· Get a Cloudy Nights T-Shirt · Submit a Review / Article Click here if you are having trouble logging into the forums Privacy Policy | Please read our Terms of Service | Signup and Troubleshooting FAQ | Problems? PM a Red or a Green Gu… uh, User You are not logged in. [Login] Entrance · Main Index · Search · New user · Who's Online FAQ · Calendar Equipment Discussions >> Mounts Previous   Index   Next   Threaded   Pages: 1 clengman sage Reged: 03/04/11 Loc: Pittsburgh, PA CG-4 modification       #4439887 - 03/10/11 01:09 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I'm thinking about buying my first decent scope sometime in the next year or so (I'm not talking great, I just mean better than my 60mm tasco. I'm planning spend in the $300-500 range for the whole package). In a new scope, I've been looking at the celestron omni xlt 102. (Also considering a midsize dob, but that won't apply to this question) I'm going to look around at used stuff, too and so might be buying my rig piecemeal. The celestron 102 comes on a cg4 mount and if I buy a used OTA it seems like the cg4 would be appropriate for the size scope I'm interested in as well as my budget. I *think* I'd like an eq mount since that will make it a little easier to share my viewing enjoyment with others who have less practice tracking targets manually, but I also like doing some terrestrial viewing and I might try some starhopping which would seem to be easier with an alt az mount. I know for some eqs it's possible to use them in alt-az mode by tilting the polar axis up to 90, but I understand the cg-4 is not meant to be used this way and the polar axis doesn't go past 60. What I'm wondering is: 1) Is there a similarly priced eq mount that would work in alt-az? 2) Has anyone tried modifying a cg-4 to use in this fashion 3) Failing options 1 and 2, is there an alt-az mount with slow motion controls available for a reasonable price? Would the Celestron #93607 (I've seen it described as "medium-duty Alt-az mount" and as "heavy-duty alt-az tripod" but I think they are the same thing) be suitable? Is that mount still being made? It was not easy to find on celestron's website. I had to search for it by product number. It didn't show up in the products menu. I appreciate any info anyone's got to share. Thanks! Carl Post Extras:       Trev scholastic sledgehammer Reged: 12/18/05 Loc: Fort McMurray, AB Re: CG-4 modification [Re: clengman]       #4440089 - 03/10/11 02:25 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Maybe PM oldtimer, he did this recently to his CG-4 Post Extras:       clengman sage Reged: 03/04/11 Loc: Pittsburgh, PA Re: CG-4 modification [Re: Trev]       #4440170 - 03/10/11 02:50 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Thanks Trev. I just sent him a quick message. Carl Post Extras:       Don Trinko Carpal Tunnel Reged: 07/05/09 Loc: Ohio Re: CG-4 modification [Re: clengman]       #4440223 - 03/10/11 03:12 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Celestron has a alt/az for abought $100 that has slow motion controls. It is reasonably stable for a small scope. (under 6 lbs?) As I understand it you can set the latitude for 90 degrees on an EQ mount and it then acts like an alt/az. Don T. Post Extras:       Don Trinko Carpal Tunnel Reged: 07/05/09 Loc: Ohio Re: CG-4 modification [Re: Don Trinko]       #4440232 - 03/10/11 03:14 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I think I have the Celestron you are talking abought. It is decent for the price but the CG4 would be more stable especially if you get a bigger scope. Don T. Post Extras:       avarakin Carpal Tunnel Reged: 07/13/09 Loc: Parsippany NJ, USA Re: CG-4 modification [Re: Don Trinko]       #4441221 - 03/10/11 10:33 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Carl, I suggest to go with a proper CG5 class mount. I remember I was comparing them at some point and CG4 was inferior to CG5 in many respects. You would be surprised of how cheap you can get CG5 class mount. Some examples: -couple of weeks back there was an older Great Polaris mount on S&S for 160 -LXD75 or CG5 Goto are often sold for ~300 on S&S -Meade has refurbished LXD75 for 475 -there are generic versions of