AlienRatDog
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 07/15/05
Posts: 1091
Loc: Ann Arbor
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Hmmmm I wonder if I can put a larger refractor....like DG 6" f/15....
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Abe -- the poor PhD student
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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!
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Starman1
Vendor - Scope City
Reged: 06/24/03
Posts: 12223
Loc: Los Angeles
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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.
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Don Pensack
12.5" Truss Dob, 5" Maksutov, Fujinon Binos
Sustaining Lifetime IDA member
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jrbarnett
Eyepiece Hooligan
Reged: 02/28/06
Posts: 4346
Loc: Petaluma, CA
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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
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"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
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Starman1
Vendor - Scope City
Reged: 06/24/03
Posts: 12223
Loc: Los Angeles
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Quote:
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.
Clarification:
The RCX400 became the LX400 ACF. Whichever label, the line is now no longer in production in the 10-16" fork-mount version.
The LX200 ACF and LX90 ACF ARE in production, but they are moving-mirror f/10 construction, not the f/8, fixed-mirror, version of the RCX400.
The LX400 16" and 20" on the Max GEM is still orderable, though none has been delivered for quite some time.
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Don Pensack
12.5" Truss Dob, 5" Maksutov, Fujinon Binos
Sustaining Lifetime IDA member
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rmollise
Post Laureate
Reged: 07/06/07
Posts: 4579
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Quote:
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?
Yep...a little handbox to run the focus motors and dew heaters...
Hey Meade! 
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Uncle Rod
Rod's New Book:
Choosing and Using a New CAT
Available now!
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jrbarnett
Eyepiece Hooligan
Reged: 02/28/06
Posts: 4346
Loc: Petaluma, CA
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Now upon closer scrutiny of the CGE Pro on the big C's website, the CGE Pro looks like it's composed of cast parts rather than CNC machined parts. Take a look:
http://www.celestron.com/c3/product.php?CatID=75&ProdID=549
If so, it would be cheaper to make, might even be made in Asia along with the CGEM, and perhaps easier to produce in volume as demand matures.
Any country of origin information as of yet?
Regards,
Jim
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"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
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jouster
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 11/27/05
Posts: 819
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Well, Takahashi cast their mounts, don't they? I always assumed they cast the parts then machined them internally for further accuracy, since it seemed to me that a full-cast mount would not have the required precision. Maybe Celestron will be doing the same.
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Neil
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jrbarnett
Eyepiece Hooligan
Reged: 02/28/06
Posts: 4346
Loc: Petaluma, CA
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You're right about Takahashi.
The CGE and the Losmandy mounts are CNC machined rather than cast. It's interesting to see a high capacity cast mount with a bargain price.
I'm hoping we'll see some reviews pretty soon.
Regards,
Jim
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"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
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Bowmoreman
Post Laureate
Reged: 09/11/06
Posts: 3996
Loc: Bolton, MA
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This is all quite compelling, frankly...
I came up on the Mach1GTO and the AP900 lists LAST year, but had to say "no"... I'm guessing I'll come up again this year... but now... with this CGE Pro option (at $5K it'll be significantly less funding) I have to start thinking...
Anyone have any ideas about the RA/DEC motor cable design and layout? I'm thinking that if they aren't internal, what with all them gnarly knobs on the CGE Pro, well, there might be some "hitches"...
That said, I like the solid look of that Altitude adjustment knob... that will be MUCH easier and more precise that the hex wrench approach on my CGE!
clear enough skies
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Dave
Imaging: MI-250+ADM/SBS/Optec Libra: C11Hyperstar,TMB80SS
Visual: XT10i RTP
TV: 31T5,22T4,17T4,12T4,13Ethos,8Ethos;2x Powermate,Paracorr, 1.6X Antares, Hyperion8-24Zoom
Cameras: Mallincam Color Hyper Plus, QHY8
Guider: SBIG STV eFinder
Key Add-ons: Gerbings Heated clothes, WilderSkiesObservatory(BYO#90), Speco 9"Monitor
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CounterWeight
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 10/05/08
Posts: 1298
Loc: PDX chronoplast
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Well the specs state 'rugged 9 pin >thread on< motor control cables' and (I like the) 'tool free polar align'... forged or machined it is a whoppin 154lbs. 2.75" stainless steel legs on tripod... and they specify the "all star" polar align... is this perhaps what the latest CGE software is doing?
Whatever the case - this would tote my load... all my scopes and 'stuff'... and I'd only be in the middle third of the rated max payload... I am thinking there will be a CGE for sale in the near futute?!? This is clearly a step up in many ways - and a bargain compared to other mounts with this rating - again if it is even near the mid 1/3 for imaging weight...
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 - 
CGE (Frankenmount mod.)
