37 replies to this topic

[jeremiah2229]

Celestron nomenclature for the Vixen dovetaill is CG-5. Celestron nomenclature for the Losmandy and this is also the D dovetail plate is CGE. The Nexstar Evolution has the CG-5 saddle so the Celestron 700 Mak will not fit as it uses the CGE dovetail.

 

 

Peace...

[Kim2010]

You need something like this.

 

https://www.admacces...d-series-mount/

So this is okay then?

[jeremiah2229]

That will work, yes.  

 

 

Peace...

[Kim2010]

That will work, yes.  

 

 

Peace...

Thank you!

[Nippon]

I had an Edge 8 with a CGE dovetail, and it fit my GM8 saddle fine. But Celestron updated the AVX mount with a so called dual saddle. The AVX saddle will no work with normal Losmandy D dovetails, only the CGE or a common Vixen dovetail. 

[Nippon]

The Vixen dovetail plate Eddgie shows could be better called a quick release plate. It has no balancing capability. It is however very secure and does lower the scope in the saddle. Oddly, the Celestron CG5 mount is one of the few mounts other than Vixen that works perfectly with the original Vixen plate. The issue is it just won't work with saddles that are more than 3" in length. I have an old SV saddle that uses a jaw rather than a screw to clamp the dovetail and it works fine with the Vixen plate because it is under 3" in length.   

[Jaimo!]

So this is okay then?

If I were you, and I see you have a EQ-5 Pro, I would consider a new ADM Dual Saddle rather than an adapter, it is only a few dollars more and will accept both Vixen and Losmany style dovetails, and then you do not have to fuss with adapters.  Most of my mounts have this type of saddle and it is money well spent.

[azure1961p]

The skywatcher mak has an oversized primary the celestron does not. No? Pete

[Shed9]

The skywatcher mak has an oversized primary the celestron does not. No? Pete

I have the gold version of the Skymax 180 Pro, the mirror on that is the same size as the front meniscus at 180mm and as such true aperture is not 180mm. Not sure if the Celestron (VX700) has a similar quirk although I suspect possibly not as the Skymax gold variant also uses a smaller visual back (you need an adapter) whereas the Celestron supplied component appears to be a proper 2" visual back.

 

So yes I agree there are maks out there with an equal diameter corrector and primary and it's possible the Celestron is one of them but not sure it is based on the above and the relatively recent release of it.

[luxo II]

The ones in Celestron/Orion livery are the same as the Skywatcher “Black Diamond” ones (sparkly black paint OTA with white cells at each end). The gold version was earlier and there were some small differences.

Edited by luxo II, Today, 06:00 AM.

[azure1961p]

Okay then, so why is the skywatcher $500.00 MOTE than the Celestron , both 7" maks?

[Matthew Star]

It depends on where you live.

In the EU the Celestron VX700 is equal to or sometimes much more expensive than the Skymax 180

Edited by Matthew Star, Today, 01:45 PM.

[luxo II]

Ok look at it the other way round.

 

Why is the Celestron one cheaper ?

 

I’d say it has something to do with in the USA,  Celestron is the main recognised brand (along with TV) while the Skywatcher brand is almost unheard of there, and they want to keep the Celestron brand strong in the US. 

 

Then there’s the little trick of locking you into the Celestron ecosystem via the dovetail, so you buy a Celestron mount, instead of being able to mix & match with non-Synta mounts; knowing most won’t disassemble to replace the dovetail.

 

At a guess, maybe 10 Celestrons sold for each SW one. Over here it’s the other way round - most of the 180mm maks are SW ones.

Edited by luxo II, Today, 04:02 PM.