mount selection: AZ/EQ vs. EQ and imaging payload

[Lrlinnell]

My interest is in astrophotography and I am narrowing down my search of a mount between Celestron CGX-EQ (EQ only, 55 lb payload) and the Celestron CGEM II (AZ/EQ, 40 lb payload).

Is there an advantage to having the AZ/EQ if my primary use is astrophotography?

The CGEM II is only rated for 40 lbs and I thought the recommendation is to only go half that (20 lbs) for astrophotography. It would be pretty easy to exceed 20 lbs at some point in the future as my telescope collection grows.

Any thoughts on the tradeoffs between these two fine mounts?

 

Lloyd Linnell

[dannybgoode]

If you're absolutely only going to use the mount for imaging I'd go for the EQ with higher payload. 

If there's a chance you may do some visual with it the ability to quickly set it up in AZ mode is handy.

[Lrlinnell]

Thanks, that is the direction I was heading.... now all I have to do is predict the future - will I ever do visual and wish I had the AZ/EQ? Decisions, decisions...

 

Lloyd

[dannybgoode]

In that price range also consider the Skywatcher AZ eq6-gt. Just got one myself and it's lovely. 

The way it converts from EQ to AZ is genius. So simple and very solid. 

Comparatively good value also.