Celestron CGX-L Equatorial 1400 SCT

14-inch SCT Optics: 0.33 Arc Second Resolution and StarBright XLT

The C14 is observatory-ready, the largest in its class, with over three times the light gathering power of an 8" telescope. You can see detail on the surface of Jupiter, resolve details on the surface of Mars, see Cassini's Division in the rings of Saturn and even the distant planets Uranus and Neptune. The limiting stellar magnitude is 15.3, the resolution 0.39 arc seconds (Rayleigh) and 0.33 arc seconds (Dawes), and the highest useful magnification 840x. The secondary obstruction is 114mm (4.5"), 32% by diameter and 10% by area, in a 787mm (31") aluminum tube.

The optics carry Celestron's StarBright XLT coatings, which visibly increase contrast and light transmission.

• Enhanced Mirror Coatings: Precise layers of aluminum, SiO2 (quartz), and TiO2 (titanium dioxide) give mirror reflectivity that is fairly flat across the spectrum, for both imaging and visual use.
• Anti-Reflective Corrector Coatings: The corrector lens uses multi-layer coatings of MgF2 (magnesium fluoride) and HfO2 (hafnium dioxide) to minimize reflection.
• High-Transmission Glass: The corrector plate is made from high-transmission water white glass instead of standard soda lime glass, which transmits approximately 3.5% more light on its own. When combined with the coatings, the system achieves an average transmission of 97.4%.

f/11 Planetary Scale and f/2 Fastar Imaging Versatility

The native focal ratio is f/11 (3910mm). The Celestron f/6.3 focal reducer for the C14, sold separately, adds more imaging options.

Focusing moves the primary mirror, which slides on the primary baffle tube; the focus knob sits on the rear cell just below the star diagonal, and it takes about 30 turns to go from close focus to infinity. Make the final focus turn counterclockwise so the mirror moves against gravity, which minimizes any mirror shift, and start on a bright object such as the Moon or a planet, since out-of-focus stars are very diffuse.

Before turning the focus knob on the C14, loosen the two mirror locking knobs on the rear cell; they hold the primary mirror mounting plate and should be locked down when transporting the telescope.

The 14" tube is Fastar/HyperStar compatible: the secondary mirror can be removed and replaced with a lens assembly, sold separately and not included, so that a camera works at the f/2 focus of the primary mirror at the front of the telescope. Celestron's SCT manual says f/2 needs exposures about 25 times shorter than f/10, with a field of view 5 times larger and the object 1/5 the size. The secondary mirror should never be removed except to install the Fastar lens assembly.

CGX-L Mount: 75 lb Capacity

The CGX-L carries a 75 lb (34 kg) instrument load; that figure does not include the three 22 lb counterweights. The CGX-L carries Celestron's largest optical tubes with ease.

Celestron's design goals for the CGX-L were larger 144mm diameter worm wheels, which give smoother operation and drive heavier loads more accurately, a longer 270mm dovetail saddle for larger optical tubes, remote-operation features such as home and limit optical sensors, easier polar alignment adjustments and better cable management, with mechanical and ergonomic changes that make the mount sturdier, easier to use and easier to transport. The latitude range is 3° to 65°, the mount head weighs 52.6 lbs, and the DC servo motors slew at 9 speeds up to 3° per second, tracking at sidereal, solar and lunar rates in EQ North and EQ South.

The mount uses internal cabling, with software-controlled limit sensors that stop it before the mechanical hard stops; the R.A. limit lets it track 20° past the meridian. Internal switches take the mount to its home position when you power it on.

Tripod and Dual CGE/CG-5 Saddle

The steel tripod has 69.85mm (2.75") legs with graduated markings on the lower section and weighs 46.2 lbs. It adjusts from 838.2mm to 1397mm (33" to 55"); with the mount the height range is 1524mm to 1955.8mm (60" to 77"), and the equatorial head alone is 609.6mm (24") tall. An accessory tray is included, and the 8mm Allen wrench is stored in the rear carry handle.

The 270mm saddle holds the C14 by its CGE dovetail bar. The saddle takes both the large CGE (Losmandy D style) dovetail and the smaller CG-5 (Vixen-style) dovetail. Test-fit other makers' dovetail bars, since sizes and angles vary and some Vixen-style bars are not flat.

NexStar+ and CPWI: 40,000+ Objects with Advanced PC Control

The backlit NexStar+ hand control has a database of 40,000+ objects. Alignment procedures are 2-Star, 1-Star, Solar System, Last and Quick Align. All-Star Polar Alignment lets you polar align precisely without Polaris or a polar axis finder, using a convenient bright star. After a star alignment, the mount slews to where that star would be if the mount were accurately polar aligned, and you center it using only the latitude and azimuth adjustments, not the hand control.

The USB port on the mount connects a PC to Celestron's dedicated telescope control software, CPWI. The mount's USB port is not intended for ASCOM or third-party software; for ASCOM, connect the PC to the hand control's mini USB port, which is also used with Celestron Firmware Manager (CFM) to update the mount and hand control firmware. Starry Night Special Edition and the SkyPortal app are also included.

Periodic Error Correction reduces the amplitude of the worm gear errors and improves the drive's tracking accuracy; it is a feature for advanced astrophotography, used when the telescope is accurately polar aligned.

Built for Imaging: Integrated Ports and Smart Cable Management

AUX 1 and AUX 2 take the NexStar+ hand control and optional accessories such as StarSense AutoAlign and the SkyPortal WiFi module; two more AUX ports sit under the dovetail saddle and move with the declination axis. A redundant autoguide port sits next to AUX 3 and 4; only one autoguide port can be used at a time, and you pick the one that suits your cable layout.

Never plug the hand control into an autoguide port or an autoguider cable into an AUX port; damage could occur.

It needs 12V DC with at least 3 amps. The included DC power cable has a cigarette lighter plug, portable 12V field batteries are suitable, and the recommended option is Celestron's AC to 12V DC 5A power supply with a threaded barrel connector, sold separately.

Weights and Transport: the 210.8 lb System

With a total kit weight of 210.8 lbs (95.61 kg), the CGX-L 1400 breaks down into these parts:

• Optical Tube: 46 lbs (21 kg)
• Equatorial Head: 52.6 lbs (23.8 kg)
• Tripod: 46.2 lbs (21 kg)
• Counterweights: 3 x 22 lbs (66 lbs total)

The mount head has carry handles, and the 8mm Allen wrench is stored in the rear handle. Lock the C14's two mirror locking knobs for transport.