Convert my scope to GOTO!!!

I'd like to echo John's words about the accuracy of the CG-5. Last night I was observing Saturn with my f/6.8 refractor, I had the 8mm Hyperion attached to a 2X Barlow, giving a magnification of 206X and Saturn stayed right in the centre of the FOV, it never moved. As it was the end of the night I turned off the CG-5's motors, it took Saturn about 20 seconds to exit the FOV, a testimony to the tracking abilities.

I would recommend the CG-5 for GoTo, have a talk with Carl at AI and see what he can do for you.

Hi Hal

Here is the mount I was talking to you about when you rang me yesterday. It is the CG-5 GT Mount. Cost 590 Euro. it's not a bad mount for the price.


Here is a few details on the mount.

Technical Details:

MOTOR DRIVE: DC Servo motors with encoders, both axes
COMPUTER HAND CONTROL: Double line, 16 character Liquid Crystal Display; 19 fiber optic backlit LED buttons
SLEW SPEEDS: 3°/sec
TRACKING RATES: Sidereal, Solar and Lunar
TRACKING MODES: EQ North & EQ South
ALIGNMENT PROCEDURES: AutoAlign, 2-Star Alignment, Quick Align
SOFTWARE PRECISION: 24bit, 0.08 arcsec calculation
COMMUNICATION PORTS: RS-232 communication port on hand control
MOTOR PORTS: Aux Port, Autoguide Ports
DATABASE: 40,000+ objects, 400 user defined programmable objects. Enhanced information on over 200 objects

This is something I'm interested in as well. A quick Google search shows this available for $700, plus another $281 shipping from the States. So it actually cheaper to buy here.

Its the small stuff where the real savings are to made buying from the states. Shipping and import duty (because big boxes are more likely to be checked by customs even by An Post ) really kill any savings on big heavy stuff.

For instance, I just received a load of bits and pieces from OPT in california. The box was 10x12x7in. Filters, Philips webcam, barlows, Starry Night Pro Plus. Shipping was 57 dollars, about 34 euro and I didn't get hit for import duty or Vat either!

On Starry Night Pro Plus alone I saved a fortune. The cheapest I could find it on the usual European sites was for 260-275 euros. I paid 246 dollars for it and with the current exchange rate that works out at 155 euros. I saved nearly 120 euros!!

Hi Hal

Here is the mount I was talking to you about when you rang me yesterday. It is the CG-5 GT Mount. Cost 590 Euro. it's not a bad mount for the price.

Here is a few details on the mount.

Technical Details:

MOTOR DRIVE: DC Servo motors with encoders, both axes
COMPUTER HAND CONTROL: Double line, 16 character Liquid Crystal Display; 19 fiber optic backlit LED buttons
SLEW SPEEDS: 3°/sec
TRACKING RATES: Sidereal, Solar and Lunar
TRACKING MODES: EQ North & EQ South
ALIGNMENT PROCEDURES: AutoAlign, 2-Star Alignment, Quick Align
SOFTWARE PRECISION: 24bit, 0.08 arcsec calculation
COMMUNICATION PORTS: RS-232 communication port on hand control
MOTOR PORTS: Aux Port, Autoguide Ports
DATABASE: 40,000+ objects, 400 user defined programmable objects. Enhanced information on over 200 objects

Its an amazing mount theres no doubt about it. Perhaps i would be better to save up and get it. I am researching the whole thing at the moment. Thanks for posting the specs. I really appreciate your help mate

Hi folks, has anyone tried using a larger scope with the nexstar series of mounts from celestron. Please let me know as i believe this may be an option!!!!!