CELESTRON CGX EQUATORIAL 800 SCHMIDT-CASSEGRAIN TELESCOPE

The CGX 800 Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope features Celestron’s premium StarBright XLT coated optics and the CGX computerized equatorial mount. It is the most lightweight and portable of the three size models. This telescope is especially at home as a solid platform for long exposure photography with optional CCD cameras or photographic equipment. At 8 inches of aperture with our premium StarBright XLT coatings, the CGX 800 gives you over 800 times the light gathering power than the unaided eye.

CGX Mount

Celestron’s workhorse CGEM mount lineup has been the German Equatorial backbone for telescopes ranging from 6 to 11 inches of aperture. Since that time, many more astro-imagers and planetarium controlled setups have emerged as backyard telescope technology has evolved. Celestron’s engineering team applied their years of experience designing German Equatorial mounts to the CGX EQ, a culmination of all the advancements made to our technologies, value, and ease-of-use.

The CGX was designed to better support your telescope for both visual and astro-imaging pursuits. Key design goals included a lower profile EQ head, which provides a more compact and therefore more stable setup; a better drive system; remote operation-friendly with home and limit optical sensors; easier polar alignment adjustments; and better cable management. In addition to that, we’ve made mechanical and ergonomic improvements throughout to make the mount sturdier, easier to use, and transport. The CGX is our Equatorial backbone to support a wide range of telescopes.

CGX Mount and Tripod Features

• • Sturdier and more rigid with quicker dampening time
  • Increased load capacity to 55 lbs.
  • Motors provide more torque, better slewing and tracking under heavy loads
  • Heavy Duty belt-drive system minimizes 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
  • Control software developed in conjunction with PlaneWave Instruments for professional level control operation and imaging
  • Software includes multi-point mount modeling for extremely precise pointing accuracy and many more additional features for remote astroimaging
  • Wider tripod stance for improved stability
  • Adjustable EQ head position to optimize center of gravity over the tripod and fully utilize the increased 3°-65° latitude range
  • Dual-fit CG-5/Vixen and CGE/Losmandy dovetail saddle

Tripod includes:

• 2″ steel legs with height index marks for quick leveling
• “Jack of all trays” can hold three 1.25″ eyepieces, two 2″ eyepieces, your 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

Ergonomics:

• • Two handles for easy pickup and transport

• • Ergonomically designed dovetail clamping knobs
  • Innovative and improved polar alignment adjustment system

• Ergonomic latitude adjuster for smooth and easy adjustment under full loads
• Optional add-on polar axis finderscope

Electronics

• NexStar+ hand control with 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
• PPEC ready
• Threaded 12VDC power input barrel connector
• Internal Real Time Clock (keeps time and site information saved

Specifications

OPTICAL TUBE INFO:

• Optical Design: Schmidt-Cassegrain
• Aperture: 203.2mm (8″)
• Focal Length: 2032mm (80″)
• Focal Ratio: f/10
• Focal Length of Eyepiece 1: 25mm (.98″)
• Magnification of Eyepiece 1: 81x
• Finderscope: 6×30
• Star Diagonal: 1.25″ Star Diagonal
• Optical Tube: Aluminum
• Highest Useful Magnification: 480x
• Lowest Useful Magnification: 29x
• Limiting Stellar Magnitude: 14
• Resolution (Rayleigh): 0.69 arc seconds
• Resolution (Dawes): 0.57 arc seconds
• Light Gathering Power (Compared to human eye): 843x
• Secondary Mirror Obstruction: 64mm (2.5″)
• Secondary Mirror Obstruction by Diameter: 31%
• Secondary Mirror Obstruction by Area: 9.77%
• Optical Coatings: StarBright XLT
• Optical Tube Length: 432mm (17″)
• Optical Tube Diameter: 238mm (9.37″)
• Optical Tube Weight: 12.5 lbs (5.67 kg)
• Dovetail: CGE Dovetail Bar

MOUNT INFO:

• Mount Type: Computerized 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 and EQ South
• GPS: N/A
• Dovetail Compatibility: Dual saddle plates (CG-5 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: 12V DC, 4 amps
• 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: CPWI Telescope Control Software, Celestron Starry Night Special Edition Software, and SkyPortal App
• Total Kit Weight: 97.7 lbs (44.31 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

Solar Warning

• Never look directly at the Sun with the naked eye or with an optic (unless you have the proper solar filter). Permanent and irreversible eye damage may result.
• Never use your optic to project an image of the Sun onto any surface. Internal heat build-up can damage the optic and any accessories attached to it.
• Never leave your optic unsupervised. Make sure an adult who is familiar with the correct operating procedures is with your optic at all times, especially when children are present.

Supporting Videos and Documents

Manuals

• CGX Mount Manual
• NexStar Plus Hand Control Manual
• Schmidt-Cassegrain Optics Manual