asaint
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 04/25/03
Posts: 2021
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Celestron's C6-RGT Refractor
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Mike28
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 06/21/03
Posts: 2889
Loc: Morris County,NJ
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Jay I enjoyed your article on the C6-RGT. I briefly considered purchasing it 2 years ago. Maybe I should have went with it. I am surprised Celestron did not pack instructions with it. Oh well I guess they were savig on paper. I still would like to view through one jut out of curiosity. What is the weight the mount is rated at? Anyone know?
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Mike
'The only reason for time is so that everything doesn't happen at once.” Albert Einstein
NS11GPS/Sky align
TAKAHASHI TOA150F
Celestron 80ED
TV Pronto
Burgess Bino
Coronado Ha PST
CGE mount
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markf
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 10/13/04
Posts: 1935
Loc: Houston, TX
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Celestron rates the mount at something like 30 pounds, which it would take, but I think that's way too much.
Realisticly, I think 15-20lbs is about the most I'd put on it.
Mark
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Celestron C6N on a CG5-GT
Orion 80mm Refractor (guidescope)
ToUCam Pro II
Canon Digital Rebel
http://www.carsandfish.com/astroweb
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pollux
Reged: 04/01/04
Posts: 6185
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Is it me or what? I see lots of cross-like symbols on that page.
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JayKSC
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 01/01/05
Posts: 753
Loc: Florida
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Thanks, Mike! One thing that initially surprised me about the C6-RGT is that it's such a big scope, but it's not all that heavy. It seems lighter than my XT10 dob, for example. I've been very happy with mine. As for the CG-5 mount weight limits, I agree with Mark (quoted below).
Quote:
Celestron rates the mount at something like 30 pounds, which it would take, but I think that's way too much.
Realisticly, I think 15-20lbs is about the most I'd put on it.
Mark
The 150mm refractor OTA weighs-in at 18 pounds, and the mount does well with this. Vibrations seem more sourced in the refractor's long OTA than the mount... When I had my TV Pronto (6 or 7 pounds) atop the C6-RGT, the mount was still doing a good job - but that's near the upper limits. Anymore than that and I found the drive motors were especially fickle and strained.
Pollux: I've spotted them too. I'm guessing it was something with my file format. I've emailed Allister and will work to have those resolved.
 Jay
KSC FL
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Refractor manic. 
Edited by JayKSC (12/09/05 05:21 PM)
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Scott Beith
SRF
Reged: 11/26/03
Posts: 33056
Loc: Gulfport, MS
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Jay,
That was an excellent report. Very detailed and fun to read.
Well done Sir.
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  Scott
"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
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Mike B
Starstruck
Reged: 04/06/05
Posts: 4460
Loc: shake, rattle, & roll, CA
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Hi Jay-
Just finished reading your article... VERY nice! I have visions of you slewing that thing from Saturn over to M35, with the neighbors looking on with jaws hanging open!  I'm not necessarily a GOTO guy, or even a refractor guy... but jeepers that would be fun!!  All you'd need would be a red or green laser ablaze while slewing, like some big AA gun- might serve to keep the neighborhood rowdies on edge 
As an aside, isn't that "CG-5" mount very similar to Orion's "SVP" mount? If so, Orion rates theirs at 20 lb. capacity. And if that IS the case, how does Celestron get away with claims of 35 lbs.??... seems kinda like the inflated magnifications used to advertise the typical "WallyWorld" scope. Celestron is better than that. I am curious as to the true, practical capacity of these mounts, as i recently acquired the "SVP" version... and i have plans for it 
Enjoy that big fella- hope you can get them motors all fixed up!
 mike b
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Just for giggles- Next time when the money comes out the ATM, scream "I Won!, I Won!"
* * 15" F4.55 Starsplitter Dob * *
 Pacheco State Park
 Fremont Peak
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LivingNDixie
Lord of Ferrets
Reged: 04/23/03
Posts: 15790
Loc: Hoover, AL
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Wonderfull write up!
