CGX Equatorial Mount and Tripod
Item #: 91530 / 91530-CGL- Increased load capacity to 55 lb
- 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
- Control software developed in conjunction with PlaneWave Instruments for professional level control operation and imaging
- Adjustable EQ head position to optimize center of gravity over the tripod and fully utilize the increased 3°-65° latitude range
- 2" steel legs with height index marks for quick leveling
- Two handles for easy pickup and transport
- Ergonomically designed dovetail clamping knobs
- Ergonomic latitude adjuster for smooth and easy adjustment under full loads
Overview
- Increased load capacity to 55 lb
- 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
- Control software developed in conjunction with PlaneWave Instruments for professional level control operation and imaging
- Adjustable EQ head position to optimize center of gravity over the tripod and fully utilize the increased 3°-65° latitude range
- 2" steel legs with height index marks for quick leveling
- Two handles for easy pickup and transport
- Ergonomically designed dovetail clamping knobs
- Ergonomic latitude adjuster for smooth and easy adjustment under full loads
Description
For eight years, 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 all-new 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.
Technology
CGX Mount and Tripod Features
- Sturdier and more rigid with quicker dampening time
- Increased load capacity to 55 lbs.
- Improved 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
Improved 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
Improved 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
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 | 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 |
Videos
Reviews
Hot Product Sky & Telescope Award 2017
Sky at Night Magazine Award 2017
“Celestron has gone to town in engineering the CGX with improved latitude and azimuth controls and a low-profile mount head.”
Sky & Telescope – CGX Review
“Slewing is smooth and very quiet, and the mount responded precisely and without backlash when I pressed the direction keys on the hand control.”
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