Celestron put together the CGX-L Equatorial 9.25" f/10 Schmidt-Cassegrain GoTo Telescope to provide a complete observational platform that includes a large-aperture optical tube assembly (OTA), the NexStar+ computer hand controller, an updated motorized equatorial mount and tripod, plus an array of accessories to get you set up and observing the Moon, planets, and especially deep-sky subjects like nebulae, galaxies, and star clusters.
Outfitted with a large aperture, long effective focal length, and their proprietary StarBright XLT optical coatings, the Celestron C9 1/4-A XLT 9.25" f/10 Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope provides power and portability. The coating system consists of anti-reflection coatings on the corrector plate, highly reflective index mirror coatings, and low-absorption/high-transmission glass components to ensure that the maximum amount of light is gathered and transmitted to your eye. This system ensures bright and clear high-contrast images with accurate color rendition across the entire visual spectrum without visible distortion at the edges. Celestron includes a standard 1.25" visual back to accept eyepieces and accessories such as the 25mm eyepiece and 90° diagonal supplied with the optical tube assembly (OTA). This OTA is offered here without a mount or tripod for users who already have a support system. Just ensure the mount's payload capacity exceeds 20 pounds to safely carry the weight and that the mount has a Losmandy-style saddle to match the OTA's CGEM mounting plate.
- 9.25" (235mm) aperture
- f/10 focal ratio
- 2350mm effective focal length
- Schmidt-Cassegrain design optical path
- StarBright XLT optical coatings
- Resolution: 0.59 arcsec (Rayleigh); 0.49 arcsec (Dawes)
- Secondary mirror obstruction: 3.35" (85mm); 36% by diameter; 13% by area
- Maximizes light transmission through the optical path
- Improves color rendition, contrast, sharpness, resolution, and brightness
- Broadband system provides flat wavelength transmission across the entire visual spectrum
- Multi-layer mirror coatings with layers of aluminum, SiO2 (quartz), and TiO2 (titanium dioxide)
- Multi-layer anti-reflective corrector plate coatings with layers of MgF2 (magnesium fluoride) and HfO2 (hafnium dioxide); hafnium has a wider band-pass than the commonly used titanium
- High-transmission water white glass corrector plate limits light loss due to internal absorption
- Optical tube only; a mount and tripod are required for proper use
- Comes with an attached CGEM dovetail plate, which is compatible with all Celestron and select third-party saddles; the plate can be unscrewed
- Mount must have a payload capacity of over 20 lb to safely support the OTA
- Standard threads for Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope optical tubes
- 1.25" eyepiece holder accepts 1.25" eyepieces and accessories
Eyepiece:
- 1.25" diameter barrel
- Accepts most 1.25" astronomical filters
- 25mm focal length produces 94x magnification
Diagonal:
- 1.25" diameter barrel
- 90° angle places the head in a comfortable viewing position when the scope is aimed at or near the zenith
- Star diagonal corrects view horizontally, but not vertically
Finderscope:
- 6x magnification
- 30mm aperture
- Mounting bracket included
With an upgraded payload capacity, tripod, and internal gears, the Celestron CGX-L GoTo EQ Mount improves on their venerable CGX platform to provide users with a heavy-duty research-quality mount for larger optical tube assemblies (OTAs), accessories, and imaging rigs. Engineered to carry a 75 lb payload, and outfitted with high-torque motors and a heavy-duty belt-drive system to improve tracking stability and reduce backlash, it is able to smoothly and accurately track near- and deep-sky objects for extended periods of time.
The Vixen/Losmandy dual dovetail saddle has also been lengthened to 10.6" to improve stability and offer greater security for larger OTAs. To provide a solid platform for the mount and your OTA, a heavy-duty stainless steel tripod is included, sporting massive 2.75"-diameter legs, an accessory tray that doubles as a stabilizer, and an adjustment range from 35.75" to 52.75". The minimum height has been lowered almost a foot versus the earlier CGX model to accommodate a wider range of users and different observation positions.
The brain of the CGX-L is the venerable NexStar+ computer controller. Equipped with a database of 40,000 objects, including the planets, stars, nebulae, galaxies, and the complete Messier catalog, it can also be programmed with up 200 custom user-defined objects with filters added for custom object lists. Its intuitive menu-driven user interface gives you the power to observe the heavens with nine slew speeds, three tracking rates, anti-backlash compensation, and Permanent Periodic Error Correction (PPEC) for smoother movements in the motors and improved tracking over time. Features such as guided tours, extended information on 200 popular objects, and multiple alignment options make the NexStar+ controller easy to use and invaluable to both new users and experienced stargazers.
