Comments on: Celestron CGEM Review- Part 2

By: Larry Donohoe

Larry Donohoe — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 19:37:46 +0000

Hello- I’m an newbe at stargazing & would like to purchase a telescope & goto mount that I can use to view Planets, galaxies & nebulas as well as wildlife in the National Parks. I setup viewing wildlife from my car so I don’t have to pack the scope any distance. I also would like to do astrophotography as well. I’m about to retirement age so I want a telescope to be a one time purchase. I’ve been looking at the Celestron 9.25 & 11 edgehd & the televue 85. Also the CGEM mount. Would I be able get close to the qulaity of the the views with the TV85 that I could get with the larger Celestron aperatures? Any sufggestions would be appreciated. thx.

By: Jeff Turner

Jeff Turner — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 23:10:55 +0000

I put up a poll few months ago on the CGEM yahoo group relating to quality issues with CGEM and satifisfaction of buyers of the mount. Hand control issues have been known from some lots of hand controls. The poll though showed about 86% happy rate with about 42-60 votes from what I recall. Just some FYI on quality of the mount for those who like to see some data from polls. I think with any name brand mount there will always be those who have issues, much like a car lemons get through. I don’t like on the CGEM groups page how it seems there always one or two naggers who constantly bitch about the lousy service, the purpose of the groups is to offer solutions to issues and improvements to the mount. I have been member of LX-200 groups and can say the amount of information I learned from the groups was incredible, and helped me fine tune my lx-200. But like any group there are naysayers.

I think Ray has done a fine job so far representing the CGEM capabilities, and always love the articles he posts here! This site has been invaluable as a CGEM and astroimaging resource to me! Keep up the great work Ray!

By: AstroPhotography Tonight

AstroPhotography Tonight — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 03:11:17 +0000

No problem Terry. I had a tough time deciding between the CGEM and Atlas as well. I saw a couple of postings where there were problems with the CGEM hand controllers. But then, there were plenty of CGEM owners that were very pleased. I’ve had my CGEM for over a year now and I’m quite happy with it. Using the Orion autoguider, I’m taking 20 minute exposures without any problems. The one thing I don’t like about the CGEM (that was not a problem with my LX200), is that you have to do an alignment for it to track. So if I want to just turn the scope on and point it to Jupiter manually, it doesn’t track. I have to go through the alignment process first. One could leave it in hibernate mode but it seems like you shouldn’t have to. The good thing is, I’m getting really fast at aligning the CGEM so it’s not a huge issue. And the goto on this scope is amazing. Thanks, Ray Shore

By: Terry Danks

Terry Danks — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 08:37:55 +0000

Many thanks for the review, Ray.

I’ve heard so many bad things about this mount though. Too many people seem to have had bad luck. I hope I am not going to be among them as it still seems the best there is in my price range.
Still undecided about the CGEM vs the Orion Atlas version.
Thanks for pointing out some of the salient differences.

By: AstroPhotography Tonight

AstroPhotography Tonight — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 01:37:56 +0000

Sorry to hear that you have had problems with your CGEM mount. It is unfortunate that you have to send it back! I have heard of a couple other instances where the CGEM had to be shipped back to Celestron and there was a long waiting period. Did it break down after the warranty expired through the local dealer? Thank you for your input. Ray Shore

By: Ad

Ad — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 14:43:22 +0000

What has not been mentioned so far is the reliability and after-sales service from Celestron. With my CGEM the motorboard broke down and Celestron does not want to provide the local dealer with a spareboard alltough it is within the guarantee period..
Celestron want the complete mount back which is ridicules because shipment to and from overseas cost more than a new mount. Ergo: don’t buy a CGEM mount unless your dealer has spare boards on stock.

By: AstroPhotography Tonight

AstroPhotography Tonight — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 03:23:31 +0000

Hey Ryan!!

I was wondering the other day how things were going with the LX200! That was such a great scope…sometimes I miss it! But I am really liking my CGEM too. Last weekend I took this photo with the ED80 on the CGEM: http://astro.shoregalaxy.com/photos/displayimage.php?pid=157&fullsize=1. So far it seems to be a nice scope for astrophotography. Let us know how things go with the Astrotech. Interesting looking scope and has a great price! Thanks for the comments regarding my site and I hope you keep in touch!! Thanks, Ray Shore

By: Ryan

Ryan — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 01:03:44 +0000

Hey Ray,

Just wanted to drop you a line when I saw this review. I’m the guy that purchased your LX200 12″, and am having some fun with it. However, I’m quickly realizing that I would like to have a dedicated mount with a wider angle view for astrophotography. I have the Astrotech AT6RC on the way, and am thinking about purchasing the CGEM or Atlas as a mount. Your input is greatly appreciated on this site! Thanks! Take care and clear skies,

Ryan

By: AstroPhotography Tonight

AstroPhotography Tonight — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 17:57:38 +0000

Todd,

I did a lot of astrophotography with my CG5 but the CGEM is definitely a nice improvement. It is much heavier than my CG5 was. I think you will like the CGEM!

Thanks,
Ray Shore

By: Todd

Todd — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 17:48:25 +0000

@DeLorme—I will eventually—my scope is a C6R.