Telescope Reviews: Celestron CI700

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Equipment Discussions >> Mounts

Pages: 1

Joe Bruessow
sage

Reged: 05/31/04

Celestron CI700
#3108620 - 05/16/09 01:07 PM

I have a chance to get a CI700 mount for imaging... the problem is I have no idea what it is worth in today's market. Any ideas?

Also, any tips on a goto system for it would be appreced.
Thanks...

Post Extras:

jrcrilly
Refractor wienie no more

Reged: 04/30/03

Loc: NE Ohio

Re: Celestron CI700 new

[Re: Joe Bruessow]
#3108629 - 05/16/09 01:11 PM

Hi, Joe!

With drives but no encoders a nice CI-700 goes for around $1000-$1200 (and it's a LOT of mount for that kind of money). Encoders would push it to $1200-$1300.

I'm considering rigging an SS2K to mine.

Edited by jrcrilly (05/16/09 01:13 PM)

Post Extras:

Joe Bruessow
sage

Reged: 05/31/04

Re: Celestron CI700 new

[Re: jrcrilly]
#3108660 - 05/16/09 01:26 PM

Thanks John...

BTW, did you pick up a Paramount last month?

Joe

Post Extras:

Eddgie
Postmaster

Reged: 02/01/06

Re: Celestron CI700 new

[Re: Joe Bruessow]
#3108670 - 05/16/09 01:32 PM

I have seen these sell for as little as $900 with no encoders, and as little as $1200 with encoders AND Celestron DSC.

Be aware that the Ci700 does NOT have a tripod adjustable for height. Some had an aftermarket height adjustment kit, and if you can find one, it may be something you would want if you are using it for a big refractor.

Don't image so I can't say much about the PE, but otherwise, the Ci700 is a fairly good mount. The clutches can be fiddly, but they are otherwise good, sturdy mounts.

I have seen people convert these with Autostar motors.

Post Extras:

Al Canarelli
Post Laureate

Reged: 12/06/07

Loc: Central New Jersey

Re: Celestron CI700 new

[Re: jrcrilly]
#3108678 - 05/16/09 01:39 PM

Probably one of the most under rated mounts in astronomy! It's true that the mount is not perfect, I think it was brought to market prematurely, as it still had a few rough edges. Nevertheless, all of the mounts's less than stellar features are easily corrected with a little work and a few bucks here and there.

As I recall, there were 3 problems that cried for immediate attention...2 with the tripod and 1 with the mount. The tripod was just too tall for anyone less than 6' 6" and the legs had no means to adjust level or adjust height. This is corrected by (a) cutting down the tripod tubes about 6 to 8" and (b) by adding adjustable sliding leg sections for adjustment. (If anyone is interested in learning how this is done, let me know and I'll point you in the right direction) Finally those delicate 5 pin connectors that Celestron used on this mount NEED protection.

Post Extras:

jrcrilly
Refractor wienie no more

Reged: 04/30/03

Loc: NE Ohio

Re: Celestron CI700 new

[Re: Joe Bruessow]
#3108679 - 05/16/09 01:39 PM

Quote:

Thanks John...

BTW, did you pick up a Paramount last month?

Joe

I'm innocent, Joe. I'm too cheap for one of those!

Post Extras:

Joe Bruessow
sage

Reged: 05/31/04

Re: Celestron CI700 new

[Re: jrcrilly]
#3108719 - 05/16/09 01:57 PM

Thanks to everyone for the insights. BTW John, do you think the mount is almost marginal for visual use with a C14?

Thanks...
Joe

Post Extras:

jrcrilly
Refractor wienie no more

Reged: 04/30/03

Loc: NE Ohio

Re: Celestron CI700 new

[Re: Joe Bruessow]
#3108798 - 05/16/09 02:34 PM

Quote:

Thanks to everyone for the insights. BTW John, do you think the mount is almost marginal for visual use with a C14?

Thanks...
Joe

I'll find out. There's one sitting on my CI-700 right now, but I haven't been able to try it yet. I suspect it'll be just good enough. The 178ED was way too much for it.

Post Extras:

Al Canarelli
Post Laureate

Reged: 12/06/07

Loc: Central New Jersey

Re: Celestron CI700 new

[Re: jrcrilly]
#3109006 - 05/16/09 04:36 PM Attachment (39 downloads)

Thanks to everyone for the insights. BTW John, do you think the mount is almost marginal for visual use with a C14?

Thanks...
Joe
============================================================
I use the CI700 exclusively with my C-14 and never had a problem...

Post Extras:

Eddgie
Postmaster

Reged: 02/01/06

Re: Celestron CI700 new

[Re: Al Canarelli]
#3109157 - 05/16/09 05:58 PM

The Ci700 is almost identical to the CGE in terms of size, weight, and capacity. The biggest difference is that the CGE is Go-to and of course the Tripod is adjustable.

The C14 is however a lot of scope for even the CGE. It works well enough visually, but if you were going to image, I think that you would be pushing it.

Post Extras:

Joe Bruessow
sage

Reged: 05/31/04

Re: Celestron CI700 new

[Re: Eddgie]
#3109197 - 05/16/09 06:22 PM

Quote:

The Ci700 is almost identical to the CGE in terms of size, weight, and capacity. The biggest difference is that the CGE is Go-to and of course the Tripod is adjustable.

The C14 is however a lot of scope for even the CGE. It works well enough visually, but if you were going to image, I think that you would be pushing it.

Hi Eddgie...

Thanks for your thoughts... I would not be using the scope for imaging (although I have used a C14 for imaging a few years ago... but on a much bigger mount).

Thanks again...

Edited by Joe Bruessow (05/16/09 06:23 PM)

Post Extras:

Joe Bruessow
sage

Reged: 05/31/04

Re: Celestron CI700 new

[Re: Al Canarelli]
#3109201 - 05/16/09 06:24 PM

Quote:

Thanks to everyone for the insights. BTW John, do you think the mount is almost marginal for visual use with a C14?

Thanks...
Joe
============================================================
I use the CI700 exclusively with my C-14 and never had a problem...

Thanks Al... glad someone has had success!

Post Extras:

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