Celestron CGX Equatorial Mount and Tripod

55 lb Capacity and a Lower Profile EQ Head

Celestron designed the CGX as the successor to its CGEM line with a lower profile EQ head, which provides a more compact and therefore more stable setup, plus a better drive system, home and limit optical sensors for remote operation, easier polar alignment adjustments and better cable management. The 44 lb head sits on a 19.2 lb tripod with 2" (50.8mm) steel legs.

• Instrument Load Capacity (55 lbs): Two 11 lb counterweights are included.
• Dual Dovetail Saddle: Equipped with both CG-5 (Vixen-style) and CGE (Losmandy D-style) saddle plates. The telescope needs a CG-5/Vixen or CGE/Losmandy D format dovetail bar.
• Heavy-Duty Tripod: The 19.2 lb steel tripod has graduated markings on the lower leg sections.

Drive and Tracking: DC Servo Motors and 4°/sec Slewing

DC servo motors drive both axes at 9 slew speeds up to 4° per second, with Sidereal, Solar and Lunar tracking rates in EQ North and EQ South modes.

The mount has Periodic Error Correction and a dedicated autoguide port.

Polar Alignment: 3° to 65° and All-Star Polar Alignment

Mechanical and ergonomic improvements throughout make the mount sturdier and easier to use and transport. Polar alignment uses altitude and azimuth adjustment knobs with altitude lock knobs, and the 8mm Allen wrench stores captive in the rear carry handle.

The EQ head can sit in three positions on the tripod: it ships in the center position for latitudes of 20° to 55°, shifts forward below 20° and backward above 55°, and the positions also help balance over the tripod. Celestron's All-Star Polar Alignment lets you polar align on a convenient bright star without Polaris or a polar axis finder, after a Two Star, One Star or Solar System Align.

Remote Operation: Sensors, Hard Stops and Internal Cabling

The CGX uses internal cabling. AUX 1 and AUX 2 take the NexStar+ hand control and optional accessories such as StarSense AutoAlign and the SkyPortal WiFi module; the autoguide port is only for autoguide camera relays. The USB port on the mount is for Celestron's telescope control software and firmware updates.

Internal switches take the mount to its home position at power-on, and software limit sensors stop it near the end of its range. Both axes also have a mechanical hard stop, which helps prevent the telescope striking the mount or tripod. The R.A. limit lets you track 20° past the meridian, and an unattended mount stops before the hard stop.

Total Control: 40,000+ Objects with NexStar+ and CPWI

The NexStar+ hand control holds a database of over 40,000 objects and offers 2-Star, 1-Star, Solar System, Last Alignment and Quick Align. For a more advanced experience, you can connect a PC to the mount's USB port and use the included Celestron PWI (CPWI) Telescope Control Software. For ASCOM, connect the PC to the hand control's mini USB port instead.

Celestron's Starry Night Special Edition software is also included, and the SkyPortal app for wireless control from a smartphone or tablet (requires the optional SkyPortal WiFi Module).