

See below for the Review from June 2017 of the UK astronomy magazine Astronomy Now
Celestron's newly designed CGX-L Computerized Equatorial mount is the latest addition to our fully computerized equatorial mount series. Capable of carrying Celestron’s largest optical tubes with ease, CGX-L is designed for backyard observatories and remote imagers looking for exceptional load capacity to weight ratio, compact design, and innovative features that fully support large telescopes, imaging kits, and the latest in wireless tech accessories.
Key design goals included larger 144 mm diameter worm wheels which provide smoother operation and can more accurately drive heavier loads, longer 270 mm dovetail saddle to support larger optical tubes, remote operation friendly features such as home and limit optical sensors, easier polar alignment adjustments, and better cable management overall. In addition to that, we’ve made mechanical and ergonomic improvements throughout to make the mount sturdier, easier to use, and easier to transport. COMPACT. ERGONOMIC. INNOVATIVE.
NEW CGX-L FEATURES
Increased 75 lb load capacity. Exceptional load capacity to weight ratio
Additional Aux accessory ports and autoguider port on the Dec axis for better cable management
Larger 144 mm diameter worm wheels to better and more accurately drive heavier loads
Longer 270 mm dovetail saddle to better support larger optical tubes
Massive 70 mm stainless steel tripod legs with a wider stance for improved stability under heavy loads
New accessory tray holds three 1.25” and two 2” eyepieces with an upright stand for your smartphone or tablet
Heavy duty, 31.5 mm stainless steel counterweight shaft to support additional counterweights
Optional add-on polar axis finderscope custom designed for CGX and CGX-L
Supports WiFi and wireless operation accessories such as StarSense AutoAlign and SkyPortal WiFi Module (sold separately)
Warranty: 2 years
Compact, lower profile equatorial head provides improved stability and portability. Sturdier and more rigid with quicker dampening time
Improved motors provide more torque, better slewing and tracking under heavy loads
Heavy duty belt-drive system minimizes backlash while providing smooth motor operation at full capacity
Clear windows built into motor covers so pulleys and belts can be monitored
Spring-loaded brass worm wheel and stainless steel worm gear reduce friction and provide optimum gear mesh
Internal cabling for worry-free remote operation. Power input and lower accessory ports remain stationary while the mount slews to avoid snags
Internal hard stops for both axes prevent cable tension and tripod strike
Internal optical sensors on both axes for simple and safe remote operation
-Home sensors allow the mount to always start in the index position regardless of orientation before a power reset
-Limit sensors automatically shut off slewing or tracking before reaching the hard stop fail safe
Includes Celestron's new PWI telescope control software, co-developed by PlaneWave Instruments. Software features multi-point mount modeling for extremely precise pointing accuracy
Software Polar Align: “All-Star Polar Alignment” allows quick and very precise polar alignment. Align on any bright named star without extra polar alignment accessories, apps, or other assistance
Adjustable EQ head position to optimize center of gravity over the tripod and fully utilize the increased 3º-65º latitude range
Dual-fit Vixen/CG-5 and Losmandy/CGE dovetail saddle
+20º of additional tracking past the meridian on either side
Redesigned tripod has a widened stance for added stability. The minimum tripod height has also been lowered per user feedback
Tripod legs can be collapsed with accessory tray installed for faster setup and transport
IMPROVED ERGONOMICS:
Integrated handles for easy transport and portability
All-new ergonomically designed dovetail clamping knobs
Innovative and improved polar alignment adjustment system
All-new ergonomic adjustment knobs with reduced friction for smooth and easy positioning under full loads. Stationary latitude knob with a newly-designed linkage system greatly reduces the amount of friction when polar aligning the mount. Redesigned azimuth adjustment with low-friction Teflon bearings to make adjustments easy under full load. No more binding, rough adjustments!
