Review for Celestron Omni CG-4 Mount

Author: Flygirl Terra {!} , I have owned numerous telescopes and have been in the hobby since I was a kid (over 40 yrs ago)., from Southgate, Kentucky on Aug 25, 2011
Pros:  Excellent value, very stable, smooth motions
Cons:  Heavy (but that's really a good thing- it's not so easily moved when set up but it is very stable.
Would recommend:  yes

Flygirl Terra wrote:

I bought this mount for my 102 mm long focus (F11) refractor. The OTA weighs over 12 pounds and with 2 inch diagonal, guide scope, 2 inch eyepiece, etc. its weight is closer to 15 pounds. Moreover, the tube is well over 40 inches in length with dewcap extended, focuser and diagonal, so it produces a good bit of torque. This mount easily manages it's payload. It is rock steady and vibrations damp down in a second or two. All in all it is very stable. The slow motions are also very smooth and the axis locks hold well. I am very pleased. I previously had a Vixen Great Polaris Mount on an aluminum Vixen HAL tripod. The Omni mount as steel legs nearly 2 inches in diameter. It is so much steadier. The only downside is the weight of the complete setup. It is beyond me if I need to move it more than a couple of feet unless I take off the OTA (easy with the vixen dovetail) and the 11 pounds of counterweights (also easy). The mount arrived well packed in one big box with three smaller ones inside. It has a beautiful fit and finish and is an astonishingly amazing value. I would highly recommend it. Clear Skies, Terra