CG4 Mount conversion

[ittone]

Hi all,

I need advice please on how to best and cheapest way to convert my CG-4 mount which used to house a 102mm refractor by means of tube rings to house either a reflector or Mak scope with a fitted dovetail bar.

The spacing is 150mm between the two end connection holes. The width of the recess is 30-31mm.

Thanks in advance.

Tony.

[Cornelius Varley]

I did a diy conversion to mine to accept a dovetail puck a number of years ago. This one from Telescop Express is very similar http://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/product_info.php/language/en/info/p388_Starway-Quick-release---dovetail-adapter-for-diverse-mounts.html . I think this is the I used http://www.scopesnskies.com/prod/telescope-accessories/mounting-bar/long.html (now out of stock) and a dovetail puck I had.

[ittone]

Thanks Peter, I'll look into it further.

I'm surprised that Celestron don't offer the modification.

I'll try and get a local engineering firm to cut a plate with holes drilled at 150mm for fixing to the mount, and will have to probably have to purchase a vixen style saddle clamp to mount onto it.

Once again the prices as with everything else is very excessive for a couple of pounds worth of metal unless another member has a spare they don't require.

Cheers

Tony. 

[ittone]

Being a newbie and needing to learn could you help with the following please.

What is the technical name of the mount type shown in my photo of the cg-4 unit? Is it just for tube ring connections?

I presume Celestron produce various cast metal tube connection types, in this case just for the CG-4.

What is the proper name for the standard dovetail mount that I will probably require for a new OTA that I will purchase in the next month or two?

Still looking at Skymax 127, SW 150 pro or the Revelation MC 6inch Mak which I believe all come with a vixen style rail. Will these rails all be the same width size?

Thanks in advance.

Tony

[Cornelius Varley]

No idea what the correct name is for that type of saddle. The standard dovetail is normally called a Vixen style dovetail. I wouldn't put a telescope any heavy that the SW127 on the CG-4, the SW150 Mak or Revelation would be too heavy for it. I did use a 150 Mak on my CG-4 many years ago and the best upgrade I did to it was to buy a HEQ5 Pro. The difference in stability was immense. With the CG-4 the slightest vibration took 3 or 4 seconds to die down, with the HEQ5 vibration is almost zero.