Celestron CGX Equatorial Mount & Tripod

Product Description

The CGX mount boasts the latest technology both electronically and mechanically for astroimagers with smooth belt drive motors and a 55lb instrument capacity. 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 new Equatorial backbone to support a wide range of telescopes.

"We really enjoyed using the new CGX mount. It is well designed and well engineered, easy to operate and gives great tracking for both visual and imaging purposes and can be highly recommended." BBC Sky at Night magazine.

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
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 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 3º-65º 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
+20º of additional tracking past the meridian on either side
Tripod legs can be collapsed with accessory tray installed for faster setup and transport

Electronics
All-new 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)

Mount German Equatorial
Instrument load capacity 55lbs
Tripod height adjustment range 47.25” to 77.5” including EQ head
Tripod leg diameter 2"
Latitude adjustment range 3º-65º
Tripod Weight 19.2 lbs
EQ Head Weight 44 lbs
Max Slew Speed 5º/second (4º/second is default)
Tracking Rates Sidereal, Solar and Lunar
Number of Auxiliary ports (for hand control and accessories) 2
Autoguide port Yes
USB Port Yes
Software New telescope control PC software
Included Items
CGX Equatorial Head
CGX Tripod
Accessory Tray
One 17 lbs counterweight
NexStar+ Hand Control
DC Power Cable (plugs into cigarette lighter socket)