Celestron Advanced VX 10-Year Review!

[@DaveAndrus]

Hey Cody! Yours was the first astro channel I subscribed to several years ago when I decided to get back into astronomy and AP. Your down-to-earth (is that an anti-pun?) advice and reviews have heavily influenced my purchases and decisions along the way. My AVX mount is about 6 years newer than yours, and I've also done nothing to mine except to use it. I just wanted to give you a big THANKS for your help! Please keep doing what you do!

[@Wolfie6020]

Great review Cody, My AVX was purchased in 2016. It always had more backlash on both axes than I would have liked so a year later I bought an AZ-EQ6 from Skywatcher which became the primary mount. As soon as the AVX was out of warranty I pulled it apart, carefully reset the gear mesh using a multimeter to detect the exact point where binding started. Since then it has been perfect. No detectable backlash on either axis and guiding is now almost as good as the skywatcher mount. I use the AVX for solar work with a Coronado scope and after years in the Australian hot sun is still working perfectly.

[@AstroBlender]

Awesome, I'm glad you got it working and get good use out of it! Thanks for sharing!

[@nikunjsharma8920]

I bought my avx 9 years ago after watching your review of this mount and it has been a great purchase. It keeps on tracking.

[@ChristopherDoll]

I just got my first AVX today, so I really enjoy your 10 year review. I got it with the C8 package, and I set it all up just in time for the clouds to roll in. The curse continues! But I really enjoyed putting the mount together. It's quite nice and after having big dobsonians and an ancient (but reliable) manual CGEM, I'm looking forward to putting in a lot of hours with this AVX.

[@AstroBlender]

Oh that’s awesome timing! I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. Hopefully the cloud gods have mercy on you soon!

[@richardmorris4697]

That's great, thank you. I bought my AVX a few months ago on Ebay and haven't had many clear nights to really test it. I've read a lot of reviews recently advising against the AVX for astrophotography and had started to think I'd bought a bad mount. Your review has convinced me to stick with it. Thanks again. Clear Skies.

[@chriss8206]

Wow the perfect video I have the same set up and I can't wait to watch this review and it looks like your weight bar is much longer with only one weight

[@peterschmitz4308]

Loved your war story of the mount 😅and glad you're ok now. I have the CGEM II and got a hernia from lifting and setting it up. Thanks for the videos as I have learned so much from you and was able to get up and running on the first clear night back a year ago!

[@jefff8106]

It's the ten year anniversary of my AVX also. I'm with you, I've been very pleased with mine also. I used to run my 8" Edge on mine for a number of years doing AP. Now it pretty much has my 80mm ES Triplet living on top of it. Really shines with that small refractor for DSO imaging.

[@AstroBlender]

Awesome! It just keeps going for me, so I feel it’s a great value. 80mm triplet is an excellent scope, I used one for years!

[@christianadelatour850]

Cody just want to say You and Your vids have helped me enjoy MY AVX …. Thank u bro , from Rockland County NY

[@IvanProsper]

Great review. I am seriously considering mounts and going to the next level from my manual eq and scope. I don't have lots of money to spend so this review has been really helpful. I am confident I could get an AVX and not feel I'm missing out. I hope Celestron give you some sponsorship after this

[@bradsimpson4899]

Hi Cody. I was sitting here with the AVX in my "shopping cart", and thought I would search the "tubes" one more time to see if this was really what I wanted. Great Timing with this video! I'm just getting into astrophotography and it helps to know that I'm not making a mistake with a purchase. I know that there are other options out there, but after weeks of over-analyzing, I think I'm going to go with this one. I went ahead and subscribed to the channel as well. Thanks for taking the time to make the video!

[@AstroBlender]

Hi Brad, Thanks for the comment and I’m glad you’re jumping in! My AVX is going ten years strong, and although it doesn’t hold as much weight as my other mounts, it’s guiding performance is just as good. It’s still a great value in my opinion. Thanks for the sub, hopefully you find value in some of the other content if you need it. Clear skies!

[@MarkSmallegange-bz8ed]

Awesome to see you back! Great video as always, I feel like I have got to know my AVX through you and your videos 😊. Also love my AVX, I’ve had it for about 18 months and it works like a dream. Tracks amazing, guides beautifully, love it!

[@AstroBlender]

Awesome, I’m glad you’re enjoying it. I was surprised how well it guides out of the box honestly. I hope to keep it alive another 10 years!

[@remaguire]

I've used an alt/az mount for my Genesis SDF for years and just recently decided to upgrade to an EQ mount. I finally decided on the Celestron AVX based on your 10 year review and reading the comments to the video. It's been ordered and I look forward to many years of excellent use. Thanks!

[@perry3928]

Thanks so much Cody. Ive been eying the vx for my 8se. Just received the asiair plus and cam. Now looking at the am5, and redcat 61. Thanks again, glad to see you back and congrats on your degree.

