· 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 Astrophotography and Sketching >> Beginning and Intermediate Imaging Previous   Index   Next   Threaded   Pages: 1 paul sage Reged: 04/14/05 Loc: pa Astrotrac or CG-5       #5650786 - 01/29/13 05:23 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Hello, I have a quick question .I am just starting out in AP and I have a chance to get one of these mounts... Which one do think I should I get??? I can't decide... A CG-5 is a great stable platform but not very travel friendly... An Astrotrac is just way cool... but twice as expensive.. HELP!!! Edited by paul (01/29/13 05:36 PM) Post Extras:       Patrick Postmaster Reged: 05/16/03 Loc: Franklin, Ohio Re: Astrotrac or CG-5 [Re: paul]       #5652582 - 01/30/13 03:42 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   What are you planning on putting on it? There are a number of pros and cons to either setup. Tell us more about what you'd like to accomplish. Regards, Patrick Post Extras:       ghataa professor emeritus Reged: 06/20/11 Loc: Central, NJ Re: Astrotrac or CG-5 [Re: Patrick]       #5652813 - 01/30/13 05:19 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   The two aren't really in the same class. Astrotrac being much more portable but without goto. CG5 is an entry level GEM that is more of a hassle to travel with (ie air travel). As Patrick said, what do you want to achieve with either of them? Other travel systems include the Vixen Polarie (the lightest) and the new iOptron SmartEq Pro (GEM). Best, George Post Extras:       HenryV1598 member Reged: 09/01/10 Loc: Houston Re: Astrotrac or CG-5 [Re: ghataa]       #5656769 - 02/01/13 05:00 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   If you're Looking at the CG-5, I'd recommend looking again at the new Advanced VX. Apparently they did a bit of a redesign on the CG-5, updated its electronics and gearing, and dropped the initial price (the CG-5 used to run $1,000, the AVX is listed at $800). Though I've not seen one in action, the reviews I have seen are pretty favorable, and it looks like the AVX fixed some of the gripes CG-5 users (like myself) have had. As other posters have said, though, its all a mater of what you want to do with it. I find my CG-5 is good for planetary and lunar photography, and limited deep-sky. If I don't have any wind at all and a really good alignment, I can usually get a 30 second exposure without much problem. Anything more than that and my stars tend to be more egg-shaped (or worse!). I've had no luck with guiding on this mount (though I know some have). All-in-all, I can't recommend a CG-5 for deep-sky AP. (I'm sure I'll get some replies to the contrary). I do think my CG-5 is great for visual work with up to an 8" scope. My GoTo's are spot-on once properly aligned (and balanced) and it tracks nicely for visual work. Its also not too big to easily transport in a car. If you're really interested in deep sky work, I'd recommend upping your budget and getting into the CGEM/Atlas-EQ range. That's where I'm going soon. Anyway, just my $0.02. Your mileage may vary. Post Extras:       Alex McConahay Carpal Tunnel Reged: 08/11/08 Loc: Moreno Valley, CA Re: Astrotrac or CG-5 [Re: HenryV1598]       #5657795 - 02/02/13 09:43 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   As all the others have said....figure out what you plan to put on it and then decide. Neither mount is an astrophotography mount in the long run. Yes, you can take great pictures with either, but the Astrotrac compromises a lot to get that portability. And the CG-5 type class of mounts are eventually replaced by those getting seriously into imaging. Go to a few star parties and see what people are really using before making any decisions. You will find both CG5 and Astrotraks out there----but neither will be the mount of choice for those who are really into the imaging thing. Alex Post Extras:       dickbill professor emeritus Reged: 09/30/08 Re: Astrotrac or CG-5 [Re: Alex McConahay]       #5658132 - 02/02/13 01:15 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   "Astrotrac being much more portable but without goto" is it true? then you are missing a lot. Post Extras:       Hikari scholastic sledgehammer Reged: 01/05/11 Loc: Maine, USA Re: Astrotrac or CG-5 [Re: dickbill]       #5659160 - 02/03/13 12:01 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Well, I started with a GEM, but it was so hard to move around and setup that I never really used it. I went to an AstroTrac and it was just a lot of fun. Easy to setup and easy to transport. I have now gone to a Vixen Polarie because that suits what I need more. If you end up going to a GEM, the CG5 is easy to outgrow. The AstroTrac can also be a second travel mount or dedicated wide-field mount. So even if you eventually go to a large setup, you may find the AstroTrac handy. Remember, you can't have enough gear... Post Extras:       Pages: 1 Previous   Index   Next   Threaded   Extra information 15 registered and 25 anonymous users are browsing this forum. Moderator:  Undermidnight, fishonkevin  Print Thread Forum Permissions       You cannot start new topics       You cannot reply to topics       HTML is disabled       UBBCode is enabled Thread views: 471 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