Onyx 80ED, Tak FS-128 #02058, TEC APO160ED #030
CCD: Orion SSPDSCIv2, SSI3, SSAG
diags, ep's, tubes, filters, Binocs
My CN Image Gallery
Experience is a difficult teacher, it gives the test first, and gives the lesson later
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hapo
sage
Reged: 03/06/05
Posts: 364
Loc: Europe
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At this weight the CGE PRO is an observatory mount, not portable as the CGE. The CGE can be lifted by one person. How is going to lift 75 lbs on the tripod? That is a 2 men job and not to be done often.
So are there any rumors that the CGE will be improved in the near future?
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CounterWeight
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 10/05/08
Posts: 1298
Loc: PDX chronoplast
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Just going by the ad material (the Details section) it states it comes apart for easy set up and transport... but my CGE isn't exactly lightweight (42 lbs.)[edit - for the mount 'head' and does not come apart. Both would make a good yard monster as my daughter calls them...
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CGE (Frankenmount mod.)
Onyx 80ED, Tak FS-128 #02058, TEC APO160ED #030
CCD: Orion SSPDSCIv2, SSI3, SSAG
diags, ep's, tubes, filters, Binocs
My CN Image Gallery
Experience is a difficult teacher, it gives the test first, and gives the lesson later
Edited by CounterWeight (01/08/09 09:48 PM)
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Bowmoreman
Post Laureate
Reged: 09/11/06
Posts: 3996
Loc: Bolton, MA
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I think we must admit...
It is extremely attractive in its industrial design, no?
I so hate it when I get...
tempted...
clear enough skies
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Dave
Imaging: MI-250+ADM/SBS/Optec Libra: C11Hyperstar,TMB80SS
Visual: XT10i RTP
TV: 31T5,22T4,17T4,12T4,13Ethos,8Ethos;2x Powermate,Paracorr, 1.6X Antares, Hyperion8-24Zoom
Cameras: Mallincam Color Hyper Plus, QHY8
Guider: SBIG STV eFinder
Key Add-ons: Gerbings Heated clothes, WilderSkiesObservatory(BYO#90), Speco 9"Monitor
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supercoolone
member
Reged: 07/25/07
Posts: 93
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Opt Corp is selling the mount for 5k!
And I must admit, its contempo art deco gorgeous!!!
I mean wow!!! To bad I can't afford it.
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Rusty
Postmaster
Reged: 08/06/03
Posts: 17727
Loc: Brooker, FL
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The Celestron website indicates the mount comes apart. I wonder, though, if the "separation" they state is just removing the mount from the head. That "ship's wheel" on the RA axis may have a function in separating the components.
The capacity of 90 lbs....is that for visual or imaging? If visual, the usual 50% puts it at 45 lbs. for imaging, creeping into NJP (55 lbs.) range at 2/3 the cost...
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N11GPS Fastar
TOA-130S
MK66 Std
Vintage C5
Megrez II 80mm ED Triplet APO
SolarMax 40
NJP Temma II
Sirius EQ-G
ST8XE/CFW-8(LRGBHa)/AO-7/DF-2/STV Dlx/ST237a/350D (Unmodded)/Mallincam Color Hyper Plus/DSI III Color/DSI II Pro
Two not-spoiled Golden Retrievers - Maggie and Casey
Sometimes I think we're alone in the universe, and sometimes I think we're not. In either case the idea is quite staggering. - Arthur C. Clarke
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LLEEGE
Running out of Oxygen
Reged: 03/03/05
Posts: 9078
Loc: Cloud-chester,NY
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The NJP will handle much more then 45lbs. for AP.
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"Okay! You draw the straws. I'm-a taking the parachute."
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AlienRatDog
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 07/15/05
Posts: 1091
Loc: Ann Arbor
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I think I may go for my 6" f/15 achro after all....hmmm anyone need a kidney?
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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!
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MichaelW
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 06/03/06
Posts: 1538
Loc: Cartoon City, Nirvana
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Quote:
RS-232 communication port on hand control to control the telescope via a personal computer
Does anyone still make a computer with a serial port? Isn't it time for USB? Yeah I know there is distance limitations but having to get a pile of USB-Serial adapters is just crazy.
Otherwise it is nice to see a new mount in this hole of mount offerings. Back when I wanted to make a mount upgrade it was CGE then a big price jump. $5k is a reasonable price, although when I will be buying a new mount it will probably still be a CGEM so I can use it on remote sites. Although 75 pounds isn't unmanageable to me. And I have been known to change my mind before and I have a long time before I will be making this decision.
Kudo's to Celestron for closing the gap.
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Michael W
Washoe Zephyr: 
Arizona Sky Village: 
I miss my AP1200. 
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