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Preston
Celestron 11" Nexstar GPS XLT
Lunt LS60T/Ha 60mm f/8.33 (on order)
It’s not finishing something when your tank is empty that makes you a stronger person. It’s brushing yourself off and refacing the foe that defeated you with the same determination and willingness to fight that you had when you began your journey.
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spaceydee
Postmaster
Reged: 04/16/04
Posts: 15347
Loc: Where the Kittens Are
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Quote:
I'm not necessarily a GOTO guy, or even a refractor guy... but jeepers that would be fun!! All you'd need would be a red or green laser ablaze while slewing, like some big AA gun- might serve to keep the neighborhood rowdies on edge
I agree that big refractors are impressive looking. I get funny looks from the neighbors when I pull out the "small" refractors. I wouldn't advocate putting lasers on just for the sake of being impressive though, and you have to be careful these days. You don't know how people will react to it.
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Dee
space-scientist
student violinist
Nexstar8i,SV80S,80/9D,FC100,94 Brandon,TMB92SS,GM8
8" f/7 Discovery,12.5" Portaball, PST
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JayKSC
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 01/01/05
Posts: 753
Loc: Florida
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Thanks much, Scott!
Mike: Never has any scope I've owned so readily impressed neighbors, to include my LX200 cassegrain I had years ago. Somehow I think the massive size of the C6-RGT plays a role. The first few nights I was out with it, I was really nervous about being beneath that thing: it's a big scope!!!
Being able to have an impressive scope to wow the neighbors has a benefit, I might add: they become quickly inclined to turn out there lights. One of my neighbors even gave me a key to his yard, which offers a better southern view than my own yard.
For the CG-5 versus SkyView Pro mount, the two look more alike than not - judging from the pictures alone, the Celestron mount might have a slightly larger bearing. Nonetheless, the 20 pound capacity seems about right for the CG-5. I think that the manufacturers do over-estimate their mount load capacities. But then, what is the load capacity defined? For one company it could be the point at which the telescope begins wobbling for more than 5 seconds: another company might use a stricter tolerance, or even consider the "capacity" to be the point at which the mount actually fails. If anyone has some sort of a universal technical definition used by companies in prescribing "mount capacity" - please fill me in! I'm only guessing here.
I don't fault Celestron too much, I think they're just trying to play the numbers against some competition (which is doing the same thing).
Preston: thanks much!
Quote:
I agree that big refractors are impressive looking. I get funny looks from the neighbors when I pull out the "small" refractors. I wouldn't advocate putting lasers on just for the sake of being impressive though, and you have to be careful these days. You don't know how people will react to it.
I agree, Dee. It'd be more shocking to see a laser equipped scope, but I have an airport just five or so miles from my house - and the flight path takes the planes on a descent just a short distance from me. I don't want to have any issues with a plane (not to mention, it's kind of fun to watch one sweep across the eyepiece field! it really puts the distance into perspective).
- Jay
KSC FL
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Refractor manic.
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Mike B
Starstruck
Reged: 04/06/05
Posts: 4460
Loc: shake, rattle, & roll, CA
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Jay-
With a scope that impressively proportioned, the flea of a laser-finder would, mechanically speaking, pass largely unnoticed... until its beam slewing thru the sky as the scope moved became apparant! My reference to neighborhood "rowdies" was a comical ("") nod to my town's (& neighborhood's  ) growing affection for Harley-Davidsons & all their showiness & noise. Any gear as potentially intrusive as a laser MUST be treated with care & respect... especially if aircraft are any significant concern. Its apparantly Harleys that are immune from needing care & respect in their use; The louder & the LATER at night, the BETTER! 
As to my SVP mount, my future "plans" for it will undoubtedly involve actually walking into Orion's store with my Denk & Pentax XLs, & trying them out on their 8" & 9-1/4" SCTs so mounted. I'm intending to switch from my 65# 10" SCT-and-fork dealeo to their 20# 9-1/4" XLT to ride on my SVP... but wanna make sure it'll really work *in practice* before i commit to such a course of action! I may do so during some Christmas free-time... if so, will post my impressions/results- like maybe focusing at power & dampening times with & without vibe pads... if they'll permit me such an excursion I'll bring lots of cookies as a bribe 
A very Merry Christmas to you!
mike b
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Just for giggles- Next time when the money comes out the ATM, scream "I Won!, I Won!"
