LXD55 AR6 & Celestron C6RGT

Well, I've read the many many opinions and reviews on the LXD55 mount, and
for the most part of it, they've been negative. There are many happy
campers out there who love their mounts though. I'm looking for info on
Celestron's new CG-5 with the NexStar. The few reviews I've seen of it are
awesome. Anyone else out there cares to share their thought? Here's my
gameplan.....I plan on getting a 6" achro in the near future. I'm sure the
optics of Meade and Celestron are close to each other, both great quality
for the price, but it's the mount I'm in question of. The scope will
eventually get put on either an EQ-6 or G-11, but it'll be used on the mount
it came with for a while. Any opinions?????

Thanks
Scott

wrote in message
...
Well, I've read the many many opinions and reviews on the LXD55 mount, and
for the most part of it, they've been negative. There are many happy
campers out there who love their mounts though. I'm looking for info on
Celestron's new CG-5 with the NexStar. The few reviews I've seen of it
are
awesome. Anyone else out there cares to share their thought? Here's my
gameplan.....I plan on getting a 6" achro in the near future. I'm sure
the
optics of Meade and Celestron are close to each other, both great quality
for the price, but it's the mount I'm in question of. The scope will
eventually get put on either an EQ-6 or G-11, but it'll be used on the
mount
it came with for a while. Any opinions?????

Thanks
Scott

I've owned 3 LXD55 mounts (under duress) and many CG5 mounts. I have not
owned the new Celestron GOTO mount but I am told it's a CG5 fitted with
GOTO...nothing new about the mount. As far as size and weight, the LXD55
and the CG5 are blood brothers, but that's where the similarity ends. These
mounts are not built in the same factory nor are they built by the same
manufacturer, so here's the difference in a nutshell...

The CG5 is certainly not up to the standards of the mount from which it was
cloned (Polaris), but while it has a measure of problems, it's still fairly
good. The only difference, as I see it, between this and the LXD55 is that
the latter has far fewer problems and most of these problems are less
damning than those associated with the CG5. Some of the problems I've seen
(most more than once) with the LXD55 are, catastrophic electronics failure
(I've seen them go up in a puff of smoke the first time they were turned
on), casting problems, loose or missing fasteners, parts that don't fit,
poor finish. If it's down to a decision between the Meade or the Celestron
rig, I would say go with the Celestron. However, if you want to be creative
about saving some money, consider buying a CI-700 mount while there are
still a few around. This is the mount/tripod which was replaced by the CGE
series. This mount will easily hold a C-11, and is often used for a C-14.
If you go an astromart, you may find one of these mounts/tripods in very
good condition and at a bargain price. My best guess is that you would save
at least a thousand dollars over the price of a G-11.

Al

Thanks for your reply Al. I think I'll look for a CI-700 also. I've been
thinking about those mounts too. My main mount will not be purchase until
sometime at the beginning of the year though. I just really need to get a
scope soon so I can get my butt back out and observing.

Scott

wrote in message
...
Thanks for your reply Al. I think I'll look for a CI-700 also. I've been
thinking about those mounts too. My main mount will not be purchase until
sometime at the beginning of the year though. I just really need to get a
scope soon so I can get my butt back out and observing.

Scott

Spend your money wisely, the stars will still be there when you get all of
your cash together. If you live close to Central Jersey, you're welcome to
stop in most clear evenings (very few of them lately). Just remove the
"Bugoff" from my email address.

Al

Thanks for your offer Al, however, I live in the very southeast corner of
Alabama. There's not that much interest way down here. The closest club I
have is in Auburn where they have a few members, but nothing down here. I
have found a few people over this past year, but I'm not sure where they are
now.

Scott