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[Chicago Astronomer Joe]

"Hey....How much does that weigh....?"

(Question often asked about Chicago Astronomer Gear)

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At Chicago Astronomer Star Parties, I'm quite often asked how much does the C11 weigh or how hefty is that mount or how much does all of this gear weigh...? I provide an educated guess, but recently while testing out the CG-5, I had the opportunity to weigh some items for a better understanding on how much the gear I bring out to our sessions actually weighs...and how much of that my back carries...

Using two scales for different weights, I can finally see what poundage I lug around for sessions...great workout though.

I will post the individual items one at a time as best as this forum layout can provide...and add to it as I weigh additional pieces of equipment. Mounts, tripods, OTAs, eyepieces, accessories...it all counts - and will provide a decent figure for mount operation/capacities....

[Chicago Astronomer Joe]

CG-5 Mount:

According to Celestron, Mount weighs 18 lbs., tripod weighs 12 lbs for a total of 30lbs.

The scale shows 35lbs, but that's with the Counter Weight Shaft attached, which weighs in at...

...3 1/4 lbs...including the 6" extension shaft piece.

The beefier Dual Saddle, replacing the stock saddle - weighs in at:

...close to 3 1/4.

So...the whole assembly here should weigh in total at about 38 1/2 lbs or so.

8 pounds over...I blame Dark Matter...


Counter Weights....

Celestron says that these are 11 lb weights, but really, they are 12 lbs. They are sold for $34.95 each from Celestron and we are lookin' at $104.95 worth of dead weight here...

or $29.95/$89.95 from third party vendors...

...and one seems a little thicker. but all with a 20mm bore hole...bringing the three weights close to 40 pounds...and the whole assembly so far - close to 78 1/2 pounds.

Should weigh the Hand Controller and cables as well.....