Chuck: Sorry I was unable to reply but I was pretty tied up yesterday. Both myself and Bill Cowles have used the Atlas. Mine was actually a Canadian version called EQ6-Pro. Just a white Atlas. Everything that was said yesterday was true. For a lighter load than "maxed out" the Atlas is a great mount. I used a William Optic 132 FLT on mine. It performed perfectly for visual. I moved up to the CGE for my next OTA and I can only tell you that the software and handset are way above the SynScan in ease of use. It is not compatable with the EQ-Mod as far as I know but as handsets go and ease of use the Celestron is my hands on favorite. Both the CGE, CGE Pro and the CGEM use the same handset. You will love it and YES it will goto for sure. I would be unable to tell you how well any of them do for astrophotography from a first hand stand poing but the Atlas and the CGE have long track records now and what I have read about the CGEM is that if it works out of the box it will work well. (yes there have been some who have had problems out of the box) It could happen to anyone. Good luck. Steve
Date: Fri, 30 Apr 2010 17:17:15 -0600 From: chuck.hards@gmail.com To: utah-astronomy@mailman.xmission.com Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Atlas or CGEM?
OK, I answered my own question. I found numerous references to the CGEM as a GoTo on various vendor's Websites.
I have to admit, I've been looking at an Atlas for a long time now, but the more I look at the Celestron mount, the more I like it.
On 4/30/10, Chuck Hards <chuck.hards@gmail.com> wrote:
Rob, I can't actually find the word "GoTo" anywhere on the Celestron website pages concerning this mount. "Computer controlled" is as close as they get. Do you know, off the top of your head (and before I email Kevin) if the CGEM is a true "GoTo" mount?
I'm pretty naive when it comes to commercial astro hardware, sorry! I've been a die-hard do-it-yourselfer for over 40 years now.
On 4/29/10, Rob Ratkowski Photography <ratkwski@hawaii.rr.com> wrote:
Hi Chuck
My experience w/ the Celestrom CGE mount is a good one and I would expect the newer CGEM would be on the same level. All inputs are thru the hand paddle, easy to follow and once aligned (drift alignment recommended), the drive will place objects near the center of the FOV. GOTO is accurate, the drive is quiet and has been a joy to use. If you have any questions, contact Kevin Kawai at Celestron KKAWAI@celestron.com. ENJOY your new mount!!
Aloha Rob _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.slas.us/gallery2/main.php Visit the Wiki: http://www.utahastronomy.com
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