6 replies to this topic

[OzSteve]

Hi all,

I just bought a C5 OTA and looking for a mount to match. I am thinking of the Sky-Watcher Star Adventure GTI mount and tripod. Would this be good or is there something else I should be looking at? (note: I am in Australia and not everything is available to us) 
Planning on some astrophotography and perhaps a asiair to drive it all (will move to a C8 or C11 one day, and would like to move some accessories) 

Thanks in advance for any information 

[Jeff Lee]

I put mine on a SE (the one for the C8/C6) and use it for EAA. Great match, pretty light mount, fairly inexpensive used.

[Wolfwatcher]

I have the C5 on the SE mount. Works well. However, just be aware of different sidesaddle orientations if you mount it other than "upright." Unlike its bigger siblings, the 6 & 8, the 5 has only one position for mounting a finder baseplate. So, there is less flexibility there for that purpose. 

Edited by Wolfwatcher, 15 April 2024 - 09:42 AM.

[MarkMittlesteadt]

I use an AZGTi for my C5. I can use it manually, for simple Point and Track (no alignment necessary) or full GoTo (alignment needed, but easy). I updated the firmware for right hand mounting so my C5 has the rail on the left side, focusing knob on the bottom and finder bracket on the right.

 

My C5 had the mounting rail on the bottom (as it's the "Spotting scope" version). But I replaced the stock rail with a longer one, and put the stock rail on top. For mounting the stock rail on top, I had to buy longer bolts to accommodate the rail thickness and just used two of the holes that held the front and back plates on the OTA. 

 

 

Edited by MarkMittlesteadt, 16 April 2024 - 09:34 AM.

[m1thumb]

I have a C6 on an SE and it works very well. Actually I think it's amazing the technology available for the price.

However, I wish at times I could use it manually like Mark said above. If you never want to use it manually you can get a 6/8 SE for under $300.

[MarkMittlesteadt]

I have a C6 on an SE and it works very well. Actually I think it's amazing the technology available for the price.

However, I wish at times I could use it manually like Mark said above. If you never want to use it manually you can get a 6/8 SE for under $300.

I've owned a few Celestron "SE" mounts with various scopes. I love the simplicity of them. I like that you can unlock the altitude clutch. I dislike the fact you can't unlock the azimuth clutch too, or I'd still have one. 

 

That's one thing I always liked about Meade's LX and ETX mounts (typical issues aside)...you could unlock both clutches and operate them manually, so long as you had the scope balanced. 

[maniack]

I have an AZ-GTi and the larger version of the SE mount. The AZ-GTi pairs well with the lightweight C5 - it's under 9lbs with the stock tripod compared to about 20lbs for the SE system. Being able to unlock the clutches and use the mount manually is also helpful.