I have a Meade AR-6 (6" f/8) refractor OTA and would like to put it on a portable mount. Would anyone care to offer an opinion on which of the two subject mounts would work best for this scope? Or, are they both too light? Thanks! - Chuck
LXD-55 vs. CG-5 Mount for Meade AR-6 Refractor
Started by TheDesertSage, 11/22/2007 08:59PM
Posted 11/22/2007 08:59PM
Opening Post
Posted 11/22/2007 10:44PM
#1
I have and LXD55 I bought for my TV85/Pronto/and general outreach events.
Interesting to you is the way I bought it.
I had a friend who was disgusted by his 5 inch refractor (AR-5) on that mount. It was not steady. It would shake in the wind. He thought it was a disaster. I just wanted an inexpensive goto mount, and the LXD 55 fit the bill. SO I bought the whole thing, and immediately sold off the tube. With the TV85, the pronto, or an 80 mm F10 or so refractor I use it with, it does a fine job. (Visually--outreach--quick grab and go.....only. I don't do any more than occasional lunar shots with it.)
This tells me that it can perform well enough when not loaded, but that the 5 inch refractor just overloaded it. Hate to think of what a six inch would do to it.
As for a CG-5--Mine was very similar to the LXD55, so I would assume whatever is to be said for the one goes for the other--although I understand they have upgraded the CG-5 since I had mine.
Alex
Interesting to you is the way I bought it.
I had a friend who was disgusted by his 5 inch refractor (AR-5) on that mount. It was not steady. It would shake in the wind. He thought it was a disaster. I just wanted an inexpensive goto mount, and the LXD 55 fit the bill. SO I bought the whole thing, and immediately sold off the tube. With the TV85, the pronto, or an 80 mm F10 or so refractor I use it with, it does a fine job. (Visually--outreach--quick grab and go.....only. I don't do any more than occasional lunar shots with it.)
This tells me that it can perform well enough when not loaded, but that the 5 inch refractor just overloaded it. Hate to think of what a six inch would do to it.
As for a CG-5--Mine was very similar to the LXD55, so I would assume whatever is to be said for the one goes for the other--although I understand they have upgraded the CG-5 since I had mine.
Alex
Posted 11/26/2007 03:36PM
#2
Chuck:
Here is my experience: There are several models of the CG-5. The biggest difference in terms of stability and freedom from the shakes is in the tripod/legs.
The CG-5 AS series with the 2 inch SS legs is quite stable and will handle a heavier, longer OTA better than any of the other mounts in this class, whether it be the real thing, the Vixen GP or any of the various other clones. The LXD-55 used the extruded aluminum legs which are a real problem for vibration.
I believe the latest model of the LXD-75 uses the 2 inch Stainless Steel legs as well. Of course up the line is are the Atlas class mounts which use the same 2 inch SS legs.
If you were in Carlsbad, California instead of Carlsbad, New Mexico, I would just invite you over so you try out the CG-5 ASGT...
Also note that the stiffness of the legs is a higher power function of the diameter so the seemingly small change from 1.75 inch inch to 2 inch diameter legs will result in a 50%-70% increase in stiffness.
jon
Here is my experience: There are several models of the CG-5. The biggest difference in terms of stability and freedom from the shakes is in the tripod/legs.
The CG-5 AS series with the 2 inch SS legs is quite stable and will handle a heavier, longer OTA better than any of the other mounts in this class, whether it be the real thing, the Vixen GP or any of the various other clones. The LXD-55 used the extruded aluminum legs which are a real problem for vibration.
I believe the latest model of the LXD-75 uses the 2 inch Stainless Steel legs as well. Of course up the line is are the Atlas class mounts which use the same 2 inch SS legs.
If you were in Carlsbad, California instead of Carlsbad, New Mexico, I would just invite you over so you try out the CG-5 ASGT...
Also note that the stiffness of the legs is a higher power function of the diameter so the seemingly small change from 1.75 inch inch to 2 inch diameter legs will result in a 50%-70% increase in stiffness.
jon
Funding Member