CG5 available for around $230 new Alex Post Extras:       clengman sage Reged: 03/04/11 Loc: Pittsburgh, PA Re: CG-4 modification [Re: avarakin]       #4441395 - 03/10/11 11:52 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Just got a reply from oldtimer. He says with a little bit of filing it's possible to set the CG-4 in an alt-az configuration and that it works pretty well for him. I'm not sure what type of scope he's using on that mount. Avarakin - I've heard of that generic cg5 mount. Where would one look for it? thanks Carl Post Extras:       avarakin Carpal Tunnel Reged: 07/13/09 Loc: Parsippany NJ, USA Re: CG-4 modification [Re: clengman]       #4441425 - 03/11/11 12:19 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Carl, I am not seeing them sold separately nowadays, but I see it is sold with an 8" scope: http://cgi.ebay.com/New-8-Reflector-Telescope-Dual-Motor-Drive-Tripod-/130473871017?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1e60d946a9 I have no idea how good or bad this scope is. Maybe you need to talk to vendor about getting mount only. I think your best bet would be to give an ad on S&S - "WTB CG5 class mount" and wait till someone replies, maybe you will have to bump it couple of times. Alex Post Extras:       clengman sage Reged: 03/04/11 Loc: Pittsburgh, PA Re: CG-4 modification [Re: avarakin]       #4441492 - 03/11/11 12:57 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Thanks for the tip. I'll definitely consider that when I'm ready to buy. I'm still not completely sold on the cg5 over the cg4, though. What's the difference in weight between the two? I think the cg5 is 42 lb. I haven't seen a figure for the cg4. I know I don't want something that's *too* light, but I am looking for something that will be easy to maneuver in and out of the house. Post Extras:       avarakin Carpal Tunnel Reged: 07/13/09 Loc: Parsippany NJ, USA Re: CG-4 modification [Re: clengman]       #4441507 - 03/11/11 01:14 AM Attachment (28 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I dont remember exactly what was the issue with CG4. I drag the entire imaging setup as one piece, comprised of LXD75, 5" reflector, netbook, DSLR: Post Extras:       Pages: 1 Previous   Index   Next   Threaded   Extra information 23 registered and 20 anonymous users are browsing this forum. Moderator:  Bowmoreman, bilgebay, iceblaze  Print Thread Forum Permissions       You cannot start new topics       You cannot reply to topics       HTML is disabled       UBBCode is enabled Thread views: 767 Jump to *Announcements and News* -----   Cloudy Nights Announcements   Discussion of CN Articles, Reviews, and Reports   Celestial Events*General Astronomy* -----   Beginners Forum   General Observing and Astronomy   Outreach   Light Pollution*Equipment Discussions* -----   ATM, Optics and DIY Forum   Binoculars   Binoviewers   Cats & Casses   Classic Telescopes   Equipment   Eyepieces   Mounts   Observatories   Reflectors   Refractors    Video and Electronically Assisted Astronomy*Astrophotography and Sketching* -----   Beginning and Intermediate Imaging   Film Astrophotography   DSLR & Digital Camera Astro Imaging & Processing   CCD Imaging & Processing   Solar System Imaging & Processing   Sketching   Astro Imaging/Sketching Contest *Observing* -----   NEO   Planetary and Solar System Observing   Lunar Observing   Deep Sky Observing   Double Star Observing   Solar   Variable Star Observing and Radio Astronomy*Telescope Specific Forums* -----   Celestron NexStar    NexStar GPS / CPC Telescopes   Questar Forum   Meade ACF/RCX / LX / GPS    Meade ETX*Speciality Forums* -----   Arizona Science and Astronomy Expo   NEAF (Northeast Astronomy Forum) and NEAIC (Northeast Astro Imaging Conference)   AstroArt   Astronomy Clubs and Star Parties   Astronomy Software & Computers   AstroWebsites   Science! Astronomy & Space Exploration, and Others   Space Rocks   Stellar Media*Swap and Shop* -----   Shop and Swap Audio Components*CN Feedback and Vendor Announcements* -----   Vendor and Group Announcements*International Year of Astronomy 2009 - Forums are now closed.* -----   IYA Archive Info CN Forums Home

Cloudy Nights LLC Cloudy Nights Sponsor: Astronomics