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Originally Posted by g__day
Best Value - Celestron CG5 (Which I use as of 3 weeks ago and can be remote PC controlled)
Best Weight Management + PEC capabilities - EQ6
Best PEC - Vixen Sphinx (can the controller be remote PC controlled for this?)
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I can confirm the Sphinx has low PEC - I measured mine at about 12" peak to peak - massively better than the Chinese mounts. I was on the EQ6 track but decided to trade a little carrying capacity for better accuracy - those having success imaging with the EQ6 all seem to have had to strip/adjust and re-grease. Then there was the goto system - not upgradable....
So I am happy with the Sphinx it is portable and has smooth PEC which can be guided out, there are some issues though, I had big backlash in DEC and had a fight with the vendor to get it adjusted, the mounts also tend to come from the factory so tight it is impossible to balance accurately, simple to adjust of course. The mechanics are good so you can go all the way to the load limit without fear. I would not go beyond 10" though....
The starbook is almost good enough to mean you do not need a laptop out there - especially if you use the autoguider port and have a compatible camera, if not you will need Peter Enzerink's driver:
http://www.enzerink.net/peter/astron...ges/sphinx.htm
I think there is also native support for the Starbook in the Sky these days...a very nice feature is the TCPIP connect to the Stabook this gives you an ability to network the starbook and drive from a remote PC with ease and simplifies connectivity (no serial port conflicts!).
Overall I rate this mount highly, it is well made, quiet and easy to use and easy on the eye; but I do not rate the dealer who supplied it to me, if the (simple as it turns out) adjustments had been made prior to deilvery I would have been saved huge frustration and many wasted hours and trips back to the shop.