CGEM II 800 Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope
Item #: 12010- 8" Schmidt-Cassegrain optical tube assembly
- Celestron's premium StarBright XLT coatings
- 40 lbs payload capacity
- Dual-fit Vixen/CG-5 and Losmandy/CGE dovetail saddle
- 2" steel legs with height index marks for quick leveling
- Internal cabling throughout for worry-free remote operation
- Able to track past the meridian allowing seamless imaging
- USB hand control to control the telescope via a personal computer
Overview
- 8" Schmidt-Cassegrain optical tube assembly
- Celestron's premium StarBright XLT coatings
- 40 lbs payload capacity
- Dual-fit Vixen/CG-5 and Losmandy/CGE dovetail saddle
- 2" steel legs with height index marks for quick leveling
- Internal cabling throughout for worry-free remote operation
- Able to track past the meridian allowing seamless imaging
- USB hand control to control the telescope via a personal computer
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Description
The CGEM II 800 Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope features Celestron’s premium StarBright XLT coated optics and the newly redesigned CGEM II 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 CGEM II 800 gives you over 800 times the light gathering power than the unaided eye.
A fresh update to the venerable CGEM mount, the CGEM II has a fresh, attractive, bold appearance and is capable of carrying Celestron’s higher-end SCT optical tubes (up to 11") securely and vibration free, which is ideal for both imaging and visual observing. Capable of holding 40 lbs. of payload and slewing at 5° per second, you will be able to instantly point to any of the celestial objects in the database.
ERGONOMIC DESIGN
CGEM II was designed to be ergonomically friendly with large Altitude and Azimuth adjustment knobs for quick and easy polar alignment adjustment. The internal RA and DEC motor wiring provides a clean look and an easy and trouble free set up.
INNOVATION
The CGEM II series features Celestron’s innovative Polar alignment procedure called All-Star™. All-Star allows users to choose any bright star, while the software calculates and assists with polar alignment. Another great feature of the CGEM II sure to please astroimagers, is the Permanent Periodic Error Correction (PEC) which will allow users to train out the worm gears periodic errors, while the mount retains the PEC recordings.
PERFORMANCE
For objects near the Meridian (imaginary line passing from North to South), the CGEM II will track well past the Meridian for uninterrupted imaging through the most ideal part of the sky. The CGEM II mount has a robust database with over 40,000 objects, 100 user defined programmable objects and enhanced information on over 200 objects. Celestron's CGEM II mount is the perfect fit between the Advanced Series and CGE Series. Offering the portability of the Advanced Series and the precision of the CGE.
Technology
OPTICAL TUBE FEATURES
- 8" Schmidt-Cassegrain optical tube assembly
- Celestron's premium StarBright XLT coatings
- 2032 mm focal length (f/10)
- 6x30 finderscope to help accurately center alignment objects
- Star diagonal provides more comfortable viewing position when observing objects that are high in the sky
- Includes large CGE style dovetail mounting bar
- 40 lbs payload capacity
- Dual-fit Vixen/CG-5 and Losmandy/CGE dovetail saddle
- 2" steel legs with height index marks for quick leveling
- USB 2.0 port on hand control for direct links to a PC via ASCOM supported software
- 40,000 object database with over 100 user-definable objects and expanded information on over 200 objects
- Internal cabling throughout for worry-free remote operation
- Low cog DC Servo motor with integrated optical encoders offer smooth, quiet operation
- Able to track past the meridian allowing seamless imaging
- Permanent periodic error corrections allow users to train out the worm gears periodic errors once, while the mount retains the PEC recordings
- Software Features include: Mount Calibration, Database Filter Limits, Hibernate, five Alignment Procedures, and user-defined slew limits
- Built-in polar alignment program to polar align on any star in the sky
- Longer clutch levers to make tightening and loosening of clutches easier
- Custom database lists of all the most famous deep-sky objects by name and catalog number
- Solar System alignment method allows to view the moon and planets during the day
- Permanent Programmable Periodic Error Correction (PEC) corrects periodic tracking errors inherent to all worm drives
- Custom Rate 9 feature allows to set maximum slew rate
- Tandem mode allows to star align the mount even when positioned for tandem scope use
- USB hand control to control the telescope via a personal computer
- Includes NexRemote telescope control software, for advanced control of telescope via computer
- Precision machined 40 mm diameter steel Polar shafts supported by multiple tapered roller bearings and ball bearings
- GPS-compatible with optional SkySync GPS Accessory
COMPUTERIZED MOUNT FEATURES
Specifications
| Optical Tube Info: | |
|---|---|
| Optical Design: | EdgeHD |
| 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: | 6x30 |
| 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: | 40 lbs (18 kg) |
| Height adjustment range (includes mount and tripod): | 1346mm - 1651mm (53" – 65") |
| Tripod Leg Diameter: | 50.8mm (2") Steel tripod with graduated markings on lower section |
| Latitude adjustment range: | 15° - 70° |
| Mount Head Weight: | 40 lbs (18.14 kg) |
| Accessory Tray: | Yes |
| Tripod Weight: | 20 lbs (9 kg) |
| Weight of Counterweights: | 1 x 17 lbs |
| Slew Speeds: | 9 slew speeds - max speed 4.5°/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 (1x Hand control Port and 1x AUX Port for optional accessories) |
| Autoguide Port: | Yes |
| USB Port: | Yes, input on Hand Control |
| Power Requirements: | 12V DC, 3.2 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: | Celestron Starry Night Special Edition Software and SkyPortal App |
| Total Kit Weight: | 90.5 lbs (41 kg) |
| Included Items: |
CGEM II Equatorial Head Tripod Accessory Tray 1 x 17 lbs counterweight NexStar+ Hand Control DC Power Cable (item#18769) Hand Control Holster |
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FAQ
What is the heaviest recommend load for mounting a camera in the Fastar / HyperStar configuraton?
We recommend a load of no more than 20 lbs. at 4.5 inches away from the 8" Schmidt corrector.
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