Opinions on CGE Pro 1400 FASTAR Telescope?

Frank

the new CGE pro polar alignment routine is only software and is in the hand controller. I just upgraded my hand controller software via the web to an all star align so I can use it in the southern hemisphere with any star.
I guess it depends what you want to do with the kit (planets, astrophotography). You can't go far wrong with the CGE pro but for that money you could probably pick up some second hand gear which would be first rate as Michael has mentioned. Its a buyers market in that part of the world .

johnomahony wrote:

the new CGE pro polar alignment routine is only software and is in the hand controller. I just upgraded my hand controller software via the web to an all star align so I can use it in the southern hemisphere with any star.

Wow. Thanks for that. I now that makes me think twice...
I'd nearly go for a 2hand CGE then...
How do you find the computerised polar alignment? ..accurate?
Honestly.. For now I'm looking at planet work...
Maybe later some asteroid / comet work...
Long exp. deep sky photography is not for me...

You can't go far wrong with the CGE pro but for that money you could probably pick up some second hand gear which would be first rate as Michael has mentioned. Its a buyers market in that part of the world .

Ok then...
let's look at it this way..
A mount that can handle a C14 plus a bit more.
A mount that can be broken down (fairly) easily and transported.
Has good PE and prog. PEC.

Actually,
now that I look at it the Fastar option is basically a front end
focal reducer if I'm not mistaken...
This would really only be of use for deep sky imaging...
Yea?

Some comments:

FASTAR:
This is for wide angle imaging where you remove the secondary mirror and place in a camera. If you do not see yourself using this, get yourself a s/h version without FASTAR and save yourself a few quid.

PEC:
This is primarily for long-exposure deep sky imaging. A very low PE is not entirely critical if you are interested in visual observing or solar/lunar/planetary imaging. However, if you are buying a mount, best to get one with these features and future-proof yourself in case you want to try it.

As for portability, my understanding it that the AP900 is aimed at those who seek a level of portability. The AP1200 is not exactly the smallest or lightest mount to try and move around. Obviously the AP1200 can take a larger payload and it costs more. However, quite a few AP900s come on the s/h market from those seeking to upgrade to the 1200 or the Paramount ME. Perhaps our AP owners can comment more.

Michael

Hi Frank,

This is a very big investment for you so I'm going to go through things in stages.

(1) As you know I've worked with the Celestron brand for a good few years and know there scopes backwards, I used there telescopes a lot. I had many happy years with my mount and the results I was getting, and everything was working fine. Then the mount started developing problems so I got on to the AI shop who told be to call the UK distributer with my problem. All I can say is this went on for months while I was left with no mount I even went as far as to call Celestron in the USA, they just sent me back to the UK distributer who is useless and the owner of A&S is not interested in service problems.The lads in the AI shop are a nice bunch of lads but they know nothing about the inside of a CGE Mount with the exception of Robbie if he is still there. To make a long story short I had to source the parts myself and fix it.

End result,

Would I buy another mount from celestron the answer would have to be no because there service is so bad. It's a pity because the mount is very good when it works but the service is absolutely shockingly terrible. To me service is everything.

(2) Now to be fair to Celestron I then went on to buy a Gemini G42 mount for around 6 grand and this thing was a disaster from the start. When I put the C14 on top of it I noticed the dec head was loose and the OTA was able to rotate by a few degrees back and forth freely, the RA worm gear was also a disaster. Here is the funny thing The manufacturer told me the problems was in my head and there was nothing wrong with his mount. You can ask Michael and Dave Grennan about that one. I ended up getting a full refund I hated that mount big time and the attitude from the manufacturer.

(3) I went on to buy an AP1200 and I love it. Support and service are excellent.

(4) On PE The seeing is around 2 arc seconds in this country, well in Dublin anyway. It rarely gets below that so if you can get your PEC down to +/- 4 arc sec it just means you will have to use a guide scope, not the end of the world by any means.

(Summery) I say join the CGE PRO yahoo group find out the pros and cons of the mount and make up your own mind. I'm just giving you my experiences I had It might have changed dramatically but I doubt it.

PS also Stay away from the fast star I would not recommend it It's to flexible CCD moves around to much.

Hope this bit of advice helps you on your way. The best of luck with what ever you decide.

Carl.

Hi Frank,

I've been using a Paramount GT1100S for 9 years. It takes the same weight as the AP1200. This version is the one before the ME. In fact the GT1100S has a more accurate gearing system. I never upgraded to the ME because of this important improved feature, not generally known in the astronomical community. It's PEC is as accurate as the AP1200. It is transportable, but preferably left as a permanent mount in an observatory. I saw a secondhand GT1100S last year for €3000. I would highly recommend it if the opportunity is there.

John Fitzsimons, Sligo has a C14 Fastar on an Paramount ME. Its application specific for wide field imaging. It's only constraint is the weight of the camera within a corrector plate over time may show corrector sagging. Also limited to specific cameras at the time because of this aspect.

Eamonn A

www.kingslandobservatory.com

That's an excellent price Eamonn. I'd be interested in one like that.
The mount I have is great with capacity to take a 16" SCT and with very low PE. However, it would be nice, in an ideal world, to piggyback my TEC140 on top of the 16".

I note that Paramount are bringing out the MX mount which seems to aim at the AP900 and Mach1 mounts.
www.cloudynights.com/ubbthreads/showflat...3758101/Main/3756469