The kit consists of a control unit and a set of drives consisting of a direct drive for the RA axis and a complete set for replacing the standard drive of the DEC axis with a worm drive.
The SimpleDreamCG3 mount control system, is designed to automate equatorial mountings Celestron CG3 and their analogs, and can be used both in stand-alone mode and in control mode from a PC or mobile device.
The set of worm drive drives the declination axis, designed to replace the standard drive with a worm.
SimpleDreamCG3, thanks to the Micro GoTo function, has the ability to automatically, quickly and accurately find objects of space within a given sector of the celestial sphere and accompany them at different speeds.
With the Guide function, you can create astro photographs with large exposures.
Thanks to the built-in WiFi access point, it allows wireless control of the mount from the programs of planetariums running Windows, Android or iOS.
Speeds modes of SimpleDreamCG3:
- Tracking speeds – sidereal, moon and solar.
- Slewing speeds – x10, x30 and x60 sidereal speed.
- Guiding correction speeds – x0.5, x.75 and 1.0 sidereal speeds.
- The speed of slewing in Micro GoTo mode is x60 sidereal speed.
For the Windows OS, in Micro GoTo mode, the SimpleDreamCG3 can work with any astronomical programs that support the ASCOM platform. For example, with the planetariums Stellarium, Cartes de Ciel, StarCalc, etc. At the same time, the ASCOM platform and the Meade Generic LX200 telescope driver should be installed on the PC.
When working in the Guiding mode, the SimpleDreamCG3 can work with programs for astrophotography. For example, with such as MaximDL, Guidemaster, PHDGuiding, etc.
At the same time, the ASCOM platform and GuideDream driver should be installed on the PC, and the ST-4 port on the SimpleDreamCG3 must be connected to the GuideDream (optional) with a special cable, and the unit itself is guiding with a PC USB cable.
For the Android and iOS OS, in Micro GoTo mode, the SimpleDreamCG3 works with SkySafary, OrionStarSeek, and others programs, while the telescope Meade Classic LX200 is selected as the telescope in the programs.
The variety of platforms, drivers and applications with which the SimpleDreamCG3 can work, makes it possible to create for the user particularly comfortable conditions for controlling the mounting depending on the tasks assigned.
For example, an astro photographer generally uses a laptop or PC to search, targeting and guiding the object during exposure.
Such features are mostly programs running on Windows. But for a lover of visual astronomy, for searching and pointing at objects, it is much more convenient to control the mount using a compact smartphone or tablet, rather than using a computer or laptop.
Characteristics:
- Mount type: equatorial
- Type of stepper motor: bipolar
- Power supply requirements: 12V, 2A, 5.5mm 2.1mm plug
- The center pin of the power connector is positive
- Interface type – WiFi
The set contains:
- SimpleDreamCG3 equatorial mount control unit
- Stepper motor unit for RA axi – x 1
- Stepper motor unit for DEC axis – x 1
- Clamp for mounting the motor unit to the DEC axis – x 1
- Adjusting screw – x 1
- Hexagon wrench – x 3
For SimpleDreamCG3 description and installation instructions please check the Simple Dream User Guide.
Documentation, drivers and applications
In order to improve the quality of the product, the manufacturer reserves the right to make changes to the design and equipment without notifying users.
Economy worldwide shipping – $25
Shipment within 5-7 business days after payment day.
Gera92 (verified owner) –
hi ,
yes, is working fine .
MarcoRM82 (verified owner) –
SimpleDream Review ,Excellent Addition to a CG3 Mount
The system works very well. For visual observations it has been an absolute joy. The micro-goto works perfectly for hopping from one star to another when they are relatively close to each other (around 15 degrees). I’ve been able to hop from Cassiopeia all the way to Orion, and every target consistently landed within the field of view of my 32mm Plössl eyepiece. Tracking is good, and I was finally able to observe planets with great ease thanks to this system. Switching between eyepieces, adding a Barlow, and re-centering using the controller is wonderfully simple.
Regarding astrophotography, I haven’t used the OTA directly yet. I do have a planetary camera and I’m still getting familiar with focusing and operation. However, when I use the planetary camera with some vintage lenses I own, I’ve had good results, and SimpleDream has been a great assistant for EAA. With a 135mm f/2.5 lens or a 55mm f/1.8 lens, the maximum single exposure time I’ve been able to achieve before stars start elongating is about 30 seconds. To get longer exposures, I believe a second camera and the AstroGadget guide kit will be necessary.
The motors are very sensitive to tension. I had to make adjustments to align the RA motor shaft perfectly with the CG3 slow-motion shaft. I think it is extremely important to disassemble the RA and DEC axes, re-grease them, and make fine adjustments to the nuts to avoid overtightening or leaving the system too loose (which is quite challenging due to the CG3’s design). This week I’ll be installing axial bearings on the RA axis; I hope the mount performs better and reduces strain on both the mount and the SimpleDream system.
SimpleDream is a fantastic addition to the CG3. With lighter OTAs or small refractors, I believe it would perform even better. The challenge with the 130EQ is achieving proper balance, which is difficult due to the mount’s overall design—the DEC axis is offset to the right relative to the OTA, making balancing a bit of a nightmare. I recommend balancing depending on the region of the sky you plan to observe, to reduce strain on the motor. The DEC axis has worked perfectly for me so far, and I don’t plan to modify it until I see how the RA improvements perform.
Overall, it’s an excellent product I would buy it 1,000 times again. Thank you, AstroGadget. Shipping time was exactly as stated on their website, and it arrived in Mexico without issues. I only had to pay some additional customs fees, but nothing out of the ordinary.