Telescope Reviews: Re: Buying Celestron CG-5 Mount

Hi Javier,

I've had 2 CG5's and found them to be a great value. The goto's are very accurate when done with a 2+3 alignment routine. The mount can carry a decent payload and I don't think you should have any problems with your 6" f/5 Newtonian (piece of cake...actually

). At one time I put my 6" f/8 Newtonian on my CG5 and it worked very nicely even with it's longer physical length.

I use my current CG5 as my primary imaging platform which has a payload of about 24 lbs. You can see my rig HERE. I use physically short scopes which allows the mount to carry that much load when imaging.

As far as problems go, the main ones seem to be the on-off switch and the power connection, as previously mentioned. I will suggest one more thing which I've seen on several Celestron mounts recently. The hand controller buttons seem to take a little more pressure to get them to react than they should, ie, you have to really mash them down to get a response. On the other hand, even though the buttons on my unit were that way at first, it seems like over time the buttons don't require as much force as they used to...so maybe they just need to be 'broken in' (if that's possible...

)

Regarding periodic error, I've found that my mount is not capable of imaging at longer focal lengths (1000mm +) without throwing out a substantial number of frames...even with autoguiding. Others have had more success than me in that regard, so I don't know if it's my sample or my imaging techniques. I am imaging with good tracking at shorter focal lengths. If you're planning on imaging with the 6" f/5 (750mm focal length) you're probably okay with guiding.

To summarize, for the scope you're considering for the CG5, the mount is quite capable. For the money, it's a very good deal and one of the best mounts going. The hand box software is very mature and the All-Star polar alignment routine is a real time-saver (mainly important if you're imaging). There are a few negatives but they're not insur'mount'able (pun intended

)

Clear skies!

Patrick

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Celestron CPC 1100 XLT
10" f/6 Truss Tube Newtonian
Celestron C6S-GT SCT
AT66ED Refractor
Canon XSi; Meade DSI;SPC900-NC
Vixen GP2 Photo Guider Mount

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