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doug76
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 12/05/07
Posts: 2651
Loc: SE Louisiana
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This may be a bit long, so bear with me.
It appears the Atlas and the CG-5ASGT have the same tripod, with 2" steel legs, and the Sirius has 1.75" steel legs. Can you directly switch the CG-5ASGT mount to the Sirius tripod, and vice versa?
I ask because the Sirius is claimed to use the same drive motors as the Atlas, so I figure it is stronger than the CG-5ASGT. I have my C6R on the CG-5ASGT right now, and would like it on a heavier mount. Since the scope I will put back on the CG-5 is much smaller and lighter than the C6R, it will not require the heavier, larger legged tripod, and the Sirius would benefit with the larger tripod.
I'm trying to save a bit of money here by not getting the Atlas to carry the C6R if I don't have to.
Doug
P.S. Would the Sirius mount on the heavier tripod carry the C11 SCT effectively?
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Doug
The Truckstop Astronomer
Meade 12" Lightbridge/Dob Driver II
Celestron C6 SCT
Celestron C6R/Moonlight focuser
Celestron XLT150
Astro-Tech AT80EDT
TOWA 60/700 (under construction)
Celestron CG5-ASGT, CG-4
Celestron Nexstar SE (large)
Meade SWA 34mm
Televue Panoptic 24mm
Pentax XW 10mm, 7mm
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Astro-Tech AT66ED
Celestron Nexstar SE (small)
Televue Plossl 32mm
Smart Astronomy Solar System 14.5mm
BO/TMB Planetary 9mm, 7mm, 5mm, 4mm, 3.2mm, 2.5mm
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Jim7728
Post Laureate
Reged: 04/10/05
Posts: 4009
Loc: Stoop Landing Observatory, NYC
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Quote:
Can you directly switch the CG-5ASGT mount to the Sirius tripod, and vice versa?
Yes.
Doug, I briefly played with a CR-150 on a HEQ5Pro (aka Sirius) head on CG-5AS steel tripod. I'd say it was a little more staple than the CG-5 head. Another words, you still to deal with vibrations at high power, but maybe a litle less so than the CG-5 head.
No experience with the larger Atlas but think it maybe the way to go for the C6-R.
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Jim
TV-76 -40mmHa/5mm BF
Vixen NA-140
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Zebra24601
Postmaster
Reged: 10/09/05
Posts: 7432
Loc: San Gabriel Valley, CA 91770
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Oh! Cute cat!
I also have my Sirius mount head sitting on the 2" CG5 steel tripod legs. And I often have a C11 sitting on top of the whole lot. I just don't have a shot of the set-up and a cute cat to share with you all. 
The Sirius drive motors seem quite powerful. They slew the C11 around with no problem at all, and they do it quietly (particularly in comparison to a CG5 or LXD55). That, by itself, almost makes it worth the price!
But I do need to use 40 pounds of counterweights for the OTA because the Sirius counterweight bar is relatively short. That means hauling around an awful lot of lead! Also, while the narrower "Vixen" style dovetail has not failed me, it definitely seems petite compared to the massive telescope it needs to hold. I'm sure there must be a fair amount of flexing going on, and that probably affects the accuracy of slews a bit.
Nonetheless, the two large set screws the Sirius uses definitely feel more secure than the single large set screw of the CG5. Either way, you'll want to be really careful attaching your OTA, and you'd probably like to be very careful during the first few slews of the night to be sure you don't have an unimaginably painful disaster to have to share with us. 
I sold my CR150HD before I acquired the Sirius, so I never used it on the Sirius. But I am sure the mount could handle it.
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Zebra24601
Meade 8" SCT w/UHTC * Celestron 100ED * Celestron C11 * Barska 15x70 binoculars
Meade LXD55 mount * Orion Sirius goto mount * Bushnell Voyager 4.5" Compact Reflector
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doug76
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 12/05/07
Posts: 2651
Loc: SE Louisiana
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One for, one against. Still, somehow I figure I'm going to wind up with an Atlas anyway. But keep 'em coming. Maybe I won't. Sure wouldn't mind saving some money once in a while!
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Jim7728
Post Laureate
Reged: 04/10/05
Posts: 4009
Loc: Stoop Landing Observatory, NYC
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Not really against, just letting you know improvement as far as vibration time is moderate(but an improvement non the less), IMO. Like Zebra said, stepper motors in Sirius are much more quieter than the CG-5GT.
Also the HEQ5/Sirius is compatible with the 18" SVP extension.
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Jim
TV-76 -40mmHa/5mm BF
Vixen NA-140
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doug76
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 12/05/07
Posts: 2651
Loc: SE Louisiana
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The heads up about the SVP extension is cool, as I have it on my CG-5 right now for the C6R.
I counted you as an "against" because of your more conservative stance on the upgrade, which I respect.
Doug
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