Chuck: If it's like Christmas maybe that explains the snow. Check out the All Star Polar Alignment routine on the CGEM. I have not used it since my CGE does not have this function but those who use it "swear by it" and think you will be sorry for purchasing a polar alignment scope. With a little work many report excellent long term imaging experiences. Your experience may vary. Steve
Date: Mon, 10 May 2010 21:35:30 -0600 From: chuck.hards@gmail.com To: utah-astronomy@mailman.xmission.com Subject: [Utah-astronomy] CGEM (Was: Atlas or CGEM?)
It's like Christmas morning here!
More observations:
In the future, I will definitely make my own dovetail bars. The Losmandy bar will be easy to make from plate aluminum, using only a table saw.
I'm glad I bought the smaller counterweight. The stock 17-lb. weight is far too heavy for the small refractors. The 11-lb. is just right.
The polarscope fits, but that reticle seems like a joke. I'll try it on the weekend, weather permitting. Anybody have any comments on the Celestron polar scope in use?
The cord on the control box is far too short. Plugged-in, the hand control won't even sit in it's cradle on the tripod leg. I'm glad I ordered the extension cable from Astrophotography Tonight.
The knob upgrade is a mixed review. The azimuth knobs are a definite improvement. The saddle lock knobs don't seem to be quite long enough. I'll futz with them a bit, and can probably swap out a new SS threaded portion on my own, and keep that nifty, knurled-aluminum, orange-anodized knob.
I still haven't powered it up. Taking the GPS unit out of the box now.
I like the Autoguider port. No laptop needed to use an autoguider with this mount.
Did I say it's big? I'm still trying to absorb the size of this mount.
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