With the largest aperture in the LCM-series of starter scopes, the Celestron 114LCM 114mm f/9 Computerized GoTo Reflector Telescope features a 114mm diameter parabolic primary mirror that is coated with highly-reflective aluminum to allow for detailed observation of the Moon and planets, with the ability to reach outside our solar system and view binary stars, clusters, galaxies, and nebulae. This complete observation platform includes a motorized fork mount, a computer controller, two eyepieces, and a red-dot finderscope.
The brain of the 114LCM is the venerable NexStar+ controller. Equipped with a database of over 4000 objects, with the ability for users to program up to 99 of their own objects, the controller is a feature-rich GoTo system with multiple alignment aids including the Sky Align system. Simply enter in the day, time, and coordinates where the scope is set up, and the Sky Align algorithms will go to where three prominent objects should be in the sky. Simply confirm each one is in the center of the eyepiece and the scope is aligned with the GoTo system orientated. Don't know what to view? Use the Sky or Constellation Tours to see the best objects overhead, or in your favorite constellation.
- 114mm aperture
- f/8.7 focal ratio
- 1000mm focal length
- Newtonian reflector optical design
- Highly-reflective aluminum-coated mirrors improve light transmission, color rendition, and contrast
- Resolution: 1.22 arcsec, Rayleigh; 1.02 arc sec, Dawes
- 1.25" rack-and-pinion focuser
- Simple and intuitive menu-driven button interface
- 4000 object database
- Database Includes: Moon and planets; variable and double stars; IC, Caldwell, Messier, NGC and SAO catalogs; and constellations
- 99 programmable user-defined objects, including land-based objects
- Expanded information on over 100 objects
- 'Identify' feature used to identify an unknown object in the field of view, or to find other celestial objects that are close to the objects currently being observed
- Alignment Procedures: Sky Align, Auto Two-Star, Two-Star, One-Star, Solar System Align
- Sky Align Alignment: Point the telescope at three bright objects in the sky, and the telescope tells you what the objects are
- 'Sky Tour' generates a list of the best objects currently visible
- 'Constellation Tour' allows the user to take a tour of all the best objects within a particular constellation
- Tracking Rates: Sidereal, Solar, and Lunar
- Nine Slew Speeds: 3°/sec, 2°/sec, 1°/sec, 64x, 32x, 16x, 8x, 4x, 2x
- Anti-backlash compensation programs-out play common in gear systems
- Two-line/16 character Liquid Crystal Display (LCD)
- 19 red fiber optic backlit LED buttons
- Mount:
- Motorized single-arm alt-az
- Dual-axis DC servo motors with encoders to improve accuracy, 0.691 arc sec resolution
- Dovetail plate and saddle make set up and breakdown quick and easy without tools
- Integrated button level aids in set up
- Runs on eight user-supplied AA batteries
- Tripod:
- Adjustable-height for easy use by most people
- Tray for accessories such as eyepieces, filters, and flashlights
- Tray locks into place to add stability to tripod
- Hand controller holder can be moved to avoid cord-wrap during long tracking sessions
- Spiked feet provide additional stability in rough or soft ground
- Eyepieces:
- 1.25" diameter barrel
- Accepts most 1.25" astronomical eyepiece filters
- 25mm eyepiece produces 40x power
- 9mm eyepiece produces 111x magnification
- Finderscope:
- Red-dot StarPointer
- Red center aiming-dot is easy to see in all conditions without affecting night-adjusted vision or obscuring target objects
- Pre-mounted for easier assembly
- Unmagnified design provides a wide field of view to make set up and alignment faster