Orion Atlas EQ-G Mount with GoTo Controller

5.0 Atlas EQ-G: Worthy of Its Namesake

Very well built, accurate GOTO, quality construction.

None so far.

Atlas was the Greek icon who held up the world, and that is a fitting name for this solid and substantial mount. Coming from an unreliable and overrated competitor's mount, I am thrilled with this heavy-duty mount, and feel it is overlooked. Its nearest competitor would the Losmandy GM-8 or the new Celestron CGEM. The Losmandy is a grand more, and the CGEM has plastic gears whereas this Orion mount has steel gears. In addition, the CGEM appears as nothing more than a re-styled Sirius GOTO mount.

The EQ-G is rated for 40 pounds. It is heavy (45 pounds), sturdy, and first impressions are that it is much more substantial than other mounts costing far more and rated for a lot more weight. Detailed specs can be found at http://www.telescope.com/control/product/~category_id=mounts_and_tripods/~pcategory=accessories/~product_id=24338

The handheld controller's firmware can be updated easily, and computer linking was fast, easy and reliable. The 'Skyscan' controller is intuitive and, I feel, much more practical than others. At first glance it may not seem to have as many features, but for day to day use, the controller is easier to use and more reliable than others I have experience with. You rapidly come to enjoy the simplicity and utilitarian nature of this controller.

The Orion EQ-G has a screw-in adapter for the cord from the handheld controller that prevents problems associated with cords springing free of the mount. The balancing arm has a unique feature: it retracts inside the mount for transport, and I find this a very desirable feature. Orion includes the North Star finder scope (an add-on for most others) and it is also easy to use, although you may need to align it the first time you use it.

Field setup is quick and easy. The large receiver makes it easier to attach my C11 than my previous mount, and the double screw system makes the connection seem more reliable than on the CG-5. Balancing is easy, and the GOTO function is consistently reliable.

The GOTO allows several alignment choices. I regularly use the 3 star alignment. Depending on how well I align the north star, the first star is either in the viewfinder or close, and after that the second star is almost dead on, and the third is always dead-on. Once this is completed, I have always been amazed that the mount finds objects almost dead center in the eyepiece.

There is a 'Prescision Accuracy Enhancment' (PAE). Once you have a known object centered in the eyepiece, hold the ESC key for two seconds, and the controlled gives you the option of refining your pointing with that target. This further ensures GOTOs are dead centered, especially in that section of the sky. This is by far the easiest precision enhancement I know of.

I have encountered challenges in finding NGC4038/4039 before with other mounts. I tried with the Orion, and they were dead center in the eyepiece.

I have the C11 SGT with a piggyback SLR mount, and often do astrophotography with an Orion StarShoot (I sent back the Meade - another review). This mount allows me extended exposures without guiding. So far I've gone up to ten minutes without blur, and intend to try longer exposures now that M42 is coming up sooner at night. Wind does not appear to affect the solid mount, and refocusing, which used to require 3-4 seconds to stabilize, now stabilizes in under 1 second.

All in all, I cannot imagine being more satisfied with a mount.