Which left the Synta EQ6 SynScan go-to (a.k.a. I also have some doubts about the usability of Vixen's Starbook controller. Vixen Sphinx? In my opinion, that is getting into the “too-light” range again-and I was less than impressed with the attitude of the US Vixen distributor when I encountered them at the Cherry Springs Star Party a while ago. Next tier down? Even the Celestron CGE and the Losmandy G11 seemed a mite rich for my blood at this juncture considering the “huge” amount of spare time I have to actually observe with the C8, much less do astrophotography. The less expensive gear seems more my style, and part of my enjoyment is seeing what I can get out of "simple and cheap." Frankly, y'all, I have neither the skies nor the talent to justify spending 10 grand on a freaking telescope mount. I do dream of a Paramount occasionally, but that will wait for retirement-if then. What to choose? I eliminated the high-priced spread, the Astro-Physics and Bisque mounts, right off the bat. At least for those times when I wanted to do long-exposure prime focus imaging. Something with a little more payload capacity. Despite the fact that this was the only time I was even partially skunked by the CG5, I decided another GEM for the C8 was in order. Removing the C8’s dew shield helped some, but not quite enough. With a good wind (not quite a gale but strong enough), the CG5 began to shake like a sinner in the hands of Elmer Gantry. I was having a great time videoing the deep sky…until. One weekend I was down at Chiefland with the C8/CG5 and a Stellacam II, traveling light. Couldn’t ask for more, could I? Actually, I could. The silly little thing took picture after auto guided picture with an SBIG camera. It also seemed easier to use for imaging. Despite its low price, this German Equatorial Mount has worked impressively well, displaying surprising go-to accuracy (at least as good as the NexStar 11). That process began with the arrival of the Celestron CG5 at the ol’ manse three years ago.
In recent times I’ve begun to drift away from the fork mounts I’ve used for the better part of three decades.
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