[g__day (Matthew)]

Goran,

Can we tell you if its any good - that's what we were doing. Have we actually used it - yes for myself to astro-image on a rig heavier than your target.

If you could get a HEQ6 GOTO (which which controller - the old version 2?) you have a mount with 1/3 the tracking performance (measuring all critical PE) of a second hand, practically mint condition Sphinx SXD - which would be lighter and more portable.

The CG5 may just barely cut it. If conditions are adverse you'll end up swearing at it alot. It can do what you want - in the very best of conditions with alot of tender loving care. The EQ6 has 50% more carrying capacity - but its tracking ability - measured by PE is only the same as a CG5 - around 25 arc seconds peak to peak in one revolution of the RA gears. The Vixen Sphinx SXD is around 7 arc seconds peak to peak (raw untrained) and will carry that load for astro-imaging quality sturdiness - even in less than ideal conditions. In a wind say over 10 knots any small rig - will struggle. The CG5 would give up the ghost on that platform in a 3 knot wind.

For short duration shots in good conditions with a large, long tube - say under 3 minutes - the CG5 can do it. On ideal conditions you might get up to 5 - 6 minute shots, possibly more. With these parameters you can shoot many targets in your backyard, and alot more at a dark site with great skies.

Faint object requiring really long shots 20 minutes - several hours won't readily be possible - but its unlikely you go that route on your first mount for imaging anyway.

Visual viewing only - the mount could just handle the C11 SCT - which is a beast. Imaging on this rig would be streching things too far.

So if you learn imaging like me or way faster, you might be happy with it for 2 years or less. Beyond that you'll trade it in - find its re-sale is real limited and realise the $2K - $3K or $5-$7K range is where alot more capability is apparent. The sphinx SXD competes squarely against the high class G8 with Gemini goto added - say a $4,000 - $4,400 mount that would allow you with care to do imaging if the skies where right for 20 minutes - 2 hours on that rig.

So if its a budget purchase - and you happy to learn use it for two year, out grow it find you can sell it second hand for $500 - well the CG5 should work. If I where in your shoes I ask around and if folk agree with what I tell you - in the blink of an eye I'd snatch the second hand sphinx deluxe which is a five times better quality mount at only at double the price of a brand new CG5. The Sphinx might last you 4-6 years into the journey of astro-photography.

Having bought (third hand) the model up from the Sphinx SXD - the Atlux, I can say Vixen and Takahashi are absolutely premium brands and you remember the joy of effortless capability long after the price sting fades. With the CG5 - the exact one you are considering - its a basic entry model. You're comparing Hans Solo against Bruce Lee in a fist fight.

Hope these thoughts help you!

Matt