Mount Upgrade Decision (CG5GT, GPD2, LOS G8/11?)

As a long time astro novice I find myself in need of some seasoned opinions. Here's the Reader's Digest version...

I have an older Celestron G8 with the Vixen ash tripod, C8 OTA and the CG5 mount. I love the tripod and OTA but hate the mount. I've tried adding RA & DEC motors but they just don't fit right and won't track well. I'm in the market for a better mount that will allow me to try my hand at astrophotography. In addition I'm an aid for my wife's science class whenever astronomy comes up. I'd like to remote into the classroom real time solar images to better engage the kids. As I see it, as price goes up quality generally improves. My question is which mount is the best solution? The newer Celestron CG5 Go-To model, The Vixen GPD2 or one of the Losmandy models? I'm looking for a balance between quality overkill and a functionless penny-pinching model.

Well there are a lot of very favorable comments on the web about the pointing accuracy of the ASGT or SGT or whatever it is called these days, the CG5 go-to. On the other hand, you are getting chinese quality control, and if they're beating their prison labor that day your unit may not come out too well, or have lead paint, or whatever. I personally own and use a Losmandy and am fond of it, and recommend it; and the people that have G8s are also doing well.

HOWEVER, I have to say, that I have thought that in general Vixen offers the most consistent quality control in the astronomy biz, on all dimensions. If you had a Great Polaris mount you probably wouldn't hate it. I know I like my Super Polaris.

Basically I own three known commercial GEMs (ap900qmd, super polaris, G11) and am enthusiastic about all of them, in their respective applications, but I'm not a go-to user. I give an edge to Losmandy because of the durability of the construction and the higher carrying capacity, and the fact that you don't have those %#!%~!! clutch levers. But Vixen is also an excellent choice, and has the edge over the Losmandy alternatives on certain aspects, including the likelihood that you won't need to adjust the worm gear when you get it, and a fairly high level of qc/qa.

If you want 30 year dependability I'd go with Losmandy, one of the annoying things about Vixen is that their electronics really aren't on a par in terms of taking abuse and the like, and the company has made some bad choices about power supplies (9 v for the one motor drive, 12 v for the two motor drive, weird stuff like that) that has put some users into the unfortunate position of burning out the very pricey electronics. (OTOH some people burn out their Gemini motors, if you get the go-to; the steppers appear to be built to last until kingdom come) The Vixen electronics are typically in the paddle and if you drop 'em forget about it. Losmandy electronics are bolted on to the mount in a box that could stop a .45 slug. I was very annoyed to have to replace motors AND controller on an SP unit (with GP stuff) because the original electronics box fizzed out; everything OK except for that controller box.

So, in overall it is a very close draw between Losmandy and Vixen IMHO. The SGT series has drawn some faithful adherents but it isn't what I would get.

regards
Greg N

>>>My question is which mount is the best solution? The newer Celestron CG5 Go-To model, The Vixen GPD2 or one of the Losmandy models? I'm looking for a balance between quality overkill and a functionless penny-pinching model.
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Mike: With a mount, one can always spend more money and get something a bit more accurate, a bit more solid and with a few more features. You are looking for a balance and part of that balance is the cash...

My suggestion would be to start with the CG5-ASGT. I have one, it's a solid mount and handles an 8 inch SCT with ease. The 2 inch Stainless Steel legs are a big improvement over both the wooden and the aluminum legs. The tracking is accurate and I believe it will accept autoguider input.

This mount is more than enough for visual use. For Astrophotography, I think it is good enough that it will let you take some pictures and discover all the joys of polar alignment and astrophotography in general. For quite sometime the mount will be the least of your problems.

If you become really serious about Astrophotography you will probably want a different rig anyway but the CG-5 ASGT and your C-8 certainly should be fun for a while.

And if you decide at somepoint you want a different mount, you can sell the ASGT right here on AM with only a small loss, particularly if you purchased it used.

Clearly you could spend more money and get more mount I think you would find the ASGT is quite an improvement over your current mount.

Also, buying new, one can get the mount for $699 or the mount plus a 6 inch F/5 NEwtonian for $799.

http://www.buytelescopes.com/product.asp?t=&pid=7090&m=1

Best wishes, clear skies

jon