CG-3 mount - GOTO upgrade

[fredman]

Hi all

I have a AM 130EQ with a CG-3 mount and i was wondering if it is possible to upgrade with a goto system or does it have to be the mount altogether, if it is even possible.

The telescope is farelly recent and it was a gift from my parents on my last birthday, so the possibillity of a intirely new scope is off the table for the time being.

Can you gurus shine a light on the subject?

Thanks

[Cornelius Varley]

The Celestron CG-3 / Skywatcher EQ-2 aren't upgradable to goto. You are going to need a bigger mount.

[fredman]

Darnit.

So what are my choices compatible for my scope?

Thank you for the reply

[Cornelius Varley]

The Astromaster or it's Skywatcher equivalent is sold with the SLT or the Skywatcher AZ-GOTO mount. The next goto mount above those is the Skywatcher Synscan Pro  EQ3-2 

[fredman]

So it will be one of these

http://www.firstlightoptics.com/skywatcher-mounts/skywatcher-eq3-pro-synscan-goto.html

That's only the mount and goto system correct?

[fredman]

Found this as well

http://www.firstlightoptics.com/az-goto/skywatcher-az-goto-mount.html

Either one or the other will be compatible with the AM 130eq

[fredman]

I've noticed that one is equatorial and the other is AZ, Although my purpose is observing objects i also want to do AP. Will AZ be good enough?

[Cornelius Varley]

For DSO photography with a DSLR you will be limited to exposures of about 30sec max before you get field rotation with the AZ-GOTO. For planetary/lunar imaging this won't matter. You also need to consider the total payload to be carried by the mount. To ensure that the mount is not overloaded you should try to stay below 2/3 of the payload capacity of the mount. The EQ3-2 has a payload capacity of about 7kg, so the payload (telescope, camera, guidescope/camera) should be about 5kg or less.

[fredman]

So the AZ GOTO is good but the equatorial GOTO is better.

But if i'll be able to do AP even with the AZ goto, i'm happy.

Now to start gathering money [emoji3]