Telescope Reviews: Ode to the CG-5GT

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Equipment Discussions >> Mounts

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Domerman
Just Lucky, I Guess.

Reged: 07/21/07

Loc: PA

Ode to the CG-5GT
#3051762 - 04/18/09 11:19 PM

This mount is simply spectacular. Before I had this mount, I had never ever used any type of gem mount or made exposures longer than 30 seconds. Now I am able to image up to 20 minutes guided and probably much longer with ease thanks to the "all-star" polar alignment routine. I never once drift align or do ANY type of polar alignment routine aside for the all star alignment (which takes about 2 minutes). I figured I would only be able to track for 2-5minutes using this method, but I never thought I can go this deep. I guess the short focal length of my 80ED doesn't hurt

Anyone who is hesitating to buy this mount should just buy it!

At this price point and it's weight class it is truly amazing. I'm in love lol. I never thought I would get my whole setup to work. It looked good to me on paper, but getting it to work is a whole nother story, but it works and I can't be happier. Sorry for my randomness. I'm just so darn happy!

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sang33ta
scholastic sledgehammer

Reged: 07/08/08

Loc: UK

Re: Ode to the CG-5GT new

[Re: Domerman]
#3051783 - 04/18/09 11:30 PM

Noisy but nice

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rmollise
Postmaster

Reged: 07/06/07

Re: Ode to the CG-5GT new

[Re: Domerman]
#3052247 - 04/19/09 09:17 AM

Quote:

This mount is simply spectacular.

Yep...great little mount. While I've got an Atlas here, I still find myself draggin' out the CG5 instead...light, easy to polar align (I never drift anymore either), and capable of takin' sweet pix with my C8.

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rmollise
Postmaster

Reged: 07/06/07

Re: Ode to the CG-5GT new

[Re: sang33ta]
#3052248 - 04/19/09 09:19 AM

Quote:

Noisy but nice

Yeah, I'll admit it grinds a little coffee durin' go-tos (not enough to wake the neighbors despite what some folks say), nice and quiet while trackin', though.

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letimotif
No Complaints

Reged: 05/20/07

Loc: Actually, right here.

Re: Ode to the CG-5GT new

[Re: rmollise]
#3052252 - 04/19/09 09:23 AM

Quote:

(not enough to wake the neighbors despite what some folks say), nice and quiet while trackin', though.

Yeahbut . . . at home the best views are outside under the master bedroom. Wife Acceptance Factor is not optimum. Darn woman has ears like a bat.

Edited by Charlie Hein (04/20/09 01:51 PM)

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wsuriano
super member

Reged: 11/13/07

Re: Ode to the CG-5GT new

[Re: Domerman]
#3052381 - 04/19/09 10:41 AM

Great to hear because I'm having a new one delivered on Wednesday. Couldn't resist $560 price, including shipment. I've got to move everything from my basement to the back yard each time I want to image so I appreciate the weight and quick setup. Is the All Star Polar Alignment the same as on the CGEM?

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Jim Romanski
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 01/02/05

Loc: Guilford, Connecticut

Re: Ode to the CG-5GT new

[Re: wsuriano]
#3052395 - 04/19/09 10:48 AM

Wow! Who has it for $560? I got mine from High Point for $599 incl Shipping.

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rmollise
Postmaster

Reged: 07/06/07

Re: Ode to the CG-5GT new

[Re: letimotif]
#3052459 - 04/19/09 11:34 AM

Quote:

Yeahbut . . . at home the best views are outside under the master bedroom. Wife Acceptance Factor is not optimum. Darn woman has ears like a bat.

You mean she ain't out there observin' _with you_? What's up with that? My EX wife never liked to observe, either.

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rmollise
Postmaster

Reged: 07/06/07

Re: Ode to the CG-5GT new

[Re: wsuriano]
#3052460 - 04/19/09 11:35 AM

Quote:

Great to hear because I'm having a new one delivered on Wednesday. Couldn't resist $560 price, including shipment. I've got to move everything from my basement to the back yard each time I want to image so I appreciate the weight and quick setup. Is the All Star Polar Alignment the same as on the CGEM?

Yes, but you may need to update the HC to get it (easy).

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letimotif
No Complaints

Reged: 05/20/07

Loc: Actually, right here.

Re: Ode to the CG-5GT new

[Re: rmollise]
#3052488 - 04/19/09 11:50 AM

Quote:

You mean she ain't out there observin' _with you_? What's up with that? My EX wife never liked to observe, either.

Naw, she was up 'til 4AM w/me at one site Friday, and 1AM last night at another. But, like right now, she needs a little more sleep than I do. Which reminds me, time to go make some coffee for my best observing buddy.

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wsuriano
super member

Reged: 11/13/07

Re: Ode to the CG-5GT new

[Re: letimotif]
#3052735 - 04/19/09 02:26 PM

Woodland Hills has them for $525 with a flat $35 shipping. OPT matched their price. Apparently, Celestron has removed temporarily the pricing restrictions on some products, the CG-5 being one of them.

