Telescope Reviews: CGE Pro coming home with me from NEAF

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Strgazr27

Reged: 10/04/04

Loc: StonyHill Observatory

Re: CGE Pro coming home with me from NEAF new

[Re: Alph]
#3026488 - 04/05/09 08:17 PM

The latest version of Nexstar does allow for user uploads. In my sitaution this has been a moot point as I run the scopes from TheSky. I think 99% of those of us who own a GEM are not really concerned about AltAz use.

As for those with C14's needing to worry about it I have to disagree. Many of us with Roll-off's have side walls and piers built for a much more compact mount. I'd like to be able to open the roof of my roll off without it hitting the mount

based on measurements, the CGEPro is significantly taller than most mounts available. It's also nice to have my OTA's not sitting up in the wind or light from the neighbors or my house. When the 10" is finished or with the 130 on it, the OTA's are going to be much higher up than I'd like.

CS's

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Strgazr27

Reged: 10/04/04

Loc: StonyHill Observatory

Re: CGE Pro coming home with me from NEAF new

[Re: LLEEGE]
#3026493 - 04/05/09 08:19 PM

Quote:

I've never used Gemini but I have owned a few different brands and I gotta say the AP system is probably the best I've used as far as ease of use.

No doubt Luke and the HC'er is a work of art. I would love to have a HC'er tha looked, felt and performed like the AP I was priviledged to try 1 night.

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Alph
Pooh-Bah

Reged: 11/23/06

Loc: Melmac

Re: CGE Pro coming home with me from NEAF new

[Re: Strgazr27]
#3027015 - 04/06/09 02:58 AM

Quote:

The latest version of Nexstar does allow for user uploads

You got that one wrong too. Read my lips. You can't upload user data (NOT firmware) to the Nexstar controller. How could you get confused about it?

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LLEEGE
True Blue

Reged: 03/03/05

Loc: Cloud-chester,NY

Re: CGE Pro coming home with me from NEAF new

[Re: Phil Cowell]
#3027419 - 04/06/09 10:31 AM

Quote:

Also what mount around $5K that will take around the 90 - 100# capacity does Meade make? The topic is about GEM mounts in this class. Not Alt/AZ.

Phil

I think he is talking about AL/AZ coordinates, not mount types.

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DaveJ
Pooh-Bah

Reged: 01/07/05

Loc: NE Ohio

Re: CGE Pro coming home with me from NEAF new

[Re: Alph]
#3027434 - 04/06/09 10:42 AM

Quote:

You got that one wrong too. Read my lips. You can't upload user data (NOT firmware) to the Nexstar controller. How could you get confused about it?

You know, Alph...if there are ten ways to express a thought, you'll always pick the most offensive of the ten. Lighten up, OK?

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Alph
Pooh-Bah

Reged: 11/23/06

Loc: Melmac

Re: CGE Pro coming home with me from NEAF new

[Re: DaveJ]
#3027503 - 04/06/09 11:16 AM

Quote:

f there are ten ways to express a thought, you'll always pick the most offensive of the ten.

Sorry about that. I did not mean to sound offensive. I just get frustrated when people don't read carefully to what they are responding.

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Phil Cowell
Pooh-Bah

Reged: 05/24/07

Loc: Southern Tier NY

Re: CGE Pro coming home with me from NEAF new

[Re: Alph]
#3028079 - 04/06/09 03:54 PM

Quote:

Quote:

f there are ten ways to express a thought, you'll always pick the most offensive of the ten.

Sorry about that. I did not mean to sound offensive. I just get frustrated when people don't read carefully to what they are responding.

You obviously don't read what a thread is called either. You went off on a Meade HC rant when no-one but you had mentioned one. We were discussing the CGE Pro and the MI-250. Maybe a little of your own advice would be useful?

Phil

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Strgazr27

Reged: 10/04/04

Loc: StonyHill Observatory

Re: CGE Pro coming home with me from NEAF new

[Re: Alph]
#3028468 - 04/06/09 06:58 PM

Quote:

Quote:

f there are ten ways to express a thought, you'll always pick the most offensive of the ten.

Sorry about that. I did not mean to sound offensive. I just get frustrated when people don't read carefully to what they are responding.

Actually I did read what you had written. As Mods we tend to read things 2 and 3 times just to make sure. I misunderstood what you were getting at, along with having thought I read that one of the new features of the latest version of software allowed for it. On that note I was mistaken. There does tend to be a trend in most of your posts though. Just an observation.

Edited by Strgazr27 (04/06/09 07:05 PM)

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Strgazr27

Reged: 10/04/04

Loc: StonyHill Observatory

Re: CGE Pro coming home with me from NEAF new

[Re: Strgazr27]
#3028475 - 04/06/09 06:59 PM

Phil,

Could you do me one more favor and take a measurement from the bottom of the electronics pier to the top of the saddle with the RA axis horizontal/parallel to the ground. I know it's a bunch of questions but if I need to/decide to cut the pier I want to do it so it's ready to go when the mount gets home. 31" is too tall with the RA axis pointed North but it may be doable if I park the scope with the RA in a horizontal position and OTA's level.

I just measured the 31" and MAN is that thing tall! My G11 with the pier adapter is under 23"......

Thanks a bunch!

