Chuck: I believe you have "chosen wisely". As I indicated I have owned the Atlas but have never owned the CGEM. I have found the Celestron Handbox on my CGE much easier to master and at least at first more intuitive. Can't wait to hear your first reports. Steve
Date: Tue, 4 May 2010 00:07:37 -0600 From: chuck.hards@gmail.com To: utah-astronomy@mailman.xmission.com Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Atlas or CGEM?
OK, folks, I've gone and done it.
I appreciate all the informative feedback I've received. I've actually been looking into this for a while now and had all but made up my mind before posting, but it never hurts to get a thirtieth opinion, right?
In the end, I bought the CGEM.
Now, I had all but made up my mind on the Atlas- but over the course of a couple of weeks, I changed my mind. I'll get into the reasons in the near future. It was actually a very close race, neck-and-neck for a while.
I pulled the trigger to take advantage of a great price on the CGEM: $1250, with FREE shipping. That amounts to a savings of about $270 over the Atlast mount from Orion. And yes, I've already spent the savings on accessories. Truthfully, when the dust settles, even with the sale price, I will be spending more on the CGEM. Hundreds more, actually. Hopefully it will be worth it.
Once my new Losmandy-style dovetails get here, and the various other bells-and-whistles I've ordered, I'll schedule a "baptism" night at SPOC, perhaps, and you will all be invited to come out and inspect Celestron's mid-priced mount. Kibitzing and assistance will be solicited that first night, since I'm sure I won't have a clue as to what I'm doing.
Thanks again, everyone!
Oh, Steve, I've already TP'd the Cloudy Nights forum. Hopefully you don't regret reminding me of it. ;o)
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