Description
The Celestron CGX Equatorial mount has been designed from the ground up to provide a solid and accurate platform for your telescope for both visual and astro-imaging requirements. The mount has a number of new and innovative features including a lower profile EQ head, which provides a more compact and stable mount; a better drive system; home and limit optical sensors with internal hard stops making it more remote operation-friendly; internal cable management.
In addition Celestron have made mechanical and ergonomic improvements too. These include conveniently located mount carrying handles to make transport and mounting (and removing) the mount on/off the tripod easier. There are also large latitude and dovetail clamp adjustment knobs to make the CGX easier to set up with your telescope.
The mount can be controlled with software developed in conjunction with PlaneWave Instruments – called CPWI – and is supplied free with the mount. CPWI uses advance PointXP mount modelling that allows you to add 100 points to an alignment model for the mount set up, for the most accurate pointing and tracking possible for your Celestron telescope. The software also features an All-Star Polar Alignment routine, motor focus control and plate solving. More details can be found here.
Technology
CGX Mount and Tripod Features
- All-new sturdier and more rigid design with quicker dampening time
- Increased load capacity to 25kg / 55 lbs.
- Improved motors provide more torque, better slewing and tracking under heavy loads
- Heavy Duty belt-drive system minimises backlash while providing smooth motor operation under heavy loads
- Spring-loaded brass worm wheel and stainless steel worm gear reduce friction and provide optimum gear mesh
- Internal cabling for worry-free remote operation. Power input and accessory ports remain stationary while the mount slews to avoid snags
- Internal hard stops for both axes prevents cable tension and tripod strike
- Internal optical sensors on both axes for simple and safe remote operation
- Home sensors allow the mount to always start in the index position regardless of orientation before a power reset
- Limit sensors automatically shut off slewing or tracking before reaching the hard stop fail safe
- Brand new control software developed in conjunction with PlaneWave Instruments for professional level control operation and imaging
- Software includes multi-point mount modelling for extremely precise pointing accuracy and many more additional features for remote astroimaging
- Wider tripod stance for improved stability
- Adjustable EQ head position to optimise centre of gravity over the tripod and fully utilise the increased 3°-65° latitude range
- Dual-fit CG-5/Vixen and CGE/Losmandy dovetail saddle
Improved tripod includes:
- 2″ steel legs with height index marks for quick levelling
- Large accessory tray that can hold three 1.25″ eyepieces, two 2″ eyepieces, smartphone, or other accessories
- 20° of additional tracking past the meridian on either side
- Tripod legs can be collapsed with accessory tray installed for faster setup and transport
Improved ergonomics:
- Two handles for easy pickup and transport
- Ergonomic Carry Handles
- All-new ergonomically designed dovetail clamping knobs
- Innovative and improved polar alignment adjustment system
- All-new ergonomic latitude adjuster for smooth and easy adjustment under full loads
- There is an optional add-on polar axis finderscope if required
Electronics:
- All-new NexStar hand control with a mini-USB port
- Two AUX accessory ports to support wireless/WiFi alignment and operation with StarSense AutoAlign and SkyPortal WiFi Module accessories (sold separately)
- USB 2.0 port, used to connect directly to PC with included software
- Autoguider port
- Permanent Periodic Error Correction (PPEC) ready
- Threaded 12VDC power input barrel connector to avoid accidental power cable removal
- Internal Real Time Clock (keeps time and site information saved
Specifications
| MOUNT INFO: | |
|---|---|
| Mount Type | Computerised German Equatorial |
| Instrument load capacity | 55 lbs (25 kg) |
| Height adjustment range (includes mount and tripod) | 1200.15mm – 1968.5mm (47.25″ – 77.5″) |
| Tripod Leg Diameter | 50.8mm (2″) Steel tripod with graduated markings on lower section |
| Latitude adjustment range | 3° – 65° |
| Mount Head Weight | 44 lbs (20 kg) |
| Accessory Tray | Yes |
| Tripod Weight | 19.2 lbs (8.7 kg) |
| Weight of Counterweights | 2 x 11 lbs |
| Slew Speeds | 9 slew speeds – max speed 4°/second |
| Tracking Rates | Sidereal, Solar and Lunar |
| Tracking Modes | EQ North & EQ South |
| GPS | N/A |
| Dovetail Compatibility | Dual saddle plates (Vixen and CGE saddle) |
| Number of Auxiliary ports | 2 Aux ports (Hand Control can use either Aux port) |
| Autoguide port | Yes |
| USB Port | Yes, input for Mount and Hand Control |
| Power Requirements | Yes, input for Mount and Hand Control |
| Motor Drive | DC servo motors |
| Alignment Procedures | 2-Star Align, 1-Star Align, Solar System Align, Last Alignment, Quick Align |
| Periodic Error Correction | Yes |
| Computerized Hand Control | 2 line x 18 character backlit Liquid Crystal Display, 19 LED backlit buttons, USB 2.0 port for PC connection |
| NexStar Database | 40,000 objects, 100 user defined programmable objects. Enhanced information on over 200 objects |
| Software | PWI Telescope Control Software, Celestron’s Starry Night Special Edition Software, SkyPortal App |
| Total Kit Weight | 85.2 (38.6 kg) |
| Included Items | CGX Equatorial Head | CGX Tripod | Accessory Tray | 2 x 11 lbs counterweights | NexStar Hand Control | 8mm Allen Wrench | 12V DC Power Cable | Hand Control Holster |
