Noise levels from a Celestron CG-5 mount?

Question

So i'm thinking of buying a new telescope in the coming months but need to have a few questions answered about mounts.

First off the main telescope i've got in mind is a C8-NGT. My question is really how noisy is the CG-5 mount in general? and when using the C8-N? I live in a very quiet built up area so noise levels are going to be a big consideration (I like my neighbours afterall lol). Will my neighbours be able to hear the scope slewing? They'll have their windows open some nights so.....

Plus is there anything I can do about those noise levels? I imagine some sort of foam insulation will help.

Same questions go for the Nexstar 6 SE

Thanks

Answer 1

I've never been out observing with a C8-NGT, so can't say anything about its noise levels. I do own a NexStar 6 SE, and find it to be very quiet in operation, quieter than any Meade scope in my experience. I gather though that there is quite a bit of sample to sample variation in noise level in all of these goto scopes.

Answer 2

It's not as bad as the infamous Meade LX-200s for noise.

Planning on doing astrophotography?  If not, consider that an Orion xt10i dob is cheaper, fits in any car, has a push-to computer that lasts months on a 9 volt battery, sets up in under 3 minutes, and has a bigger aperture.

Not all scopes are ideal for everyone - otherwise everyone would buy the same optimal scope.

But some people say you should get a big dob for observing, and a little tiny scope for photography.  For photography, the mount is everything.  And a good mount for a small scope is much cheaper than a good mount for a big scope.  You can always take a longer exposure.  And focal ratio is everything for how long your exposures are - not aperture.  This is counter-intuitive.

I've spec'ed out my ideal scope for photography.  It's $9,000 of stuff.  I don't have $9k, so for now, i'm just observing.