I noticed that the CGEM is advertised as "American engineered". I found several topical You Tube videos and a CGEM review online. Not as many videos for the Atlas that I could find using the search term "Atlas"; kind of surprising considering how long it's been on the market. CGEM slewing around: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smXf2KUVbdw http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZ6VVtzXAwU&NR=1 CGEM review (with the first You Tube video embedded): http://www.astrophotography-tonight.com/celestron-cgem-review-part1./ Follow the link for part two. EQ6/Atlas slewing around: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJNjvtpjQvk&feature=related This is just cute. I love the comment "Watchout Software Bisque!" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGvZrD93j3I On 5/2/10, Steve FISHER <sfisher01@msn.com> wrote:
Totaly makes sense now! You are correct there. The CGE was $3,000.00 new.(Manufacturers advertised price) It is in a class that was much higher in weight capacity. It has now officially been discontinued. There is a HUGE whole in the mount lineup between the Atlas/CGEM and the next step up. The only mount between the $1,400.00 and the $5,000.00 mounts like the CGE Pro is the Losmandy G-11. I have used it in the past and it is a wonderful mount. With a few modifications it is an outstanding Astrophotography mount. The G-11 is the only mount in this class that I am aware of for around 3K. It is a shame that it uses such an antiquated software system for goto and tracking.
This is my opinion and my opinion only. "The Gemini system sucks"!! If you are still using DOS ver. 3.2 or lower on your computer you will love Gemini.
Steve
From: Rob.Taylor@digis.net To: utah-astronomy@mailman.xmission.com Date: Sun, 2 May 2010 13:03:22 -0600 Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Atlas or CGEM?
You know what I'm comparing it to the older CGE mount not the newer CGEM which is significantly different so disregard the comparison. However the Atlas is a good mount and I like mine so I can endorse it. When it first came out there was nothing with it's weight capacity at anywhere near it's price. There are other options now and taking a second look at the CGEM I think it's a good option. It's good to have choices like this, either way I think you'll be fine. The weight capacities on the two seem similar, however I notice Orion tends to under rate their mounts whereas Celestron tends to over rate their mounts. For Astrophotography my Atlas does pretty well up to about 30-35 pounds, for visual you can go up to 50 and I've heard of people doing Astro-photography with a modified Atlas with a payload of 65 pounds so it can do it. The Atlas has a brisk after-market for parts, up-grades, mods and accessories which is something to consider as well.
Bob
-----Original Message----- From: utah-astronomy-bounces@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:utah-astronomy-bounces@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Steve FISHER Sent: Sunday, May 02, 2010 12:45 PM To: utah-astronomy@mailman.xmission.com Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Atlas or CGEM?
Bob:
I'm not sure I understand your post. The CGEM is for sale and in stock at OPT for $1,395.00 and it includes free shipping. The Orion Atlas is available from Orion and is $1,399.00 and they charge a "boatload" of shipping. Are you comparing a used Atlas to a new CGEM? Are you thinking of a CGE-Pro at $5,000.00 new? I'm just not sure what you mean by ""you are paying twice as much to get a mount that is just a little better".
Steve
From: Rob.Taylor@digis.net To: utah-astronomy@mailman.xmission.com Date: Sun, 2 May 2010 11:05:33 -0600 Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Atlas or CGEM?
I have an Atlas and I've been very pleased with the tracking as long as you don't over load it. If you do a drift align and level it properly it holds a target quite well. That said a CGEM is probably a bit better and beefier, if you can afford the CGEM I'd go for that but you are paying twice as much to get a mount that is just a little better. However, guided there's not much difference between the two. The Atlas guides extremely well and is pretty good un-guided. With some of the new software out there right now you can get excellent results even if your mount is drifting a bit. It's also easy to improve the already good Atlas with lots of experience out there.
Bob
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