[@christoddheartogold]

Thank you so much for this review!! I actually have two AVXs, and I was considering sending one to a remote observatory, but had concerns about how bullet proof it would/wouldn't be. Your review gives me more confidence, so thanks!

[@rickmoore4776]

I just got a used AVX and was seriously impressed. Ive bben using manual eq mounts for years. I did a sun shot and it tracked great for no real alignment. then found out it had been " super tuned". I'm already in love with it. thinking of doing the ADM knobs and saddle. but $20 each knob and $200 for the saddle.. whew.....

[@oldfilmguy9413]

I appreciate the review and the enthusiasm - amazing lifespan of the mount, and nice to have a real world review. Cheers!

[@AstroBlender]

Glad you liked it!

[@AstroCrescent]

Very nice review! I have owned this mount since I started in astrophotography one and half year ago. I am very satisfied with the quality and performance of this mount. Most of my 62 videos on KZbin are done using this mount. Never had any problems whatsoever. Good job with the video!!

[@gihanilangakoon]

Thanks. You have convinced me of the AVX mounts capability

[@BrianFraser]

Welcome back sir - good summary as always

[@AstroBlender]

Thanks, glad you liked it.

[@jonwilliams23]

Great review, really enjoyed it, helped me make up my mind on purchasing this mount.

[@aronbortaneous2331]

Great review & congrats on the Masters in Astronomy!

[@AstroBlender]

Thanks, I appreciate it!

[@tommygoodman4570]

Thanks a lot! I just got a AVX mount with a Askar 103 APO Refractor and it is really good to hear and see your review! I am using it visually now with a teleview 27mm panoptic eyepiece and a 8mm to 24mm Baadder Zoom eyepiece and the first night the weather was good but waiting for more clear skies to observe more?!

[@MrMartgolf]

Wow I know what I am getting for my c8 when I get it, Great 10 yr review, Thank you from Cloudy England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@Johnnyboy_584]

Thanks for the video. Glad to have my AVX as well!

[@goldfish31ful]

Thank you for the videos. I got my first AVX in 2015 and watch one of your videos to learn how to upgrade the firmware in the HC with CFM. So thanks for that. Like you I still have my AVX and still use it constantly. I think I have a bond with it cause I've turned down an EQR-6 because of it. But I have taken mine apart and regreased and reposition the worm and spur gears in it. Still has all the original parts though.

[@m1thumb]

Great review. You are right about people reviewing things after a couple weeks. It's nice to see the features but it's even better to see longevity and usefulness over time. I like your videos and reviews. Very honest and helpful, from a professional astronomer! This video was particularly timely as I am considering what lightweight mount to get. It seems that "premium" mounts are all very large and heavy. Very good to see the AVX can stand the test of time.

[@AstroBlender]

Awesome, I'm glad you found it helpful!

[@briankotak403]

Great review Cody! Nice to see that some things we buy actually can last a long time! Especially for astronomy gear, which is a big initial cash outlay! Dr B from Manitoba, Canada 🇨🇦

[@AstroBlender]

Yeah, I’m hoping it can go 10 more years! :)

[@1fastbunny]

I actually just bought one a few months ago. It took me a bit to get used to but I love it so far. Also wanted to thank you for doing the ASIAIR set up video, I wrote down everything from it. I have not been able to go out a try it out yet, but my fingers will be crossed.

[@AstroBlender]

Awesome, glad to help. I hope the method works well for you!

[@richpr751]

@@AstroBlender That video was also a great help for me!

[@latin01720]

Thank you for your great reviews and your advice.

[@tinacampbell2610]

Perfect timing! I just bought the AVX with 8 SCT just last week and it was good to find out this set up may be the one I can keep for a long time. I just love my new rig. I am coming from a NexStar 127SLT and this new rig makes a lot of difference in seeing and stability. I have watched many of your videos. My list of add ons for my rigs are from many of your videos. I value your opinion. One suggestion for a video I would like to see is what kind of power supplies do you use for your Camera and laptop in dark sky ( no available power) sites? I currently have the AVX 8SCT a SVBony 405CC with f6.3 reducer, and a HP laptop setup... I plug the AVX into a Celestron power tank 12V battery. I have no idea of what other power supply I can run to be able to take photos all night 6-8 hrs... Thank you for making these very informative videos and saving us money on our setups. I look forward to seeing more videos from you in the future. Congratulations on your Master’s degree!

[@rustymullenix]

Great vid. Thinking about this. This might be my next step. Started with a small 70mm, then 12" dob.

[@Zillasmoke]

I just ordered one of these. Hopefully it will work well for me!

[@astroindianx]

10 years 😮 i just bought this mount and i face some issues with avx

[@michaelm.7389]

Really enjoyed your review. Just ordered an AVX. Going to replace an iEXOS-100-2 and hoping for better tracking.

