Celestron CGX 700 180mm f/15 Maksutov-Cassegrain Telescope

Optical Tube Assembly

• 180mm (7") diameter aperture enables near- and deep-sky viewing without being prohibitively large or heavy for easy transport to viewing locations
• Long 2700mm focal length provides a high magnification potential
• Front convex meniscus lens corrects spherical and chromatic aberrations as well as comas (off-axis aberrations) across the entire field of view
• Smaller secondary mirror versus Schmidt-Cassegrains reduces obstructions and increases contrast
• Proprietary StarBright XLT fully multi-coated optical system
• Resolution: 0.64 arcsec (Rayleigh), 0.52 arcsec (Dawes)
• Secondary mirror obstruction: 40mm (1.57"), 22% by diameter, 5% by area
• Internal primary mirror focusing mechanism
• 2" visual back accepts larger eyepieces and accessories

StarBright XLT Coating System:

• Multi-layer mirror coatings made from layers of aluminum, SiO2 (silicon dioxide), and TiO2 (titanium dioxide)
• Reflectivity is flat across the light spectrum, for both astrophotography/astro-imaging
• Multi-layer anti-reflective coatings made from layers of MgF2 (magnesium fluoride) and HfO2 (hafnium dioxide)
• High-transmission Water White glass corrector lens with 97.4% light transmission

NexStar+ Hand Controller

Features:

• Intuitive menu-driven user interface
• Nine Slew Speeds: 2x, 4x, 8x, 16x, 32x, 0.3°/sec, 1.0°/sec, 2°/sec, 4°/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
• 100 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 as well as the complete Messier catalog and select NGC objects

Functions:

• All-Star Polar Alignment system enables the user to choose any bright star in the sky, not just the North (Pole) Star, and the system will calculate and assist in accurate polar alignment for better tracking during long-exposure astrophotography
• 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, 16-character LCD window with red backlighting for comfortable viewing without affecting night-adjusted vision
• 19 function keys, backlit in red
• Micro-USB port: Connect to a computer, for use with software programs for point-and-click slewing capability and updating firmware via PC

Mount and Tripod

Mount:

• German equatorial mount is ideal for long-duration astrophotography
• 55 lb payload capacity provides ability to safely carry the included OTA plus a wide variety of observation or imaging gear
• Wide 3-65° latitude adjustment range allows it to track from horizon to horizon
• 20° of additional tracking past the meridian provides greater usability
• Dual-axis servo motors with optical encoders for smooth tracking and quiet operation
• High-torque motors provide smooth tracking and slewing for heavy OTAs
• 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 port for making corrections while astroimaging
• Dual Vixen/Losmandy dovetail saddle, compatible with CG-5 and CGE bars
• Long clutch levers make tightening and loosening of clutches easier for manual movement
• Internal "Real Time Clock" keeps time and site information saved when power is turned off
• Internal cables/wires for snag-free operation
• Runs on included 12 VDC, 4A car/vehicle power supply

Tripod:

• Stainless steel legs
• Adjustable-height 47.25-77.5", including head
• Heavy-duty 2" diameter legs reduce vibration
• Wide leg stance provides greater stability, especially on uneven ground
• Accessory/eyepiece holder tray that doubles as a leg spreader/lock
• Weight: 19.2 pounds

 

Included Accessories

Eyepiece:

• Large 2" nosepiece provides a wide field of view for comfortable viewing
• 28mm focal length delivers a low 96x magnification
• Threaded to accept most 2" eyepiece filters

Diagonal:

• 2" nosepiece accepts larger eyepieces, 2" snout allows it to fit into larger focusers without needed adapters
• 90° angle places the user's head in a comfortable viewing position, especially when the OTA is aimed directly overhead
• Star configuration corrects view horizontally, but view remains reversed

Reducer Adapter:

• Inserts into the visual back or diagonal to allow the use of the more common 1.25" eyepieces and accessories
• Simple drop-in design for fast changes from 2" to 1.25" gear

Finderscope:

• Low 8x magnification preserves wide field of view to more easily find alignment or guide stars
• Large 50mm aperture helps to see dimmer objects and stars for more alignment options and finding guide stars for autoguiding during long-exposure astrophotography
• Includes mounting bracket

Celestron CGX 700 Specs