Celestron CGE Pro 1400 Fastar

[Hypnotist]

Hi guys,
I wanted to know what you think of the Celestron CGE Pro 1400 Fastar telescope (like a review). Before picking it up however I'd like to know how this scope is in terms of:
-transportation
-set up and take down possibilities (I don't want to build myself an observatory)
-the type of views you get with it (astrophotography)
-any other help-/useful information you might have for me on it. I'm not too experienced (but I still can handle this advanced scope:thumbsup:), so bear with me, and forgive me if I don't know the proper technical terms.:shrug:

:thanx:

[sheeny]

Wow! What a scope to start with!

Never seen one in the flesh myself, but I imagine it'll be big. Setup should be much the same as any other GEM, just bigger and heavier than most.

Views should be excellent, but just to avoid disappointment, a big scope like this will take time to cool. With my C11 I have a small cooling fan (domestic type not computer fan) that I switch on and aim at the OTA and let run for an hour or so before I start imaging. Less intrusive than a CAT cooler, and beats the hell out of waiting for the scope to cool by itself. Cooling the C11 is a bigger problem than it was with my C8, so I expect the C14 will be worse again.

Al.

[Louwai]

Get onto Paul Haese - IIS member + http://paulhaese.net/
Paul has used a C14 for imaging for a couple of yrs now. He should be able to answer most of your questions.

[asimov]

As to active cooling, that would tend to depend on your weather conditions. I don't know what it's like in San Diego most of the year but I note at this time of the year there, there's not a great deal of difference in temps between night & day it seems. In such a case, I don't know weather active cooling would be needed. I've found I don't need it here in Bundaberg QLD in any case.

Should be a great scope though, the 14" packs some punch, but more so in the planet imaging stakes.

Good luck & jump on Cloudy nights & review that CGE pro mount.

[Kal]

What are your imaging goals?

This scope will be great for planetary imaging.

If you purchase the fastar lens (optional extra) it will be good for fast widefield imaging.

It is relatively weak at long focal length deep sky imaging compared to the other options out there.

Stepping up from the small ETX you own I suggest you walk into one of the retailers there on the US west coast and have a look at one first hand - see how heavy each component is (mount + scope).

I would never buy one of these new now though - too many people will be upgrading to an EdgeHD so if you want one grab a second hand one at a good price.