Takahashi clamshell CGE mount fit.

Here's how to fit a Takahashi 'clamshell' holder to a Celestron CGE mount.

The only addition was a couple of screws and nuts either side of the metric one supplied with the 7" plate.

Bought from :- First Light Optics. DUP7-M Metric.

The other thing you'll need is a lighter counter balance weight.

Small CGE mount problem.

I had a small problem on the CGE mount that I fixed with the help of the guys on Yahoo CGE forum.
When the mount was loaded and balanced, there was a very small rocking motion in declination. This was caused by backlash between the worm and worm wheel, because
worm was too far from the wheel.
I had to loosen the two bolts at the back of the DEC housing and nudge the worm closer to the wheel.
Works a treat now. Thanks Tom Krajci.

New CGE setup and align.

I'd just like to say a few words about the setup and aligning of my new CGE mount.
First I did a two star align with the recommended stars from the hand controller, then to correct the cone error I used three stars again from the HC.
I then did a polar align using the star Navi in Cassiopeia, with the All-Star Polar Alignment. I then proceeded to adjust the mount with the allan key and that was that, easy.
I then went to Jupiter, low on the horizon, and bingo it was almost dead centre.
After which, I thought that I would have a go at imaging, and guess what? there is almost no drift at all, except for maybe a bit of PEC.
I'm well pleased:-) I can leave the planet on the chip now without having to do those annoying tweaks and adjustments all the time.
All I need now is a clear night to sought the PEC out with Celestrons 'PEC tool' and I should be all set.

Just a quick note; I upgraded the Hand conrollers software earlier today to revision 4.16. This allows for all star polar align without having to re-align afterwards, neat eh?

BTW. I found out (thanks to the guys at CN :-) ) that the CGE manual is not up to date with 4.16 and you'll need to download the CGEM manual for instructions on this revision.

Nearly there... the new setup in situ.

As a compromise for the time being, I decided to set-up the new CGE mount inside my observatory using the tripod.
I chopped my existing pier off, leaving enough to act as a key for a new pier later on. I measured it all out and made some holes in the floor. I then placed concrete blocks under the holes for the legs to sit on. What a game that was phew!
It seems quite solid though, he mount weighs a ton, so its not going anywhere.
I then fastened one of the the tripod struts to the old pier stump with some large jubilee clips to stabilize it.

It's quite frightening to sit under those weights when the scope is on the other side. If one of those fell off and hit you, you're dead!

Just need clear night now to polar align etc.

BTW. these strange pics (first two that is) were taken with my Canon 50D using a 18mm lens and mosaiced/bent in CS4. Hence the strange fish eye appearance. See, don't need expensive wide-angle lenses, just very expensive software ;-)

Major upgrade - Phase Three - New CGE mount.

Well I've done it, I've finally bought a new mount. I had in mind to buy the CGE-Pro but I chickened out in the end. Too much money, too big and too heavy.
So I've opted for the CGE. Even though it may be phased out in the coming years, there's enough of them around for support purposes.
It's bloody huge as well compared to my old AS-GT, and I used to think that the tripod on that was big! this seems double the size.
Big old chunk of metal.
All I need now is a dovetail plate for my C9.25 and a guide rail and ring for my Takahashi.