Celestron Schmidt-Cassegrain SC 279/2800 CGX-L 1100 GoTo Telescope
Celestron's Schmidt-Cassegrain optics:
Despite the long focal length of the Schmidt-Cassegrain optics, the tube has a very short design, making the system a compact telescope characterized by extremely light transport characteristics. The light strikes an aspherically shaped Schmidt correction plate and is then thrown onto the spherical main mirror. This reflects it in a secondary mirror, which returns it to the primary mirror. The light beam now passes through the main mirror, which has a central hole. In this way, the light is launched to the focuser located at the rear end of the tube. This means that the system is closed and does not suffer from air turbulence that could harm the image. Of course, this also provides optimal protection against dust. The Schmidt plate is multi-coated, ensuring bright, low-reflection images.
This optic offers a very good image, the contrast and sharpness are convincing and offer great fun, especially when observing the moon, planets or planetary nebulae. Overall, the Schmidt-Cassegrain system is a very good and robust all-round device for observation and photography. The sight at the lower end of the tube allows for easy orientation. The telescope can also be optimally used for occasional terrestrial observations (for example, at close range for bird watching). Celestron SC optics have an aperture ratio of f/10. An optional reducer can be used for astrophotography to make the optics "faster" and increase the field of view.
The main mirror focus ensures a very wide range of sharpness, allowing almost any accessory to be fitted. Two preloaded ball bearings are used in the positioning mechanism to focus the main mirror to minimize "mirror drift" (a typical problem when using simple bearing shells). The use of high-quality materials, such as CNC-milled components from aluminium, cast steel and stainless steel, ensures high stability with little weight, so you don't need a very heavy mount, as may be necessary with other optical designs. .
Optics properties:
long focal length with a short design
light aluminum tube
high quality Starbright XLT multi-coating
system closed
Preloaded ball bearings for low offset primary mirror focusing
The CGX-L mount: The L stands for Large, because the CGX-L is the big brother of Celestron's CGX GoTo mount.
Compared to the CGX, the payload capacity has been increased from 25kg to 34kg. This means that the CGX-L also carries Celestron's larger optics with photographic accessories. The worm gears, which have generous dimensions of 144 millimeters, play a key role, allowing smooth operation even with heavy telescopes, as well as the dovetail clamp, which has been enlarged to 270 millimeters and also holds large telescopes safely.
Despite the higher payload capacity, the CGX-L is an easy-to-carry mount for mobile use. It is supplied with an excellent tripod for this purpose.
However, the CGX-L is also well suited for smaller observatories and remote operations. With the CGX-L you get an extremely versatile mount!
The advantages of the CGX-L at a glance:
Increased payload with excellent payload to deadweight ratio
Additional AUX jacks and autoguider connection on the DEC axis for better cable management
144mm helical gears
270 millimeter long dovetail clamp
Steel tripod with 70 millimeter thick legs
31.5mm diameter counterweight rod for heavy loads
Also read the product description of the little sister CGX. Except for the improvements mentioned above, the CGX-L has the same technical characteristics.
The CGX mount: The new standard for mobile astronomy and astrophotography!
The CGX is a mount that has been newly developed from scratch, which meets high demands with its high load-bearing capacity and yet is designed for mobile use.
New product design:
The saddle plate is closest to the axis of right ascension. The reduced lever thus guarantees greater rigidity and better behavior in the face of vibrations. The declination motor also serves as a counterweight.
The CGX is very easy to transport thanks to the integrated handles. The tripod can also be easily folded without having to unscrew the tray. The tripod leg clamps are attached on the inside so you can't get caught in the screw handles with your pant leg. Thanks to the notches on the tripod legs, you can quickly find your preferred extension length for the legs. The new improved tripod also features a longer support distance, making it even more stable.
The motors are wired inside the bracket. Only the manual control box and the power cable are exposed. The connections of these two cables are attached in such a way that the sockets do not move with the bracket. All in all, this design ensures there is no tripping hazard or a cable could break. An automatic stop prevents internal cables from breaking.
Large handles for two-axis calipers, for azimuth adjustment and for polar axis. The tilt of the polar axis can be changed even under load. There is no need to open any clamps, which would change the setting when tightened. Thanks to a Teflon bearing, azimuth adjustment under load is also no problem.
The saddle mount is also equipped with large, glove-compatible handles. The saddle accepts standard Losmandy and Vixen dovetail bars.
The CGX can track objects up to 20° beyond the meridian. An automatic stop prevents the mount from turning completely: it is not possible to collide with the tripod or internally break the cable.
Outstanding Mechanics:
Improved high-torque motors ensure clean starting and tracking even under heavy loads.
The toothed belt drive ensures a short response time and minimizes gear backlash ("backlash") that is noticeable when changing the direction of rotation. The mount starts up quietly, without the painful grinding of pure gears.
A spring pressure mechanism ensures that the worm wheel and worm shaft are pressed evenly. This reduces friction and optimizes transmission operation.
Improved electronics:
Optical encoders record the position of the mount. This way the mount always finds its way back to its starting position and the motors can also stop before the mount reaches its mechanical spin limit.
The new control software is a joint development of Celestron and Planewave Instruments. This ensures very accurate GoTo and other advantages, especially in remote operation.
The CGX is equipped with the latest NexStar+ hand control. This has a USB port for easy connection to PC. An internal clock saves the last observation location and time.
Additional accessories can be connected to two AUX ports, such as the SkyPortal module. Of course, there is also an autoguider port.
With All-Star Polar Alignment built into the controller, you don't need a polar finder. You can easily align the mount roughly and adjust it by adjusting any star. The excellent mechanical design allows this even at full load. Initializing the Goto, the "Star Alignment", is a doddle with all of Celestron's new mounts.
With the CGX mount, Celestron has launched a very mature product that reflects the superior product design of this manufacturer.
PlaneWave Instruments control software for Celestron CGX and CGX-L mounts:
PWI telescope control unlocks the full precision of mounts. With a USB connection from the mount to your PC, the Sky Viewer display makes it easy to find targets. Or you can search for your destinations in the extensive property database. Additionally, PWI has a connection to the SIMBAD online astronomical database for even more objects.
PWI uses PointXP mount modeling, which allows for numerous reference stars to achieve the highest possible accuracy. PointXP (also used in the StarSense AutoAlign module) offers better accuracy than a classic manual control box. By using numerous reference stars, PWI can account for various alignment errors, including device drift. As a result, Goto's accuracy increases again.
PWI Software Feature:
PointXP Mount Modeling accepts as many reference stars as desired.
Developed by Celestron in conjunction with PlaneWave Instruments
Future updates will include more features and improvements.
Sky viewer star map to find objects easily
Extensive property database, including an online database
The software runs on Windows 7, 8 and 10
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