Telescope Reviews: CGEM originality question

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zawijava
scholastic sledgehammer

Reged: 10/06/07

Loc: Wells, Maine 04090

CGEM originality question
#3025647 - 04/05/09 12:55 PM

Can anyone clarify for me, is the new Celestron CGEM mount a original design from Celestron or is it a clone of an existing mount already on the market? If cloned, did Celestron make any changes/upgrades to the design that enhances performance/reliability/functionality etc?

thanks, Tim

Post Extras:

jrcrilly
Refractor wienie no more

Reged: 04/30/03

Loc: NE Ohio

Re: CGEM originality question new

[Re: zawijava]
#3025746 - 04/05/09 01:42 PM

It's a clone of a clone of a Tak EM-200. As with most clones, it sells for much less than the original (in this case, it's about 1/4 the price) so I wouldn't look for much in the way of enhancements over the original. On the other hand, it has a dramatically more modern and powerful controller than the other clone, at a similar price. I consider that a substantial enhancement.

Post Extras:

Scott in NC
Mad Hatter

Reged: 03/05/05

Loc: NC

Re: CGEM originality question new

[Re: jrcrilly]
#3025827 - 04/05/09 02:20 PM

Quote:

It's a clone of a clone of a Tak EM-200.

John, what was the "original clone" of the Tak EM-200?

Post Extras:

WadeH237
scholastic sledgehammer

Reged: 02/24/07

Loc: Snohomish, WA

Re: CGEM originality question new

[Re: Scott in NC]
#3026189 - 04/05/09 05:26 PM

Quote:

Quote:

It's a clone of a clone of a Tak EM-200.

John, what was the "original clone" of the Tak EM-200?

The Atlas.

Post Extras:

zawijava
scholastic sledgehammer

Reged: 10/06/07

Loc: Wells, Maine 04090

Re: CGEM originality question new

[Re: jrcrilly]
#3026194 - 04/05/09 05:28 PM

Quote:

It's a clone of a clone of a Tak EM-200. As with most clones, it sells for much less than the original (in this case, it's about 1/4 the price) so I wouldn't look for much in the way of enhancements over the original. On the other hand, it has a dramatically more modern and powerful controller than the other clone, at a similar price. I consider that a substantial enhancement.

Thanks for that clarification. I've owned many Tak mounts and scopes including at one point a EM200, and loved them all. I keep my Astro budget allot slimmer now-a-days and the CGEM price is attractive. I have been very pleased with all the Celestron SCT's I've had, at least one of each size right up through to the C-14, but never owned a Celestron mount. I'm wondering what disappointments await me should I buy a clone of a clone

Tim

Post Extras:

Scott in NC
Mad Hatter

Reged: 03/05/05

Loc: NC

Re: CGEM originality question new

[Re: WadeH237]
#3026211 - 04/05/09 05:34 PM

Quote:

Quote:

John, what was the "original clone" of the Tak EM-200?

The Atlas.

Ah...should have guessed! Thanks, Wade.

Post Extras:

mclewis1
Thread Killer

Reged: 02/25/06

Loc: New Brunswick, Canada

Re: CGEM originality question new

[Re: Scott in NC]
#3026273 - 04/05/09 06:05 PM

"Clone" is probably not the best term to use as most folks think that there is something derogatory about a clone of a product. Plus a "clone" would be an exact copy and that's definitely not the case here.

A CGEM is undoubtedly a slightly improved derivative of the Atlas/EQ-6. Heavier/larger saddle (Losmandy D type), better hand controller (NexStar), better alt/az adjustment controls (knobs), etc. These things are generally what you would consider to be evolutionary improvements (much like the EQ-6N or whatever it's called).

Post Extras:

rmollise
Postmaster

Reged: 07/06/07

Re: CGEM originality question new

[Re: zawijava]
#3027218 - 04/06/09 08:30 AM

Quote:

Can anyone clarify for me, is the new Celestron CGEM mount a original design from Celestron or is it a clone of an existing mount already on the market? If cloned, did Celestron make any changes/upgrades to the design that enhances performance/reliability/functionality etc?

thanks, Tim

It is an update to Celestron's parent company Synta's other popular mount, the EQ6 (aka "Atlas"). The Atlas was...er..."inspired" by Takahashi.

Post Extras:

zawijava
scholastic sledgehammer

Reged: 10/06/07

Loc: Wells, Maine 04090

Re: CGEM originality question new

[Re: rmollise]
#3028349 - 04/06/09 06:00 PM

Quote:

Quote:

Can anyone clarify for me, is the new Celestron CGEM mount a original design from Celestron or is it a clone of an existing mount already on the market? If cloned, did Celestron make any changes/upgrades to the design that enhances performance/reliability/functionality etc?

thanks, Tim

It is an update to Celestron's parent company Synta's other popular mount, the EQ6 (aka "Atlas"). The Atlas was...er..."inspired" by Takahashi.

I like your choice of words

I wonder what Takahashi would call it

Post Extras:

Charlie Hein
Postmaster

Reged: 11/02/03

Loc: 26.06.08N, +80.23.08W

Re: CGEM originality question new

[Re: zawijava]
#3028763 - 04/06/09 09:28 PM

There's almost nothing entirely new under the sun...

Post Extras:

Moggi1964
Vendor - Astro Laugh

Reged: 11/07/05

Loc: Madison. NJ. USA

Re: CGEM originality question new

[Re: zawijava]
#3030782 - 04/07/09 09:15 PM

Quote:

Quote:

Quote:

Can anyone clarify for me, is the new Celestron CGEM mount a original design from Celestron or is it a clone of an existing mount already on the market? If cloned, did Celestron make any changes/upgrades to the design that enhances performance/reliability/functionality etc?

thanks, Tim

It is an update to Celestron's parent company Synta's other popular mount, the EQ6 (aka "Atlas"). The Atlas was...er..."inspired" by Takahashi.

I like your choice of words
I wonder what Takahashi would call it

Flattery

Post Extras:

Luigi
Postmaster

Reged: 07/03/07

Loc: MA

Re: CGEM originality question new

[Re: Moggi1964]
#3032016 - 04/08/09 12:53 PM

What can possibly be new about a GEM?

Post Extras:

hydrogia
sage

Reged: 01/09/09

Re: CGEM originality question new

[Re: Luigi]
#3032541 - 04/08/09 05:13 PM

Nothing as far as the basic principle is concerned. Just like the wheel. But there are new developments in tires all the time.

You could make it out of high tech ceramics or eventually carbon nano-tubes. Give it a small polar scope camera and some servos, and it would accurately polar align itself no matter where you were.

Heck, if we could get anti-gravity technology sorted, it would be able to remain at the exact height and position you specify. Similar to how an optical mouse uses patterns to translate it's position to cursor movement. Except with remaining still rather than moving.

So to answer the question: lots of things, when the time is right.

And to comment on the parent statement: there are very little new concepts, most still in the heads of us dreamers. But there are lots of yet-to-be-developed things that many would consider 'new'.

The CGEM itself not to be one of them, although "All Star" is a pretty new development.

Post Extras:

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