Celestron Advanced VX Mount and Tripod

A 30 lb Capacity on a Portable Platform

The Advanced VX (AVX) is engineered to carry a 30 lb payload, which refers strictly to the optical tube and imaging accessories, not the included 12 lb counterweight. This capacity securely supports popular Schmidt-Cassegrains up to 8" or refractors up to 5", even when fully equipped with a guide scope, camera, and filter wheel. The mount head itself weighs only 17 lbs and the tripod 18 lbs, creating a highly portable system that can be easily transported to dark-sky locations without sacrificing the rigidity needed for sharp, long-exposure images.

NexStar+ Controller with a 40,000+ Object Database

At the heart of the AVX is the NexStar+ hand control, your interface to the cosmos. Its database contains over 40,000 celestial objects, including planets, stars, galaxies, and nebulae, with enhanced information on over 200 of the best targets. After a simple alignment procedure, the GoTo system will automatically locate and track any object in its catalog, keeping it centered in your eyepiece or camera sensor as it moves across the sky.

• Intuitive Interface: The backlit LCD screen and 19 fiber-optic backlit buttons make navigating the menus straightforward, even in complete darkness.
• Multiple Tracking Rates: Select from Sidereal, Solar, or Lunar tracking rates to precisely follow any celestial object.
• Flexible Alignment: Choose from multiple alignment procedures like 2-Star Align or 1-Star Align to get observing quickly.

Advanced Imaging Features: PPEC and All-Star Polar Alignment

The AVX incorporates high-end features essential for astrophotography. Permanently Programmable Periodic Error Correction (PPEC) allows you to train the mount to compensate for the minute mechanical imperfections in the worm gears. Once you record a PEC session, it's saved in the mount's memory, significantly improving tracking accuracy for unguided or autoguided imaging.

Celestron's All-Star Polar Alignment is another key feature, enabling you to achieve a precise polar alignment even if the North Celestial Pole (Polaris) is obscured by trees or buildings. This software-assisted routine uses any bright star to dial in your alignment, saving valuable time in the field and ensuring your tracking is as accurate as possible.

3 AUX Ports and CPWI Telescope Control

The mount is equipped for expansion with 3 AUX ports for connecting optional Celestron accessories like the StarSense AutoAlign or a GPS module. An autoguide port provides a standard ST-4 connection for astrophotography guide cameras. The hand control features a USB port for direct connection to a PC, unlocking powerful control via the included software.

Every AVX mount includes a free license for Celestron's PWI (CPWI) software, co-developed with PlaneWave Instruments. This professional-grade software provides a graphical planetarium interface for mount control and allows for advanced PointXP mount modeling, where you can map over 100 points for unparalleled pointing and tracking accuracy. You also receive Celestron's Starry Night Special Edition software to help plan your observing sessions.

The AVX Sweet Spot: Portability vs. Observatory-Class Features

The Advanced VX mount occupies a critical position in the astrophotography market by bridging the gap between lighter-duty mounts and heavy observatory-class systems. While larger mounts offer higher payload capacities, they come with a significant increase in weight and complexity, making them difficult to transport. The AVX's total kit weight of 47 lbs makes it a practical choice for imagers who need a stable, feature-rich platform that can still be moved and set up by one person.

Its dual CG-5 and CGE compatible saddle plate further enhances its role as a versatile workhorse, allowing you to mount a wide variety of optical tubes without needing to change hardware. For an astronomer growing in the hobby, the AVX provides a solid foundation that won't be quickly outgrown.