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IMPORTANT: Our store is located in Canada. All orders that include products manufactured outside of Canada or USA will be subject to tariffs and duties, regardless of the order value. US customers are responsible for all applicable duties and tariffs, and those will be billed by the carrier, except for the Lacerta upgrade kit, for which we collect them at checkout.
Celestron CGX Equatorial 800 SCT
Celestron CGX Equatorial 800 SCT
Celestron CGX Equatorial 800 SCT

Celestron CGX Equatorial 800 SCT

by Celestron
SKU CEL-12050
$3,599.00 - $3,599.00
$3,599.00
$3,599.00 - $3,599.00
$3,599.00
Price Match Policy!
  • 203.2mm (8") Schmidt-Cassegrain Optical Tube
  • CGX Computerized Equatorial Mount with 55 lb load capacity
  • StarBright XLT Optical Coatings for maximum light transmission
  • NexStar+ Hand Control with 40,000+ object database
  • Includes CPWI Telescope Control and Starry Night Special Edition software
  • 2" Steel Tripod with 50.8mm diameter legs for stability
1 in stock
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  • Description
  • FAQ
  • Specifications
  • In the Box
  • Downloads
  • Warranty

  • Celestron CGX Equatorial 800 Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope

    The Celestron CGX Equatorial 800 Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope combines an 8-inch (203.2mm) aperture with the robust CGX equatorial mount, creating a serious imaging platform capable of resolving down to 0.57 arc seconds. With a 2032mm focal length and StarBright XLT coatings, the optical system gathers 843 times more light than the human eye, bringing faint deep-sky objects and fine planetary detail into sharp focus. The CGX mount's 55 lb instrument capacity provides the stability needed for long-exposure astrophotography, easily handling the 12.5 lb optical tube and additional imaging gear.

    8" Schmidt-Cassegrain Optics with 0.57" Resolution

    The heart of this system is the 8" Schmidt-Cassegrain optical tube, a design renowned for its combination of power and portability. The 2032mm focal length at f/10 provides the high magnification necessary for resolving details like Jupiter's cloud bands or the Cassini Division in Saturn's rings, supported by a theoretical Dawes limit of 0.57 arc seconds. Celestron's proprietary StarBright XLT coatings enhance light transmission, which is critical for revealing faint galaxy arms and nebulosity when imaging objects down to the 14th magnitude limit.

    Weighing only 12.5 lbs and measuring 17" long, the optical tube is remarkably manageable for its aperture. This makes setup and transport less demanding, while the CGE dovetail bar ensures a secure, rigid connection to the CGX mount for stable, flexure-free imaging sessions.

    CGX Mount: 55 lb Capacity and Imaging-Focused Design

    Engineered from the ground up for astrophotography, the CGX mount delivers the stability and precision required for long exposures. Its 55 lb (25 kg) instrument capacity provides a significant margin for the 8" OTA plus a full suite of imaging accessories like guide scopes, filter wheels, and cameras. The low-profile equatorial head enhances rigidity, and the heavy-duty tripod with 2" (50.8mm) steel legs dampens vibrations quickly.

    Key features address common imaging challenges. Improved motors and a belt-drive system reduce backlash for smoother tracking, while built-in home and limit sensors prevent accidental collisions during remote operation. Cable management is streamlined with internal wiring, and polar alignment is simplified with ergonomic, large-diameter adjustment knobs. The dual-saddle plate accommodates both CGE and CG-5 style dovetails, adding versatility for using other optical tubes.

    NexStar+ Controller: 40,000+ Objects and CPWI Control

    Locating and tracking celestial objects is managed by the proven NexStar+ system, which puts a database of over 40,000 objects at your fingertips. The hand controller features a two-line LCD display and backlit buttons for easy navigation in the dark. With nine slew speeds up to 4° per second, you can move quickly between targets, while Sidereal, Solar, and Lunar tracking rates keep them centered in the eyepiece.

    For advanced users, the included CPWI Telescope Control Software unlocks the full potential of the CGX mount. By connecting to a PC via the USB 2.0 port, you can use a graphical planetarium interface to control your telescope, perform a more precise polar alignment, and integrate with other astronomy software. This package provides a complete solution for both visual observation and sophisticated remote imaging.

  • What is the advantage of the CGX 800's Schmidt-Cassegrain design?