Edited by Strgazr27 (04/06/09 07:02 PM)

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Phil Cowell
Pooh-Bah

Reged: 05/24/07

Loc: Southern Tier NY

Re: CGE Pro coming home with me from NEAF new

[Re: Strgazr27]
#3029204 - 04/07/09 05:47 AM

Will do tonight when I get home from work.

Phil

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binonut
journeyman

Reged: 12/10/08

Re: CGE Pro coming home with me from NEAF new

[Re: Phil Cowell]
#3029265 - 04/07/09 07:09 AM

I did not wont to start a new thread.So Im posting here. I am also thinking of getting the CGE pro mount.Im planning of puting a 203 F/9 achromat refractor on it for visual work.What do you think, can the CGE pro hold the scope??
I have seen people using the CGE with that refractor.

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Bowmoreman
Clear enough skies

Reged: 09/11/06

Loc: Bolton, MA

Re: CGE Pro coming home with me from NEAF new

[Re: binonut]
#3029267 - 04/07/09 07:13 AM

Firstly, welcome to CN, binonut...

I would think that the CGE Pro would have NO problem with that scope... obviously with it's length you're going to want to be really careful with the balance... but weight wise should not be a big issue...

I had 55# on my CGE with no issues, so that's one reference for you...

again, welcome to CN!

clear enough skies

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Phil Cowell
Pooh-Bah

Reged: 05/24/07

Loc: Southern Tier NY

Re: CGE Pro coming home with me from NEAF new

[Re: binonut]
#3030365 - 04/07/09 05:29 PM

If you can run it on a CGE then the CGE Pro will handle it with no problem. The Pro is built like a tank.

Phil

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Phil Cowell
Pooh-Bah

Reged: 05/24/07

Loc: Southern Tier NY

Re: CGE Pro coming home with me from NEAF new

[Re: Strgazr27]
#3030375 - 04/07/09 05:33 PM

Quote:

Phil,

Could you do me one more favor and take a measurement from the bottom of the electronics pier to the top of the saddle with the RA axis horizontal/parallel to the ground. I know it's a bunch of questions but if I need to/decide to cut the pier I want to do it so it's ready to go when the mount gets home. 31" is too tall with the RA axis pointed North but it may be doable if I park the scope with the RA in a horizontal position and OTA's level.

I just measured the 31" and MAN is that thing tall! My G11 with the pier adapter is under 23"......

Thanks a bunch!

Just measured and I get 28" so 5" difference. Thats at a 42 degree lat setting.

Phil

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Strgazr27

Reged: 10/04/04

Loc: StonyHill Observatory

Re: Bad News :( new

[Re: Phil Cowell]
#3030821 - 04/07/09 09:36 PM

Phil,

Thanks for taking all the measurements for me but it looks like unless I want to lop about 8" off the top of my pier the Pro isn't going to happen. Although I love the design I think Celestron REALLY dropped the ball when it came to designing the mount from a height perspective. Seems they targeted those with Large SCT's and refractors for visual use almost. Why make the mount so tall?

I'm going to sleep on it for a few days. I can rent a Diamond Blade Concrete chainsaw for $285 and be done in about 5 minutes but I'm wondering if it would be worth the hassle. Dust would not be an issue as it's a wet saw but there is still a lot of work to be done after that. Would it all be worth it?

Anybody with an opinion

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jrcrilly
Refractor wienie no more

Reged: 04/30/03

Loc: NE Ohio

Re: Bad News :( new

[Re: Strgazr27]
#3030861 - 04/07/09 09:55 PM

Quote:

Phil,

Thanks for taking all the measurements for me but it looks like unless I want to lop about 8" off the top of my pier the Pro isn't going to happen. Although I love the design I think Celestron REALLY dropped the ball when it came to designing the mount from a height perspective. Seems they targeted those with Large SCT's and refractors for visual use almost. Why make the mount so tall?

It would have worked perfectly for me; my pier was originally installed during my wedgemounted fork days. I always had to add extensions to get the German EQ mounts up high enough. I was planning to buy a Pro but I tripped over an NJP I couldn't pass up. I could still do an evaluation of a Pro if one becomes available for that.

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LLEEGE
True Blue

Reged: 03/03/05

Loc: Cloud-chester,NY

Re: Bad News :( new

[Re: jrcrilly]
#3030872 - 04/07/09 10:01 PM

Bummer. When it comes time for my pier, I will go with steel. It will be a lot easier to adjust if ever needed. (Not that I plan on ever buying another mount

)

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canadiens
super member

Reged: 09/07/07

Loc: Ontario, Canada

Re: Bad News :( new

[Re: Strgazr27]
#3030962 - 04/07/09 10:35 PM

Perhaps you could cut off your corner posts and jack the observatory up and then with 2 2"*10" on top of the corner posts to achieve a new floor height with steel plates on either side to fasten the new joists to your original corner posts. If your floor where your pier is screwed down you could remove it to get at the supports underneath the obs.You would need to make new supports for the roll off or closing the roof would be an uphill battle.

. Maybe issues of power and com wires might prevent this alternative. Just a thought,
Mike

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David Pavlich
Transmographied

Reged: 05/18/05

Loc: Mandeville, LA USA

Re: Bad News :( new