PART 1 SETUP
This continuing blog series will examine the most important functional aspects of the Celestron digital CGXL telescope mount including setup and operations for first time users.
Compared to old school analog telescope mounts, the CGXL is one of the most sophisticated and complicated mounts on the planet. I hope this guide will serve to help overcome the massively steep learning curve and serve as a master's reference for troubleshooting.
Everything you need to know for basic operation of Celestron's massive CGXL mount, which works with the Celestron 14-inch Edge HD OTA or the 9.25-inch Edge HD OTA. This is potentially the shortest path of instructions to getting a new CGXL mount up and running for planetary viewing and/or imaging.
Power Switch
The photo shows the power switch position. It was important to immediately shut off the mount during a runaway condition when WIFI failed, or the OTA would crash into the metal railing or break through the sliding glass door.
Plug the hand controller into AUX1.
Counterweight Shaft Position
Setup the counterweight shaft to position in between two tripod legs due to the low latitude in Taiwan.
Place 3 Celestron vibration suppression pads under the three tripod legs on the skyscraper deck.
Use the green bubble levelers and make the tripod legs longer or shorter.
Rough Polar Align
As the North is blocked by the skyscraper, position the mount to North using a compass. As the deck has steel girder construction, and the mount has magnetic locations, approximate using a compass from several perspectives, before adding weight. Make sure the compass is raised above the highly conductive bold. I used a non-conductive plastic bottle cap.
Adjust Mount LatitudeBefore adding weight, loosen the two altitude lock knobs and turn the altitude adjustment knob until you are roughly set to your latitude indicated on the latitude scale, then retighten the altitude lock knobs.
