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Celestron Dual-Axis Motor Drive for CG-4 Mounts
Upgrade your Celestron CG-4 mount with the Celestron Dual-Axis Motor Drive, adding essential tracking and 4-direction correction capabilities. The right ascension motor automates tracking to keep objects centered, while the declination motor enables precise adjustments at 2x, 4x, or 8x sidereal speed via the drive corrector hand controller. This system is powered by four D-cell batteries and operates on a 6 Volt input, making it a fully self-contained solution for visual astronomy and long-exposure astrophotography.
Dual-Axis Motors for Automated Tracking and Guiding
This drive system transforms your manual CG-4 mount into a capable tracking platform. The Right Ascension (RA) motor compensates for Earth's rotation, keeping stars, planets, and nebulae from drifting out of your eyepiece. The addition of the Declination (Dec) motor provides the crucial four-direction control needed for precise framing and guided astrophotography, allowing you to make the fine corrections necessary to capture sharp, point-like stars in your images.
4-Way Control with 2x, 4x, and 8x Speeds
The included drive corrector hand controller puts complete control at your fingertips. You can effortlessly adjust the telescope's pointing in any of the four cardinal directions (north, south, east, west). A simple switch lets you select between three different speeds to suit your task.
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2x Sidereal Rate: This slow speed is designed for making subtle guiding corrections during astrophotography, ensuring your guide star stays locked in place.
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4x Sidereal Rate: Ideal for accurately centering an object within the high-magnification field of view of your eyepiece.
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8x Sidereal Rate: The fastest correction speed, used for centering objects in the finderscope as well as the eyepiece.
Self-Contained 6V Battery Power for Field Use
Designed for portability, the Celestron Dual-Axis Motor Drive runs on four D-cell batteries housed in a dedicated power pack, eliminating the need for an external 12V power source. This makes it an ideal upgrade for astronomers who observe away from home. A simple "N/Off/S" switch on the hand controller reverses the motor's direction, allowing for correct tracking in either the Northern or Southern Hemisphere. It is critical to note this is a 6 Volt system and must not be connected to a 12V power source like a Celestron PowerTank.
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What is the main benefit of installing the Dual-Axis Motor Drive on my CG-4 mount?
The primary benefit is automated tracking. The Right Ascension motor turns your telescope at the same rate as the Earth's rotation, which keeps celestial objects centered in your eyepiece without constant manual adjustment. This is essential for relaxed visual observing and a requirement for astrophotography.
Can I do astrophotography with the Celestron Dual-Axis Motor Drive?
Yes. This drive system provides both RA tracking and Dec correction capabilities, which are necessary for guided long-exposure astrophotography. The 2x speed setting on the hand controller is specifically for making the fine adjustments needed to keep a guide star centered.
How do I power the CG-4 Motor Drive in the field?
The system is powered by four D-cell batteries, which fit into the included power pack. This makes it a portable, self-contained unit. Important: This is a 6V system and cannot be used with 12V power sources like car batteries or a Celestron PowerTank.
Is the Celestron Dual-Axis Motor Drive difficult to install on the CG-4 mount?
Installation is straightforward for most users. The package includes all necessary mounting brackets, hardware, and a clutch mechanism. You will attach the two motors to the corresponding axes on the CG-4 mount and connect them to the hand controller.
Can I use the CG-4 Motor Drive in both Australia and the United States?
Yes. The hand controller has a "N/Off/S" switch. Simply set it to "N" for the Northern Hemisphere (like the US) or "S" for the Southern Hemisphere (like Australia) to ensure the motor tracks in the correct direction for your location.
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| Mount Compatibility |
Celestron CG-4 Equatorial Mounts |
| Motor Control |
RA and Dec motors included |
| Hand Controller |
Drive corrector with 4-way control |
| Correction Speeds |
2x, 4x, and 8x Sidereal Rate |
| Power Requirement |
6V DC (from four D-cell batteries) |
| Hemisphere Support |
Switchable for Northern or Southern Hemisphere |
| Warranty |
2-Year Warranty |
| Batteries |
4 x D-cell (not included) |
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Right Ascension (RA) Motor
× 1
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Declination (Dec) Motor
× 1
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Clutch and Gear Assembly
× 1
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Mounting Brackets and Hardware (set)
× 1
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Drive Corrector Hand Controller
× 1
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- Celestron 2-Year Warranty
