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Celestron CGX-L Equatorial Mount Without Tripod
The Celestron CGX-L Equatorial Mount head is designed for backyard observatories and remote imagers and can carry Celestron's largest optical tubes with ease. It has a 75 lb (34 kg) instrument capacity, 144mm worm wheels and DC servo motors, and the NexStar+ database puts over 40,000 celestial objects at your command with slew speeds up to 3° per second. This head-only configuration weighs 52.6 lbs (23.8 kg) and is supplied with one 22 lb counterweight; no tripod is included.
75 lb Capacity and 144mm Worm Wheels
The larger 144mm worm wheels provide smoother operation and can more accurately drive heavier loads. The instrument capacity is 75 lbs, not including the counterweight, and DC servo motors drive both axes with Sidereal, Solar and Lunar rates.
Dual Saddle Design: Mounting CG-5 and CGE Plates on a 270mm Platform
Celestron made the dovetail saddle longer, 270mm, to support larger optical tubes. This dual-format saddle is compatible with both the narrower CG-5 (Vixen-style) and the wider CGE (Losmandy D style) dovetail plates.
All-Star Polar Alignment: Precision Across a 3° to 65° Latitude Range
Celestron's All-Star Polar Alignment polar aligns the mount on a convenient bright star without Polaris or a polar axis finder, after a Two Star, One Star or Solar System Align. Latitude adjusts from 3° to 65°.
NexStar+ and CPWI Control: A 40,000+ Object Database via USB
The NexStar+ hand control holds over 40,000 objects, 100 user-defined objects and enhanced information on over 200 objects. It offers 2-Star, 1-Star, Solar System, Last Alignment and Quick Align and 9 slew speeds up to 3° per second.
Celestron's CPWI Telescope Control Software connects to the USB port on the mount; for ASCOM, use the hand control's mini USB port. Starry Night Special Edition is also included.
Remote Operation: 4 AUX Ports, Sensors and Internal Cabling
The mount has four AUX ports and two autoguide ports. Two AUX ports and one autoguide port sit under the dovetail saddle and move with the declination axis, which can be a convenient place to plug in accessories.
The CGX-L uses internal cabling, home and limit optical sensors and a mechanical hard stop on each axis, which helps prevent the telescope striking the mount. The R.A. limit lets you track 20° past the meridian, and an unattended mount stops before the hard stop.
Head, Counterweight and Power
This version has the 52.6 lb equatorial head and one 22 lb counterweight, 74.6 lbs in all, without a tripod. The head attaches with 3 x 8mm socket hex head screws, tightened with the 8mm Allen wrench stored under the rear carry handle.
The mount needs 12V DC with at least 3 amps. The included DC power cable runs it from a 12V battery, and Celestron's AC to 12VDC 5A power supply with a threaded barrel connector is recommended.
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Can I use my existing Vixen-style dovetail on the CGX-L?
Yes. The Celestron CGX-L comes equipped with a dual saddle plate that accepts both the narrower CG-5 (Vixen-style) and the wider CGE (Losmandy D style) dovetail bars.
How does the CGX-L handle cable management for my camera and accessories?
Better cable management was among the design goals, and the mount uses internal cabling. Additionally, it provides two AUX ports and an autoguide port under the dovetail saddle, which move with the declination axis.
This is the CGX-L head only. What do I need to mount it?
Since this package does not include a tripod, you will need a stable platform to attach the 52.6 lb mount head. The head attaches with 3 x 8mm socket hex head screws.
Is the Celestron CGX-L portable enough for dark sky trips?
The CGX-L is designed to be easier to transport, and the head has carry handles. The head weighs 52.6 lbs and the counterweight 22 lbs, before a support and telescope.
What are the home and limit sensors on the CGX-L for?
Internal switches take the mount to its home position at power-on. When it reaches a limit sensor it decelerates to a stop and shows a "Limit Switch" warning, and hard stops on both axes back this up.
Can I control the Celestron CGX-L from my laptop inside?
Yes. Connect the computer to the mount's USB port to use the included CPWI software. For ASCOM or third-party software, connect to the NexStar+ hand control's mini USB port.
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| Mount Type |
Computerized Equatorial |
| Mount Head Weight |
52.6 lbs (23.8 kg) |
| Total Kit Weight |
74.6 lbs (33.8 kg) |
| Equatorial Head Height |
609.6mm (24") |
| Latitude Adjustment Range |
3° - 65° |
| Dovetail Compatibility |
Dual saddle (CG-5 and CGE) |
| Motor Drive |
DC servo motors |
| Slew Speeds |
9 speeds, max 3°/second |
| Tracking Rates |
Sidereal, Solar, Lunar |
| Tracking Modes |
EQ North, EQ South |
| Alignment Procedures |
2-Star, 1-Star, Solar System, Last Alignment, Quick Align |
| Periodic Error Correction |
Yes |
| Auxiliary Ports |
4 (2 on saddle) |
| Autoguide Port |
2 (1 on saddle) |
| USB Port |
Yes (Mount and Hand Control) |
| Hand Control |
NexStar+, USB 2.0 Port |
| Database |
40,000+ objects |
| Power Requirements |
12V DC, 3 amps |
| Included Counterweights |
1 x 22 lbs |
| GPS |
N/A |
| Payload (without counterweight) |
75 lbs (34 kg) |
| Tripod |
No (mount head only) |
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CGX-L Equatorial Head
× 1
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NexStar+ Hand Control
× 1
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- Celestron 2-Year Limited Warranty
