New Celestron Mount to rival EQ6?

[wasyoungonce]

New Celestron mount:
http://www.celestron.com/c2/product.php?CatID=16&ProdID=548

uses:
Nexstar handset;
Has Permanent programmable PEC;
All star polar align;
ST4 input autoguide port;
RS232 port for computer connection; and
lots more.

It looks rather sturdy and has a larger saddle and better latitude scale. The Elevation pivot mech and machined housing look rather sturdy. Indeed it is quite different to their other mounts.

I guess it's pitched to sell between the CGE and the AS-GT mount.

Would love to see it's periodic error is?

[matt]

I wonder what its maximum recommended load capacity might be??? As you say...probably about the same as the EQ6

[wasyoungonce]

Hard to tell it's capacity. Celestron states up to C11...but I think that's a bit much.

The CGEM mount weighs in at 26.3kg and the EQ6 is at 23.5kg (both excluding counterweights).

This might be a very rough indication of it capacity....

[TrevorW]

Isn't it more like an EQ6 modified for Celestron branding

???

[wasyoungonce]

You can "click" on the picture in the Celestron site and zoom in to see more details. Looks quite different.

Sure they have used the "EQ6" basic design...which of course is actually a copy of the TAK EM-400/EM-200.

[miki63au]

I want one.....

Polar scope optional??

[wasyoungonce]

yes well...at $257 USD for polar scope I suspect it will remain an "optional".

I cannot imagine how they get accurate polar align with that scope given the wide FOV it has!

I wonder if you can fit the Vixen polar scope?

Looks as if the yanks get first shot at buying the mount....buy the time it lands here the cost may be too high given the poor aussie dollar.

[g__day]

Wonder if it has a clock in it so it can remember last alignment at power on without a whole lot of parameters to enter?

Nice looking mount - I'd like to see it carrying capacity, tuned and un-tuned PE, its pointing ability and its tracking ability rated.

[netwolf]

Looks like it can carry 40lbs according to optcorp and cost is 1399USD.
http://www.optcorp.com/product.aspx?pid=12183&kw=CGEM&st=2

[acropolite]

Quite different to the EQ6 from the specs, DC motors and encoders, whereas the EQ6 has steppers.

[miki63au]

What would be interesting if Meade beef-up the LXD75,
to stay in the competition....
Technologically interesting that most of the manufacturer got away from the traditional clutch-worm-pressure-plate drive system (G11)
The EQ6-GP style worm-barrel OK for a short scope,
just won't cut it for a long heavy, big torque scope.
Is it easier to hob a barrel worm than a worm wheel?

[matt]

Which is a smidge over 18kg...

Oh well.

[Max Vondel]

A bit sexy looking, I wonder if its less sensitive to supply voltages than it recent chinese brothers !!!

[h0ughy]

you know you shouldnt be showing the public items like these.....its just not fair

[Ian Robinson]

Beefed up CG5 or a baby CGE ?

Probably an alright GEM if you don't want to go whole hog to a CGE (even better to an Atlux :D).