- German equatorial mount
- Lower profile head design provides improved stability and portability
- Head can be set on the tripod in three different positions to optimize the center of balance over the tripod or to provide more clearance when needed at lower latitudes
- 75 lb payload capacity, excluding counterweights
- 3-65° latitude adjustment range
- 20° of additional tracking past the meridian allows for longer observation time when viewing from a rise or hill
- Two autoguider ports provide greater cable management to avoid wire wrap
- 10.6" (27cm) Vixen/Losmandy dovetail saddle, compatible with CG-5 and CGE bars
- Long clutch levers make tightening and loosening of clutches easier for manual movement
- Strong 1.25" (31.5mm) stainless steel counterweight shaft to handle additional counterweight load
- Includes one 22 lb counterweight
- Home sensors allow the mount to always start in the index position regardless of orientation before a power reset
- Internal cabling reduces snags and other hazards
- Stationary latitude knob and linkage system that reduces the amount of friction during polar alignment
- Power input and lower accessory ports remain stationary while the mount slews to avoid snags
- Integrated handles for easy transport and setup/breakdown
- "Real Time Clock" keeps time and site information saved when power is disconnected
- On/Off rocker switch with red LED
- Dual-axis servo motors with optical encoders for smooth tracking and quiet operation
- High-torque motors provide smooth tracking and slewing for heavy OTAs and accessories
- Internal belt-drive system provides smooth, vibration-free tracking while minimizing backlash
- Spring-loaded brass worm wheel and stainless steel worm gear reduce friction and improve gear meshing
- Limit sensors automatically shut off slewing or tracking before reaching the hard stop fail safe
- Internal hard stops for both axes prevent cable tension and tripod strike
- Autoguider capable for making corrections while astroimaging
- Large 144mm-diameter worm wheels to better and more accurately drive heavier loads
- Low-friction Teflon bearings on azimuth adjustment to make adjustments easy under full load
- USB 2.0 port to connect directly to PC with PWI software
- Threaded power input barrel connector eliminates accidental disconnection
- Runs on included 12 VDC, 4A car/vehicle power supply
- Features:
- Intuitive menu-driven user interface
- PWI telescope control software features multi-point mount modeling for extremely precise pointing accuracy
- Nine slew speeds: 1/2x, 1x, 4x, 8x, 16x, 64x (0.3°/sec), 1.0°/sec, 2°/sec, 3°/sec
- Multiple tracking rates: Sidereal, Lunar, and Solar
- Anti-backlash correction trains out intrinsic play in gears for smoother movement and tracking
- Permanent Periodic Error Correction (PPEC): Improves tracking precision for long-exposure astrophotography and imaging
- Database:
- 40,000-object database
- 200 user-defined objects for customization
- Filters for creating custom object lists
- Solar system: All seven planets plus the Moon, Sun, and Pluto
- Custom lists of all the brightest stars, double stars, variable stars, and asterisms
- Custom lists of all the best galaxies, nebulae, and clusters
- Complete Messier catalog
- Select NGC objects
- Functions
- "All-Star Polar Alignment" software allows quick and precise polar alignment without extra polar alignment accessories, apps, or other assistance
- Additional alignment options: One- or Two-star, Solar system, Quick, and Last
- Sky Tour: Based on location, date, and time, the system shows the best objects in the sky and automatically slews to them
- Object info: Provides useful information about the selected object such as magnitude and constellation; includes extended information about 200 popular objects
- Physical characteristics:
- 2-line, 18-character LCD window with red backlighting for comfortable viewing without affecting night-adjusted vision
- 19 function keys, backlit in red
- Mini USB port: Connect to a computer for use with software programs for point-and-click slewing capability and updating firmware via PC
- Stainless steel legs
- Adjustable height from 35.75" to 52.75"
- Large 2.75"-diameter leg sections provide stability and vibration reduction
- Legs can be collapsed with accessory tray installed for faster setup and transport
- Hand controller holster attaches with a hook-and-loop strap so it can be moved from leg to leg and avoid wire wrap
- Accessory tray holds 1.25 and 2" eyepieces with a smartphone stand
- Tray doubles as upper leg spreader/lock
- Lower leg spreader provides additional stability
- Weight: 46.2 lbs
