Celestron CGX - 3 Maintenance Tips for Better Performance

The Celestron CGX is a widely popular mount between astrophotographers and visual astronomers. This mount though does have some design flaws that can attribute to performance loss over time. In this video, I’ll walk you through 3 relatively easy adjustments to make if you’re struggling with performance and motor issues on your Celestron CGX. Tuning the belts, adjusting the mesh of the worm and making sure your connections aren’t pinch are the basis of the performance issues you may be having. Hopefully this video of help to you!

[@christas6774]

I have a cgx that went to celestron years back because it had the runaway issue. Now it behaves but I do have that weird vibration noise like you first showed. I'm going to have to try your technique.

[@Luftbubblan]

Nice, good job. Explains some common problems in a fast and simple way.

[@gregsuskin7366]

Thanks for the video on these issues! My CGX is at Celestron right now. I didn't have issues with loud noise or motor fluctuation, but guiding is poor, regardless of seeing conditions, balance or PA. I've owned it for about five years, and I believe it simply needs a tune up. Large Dec backlash and some odd RA movement. Hope it comes back a better mount.

[@Vantage79]

Thank you! Well done.

[@cryhavoc38]

you mentioned two screws to adjust the belt tension but you never showed them. one is the push pull screw of course but which of the three on the motor?

[@qx3V45p]

CGX maintenance. Disassemble. Throw in trash :P

[@Luftbubblan]

I don't have it in me to throw mine away :D Its been a paper weight for close to 2 years now. I would be careful buying these mounts now since it can be hard to get parts and their value should also drop very fast soon(seen a 1k$ drop where i live already) with the rise of cheap harmonic drives in the same price range and capabilities.

[@AmatureAstronomer]

Okay.