Easy to read latitude scale
ELECTRONICS:
NexStar+ hand control with USB port
USB 2.0 port used to connect directly to PC with PWI Software
2 available autoguider ports for optimum cable management
PEC sensor and PPEC ready
Threaded 12VDC power input barrel connector
Internal Real Time Clock (keeps time and site information saved)
On/Off rocker switch with red LED
The Celestron CGX-L telescopes are considered observatory class instruments. That is to say they were designed for the observatory in mind. Although the CGX-L mounts can be transported around to dark sky sites and star parties, the weight of the entire mount is better suited to a fixed observing position, either in an academic establishment observatory, society observatory, private back garden dome or even a run-off shed. These mounts can hold a C14 tube assembly with ease, and are extremely accurate pointing and GOTO devices, providing time is taken to set them up correctly initially. The CGX-L mounts use American Pittman servo motors that are high torque motors suited to working with heavy loads. The CGX-L mounts replaced the older American-made CGX-L mounts, and are more massive mounts with greater weight bearing capacity for imaging. The CGX-L 1100 is the smallest telescope we recommend as a complete telescope/mount pair as a CGX-L package.
Requirements. You will need a power supply, either a 12v DC Powertank or 230vAC to 12v DC regulated adapter with tip positive connection to the telescope. The Tracer LiPo Batteries are the popular power supply for these telescopes.
Budget for the Celestron dew shield and a Neutral Density (ND) filter or a polarising filter, for the moon. Also budget for a 2" star diagonal to make full use of the Celestron and Skywatcher 2" eyepieces available.The Baader UHC, Oxygen III and H-beta filters are also must-have accessories with this scope. As with all SCTs, keep them collimated correctly, you will be rewarded with much better image quality. Collimating an SCT or even an Edge HD SCT is simple. Contact us at Northallerton if further information is required.
With any Cassegrain telescope you will have to consider the affect dew fall. The cheapest solution is a lens hood but when dew is a real problem then heater straps will evaporate dew off.
Optical Tube | |
---|---|
Optical Design | Schmidt-Cassegrain |
Aperture (mm) | 279.4 mm (11 in) |
Focal Length | 2800 mm (110 in) |
Focal Ratio | 10 |
Focal Length of Eyepiece 1 (mm) | 40 mm (1.57 in) |
Magnification of Eyepiece 1 | 70x |
Finderscope | 9x50 |
Star Diagonal | 1.25 |
Optical Tube | Aluminum |
Highest Useful Magnification | 660x |
Lowest Useful Magnification | 40x |
Limiting Stellar Magnitude | 14.7 |
Resolution (Rayleigh) | 0.5 arc seconds |
Resolution (Dawes) | 0.42 arc seconds |
Light Gathering Power (Compared to human eye) | 1593x |
Secondary Mirror Obstruction | 3.75 in (95 mm) |
Secondary Mirror Obstruction by Diameter | 34% |
Secondary Mirror Obstruction by Diameter | 12% |
Optical Coatings | StarBright XLT |
Optical Tube Length | 24 in (610 mm) |
Optical Tube Weight | 27.5 lbs (12 kg) |
Dovetail Compatibility | CGE Mount |
Mount | |
Mount | German Equatorial |
Instrument load capacity | 75 lbs |
Tripod height adjustment range | 35.75” to 52.75” |
Tripod leg diameter | 2.75" |
Latitude adjustment range | 3º-65º |
Tripod Weight | 46.2 lb |
EQ Head Weight w/o Counterweight Shaft | 47 lb |
Total EQ Head Weight | 52.6 lb |
Max Slew Speed | 4º/second (3º/second is default) |
Tracking Rates | Sidereal, Solar and Lunar |
Number of Auxiliary ports (for hand control and accessories) | 4 |
Autoguide port | Yes |
USB Port | Yes |
Software | PWI Telescope Control Software |
Included Items | |
CGX-L Equatorial Head | |
CGX-L Tripod | |
Accessory Tray | |
2 x 22 lbs counterweight | |
NexStar+ Hand Control | |
DC Power Cable (plugs into cigarette lighter socket) | |
8 mm Allen wrench (contained in rear carry handle) |