Telescope Reviews: Celestron VX mount

Hi all, I don't think I have posted on this or any astronomy forum in quite a while. But I too was tapped to beta test the VX mount. I am not an imager, not even close, but I think it safe to say that anyone who liked the ASGT will like the VX even more. Everything about it is a bit nicer, a bit more robust, and of course up to date. It is amazing how the simple, simple addition of an RTC makes it more pleasant to use than its predecessor.

I scanned through the comments above and can answer a couple of questions I think have gone unanswered. The power connector is beside the thread on "south" polar axis cover. The power connector inserts parallel to the polar axis and it uses a connector with a threaded locking nut. The power cord is probably overly generous in length (I suppose for the benefit of those who power off an outlet in their cars) but it is decently heavy duty. It is the first Celestron supplied power cord that I have felt is worth using. To be fair I have not received one in quite a while and they may have upgraded their cords years ago, I remember the old, useless ones.

I've done a fair bit of testing with a Megrez 110 and a Celestron C6R which is counter weighted to move the eyepiece end a bit farther from the ground and comes in at 30 pounds before I add a diagonal or EP. For visual use it handles both of those loads like they aren't even there. So far I have run it down to 12 F (about -10 C) without any issues other than the expected LCD sluggishness. It points at least as accurately as any Celestron mount I own (Nexstar GPS, CGE, ASGT, CGEM), probably a bit better.

I would not say it is quieter than the original, although as Chris said it does have the reduced rate 9.

I think low latitude users will be happy with it. You will have to remove one of the adjustment screws. I believe if you live below about 5 deg you will have to tip the tripod slightly to get CW clearance. However it does adjust down to zero degrees and if you mount it on a permanent pier of small enough diameter it will be completely at home at the equator. Even at 42 degrees C6R owners like me will find that the focuser end of that OTA will crash into tripod legs during slews near the zenith so constant vigilance is required. Because of that I long ago purchased the 16 inch Orion pier extension for my ASGT. Be warned, although the Orion extension sorta fits the new mount and tripod you will have to remove the AZ adjust lugs and the mount head is not properly supported. So don't go there, you won't be happy. However if someone were to come out with a modified version of that pier extension or even just supply a modified upper mount head interface bracket for it you could have a completely portable setup that works fine at zero degrees and is free from long OTA crashes at any latitude. Just a hint to anyone, Celestron included, who owns a telescope mount accessory business....

Even though I don't image I am preparing to try to measure the PE and PEC. Wish me luck, I'm in way over my head! And like Chris my efforts to do more beta testing have been severely hampered by clouds. I've done enough to give it an enthusiastic thumbs up though!

Ken