Celestron CGEM II 800 EdgeHD 8" f/10 Schmidt-Cassegrain GoTo Telescope

GENERAL FEATURES

• 8” EdgeHD optics
• CGEM II computerized equatorial mount
• Celestron’s premium StarBright XLT coatings provide maximum light transmission
• A 9x50 finderscope, 1.25” mirror diagonal for more comfortable viewing, and 1.25” 40 mm Plössl eyepiece are all included

EdgeHD FEATURES

• EdgeHD aplanatic, flat field SCT optics for pinpoint stars to the edge of the largest imaging sensors and widest eyepieces.  Lightweight and portable
• Aluminum optical tube with tube vents featuring an integrated 95-micron mesh filter allows hot air to be released from behind the primary mirror. Mirror support knobs hold the mirror in place and reduce image shift during imaging
• Versatile design accommodates 3 focal ratios: native f/10, f/7 with the addition of a focal reducer, or ultra-fast f/2 imaging with a removable secondary mirror and third-party accessories

COMPUTERIZED MOUNT FEATURES

• 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
• RS-232 communication port on 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

Introducing the EdgeHD Telescope Series, Celestron’s new flagship telescope line... and the CGEM-II, Celestrons new 'GEM' of a mount!

Celestron has taken another bold step as the market leader in telescopes with the introduction of their latest series of high-end telescopes. Since the moment they first started producing Schmidt Cassegrain optical systems, Celestron has continued to design high-quality optics with pride. After years of research and development, they have now taken one giant step!

The EdgeHD is Celestron’s latest innovation that will surely be the system of choice for the serious astro-imagers. The new Edge High Definition telescope series features an Aplanatic Schmidt optical system that produces pinpoint star images all the way to the edge of the field. Some optical systems currently on the market may produce coma free images. But there is a difference.... the optical difference. Not only is the Celestron Edge coma free, but it also has a built in field flattener to ensure sharp focus all the way to the edge of the field, producing true Astrograph quality images. This results in pinpoint, High Definition star images throughout your astro photograph.

These superior features combined with Celestron's recently introduced CGE Pro and CGEM mounts make the new Celestron EdgeHD series the new gold standard in Astro Imaging. The Edge HD is an aplanatic Schmidt telescope designed to produce aberration-free images across a wide visual and photographic field of view. The optical system was designed to reduce more than just off-axis star coma, but also to give an astrograph quality flat focal plane all the way to the edge of the field of view.

Many optical designs that advertise themselves as “astrograph” quality actually only produce pinpoint stars across a curved focal plane. While this may be acceptable for visual observing, stars will appear out of focus at the edge when used with a flat chip sensor of a digital camera. Edge HD optics produce a focal plane more than three-times flatter than a standard Schmidt Cassegrain telescope and dramatically flatter than other competing coma-free designs. This guarantees you visibly sharp stars across some of the largest CCD chips available today.

Now let's talk about Celestron quality...

The Celestron CGEM-II mount 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.

Ergonomic Design - The Celestrom CGEM-II mount 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 Celestron CGEM-II series has a new innovative Polar alignment procedure called All-Star (patent pending). 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. Furthermore, the new model of mount is equipped with a dual saddle capable of mounting both predominant kinds of Dovetail.

Performance - For objects near the Meridian (imaginary line passing from North to South), the Celestron CGEM-II mount 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, 400 user defined programmable objects and enhanced information on over 200 objects.

Celestron's CGEM-II mount is the next level of GEM mounting, an all around improvement to their previous CGEM model with more to it than just a new paintjob and a saddle!

Optical Tube Info:

In the Box