Celestron CGX Reviews and Testing - Page 7

casstony · #**121** 03-04-2017, 05:54 PM

It may or may not create any issues but it's definitely not square. So Celestron, do the wobbly CGX's qualify for a manufacturer discount compared to the straight drive models? Might have to check the mount in the shop before paying.

glend (Glen) · #**122** 03-04-2017, 08:25 PM

Tim i believe you could probably get that sprocket to turn perfectly. A bit of adjustment of the screws, maybe a piece of shim material inserted in the outside edge might do the trick.
Other options are a new sprocket, flanged if you can find one.
I doubt its worth returning the mount and being without it for who knows how long. Maybe John Cross can score a handful of sprockets for us.

Wombat (Wayne) · #**123** 09-04-2017, 04:51 PM

I finally got my cgx mount back from the US on Wed, set it up on tripod in lounge room and everthing worked ok. Before being sent the US the limit switch warning message appears on hand control and stops the dec. movement.
The Celestron techs replaced the Dec board and then tested got-to, tracking, all functions, reset slew limit and mechanical testing.
I would thought that Celestron would have put in the box a form or paperwork that tells you what was replaced and what tests were done and certifying that the mount is in good working order after the tests were done.
A form detailing what was done, in my view, should be sent back with the mount as a record for the owner and a buyer in the future would want to know the history of the mount.
I only know about the above items from a Celestron support e-mail that was sent before the mount was shipped back to me.
I also found damage to the box where something put a hole on either side of the box, but it did not penetrate the foam packaging so there was no damage to the mount
Now have the mount set up in observatory and waiting for a clear moonless night to see how the guiding runs while doing astrophotography.
Regards,

glend (Glen) · #**124** 09-04-2017, 05:03 PM

That is good news Wayne, they seem to have had the mount for awhile. Good luck with testing, and a clear night.

glend (Glen) · #**125** 13-04-2017, 02:45 PM

Just a 'heads up' on possible rust developing on parts of the CGX. The long Alt and Az adjustment bolts are mild steel not stainless. I had the beginnings of rust on mine near the handles on non-threaded section where the knob shaft sticks out from the mount. This is probably due to condensation cycles. My mount is on a pier in my observatory, so is always somewhat exposed to humidity variations, unlike one kept inside in a box until setup on a tripod. It would have been nice for Celestron to use Stainless Steel for these parts, especially since they advertise it as an observatory mount, i suppose they saved a couple of bucks by using mild steel.
So how do you prevent the rust if pier mounted? The best way is probably to shield it by painting the shafts with a rust preventative epoxy enamel. Burnish off any rust with emery paper and put on a couple of coats of satin black, which matches the mount.
I have added this to my CGX Mods, Fixes, and Adjustment thread on Cloudy Nights, photos are there as well.
This applies to CGX Ls as well.

dylan_odonnell (Dylan) · #**126** 13-04-2017, 03:48 PM

Living next to the ocean rust is a serious issue in my obs. Most of my gear rusts up quick and I bring anything electronic inside each night instead of leaving it in the pod. Thanks for the tip!

Haven't had too much of a chance to image recently but have been playing around with the CGX software and PC control generally. I don't have a solution for plate solving yet as Astro tortilla and the celestron ASCOM driver don't seem to talk to each other well enough to share a "sync" :/ Hasn't been a big deal though because the Goto's are so good my targets are always in frame fairly close to center anyway.

Anyone know of any plate solving solution that will work with the CGX driver?

d

glend (Glen) · #**127** 13-04-2017, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dylan_odonnell

Living next to the ocean rust is a serious issue in my obs. Most of my gear rusts up quick and I bring anything electronic inside each night instead of leaving it in the pod. Thanks for the tip!

Haven't had too much of a chance to image recently but have been playing around with the CGX software and PC control generally. I don't have a solution for plate solving yet as Astro tortilla and the celestron ASCOM driver don't seem to talk to each other well enough to share a "sync" :/ Hasn't been a big deal though because the Goto's are so good my targets are always in frame fairly close to center anyway.

Anyone know of any plate solving solution that will work with the CGX driver?

d

Dylan i believe i saw a thread on the SGP forum about it. SGP can plate solve.

Camelopardalis (Dunk) · #**128** 13-04-2017, 09:27 PM

If SGP is doing something other software can't, then it's not ASCOM compliant...

glend (Glen) · #**129** 15-04-2017, 10:18 AM

I have been told by a Celestron engineer that any CGX owners with rust on the Alt lock knobs or the Az lock knobs, can have them replaced under warranty. You will need to go through Tech Support, but i believe they will be sent to you. I don't know if the replacement will be a higher quality Stainless steel. So Dylan, there is an option for you. I am happy with mine now that they are de-rusted and painted black.

It appears Celestron is now moving to address concerns raised by owners on the forums.
I have another update on the belt alignment issue coming soon.

sharpiel · #**130** 16-04-2017, 12:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glend

I have been told by a Celestron engineer that any CGX owners with rust on the Alt lock knobs or the Az lock knobs, can have them replaced under warranty. You will need to go through Tech Support, but i believe they will be sent to you. I don't know if the replacement will be a higher quality Stainless steel. So Dylan, there is an option for you. I am happy with mine now that they are de-rusted and painted black.

It appears Celestron is now moving to address concerns raised by owners on the forums.
I have another update on the belt alignment issue coming soon.

You really have to wonder why it needs user feedback to change corporate marketing and production. We all know stainless steel works best in conditions where water (read condensation) exists. Why aren't all external fixtures in all mounts stainless steel or aluminium? Lewis replaces all fixtures with stainless steel and so do I because everything ferris corrodes.

Come on manufacturers...care about more than just selling a product. Actually care about what the purchasers think and do it right first time even if you have to pass the cost to us.

I'd rather have a quality product than have to feel disappointed spending more to get it right.

glend (Glen) · #**131** 13-05-2017, 09:31 AM

I have had a ticket running with Celestron Tech Support, to try to get them to provide some belt alignment instructions to owners, as they do in the Manual (page 25) for worm carrier spring adjustment. Celestron are now advising potential buyers, when asked, that the early belt alignment issues were due to poor factory setup on a limited number of early CGXs and this has been resolved ( I am paraphrasing here). That is great news, but does not do much for you if your the owner of one of the early models.

For affected owners,

Note: your mount in under warranty, if you have any serious concerns or issues with belt alignment then please contact Celestron Tech Support, or your local retailer for advice. I understand that some servicing of the CGX and CGX/L can be undetaken in Australia now.

Edit: in the space below i had written detailed instructions on how to align the belt drive pulleys, but now believe such instructions may do more harm than good for many owners. And so i recommend contacting your retailer or Tech Support if you have any concerns. I know several mounts have been returned to Celestron for setup remediation.

toc (Tim) · #**132** 13-05-2017, 08:59 PM

Just to update my situation, Celestron organised for my mount to be returned to Bintel for adjustment at the start of the week. Hopefully it wont be too long.

toc (Tim) · #**133** 07-06-2017, 09:35 PM

Came across this video on using PHD2 guiding with the CGX
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acXxHusl3O0

glend (Glen) · #**134** 03-10-2017, 06:30 PM

Update. This information on worm period was recently confirmed by a CGX owner in the US and verified by Celestron:

One of the things we discussed was the tooth count and worm cycle time for the two CGX models.
From the horses mouth (Celestron)...
CGX 180 teeth and 478.6794 seconds (7.9781 min)
CGX-L 288 teeth and 299.18809 seconds (4.9863 min)