[@scorpianspirit5124]

I have the same mount and it will be 10 years in May 2024 since owning it. It still functions perfect to this day.I bought it with the 8 inch Edge Hd for around $2200 in 2014. I'm sure it will go another 10 years, if I don't drop it ! ;-)

[@rosaluks644]

I have a VX mount for 5 years. Last year it began to act erratically i.e. a slew would never stop once initiated. It turned out to be a defective RA-DEC cable. After I replaced the cable (which is an Ethernet cable essentially) all was OK

[@AlpineWarren]

Do you have a video of observing the southern skies on an equatorial mount? I am looking at buying an Celestron 8" SCT and will down the road do some astrophotography but have been told casual observing on that type of mount can be uncomfortable? I've never had the opportunity to use one or seen it in action. Thanks!

[@haja19]

Very good review

[@Desert_Fawks]

I have an 8"cass with this mount. 😊 my fav

[@craigaverell8346]

Have both the precious version, CG-5 plus the recent AVX. the old version CG-5, I had for 17 years. It still works, sold it. And replaced it with the AVX, a very durable mount. Just to post some feedback.

[@RonaldBryson]

I have the same mount and I agree it is a workhorse.

[@TheOrionDude87]

Great video. Would a 6in Dob on avx do well for AP?

[@mohammadal-debsi9976]

Thank you very much Cody for your informative videos. I like watching them. I currently have a CELESTRON 8" SCT on an Alt Az mount. I also bought the Starsense auto align device to help with stars alignment. Still not sure why my mount never tracks!! I always run it from stable mains power and all firmware updated... etc Anyway... Apologies to trouble you but I am kindly seeking your help here because I am seriously considering to upgrade to this Celestron AVX mount for astrophotography. I even ordered my ZWO camera this morning :) Do you think that my Celestron starsense auto align controller/camera will work well with this AVX mount? I mean is it sufficient to get the AVX to properly track and start basic preliminary astrophotography with this? Or do I still need to do polar alignment? Which is Something that I still trying to understand till this very day :) Thanks and apologies for the long message. Mohammad.

[@qonos68]

Hi Astrob(l)ender (!!), after some 3 years with a DIY wedge under the alt-az mount of my 6SE scope (which, I've to say, I had quite promising results in astrophotography with) I'm gathering as much informations as possible in order to buy a *real* equatorial mount. The AVX is on top of the list together with the iOptron GEM28 and CEM26. I need to say, the mount looks a little noisy compared to the iOptron, and my neighbour lives very close, but skewing in the middle of the night at full speed is quite rare, so probably I will stick with the AVX (in addition I love the ASPA function which I'm already using on the current gear - I can't see the Polar from my veranda..). Your video came in perfect time and I really appreciated the honesty of the review. Thank you.

[@AstroBlender]

All great mounts! The AVX is a bit loud at full slew, especially compared to newer equipment. You’re right though, once I’m on target for astrophotography, the only noisy part is the meridian flip and that’s all. Good luck with your choice!

[@spacecadet210]

Loved your 10 year review. Last Monday FedEx delivered my AVX mount (upgrade from an SE) and I've been putting it through some "simulated" remote tracking tests in the living room; so far so good. Kind of a laugh... I forgot to install the cable on the DEC motor and my first HC use for slewing was met with the dreaded feeling of "Oh no, DOA!" with instant RMA anxiety. About a minute later I saw the DEC cable laying on the TV tray table. What a relief that was. Btw, congratulations on getting your Masters in Astronomy. What University did you go too?

[@AstroBlender]

Awesome! Yeah, don’t forget that declination motor cable, it’s easy to miss! :) Thanks, I graduated from the University of North Dakota.

[@spacecadet210]

@@AstroBlender Lucky you on ND. Much less light pollution and clearer skies than here in Rochester, NY. Especially with the recent and ongoing wildfires north of us in Canada.

[@miketronix]

My AVX has DEC that keeps kicking and sometimes goes different direction where I need to change From Auto to North or Auto to South to retrack properly 😢 My CGEM works like a charm just like your AVX 😊

[@SPFDRum]

Late to the party, but thank you for that informative review.

[@TheGoKidd]

Thanks very much for this review, Cody. What's the heaviest rig you've successfully used on the AVX? I also have the AVX and am wondering if I could go 22+ pounds?? Bob

[@kermitzforg]

The AVX is a great mount! It was my first equatorial mount and I came from a world of push to dobs before that and I was impressed how much detail I could see in an object in my modest HD8 versus a 12 inch or larger dob just because the mount could keep an object still in the center of the eyepiece at relatively high powers! I've also done some astrophotography with it and its worked really well for that too! I've been tempted to sell it and upgrade to the AM5 because it eliminates the need to haul the counterweight and the AM5 is also more compact What are your thoughts on that?

