
Quote:
Is that it? What about PEC? I think it is really bad as compared to the G11.
You "think"? How about all the evidence here and on Yahoo/Groups that in the past 3 years both mounts out of the box deliver on average 20s or less peak to peak. There is virtually no difference.
Quote:
How about serviceability? You mentioned the micro-switches. Did you know that Celestron want you to ship the mount back to them just to replace the switches if it is under the warranty? That’s nuts! How about the supposedly superior motors that get easily damaged when the mount hits the hardstop past the Meridian because the micro-switch failed to turn off tracking?
Yes Scott designed the G11 to be easier to service. Well I didn't buy my CGE to tinker with. The basics are easy enough to service (cables, micro switches, etc.) and I don't feel the need to "upgrade" or service my 2 year old CGE, my PE is under 15s peak to peak, smooth and easily autoguided out.
Quote:
The Gemini is much more advanced than the Nexstar.
Hardly, the Gemini is older technology, has less features and most folks who use it dislike the menu system.
Quote:
The CGE's higher capacity specs are dubious too.
"Dubious", sorry but the mount carries 60-65lbs just fine, just like the spec says. There are folks who've successfully run CGEs with up to 90lbs (look up some of Jerry Wise's post from a few years ago). Both mounts can be loaded up in a similar fashion as they both have bearings, shafts and motors of a similar capability. I regularly run my CGE with a well balanced 55-60lbs and it performs flawlessly.
Quote:
Some folks are using the M14 on the G11 which is much heavier than the C14
And some folks are putting 2 or 3 scopes on a CGE which in total more weigh than a C14 ... what does that prove? Just because Celestron doesn't sell that particular combination doesn't mean the CGE isn't capable of handling it. There are plenty of examples of folks who have pushed their mounts with capacities far beyond what the vendor has spec'd.
Quote:
The end to the CGE is a little or no loss to this hobby.
Well Alph, you're certainly entitled to your opinion but I'll suggest that the CGE has a) outsold the G11 (anecdotal information ... no facts) and b) will still be providing good use to hundreds or possibly thousands of users years from now ... in my books that's hardly a "loss" to this hobby.
One word:
AMEN
clear enough skies
|
Alph
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 11/23/06
Loc: Melmac
|
Re: CGE availability
[Re: Bowmoreman]
#2973781 - 03/09/09 01:51 PM
|
|
Edit
|
Reply
|
Quote |
Quick Reply
|
|
|
Quote:
Hardly, the Gemini is older technology, has less features and most folks who use it dislike the menu system.
Something tells me that you don’t have a complete understanding what the Gemini controller/software is capable of. I agree with you though, that he Gemini controller was designed for sophisticated users.
|
DaveJ
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 01/07/05
Loc: NE Ohio
|
Re: CGE availability
[Re: Alph]
#2973805 - 03/09/09 02:05 PM
|
|
Edit
|
Reply
|
Quote |
Quick Reply
|
|
|
Quote:
Something tells me that you don’t have a complete understanding what the Gemini controller/software is capable of. I agree with you though, that he Gemini controller was designed for sophisticated users.
Duh, we ain't got none of that there so-fist-ic-ation, but we know that the "C" in "PEC" means "CORRECTION" and not "CURVE"
|
Lane
Post Laureate
Reged: 11/19/07
Loc: Frisco, Texas
|
Re: CGE availability
[Re: DaveJ]
#2974007 - 03/09/09 03:37 PM
|
|
Edit
|
Reply
|
Quote |
Quick Reply
|
|
|
Alph are you saying that people stand around in tuxedos drinking martinis while using a gemini.
|
jrbarnett
Eyepiece Hooligan
Reged: 02/28/06
Loc: Petaluma, CA
|
Re: CGE availability
[Re: DaveJ]
#2974176 - 03/09/09 04:47 PM
|
|
Edit
|
Reply
|
Quote |
Quick Reply
|
|
|
I am looking hard at the CGE given the deep discounts available from a few of the resellers. In fact, I may just bite the bullet and get a CGE-1100 setup. $4.4k for an 11" SCT and a 65# capacity mount looks like a pretty sweet deal to me. I am also a long time fan of Nexstar. It is light years ahead of Synscan, which is exactly why the CGEM in the end will either force a deep discount on the Atlas or drive it from the market.
That being the case, Gemini is sophisticated feature rich software with an extremely accurate pointing model. Sure its nested menu structure is cumbersome and takes some practice, and aligning takes more time, but it really is good stuff. It has some very observer-savvy features like "Z search" and "Wobble" for helping detect targets at the threshold of visibility. It's good stuff.
If I could get a G-11 Gemini for $2680, it would be an easy choice (for me). I favor being able to fix my own gear easily if the manufacturer no longer supports it and I also like the clutchless axes and having manual setting circles as a back-up to the computer. But the truth is the Losmandy mounts have gotten more expensive in the face of serious competition. An odd strategy to be sure, probably reflecting real increased costs.
Nothing wrong with either mount and the CGE's new, lower price makes it especially tempting despite some of the advantages of the Losmandy G-11.
Regards,
Jim
|
mclewis1
Thread Killer
Reged: 02/25/06
Loc: New Brunswick, Canada
|
Re: CGE availability
[Re: Alph]
#2974361 - 03/09/09 06:12 PM
|
|
Edit
|
Reply
|
Quote |
Quick Reply
|
|
|
Quote:
Something tells me that you don’t have a complete understanding what the Gemini controller/software is capable of. I agree with you though, that he Gemini controller was designed for sophisticated users.
Alph,
Please don't put words in my mouth, especially when you're trying to make a less than subtle insinuation about the folks who use the Gemini based systems.
I don't own a Gemini based system so I certainly don't have "a complete understanding" (and short of Messrs. Görlich, Losmandy, Diehl, and a few others I don't think anyone does) but I have used a few and watched as other folks have used them, I've even been around a few side by side comparisons.
I've seen things I like and some things that I don't in both systems. We could probably debate features and function between the two all day long but this really isn't the "forum" to do so. The two systems while both very capable telescope control systems were designed for different requirements. With the Gemini it appears to be for a more complex user, and with lots of hardware flexibility (has to work with a variety of vendor's hardware). The Nexstar has to work on Celestron hardware only, but for a much wider user audience. I simply suggest that the more advanced system is the one that meets the requirements of all users, beginner, intermediate, as well as advanced.
Finally you have to admit the older hardware technology behind the Gemini is really starting to show it's age ... Eprom burning vs. flash for firmware upgrades, come on. So maybe you were simply referring to age when you said "The Gemini is much more advanced than the Nexstar."?
|
Dan M
member
Reged: 10/11/08
|
Re: CGE availability
[Re: mclewis1]
#2978996 - 03/12/09 01:52 AM
|
|
Edit
|
Reply
|
Quote |
Quick Reply
|
|
|
I love my CGE also and it carries both a 12'' LX200R and Orion 110ED on it (73 lbs. total with accessories) without breaking a sweat! 
|
waassaabee
Post Laureate
Reged: 11/26/07
Loc: Central California Coast
|
Re: CGE availability
[Re: mclewis1]
#2979224 - 03/12/09 08:27 AM
|
|
Edit
|
Reply
|
Quote |
Quick Reply
|
|
|
Quote:
So maybe you were simply referring to age when you said "The Gemini is much more advanced than the Nexstar."?
 
|
Previous
Index
Next
Threaded
