Celestron paired a GoTo mount with a large-aperture OTA to produce this Advanced VX 8 200mm f/5 GoTo Reflector Telescope. Pairing the fully motorized and computer-controlled mount with a large Newtonian reflector scope produces an observation platform optimized for lunar, planetary, and deep-space viewing and astroimaging.
Engineered and optimized for astrophotography with mid-sized optical tube assemblies (OTAs), the Celestron Advanced VX GoTo German Equatorial Mount delivers the performance required for clear images through the use of dual-axis low-cog DC servo motors and backlash compensation. Added to this are encoders on the motors and Permanent Periodic Error Correction (PPEC), which help to improve positioning and tracking precision and ensure your target object stays centered for long-exposure photography techniques. Supporting the mount is a large 2" stainless steel tripod that has a wide stance for stability on most terrain and a center tray that holds 1.25" and 2" eyepieces and accessories and acts as a leg lock to further stabilize while helping to minimize vibrations.
The brain of the system is the NexStar+ computer controller, which is equipped with a database of over 40,000 objects, including the planets, stars, nebulae, galaxies, and the complete Messier catalog; it can also be programmed with up 100 custom user-defined objects with filters to create custom object lists. Its intuitive menu-driven user interface makes observing the heavens fast and easy; features such as guided tours, extended information on 200 popular objects, and multiple alignment options make the NexStar+ controller an invaluable tool to new users and experienced stargazers alike.
- 30-pound payload capacity
- Dual-axis low-cog DC servo motors
- Dual motor encoders improve tracking and location accuracy with reduced vibrations
- 7-77° latitude range
- Uninterrupted tracking below meridian to enable observation from a raised location such as a balcony or hilltop
- Integrated 12" counterweight bar with one 12-pound counterweight
- Vixen-style CG-5 dovetail saddle
- 40,000+ object database
- 100 user-defined programmable celestial or terrestrial objects
- Enhanced information on over 200 objects
- Nine slew speeds: 4°/sec, 2°/sec, 1°/sec, 0.3°/sec, 32x, 16x, 8x, 4x, 2x
- Three tracking rates: Sidereal, Solar, Lunar
- Multiple alignment procedures: Two-star, One-star, Solar system, Quick-align, Last-align
- Sky Tour Mode: System seeks out the best objects for the date and time and automatically slews to them
- Identify Mode: Use to identify an unknown object in the field of view, or to find other celestial objects that are close to where the user is viewing
- Anti-backlash compensation: Trains out the intrinsic play between gears for more precise slewing and tracking
- Permanent Periodic Error Correction (PPEC): System learns its internal tracking errors and improves over time for more precise tracking, requiring fewer corrections
- Built-in instructions guide you through the alignment procedures
- 4-line, 18-character LCD display with a 19-button fiber-optic backlit LED keypad
- RS-232 comm port
- Supports English, French, Italian, German, and Spanish
- Database details:
- Solar system: Seven planets, Moon, Sun, and Pluto
- Custom lists of all the brightest stars, double stars, variable stars, and asterisms
- Custom lists of galaxies, nebulae, and clusters, as well as the complete Messier catalog and select NGC objects
- Tubular stainless steel legs
- 2" leg diameter
- 44-64" height-adjustment range
- Center tray holds 1.25 and 2" eyepieces and locks legs in place for greater stability and vibration reduction
- Removable hand controller holder can be moved to avoid cord wrap during long observation sessions
- Weight: 18 pounds
The 12 lb Counterweight for Advanced VX from Celestron helps to counterbalance the mass of a Schmidt-Cassegrain optical tube mounted on the Advanced VX equatorial mount. This telescope accessory is useful for off-setting the additional weight of imaging accessories like a camera or tele-converter.
The Celestron Advanced VX 8 200mm f/5.0 Reflector Telescope Optical Tube is optimized for lunar, planetary and deep-space viewing and astroimaging. Its large primary parabolic mirror draws in copious amounts of light—even from distant deep-space objects like binary stars—and a fast focal ratio ensures views are bright and crisp across a wide field while also allowing for short exposure times. The OTA attaches to any mount using a Vixen-style dovetail plate for fast assembly and breakdown.
- 200mm (8") aperture is ideal for lunar & planetary viewing with the ability to resolve bright deep sky objects
- Fast f/5.0 focal ratio ensures bright and clear views with a wide viewing angle
- 1000mm focal length has a high magnification potential
- Newtonian reflector optical design is lightweight and easy to use despite its large aperture
- Fully coated optics increase light transmission, and improve contrast and color rendition
- Resolution: Rayleigh: 0.7 arcsec; Dawes Limit: 0.58 arcsec
- Secondary mirror obstruction: 2.25"; 28% by diameter;7.81% by area
- Sturdy rack-and-pinion focuser
- Optical tube only, mount and tripod required for proper use
- Vixen-style CG-5 dovetail bar is compatible with a wide array of mount heads
- Weight: 14 pounds
- 20mm focal length produces 50x magnification
- 1.25" barrel diameter
- Accepts most astronomical eyepiece filters
- Fold-down rubber eyecup prevents peripheral light interference
- Relatively low 9x magnification provides a wide field of view for fast manual acquisition of subjects and easy star-hopping navigation
- 50mm objective keeps the overall weight low
- Mounting bracket included