Telescope Reviews: CG5 w/o motor .... what to do?

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generalsteve
member

Reged: 10/06/08

Loc: So Cal

CG5 w/o motor .... what to do?
#3017242 - 04/01/09 02:37 AM

Well, my Celestron CG5 came in the mail today. For the time being, it will be used with a 6" Newtonian. My excitement was cut short when I realized that it came without any motors. So much for surprises.

Is there an additional motor kit that I can buy? Ultimately, I'm interested in guided astrophotography. Any suggestions? I saw something online about a Goto upgrade kit from iOptron but couldn't find any (favorable) reviews on it.

Thanks

Post Extras:

bdjeep
sage

Reged: 01/29/07

Loc: Bolton, MA

Re: CG5 w/o motor .... what to do? new

[Re: generalsteve]
#3017679 - 04/01/09 10:49 AM

I'd sell the CG5 and buy the computerized version (ASGT). They come up for sale for $550-$600 from time to time. Either that or save your pennies for a CGEM, which might be a bit more stable under your 6" newt.

Post Extras:

Applal
sage

Reged: 01/23/06

Loc: Appleton, WI

Re: CG5 w/o motor .... what to do? new

[Re: bdjeep]
#3018321 - 04/01/09 03:42 PM

I'd wholeheartedly agree with bdjeep. Sell what you bought and buy the ASGT-CG-5... I would be very adequate for your scope and intended use.
One just came up for sale in the Shop/Swap section today!
Good luck!

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watcher
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 11/21/07

Loc: St. Louis, MO

Re: CG5 w/o motor .... what to do? new

[Re: generalsteve]
#3019169 - 04/01/09 11:00 PM

If you paid 250.00 or less, you can get the iOptron here , and still have a full featured GOTO for less than an ASGT. Haven't tried my gotonova yet, but i'm looking forward to it. In some ways it's better than Celestron, and in some ways, it's not as good, but it is an intuitive full featured goto.

Joe

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neptun2
professor emeritus

Reged: 03/04/07

Loc: Bulgaria

Re: CG5 w/o motor .... what to do? new

[Re: watcher]
#3019318 - 04/02/09 01:26 AM

As far as i know cg5 is identical to skywatcher eq5. For eq5 skywatcher sells goto upgrade kit. I don't know if celestron sells such a kit but the skywatcher kit is quite expensive at least here in europe.

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94bamf
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 12/15/08

Loc: Kansas City,Mo

Re: CG5 w/o motor .... what to do? new

[Re: neptun2]
#3019333 - 04/02/09 01:44 AM

Where exactly do you buy a CG-5 without all the motors and computer goodies? I would love to buy a good manual EQ mount for less than half the price of the CG-5 ASGT..

Ken

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watcher
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 11/21/07

Loc: St. Louis, MO

Re: CG5 w/o motor .... what to do? new

[Re: 94bamf]
#3019389 - 04/02/09 03:13 AM

Quote:

Where exactly do you buy a CG-5 without all the motors and computer goodies? I would love to buy a good manual EQ mount for less than half the price of the CG-5 ASGT..

Ken

Not exactly half price, but here ya go. manual cg-5

Joe

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94bamf
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 12/15/08

Loc: Kansas City,Mo

Re: CG5 w/o motor .... what to do? new

[Re: watcher]
#3019625 - 04/02/09 08:41 AM

Quote:

Quote:

Where exactly do you buy a CG-5 without all the motors and computer goodies? I would love to buy a good manual EQ mount for less than half the price of the CG-5 ASGT..

Ken

Not exactly half price, but here ya go. manual cg-5

Joe

That looks almost exactly like the Celestron CG-4 mount that I already own. The CG-5 has 2 inch tripod legs, while this mount appears to have 1.75 inch just like the CG-4. Obviously for the price, it would be stupid on my part to not spend the extra $200 and get all the goodies with the ASGT.

Ken

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generalsteve
member

Reged: 10/06/08

Loc: So Cal

Re: CG5 w/o motor .... what to do? new

[Re: 94bamf]
#3019987 - 04/02/09 12:52 PM

I'd be happy to part ways with this mount, if you are sincerely interested.

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94bamf
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 12/15/08

Loc: Kansas City,Mo

Re: CG5 w/o motor .... what to do? new

[Re: generalsteve]
#3020108 - 04/02/09 02:00 PM

Quote:

I'd be happy to part ways with this mount, if you are sincerely interested.

I am sincerely interested, but after some recent purchases, my wallet and my wife disagree with me..

Ken

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Eddgie
Postmaster

Reged: 02/01/06

Re: CG5 w/o motor .... what to do? new

[Re: generalsteve]
#3020238 - 04/02/09 03:06 PM

Do you NEED go-to? I mean were you EXPECTING Go-to when you bought the mount? Or were you just expecting it to have a motor drive?

You can buy just a RA motor and control box for the CG5. They can usually be bought used for $50 or $60 for JUST the RA drive. If you want dual drives (Dec axis AND RA), you can buy NEW for $150 or less, and probably used for much less.

As others have said, if you actually wish to get Go-to, then it may be cheaper to just sell the mount and buy a Go-to mount.

But if you just want a motor drive for light duty imaging, then a RA drive and controller is all you need, and they are cheap.

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watcher
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 11/21/07

Loc: St. Louis, MO

Re: CG5 w/o motor .... what to do? new

[Re: 94bamf]
#3021100 - 04/02/09 11:31 PM

Quote:

That looks almost exactly like the Celestron CG-4 mount that I already own. The CG-5 has 2 inch tripod legs, while this mount appears to have 1.75 inch just like the CG-4. Obviously for the price, it would be stupid on my part to not spend the extra $200 and get all the goodies with the ASGT.

Ken

Has the thinner legs, but is a CG-5. Note the 25lb. weght capacity.

Regards,
Joe

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bdjeep
sage

Reged: 01/29/07

Loc: Bolton, MA

Re: CG5 w/o motor .... what to do? new

[Re: watcher]
#3021602 - 04/03/09 09:33 AM

Older CG5 mounts used to have the 1.75" legs. I believe the 2 inch legs came during the ASGT era and possibly after the manual version was discontinued. I don't think you'll find the manual version with the 2 inch legs, but I could be wrong.

Post Extras:

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