    The Schmidt-Cassegrain (SCT) design uses a folded optical path, allowing a long 2032mm focal length to fit into a compact 17" optical tube. This makes the Celestron CGX 800 highly portable for its 8" aperture while providing the high magnification needed for detailed views of planets and smaller deep-sky objects.

    Is the CGX mount's 55 lb payload capacity enough for astrophotography with the CGX 800?

    Absolutely. The 8" optical tube weighs only 12.5 lbs (5.67 kg). This leaves over 40 lbs of remaining capacity for cameras, guide scopes, filter wheels, and other accessories. This high payload margin ensures the mount operates with high precision and stability, which is crucial for sharp, long-exposure images.

    How does the Celestron CGX 800 perform on Jupiter's Great Red Spot?

    With a Dawes resolution limit of 0.57 arc seconds, the CGX 800 has more than enough resolving power to clearly see Jupiter's Great Red Spot, along with distinct cloud bands, shadow transits of its moons, and other fine atmospheric details under good seeing conditions. The 2032mm focal length is ideal for planetary observation and imaging.

    Can I control the CGX 800 from a computer?

    Yes. The CGX mount includes Celestron's CPWI Telescope Control Software. By connecting the mount to your PC with a USB cable, you can control all alignment and GoTo functions from a planetarium interface, making it easy to find and track objects and integrate with imaging software.

    What do the StarBright XLT coatings do for the CGX 800?

    StarBright XLT is a multi-layer optical coating system applied to the mirrors and corrector plate. It maximizes light transmission through the telescope, resulting in brighter images and higher contrast. This is especially beneficial for observing faint deep-sky objects like nebulae and galaxies, where every photon counts.

    Is the CGX 800 suitable for a beginner in astrophotography?

    While powerful, the CGX 800 is an excellent choice for an ambitious beginner. The mount's robust 55 lb capacity and user-friendly features like the NexStar+ controller and simple alignment routines flatten the learning curve. It provides a stable, high-capacity platform that you won't outgrow as your skills advance.

  • Optical Design Schmidt-Cassegrain
    Aperture 203.2mm (8")
    Focal Length 2032mm (80")
    Focal Ratio f/10
    Included Eyepiece 25mm (.98")
    Magnification with Eyepiece 81x
    Finderscope 6x30
    Star Diagonal 1.25"
    Highest Useful Magnification 480x
    Lowest Useful Magnification 29x
    Limiting Stellar Magnitude 14
    Resolution (Rayleigh) 0.69 arc seconds
    Resolution (Dawes) 0.57 arc seconds
    Light Gathering Power 843x (Compared to human eye)
    Optical Coatings StarBright XLT
    Optical Tube Length 432mm (17")
    Optical Tube Weight 12.5 lbs (5.67 kg)
    Dovetail CGE Dovetail Bar
    Mount Type Computerized Equatorial
    Instrument Load Capacity 55 lbs (25 kg)
    Mount Head Weight 44 lbs (20 kg)
    Tripod 2" (50.8mm) Steel Legs
    Tripod Weight 19.2 lbs (8.7 kg)
    Counterweights 2 x 11 lbs
    Latitude Adjustment Range 3° - 65°
    Motor Drive DC servo motors
    Slew Speeds 9 speeds, max 4°/second
    Tracking Rates Sidereal, Solar, Lunar
    Dovetail Compatibility Dual (CG-5 and CGE)
    Alignment Procedures 2-Star, 1-Star, Solar System, Last, Quick Align
    Database 40,000+ objects
    Autoguide Port Yes
    USB Port Yes (Mount and Hand Control)
    Power Requirements 12V DC, 4 amps
    Total Kit Weight 97.7 lbs (44.31 kg)

    • 8" Schmidt-Cassegrain Optical Tube Assembly

      × 1

    • CGX Equatorial Head

      × 1

    • CGX Tripod

      × 1

    • Accessory Tray

      × 1

    • 11 lb Counterweight

      × 2

    • NexStar+ Hand Control

      × 1

    • 12V DC Power Cable

      × 1

    • 25mm Eyepiece (1.25")

      × 1

    • 1.25" Star Diagonal

      × 1

    • 6x30 Finderscope

      × 1

    • 8mm Allen Wrench

      × 1

  • Celestron 2-Year Telescope Warranty