If Astrophotography is your goal then the least you should aim for in a mount is an HEq5 or Eq6 mount, do a search on the CG5 within the forum as there are many posts on that mounts suitability(or lack of). If you're trying to avoid counterweights, then you're barking up the wrong tree, balance is one of the most important factors in successful photography, together with alignment and tracking. Many people do good Astrophotography with the LX90, with both piggybacked camera/lens combinations and prime focus. If the rig is correctly balanced there is very little strain on the mount.
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