CG5 Mount - How Good?

Hi all, I'm really nervous about being on the brink of buying a Celestron C80ED Refractor which I plan to use for astroimaging, but I've been offered it with a CG5 Mount, not the RGT Mount (which is also a cg5, but is the ADVANCED GT Mount)

Now I've saved up the cash painfully - but I've read reviews about the cg5 mount, and it seems that the impression I get is that it's not that great, Could I ask what is your opinion?

I don't want to spend a lot of money on a mount which may be disappointing, but I need to hear your opinions. The shot is only as good as the mount right? On a scale of 1-10, I hear the cg5 would rate at about a 5 or so.....

Thanks,
Keith..

Hi Keith I have had no problem with mine I would say to you have a look at Dave grennans website he is using the same mount with his celestron 10 inch regards Darren

Thanks Darren, Will do !

Keith..

Keith - if the mount rated 5 on a scale of 10 then I personally wouldn't buy it - the OTA yes, the mount no.

If astrophotography is your aim, then do not, under any circumstance, compromise on the mount. Compromise on the imager or the OTA, but not the mount. Never the mount...

However, do get the opinions of the users of the CG5 for long and short exposures, load carrying capacity, ability to playback PEC recordings, stability in wind etc etc. They may put it higher than a five...

At the end of the day, you'll also need to factor in two other things - price and resale value. Are you prepared to pay the money? And if you do and are disappointed, can you sell it easily.

€0.02

Dave

Keith,

I would like to second Dave's comments. Never go cheap on the mount and this is especially true if you have an interest in photography.

No one will ever criticize you for going overboard on the quality of the mount. It is the mount that will get you the killer photos, much more so than the optics.

I waited over six years to get my AP160 EDF and yet you have not seen a deep sky photo from me using this world-class refractor. There is a reason of course and which I will rectify in June when my AP1200GTO arrives. If time is on your side, wait until June and you will see first hand what a quality mount will and can do.

Anthony.

They can already see what a quality mount can do... (albeit with an 8" SCT)

Now, let's see what a quality mount and a world class OTA combo can do in June

Oh yes, and a world-class operator at the helm

Cheers

Dave