Advanced VX 6" Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope

I purchased the Advanced VX mount with 6” SCT after owning a Celestron Nexstar SLT 90 for a year. I found myself using the SLT 90 all the time and even used the mount to learn how to do astrophotography. I was basically getting limited by my beginner telescope and I decided to go to the next level after trying out a friend’s Advanced VX mount.The advance VX mount is still considered an entry level mount as far as computerized German equatorial mounts go, but it is quite a leap up for me compared to the basic Alt/Az mount that comes with the Nexstar SLT telescope.Getting the mount aligned is simple after a few attempts. Make sure you watch a few YouTube videos on how to get your mount polar aligned, as they helped me out and even my first alignment was pretty easy, but I was already familiar with the Celestron hand control from my Alt/Az telescope. Once you are polar aligned the telescope is accurate at finding objects. Make sure you follow the All-Star alignment tips found on YouTube to get the alignment perfect.Things I like about the Celestron Advanced VX mount and 6" Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope:1. It is easy to setup if you are familiar with Celestron goto telescopes. Expect a learning curve if you have not used Celestron previously.2. The go to function is very accurate. Way more accurate than my Nexstar SLT mount.3. The beefy mount does a great job of dampening vibrations. I’ve even used my neighbor’s higher end Nexstar 8SE mount and the AVX mount is really solid!4. The telescope slews quickly compared to my Nexstar SLT mount. There’s a lot less waiting for the next target.5. The optics in the 6” SCT are very nice. I get much better viewing when compared to my 90 MCT that came with the Nexstar SLT. Stars are brighter, sharper and solar system objects are certainly more detailed.6. It comes with a decent quality 25mm eyepiece.7. It breaks down small enough that I can easily transport it to a dark site.Things that could be improved with the Celestron Advanced VX mount and 6" Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope:1. I had one of the leg spikes fall off after using it 3 times. I was able to easily re-epoxy it back in place. The glue they used was either insufficient or faulty. I don’t think it will be a problem now that I used quality epoxy, but I wonder if the other 2 spike will fall off sooner or later. Celestron should have better quality control.2. The gears are a bit gummy when trying to balance the RA and Declination balance of the telescope. I don’t think this affects the operation, but it does make it harder to balance the load.3. The CG5 dovetail clamp leave dents in your dovetail bar. I’ve seen an aftermarket version from ADM that solves this, but it is a shame that the mount marks up that beautiful orange anodized dovetail on the telescope. I may end up upgrading this.Overall I am pleased with my new telescope and mount. The tracking is fairly accurate if you are correctly balanced. I can get somewhat consistent 1 minute subs when taking astrophotography, but I see auto-guiding will be needed to get better consistency for long exposures. I’m looking forward to more clear skies so I can enjoy the awesome instrument.

Should come with software to operate mount.

Awesome!?I originally got the 76LCM and was a little disappointed.This on the other hand.. Just fantastic.The tripod is solid.. with the center plate in place its rock solid.The Mount is hardy too. No play in it at all when properly installed. The addition of the Clutch system is really nice as well, means you don't "have" to use the motor system. The tube is light weight (and you can tell when you get it properly balanced on the mount).The assembly instructions are a little vacant, but honestly its very clear how this thing goes together.The handset is a standard NexStar system, easy to use, easy to align. The motors in the mount are very well controlled by it and track very well indeed.Setting this thing up properly though... that's tricky. The only "Flat" surface on it is the accessory plate that reinforces the TriPod. This makes leveling the thing tricky, and trying to get it properly aligned with North is also a challenge...It comes with one 25mm eye piece, which is plenty to start with I think. Its a good quality eyepiece also. Id recommend a nice x2 or x3 Barlow to go with this though, it will really help and youll be quite impressed.POWER! This does not come with Power in any way (just a cigar lighter adapter). So make sure you get a 12v adapter of some kind. Id recommend a power pack over a wall adapter simply to give you the option to move this thing about.Take your time when you first set it up too, its really exciting to point this ting at Saturn and grab a gander.. But if you take the time to properly align the Star Finder to the Main scope youll find initial alignment there after a very simple process.It also comes with a Parallel adapter to allow use with a computer / laptop. You might want to consider a USB - Parallel adapter if you intend to use this with a modern laptop.As far as accessories goes Id recommend:12v Portable Power Pack (the scope has a 12v cig lighter adapter so keep that in mind when shopping).x3 Barlow Lens Adapter.The GPS accessory (not essential, but plugging in location, date, and time over and over can get annoying)9mm Lens.