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wsuriano
super member

Reged: 11/13/07

Re: Ode to the CG-5GT new

[Re: wsuriano]
#3052816 - 04/19/09 03:03 PM

Uncle Rod:

I should have read your January 2009 Blog Post before asking whether the All Star polar alignment was the same as the CGEM. I'll catch up eventually.

Bill

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Jim Romanski
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 01/02/05

Loc: Guilford, Connecticut

Re: Ode to the CG-5GT new

[Re: rmollise]
#3053399 - 04/19/09 08:13 PM

Quote:

Quote:

Great to hear because I'm having a new one delivered on Wednesday. Couldn't resist $560 price, including shipment. I've got to move everything from my basement to the back yard each time I want to image so I appreciate the weight and quick setup. Is the All Star Polar Alignment the same as on the CGEM?

Yes, but you may need to update the HC to get it (easy).

I just picked up a CG5-GT. Do you have a linky on how to update?

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larryo
super member

Reged: 05/04/07

Loc: Deep south

Re: Ode to the CG-5GT new

[Re: Domerman]
#3054187 - 04/20/09 07:28 AM

I'm with you on the CG5. Just purchased one from Woodland Hills at their price of $525, and got an additional 9.25% off thru their "stimulus" program

. Heckuva price! Should be here on Thursday... as should the clouds. Can't wait.

Larry
New Orleans

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rmollise
Postmaster

Reged: 07/06/07

Re: Ode to the CG-5GT new

[Re: Jim Romanski]
#3054224 - 04/20/09 08:14 AM

Quote:

I just picked up a CG5-GT. Do you have a linky on how to update?

http://nexstarsite.com/OddsNEnds/HCFirmwareUpgradeHowTo.htm

http://nexstarsite.com/OddsNEnds/MCFirmwareUpgradeHowTo.htm

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mclewis1
Thread Killer

Reged: 02/25/06

Loc: New Brunswick, Canada

Re: Ode to the CG-5GT new

[Re: Jim Romanski]
#3054680 - 04/20/09 11:58 AM

Quote:

I just picked up a CG5-GT. Do you have a linky on how to update?

Jim, Uncle Rod got you the info on the how but since you just got the mount you should ask "why"? If it's a new mount don't bother with a firmware upgrade at all especially if it's already at 4.15 (4.16 does nothing for you). If it's below 4.15 then I'd suggest using the mount for a while, getting used to it and only then consider doing the upgrade. Too many folks IMHO rush to change things just because they are "newer" and then spend extra time trying to figure everything out. Build up your experience level, then any changes will usually work out much better.

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rmollise
Postmaster

Reged: 07/06/07

Re: Ode to the CG-5GT new

[Re: mclewis1]
#3054935 - 04/20/09 01:28 PM

Quote:

Jim, Uncle Rod got you the info on the how but since you just got the mount you should ask "why"? If it's a new mount don't bother with a firmware upgrade at all especially if it's already at 4.15

I agree, but there is a good chance it will not be 4.15...

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Jim Romanski
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 01/02/05

Loc: Guilford, Connecticut

Re: Ode to the CG-5GT new

[Re: rmollise]
#3055252 - 04/20/09 03:46 PM

Quote:

Quote:

Jim, Uncle Rod got you the info on the how but since you just got the mount you should ask "why"? If it's a new mount don't bother with a firmware upgrade at all especially if it's already at 4.15

I agree, but there is a good chance it will not be 4.15...

I checked the firmware version last night and it's version 4.13.

Mark - I'm with you. I don't usually run out and flash my PC bios or other firmware just to do it. The main reason I'd like to upgrade it to get the All Star Polar Alignment feature. This is one of the reasons I bought the mount.

I guess I'll have to find some explanation of how to use the All Star Polar Alignment once I upgrade.

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mclewis1
Thread Killer

Reged: 02/25/06

Loc: New Brunswick, Canada

Re: Ode to the CG-5GT new

[Re: Jim Romanski]
#3055317 - 04/20/09 04:18 PM

Jim, the user manual for the 4.15 firmware is the CGEM installation guide. Link For the All Star Alignment you just have to ignore the comments about the CGEM hardware and substitute the equivalent ones for the CG5. The mounts are so close that this is hardly an issue.

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Jim Romanski
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 01/02/05

Loc: Guilford, Connecticut

Re: Ode to the CG-5GT new

[Re: mclewis1]
#3055384 - 04/20/09 04:46 PM

Thanks Mark

And Thanks Rod for the links. I went to the Celestron website and got the file but I was at a loss for how to connect my hand controller to a serial connector. I know I have some old serial cables hanging around but the connector at the bottom of the hand controller is a phone connector. Now I see what I have to get.

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