* * 15" F4.55 Starsplitter Dob * *
Pacheco State Park
Fremont Peak
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Scott Beith
SRF
Reged: 11/26/03
Posts: 33056
Loc: Gulfport, MS
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Mike - HURRAY FOR HARLEYS !!!
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Scott
"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
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Mike B
Starstruck
Reged: 04/06/05
Posts: 4460
Loc: shake, rattle, & roll, CA
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Scott-
Yeah, admittedly they DO look like fun. My pastors have 'em, and my dentist, and many other friends... it's just their implementation at 0:dark:30. If i'm gonna burn my noodle out under the stars, it's 'cuz i've planned for being sleep-deprived the next day. Just me. When the whole neighborhood is awakened at 1:30a.m. & they've gotta work heavy machinery the next day, or my children have school, THAT'S when Harleys cease to be fun.  But there is a silver lining... when the Harleys rumble by, i'm momentarily relieved of being bothered by the SUVs with the window-rattling base Maybe i've gotta look at this differently  ... join the club... get me an LX4000 with a nasty gear-ratio that registers in Richter numbers while slewing!   
mike b
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Just for giggles- Next time when the money comes out the ATM, scream "I Won!, I Won!"
* * 15" F4.55 Starsplitter Dob * *
Pacheco State Park
Fremont Peak
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spaceydee
Postmaster
Reged: 04/16/04
Posts: 15347
Loc: Where the Kittens Are
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I like the sound of scopes slewing!
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Dee
space-scientist
student violinist
Nexstar8i,SV80S,80/9D,FC100,94 Brandon,TMB92SS,GM8
8" f/7 Discovery,12.5" Portaball, PST
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JayKSC
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 01/01/05
Posts: 753
Loc: Florida
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Quote:
Mike - HURRAY FOR HARLEYS !!!
I haven't been on one of those, but does my Vespa count? Somehow I always get a "thumbs up" from those on full motorcycles when I ride it - that is before they accelerate quickly by.
Florida's starting to get more strict with vehicular noise tolerances... so far it's just stereos and to a lesser extent engines here.
Good luck with the SVP testing. If the Orion store staff are anything like their phone reps, they'll be most ready to help. Christmas cheers and well-wishes to you as well, Mike!
Dee: I like the sound of properly slewing motors... my poor CG-5's started to sound like a mouse family was living in them before they quit on me.
Jay
KSC FL
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Refractor manic.
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Scott Beith
SRF
Reged: 11/26/03
Posts: 33056
Loc: Gulfport, MS
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The one thing people say when they run over a biker:
"I never knew he was there!"
They WILL KNOW I was there.
Back to the report - once again: Very nicely done!
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Scott
"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
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JayKSC
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 01/01/05
Posts: 753
Loc: Florida
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I had just that experience a couple of times on the Vespa - people apparently not noticing me... Thanks again, Scott. I enjoyed writing the article, although some of the photos for it proved a challenge.
Jay
KSC FL
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Refractor manic.
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Mike B
Starstruck
Reged: 04/06/05
Posts: 4460
Loc: shake, rattle, & roll, CA
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Yeah, no question... i'm photographically challenged. I suspect that new forum entry atop most forums re: posting pix was for my personal benefit. 
mike b
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Just for giggles- Next time when the money comes out the ATM, scream "I Won!, I Won!"
* * 15" F4.55 Starsplitter Dob * *
Pacheco State Park
Fremont Peak
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cocobolo
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 10/27/07
Posts: 1550
Loc: british columbia, canada
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Just got my new C6RGT a little bit ago, and it did indeed come with full instructions. Identical to that on the website. I'm thinking of maybe extending the dewshield out another couple of feet to make it look REALLY impressive! Keith
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