[@AstroBlender]

I love my AM5! It’s a great mount. If you’re strictly looking at astrophotography it’s probably the better choice. If you do visual astronomy and astrophotography, I think the AVX is easier to use for multiple objects in an evening.

[@kidinlove1]

Hey AtroBlender, great review! I just got my AVX with a C8, and watching your video reassured me that I made the right direction. Any pointer for astroimaging? I already have a Canon RP, and I'm considering getting the ASIAir Mini, ASI120MM, and the ZWO-OAG-L.

[@MountainFisher]

I'm buying a VX this week because they are on sale for $999. Nice to know they last. Ed Ting on his channel says he has three VX mounts and has problems with all of them. Also he said one won't point to the southeast no matter what he's tried. Makes me nervous as I don't know much about electronics and software if it goes wonky.

[@Fatal_Inertia]

What telescope is that? I LOVE carbon fiber scopes and have never seen a cf SCT. I need to buy one lol

[@Fatal_Inertia]

Nevermind you mention it later in the video. I didn't know celestron made cf SCTs at one point. I wonder how much they're going for these days.

[@mediabyjw]

hello. thinking of buying this or the hq5. what do you recomend? :)

[@mediabyjw]

im going to guide and astrophotograph :)

[@FranklinNewhart]

Will it hold a 10 inch Reflector?

[@taguajuan2482]

Nice!!

[@SkyFalcon777]

I have a celestron nexstar evolution 8” SCT. I was thinking about placing that scope with reducer on avx. Do you think, would that setup work for astrophotography? SCT Is about 13-14 lbs.

[@jamesw5713]

I don't have a lot of reference with regards to large mounts, I have a Celestron AVX mount and the thing weighs an absolute ton!! So it is amusing to hear you call it light weight lol This coming from a 220lb powerlifter. Had the mount a year and loving it. Only issue is trying to polar align with the polar scope at 51 degrees latitude as very hard to look through it with one of the altitude knobs getting in the way.

[@AstroBlender]

Haha you should lift a CGX! As a skinny guy that sucker is a beast!

[@richpr751]

I have an AVX and I'm getting great astro photos using a 60mm refractor. Is astrophotography with an 8 inch mak like the one in your video possible with this mount?

[@AstroBlender]

What kind of 8” Mak? Maksutov-Cassegrain will be great on planets, the moon, globular clusters etc. not for wide field like shown in the video. An 8” Maksutov-Newtonian would be too heavy for this mount.

[@richpr751]

Like an 8 inch celestron hd

[@richpr751]

BTW great Chanel, very inspirational!

[@cedriclejosne101]

Nice,but for a C11 with hyperstar and camera, which mount could be ok? I suppose that the advanced VX is too low

[@AstroBlender]

I think the AVX would handle that focal length fine, but yeah a C11 isn’t ideal for astrophotography on the Advanced VX mount.

[@chatterjeesidd]

7:32 into the video…strong shin man, it bent your counter weight shaft 😂😂

[@fpanadero2626]

Regarding ASIair: How do you feel about USB3.0 when using 5g wireless? Wouldn't it perform better than USB2.0? Thanks!

[@Ronbo765]

Dropped my mount on concrete because the tripod to mount screw wasn't attached. Still runs well.

[@AstroBlender]

You too, huh? Well, I’m happy it survived!

[@andrewwareing7291]

My AVX is 3 years old and is making a helluva noise! And my guiding is crashing in PHD2, saying it's not getting sufficient motion in dec. Any suggestions?

[@cpdudeyt]

I have an avx too that i bought in August. Haven't used it yet but I Have tested the mount and everything worked just fine. I am scared that the mount may have issues because I have seen people report them. I hope I can get great pictures!

[@Lx85]

Hi Cody. I want to buy the celestron advanced vx 6" newtonian telescope. for observation and astrophotography. I am currently an amateur astrophotographer with my school's meade lx85 8" newtonian telescope. my question is if i buy the celestron avx mount with a 6" newtonian tube can i fully focus with DSLR? because you know some telescopes are not designed for ap and you have to move the mirror to focus. is there such a problem with that? thanks.

[@MountainFisher]

If your camera doesn't come to focus take the lens out of a Barlow and see if that's long enough. I have a C6-N 6" Celestron modified and my camera needs the Barlow spacer.

[@Lx85]

@@MountainFisher so an unmodified stock c6n will prime focus my dslr ?

[@donloughrey1615]

Good.

[@EugeneRu777]

👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@Daniel_DP83]

Saddle Plate: its really a good plate, much better as the Original Plate from Celestron. Tripod: Good but Celestron and other companys should produce more carbon-fiber tripods!

[@zere70]

This mount is only good for visual use it had always a lot of backlash and other problems which made me very unhappy, for photographic better use Skywatcher EQ6R which does the job