EQ6 I currently own a Synta EQ6 equatorial mount. The claimed carrying capacity is an amazing 55 pounds. I've truly learned to appreciate having a high capacity mount such as the EQ6. Trying to focus the 9¼ on the CG5 was nerve racking to say the least. It's hard to get the 9¼ to vibrate while atop the EQ6.

I am planning on converting the EQ6 to a goto mount as one of my next projects. I plan on taking the circuit boards from DS series motors and using them to drive rare EQ6 servo motors that I obtained. Check back soon for progress. If you are interested in the circuit design, write me an email and I'll try to explain my plans.

LXD55 After selling the CG5 and my nice little Astovisioneer 80mm refractor I purchased the LXD55. The CG5 may have been a little better in some regards, the RA axis used bearings where as the LXD55 uses bushings. The tripod of the LXD55 is sturdier than the standard CG5 tripod. All-in-all the mount wasn't what sold me on the LXD55, it was the optical tube. I wanted a telescope to replace the 80mm for wide-field views, while getting more light gathering. I wanted a telescope that may be sturdy enough for imaging someday. The 8" and 10" Meade Schmidt-Newtonians would be pushing the capabilities of the LXD55 mount, so I decided on the 6".

CG5 (sold) When I purchased my Celestron 9¼" schmidt-cassegrain it was packaged with a CG5 mount. The mount is equivalent to a Synta EQ4. These mounts are clones of the Vixen GP mount, but are known for thick grease and poor quality control. My original CG5 that I received did not seen to have any lubrication on the RA axis shaft, and not enough lubrication on the Dec shaft. The RA axis was so difficult to move I could load 22 pounds of counterweights on the mount, remove the telescope and position the counterweight shaft horizontally, release the RA clutch and the mount would not move until the weights were nudged. This is not normal! I returned the mount and received a much better one in return. This mount doesn't appear to have the extremely heavy grease the majority of CG5's have, and moves very easily even at cold temperatures.

I decided to convert the CG5 and modify some Meade DS motors to drive it as a goto mount. You can see the details on this page.