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Equipment Discussions >> Mounts

Pages: 1

kepler22
member

Reged: 12/31/12

How good is the CGE PRO mount
#5693142 - 02/21/13 05:04 PM

i have a cgem dx but its just not strong enough
for my scope the cge pro is perfect and i hear
the motors are great and its very cheap for a
massive mount and its a celestron so easy to use
i know the tracking would be a better that a
cgem dx i know some people dont like the grips
and silly things like that but thats not what
counts its not a lx-800 is it.

Post Extras:

hcsceo
super member

Reged: 10/14/09

Loc: Austin, TX

Re: How good is the CGE PRO mount new

[Re: kepler22]
#5693214 - 02/21/13 05:44 PM

What scope are you mounting?

Post Extras:

kepler22
member

Reged: 12/31/12

Re: How good is the CGE PRO mount new

[Re: hcsceo]
#5693226 - 02/21/13 05:53 PM

william optics 152mm apo

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jrbarnett
Eyepiece Hooligan

Reged: 02/28/06

Loc: Petaluma, CA

Re: How good is the CGE PRO mount new

[Re: kepler22]
#5693635 - 02/21/13 09:57 PM

I think the CGE Pro is a *BLEEP* shoot, frankly, on the quality front. At $5k you'd be better off with an A-P Mach 1 for that OTA. As a bonus it's very transportable which the CGE Pro is not.

I'm really surprised that your CGEM DX is struggling with that OTA. What specifically is the mount not able to do? What leads you to conclude that it's "not strong enough"? There may be much simpler and cheaper fixes that a new mount, such as VSPs and a Hargreaves strut.

Regards,

Jim

Post Extras:

wolfman_4_ever
Pooh-Bah

Reged: 07/15/11

Loc: El Segundo, Ca, So. Cal

Re: How good is the CGE PRO mount new

[Re: jrbarnett]
#5693761 - 02/21/13 11:22 PM

Post Extras:

EFT
Vendor - Deep Space Products

Reged: 05/07/07

Loc: Phoenix, AZ

Re: How good is the CGE PRO mount new

[Re: wolfman_4_ever]
#5694394 - 02/22/13 10:28 AM

I would also have to ask exactly what problems you are having. The CGEM DX should be able to handle that scope without trouble really. The CGE Pro would be a lot of overkill for that scope.

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rmollise
Postmaster

Reged: 07/06/07

Re: How good is the CGE PRO mount new

[Re: jrbarnett]
#5694639 - 02/22/13 12:42 PM

Quote:

I think the CGE Pro is a *BLEEP* shoot, frankly, on the quality front. At $5k you'd be better off with an A-P Mach 1 for that OTA. As a bonus it's very transportable which the CGE Pro is not.

I'm really surprised that your CGEM DX is struggling with that OTA. What specifically is the mount not able to do? What leads you to conclude that it's "not strong enough"? There may be much simpler and cheaper fixes that a new mount, such as VSPs and a Hargreaves strut.

Regards,

Jim

The problem with that idea is that an AP Mach 1 is not 5k. It's almost 6500 before you buy a tripod, etc., etc.

That said, if the buyer can swing that, I'd prefer the Mach 1 as well. The problems with the CGE Pro are not krap-shoot quality. The quality is and has been pretty consistently good for a while. The problems are that it is heavy and tall, with its electronics pier. OTOH, that is a plus for refractor users, I suppose...

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orlyandico
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 08/10/09

Loc: Singapore

Re: How good is the CGE PRO mount new

[Re: rmollise]
#5694725 - 02/22/13 01:19 PM

since celestron is now guaranteeing the PE of the CGE Pro, perhaps it's a better idea. i did think about this mount, since it has the great nexstar software, but the massive weight turned me off.

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kepler22
member

Reged: 12/31/12

Re: How good is the CGE PRO mount new

[Re: jrbarnett]
#5694849 - 02/22/13 02:25 PM

Quote:

I think the CGE Pro is a *BLEEP* shoot, frankly, on the quality front. At $5k you'd be better off with an A-P Mach 1 for that OTA. As a bonus it's very transportable which the CGE Pro is not.

I'm really surprised that your CGEM DX is struggling with that OTA. What specifically is the mount not able to do? What leads you to conclude that it's "not strong enough"? There may be much simpler and cheaper fixes that a new mount, such as VSPs and a Hargreaves strut.

Regards,

Jim

jr im at 36lbs when i weighted it and the cgem dx
is 50lbs so can any of you guys tell me why a
cge pro is overkill i have only have 14lbs to spare
i have it on a pier so weight is not a issue.

i might holdout until the new EQ-8 comes out and
see what its like but i hate skywatcher software
and why would i go from a mount that holds 50lbs
to one that holds 45lbs and 1500 dollers more.

Edited by kepler22 (02/22/13 02:53 PM)

Post Extras:

EFT
Vendor - Deep Space Products

Reged: 05/07/07

Loc: Phoenix, AZ

Re: How good is the CGE PRO mount new

[Re: kepler22]
#5694907 - 02/22/13 02:54 PM

Quote:

jr im at 36lbs when i weighted it and the cgem dx
is 50lbs so can any of you guys tell me why a
cge pro is overkill i have only have 14lbs to spare
i have it on a pier so weight is not a issue.

The questions are, what are you trying to do, visual, astrophotography or both, and exactly what problems are you having? F/8 is starting to get a bit long in focal length, but for visual use it should not be a problem on the CGEM DX. For astrophotography purposes, if you are going to be adding a bunch more gear to the scope and pushing up closer to 50 pounds, then you could have trouble.

If the mount is struggling with just the scope, then it is likely not well balanced (a common problem with the CGEM/DX) and possibly not well adjusted. These issues will cause trouble, particularly with AP. Yes, the CGE Pro is a better mount with a higher capacity, but it is unclear from what you have posted so far as to whether you have any need for it. In addition, the CGE Pro is not trouble free.

Post Extras:

Stew57
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 05/03/09

Loc: Silsbee Texas

Re: How good is the CGE PRO mount new

[Re: EFT]
#5694970 - 02/22/13 03:20 PM

The EQ8 has a 50 kg 110lb capacity vs 90lb for the CGE pro.

Post Extras:

Bill W.
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 10/09/05

Loc: Western PA, USA

Re: How good is the CGE PRO mount new

[Re: Stew57]
#5697844 - 02/24/13 07:03 AM

The CGE Pro is quite a beast. Mine is observatory mounted. But, if I were using it in the field, I would probably get a couple of inches taken off of the tripod legs. I am 6'4" and with the stock tripod I need something to stand on to mount it. I've only used it 3-4 times since I bought it due to weather. Initial performance has been pretty good. But, honestly I've not had a chance to really evaluate it by the numbers. Like others have asked.... the CGEM DX should be able to handle your scope. You also missed the $1000 off the CGE Pro's...

-Bill

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