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Celestron CGE Pro (GoTo)
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40kg Maximum Payload - Fully Computerised
To order this item outside Great Britain, please contact us.
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- CGE PRO computerized Equatorial mount
- Heavy duty stainless steel tripod adjustable from 38 - 55"
- Max payload capacity: 40kg (90 lbs)
- Proven NexStar computer control technology
- 40,000 object database with 100 user-definable objects and expanded information on over 200 objects
- Autoguide port, PC port and auxiliary ports located on the electronic pier for long exposure astrophotography
- Flash upgradeable hand control software
- GPS-compatible with optional GPS Accessory
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Outline
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In addition to being fully computerized with a database of over 40,000
celestial objects, the new CGE Pro German Equatorial mount has been
completely redesigned to offer numerous design advantages for the
Astrophotographer:
- Increased Payload Capacity - Able to hold the 14" SCT telescope more securely as well as larger optical tubes up to a maximum payload of 40kg (90lbs).
- All-Star Polar Alignment - Choose any bright alignment star for a software assisted alignment of the mounts polar axis that will have you ready for imaging even if you can't see the North Star.
- No-Tool polar alignment - Larger hand knobs for both Altitude and Azimuth adjustments.
- Meridian Tracking - Extended tracking pass the Meridian of up to 20 degrees of uninterrupted imaging through the best part of the sky.
- Faster slew speed - Improved gearing and motors provide faster slew speeds than ever before with a maximum slew rate of over 5°/per second.
- Power Management - Redesigned electronics deliver constant regulated power to the motor capable of driving the telescope even when not perfectly balanced. This allows the CGE Pro to have the payload capacity of that of much larger (and expensive) mounts without sacrificing smooth tracking motion and pointing accuracy across the entire sky.
- Accuracy - The hallmark of any telescope mount is its ability to find, center and track celestial objects with the highest degree of accuracy.
- Pointing - With just a standard hand control alignment, CGE Pro has the ability to center a star in your eyepiece or ccd chip to within 5 arc minutes. Using NexStar's advanced pointing features such as Calibration Stars, Sync and Precise GoTo, further improves the pointing accuracy to as low as 1 arc minute in the desired region of the sky.
- Tracking - With larger .75" pitch diameter worm, precision made cut-steel gears in gearboxes, and seven slot skewed armature motors the CGE Pro delivers typical tracking performance of +-9 arc seconds, which can be further reduced with the mounts permanent periodic error correction (PPEC).
In addition to these improvements, the Celestron line of German Equatorial mounts
has long been recognized for features preferred by visual observers and
astrophotographer alike. Among them include:
- Portability – Set up and transportation of the CGE Pro telescopes is made easy by separating the mount into smaller, easy-to-carry components. Unlike fork arm mounted telescopes, the CGE’s optical tubes can be quickly removed from their mounts making even the CGE Pro1400 easily assembled in minutes.
- Stability – Recognized for superior stability, German Equatorial mounts place the center of gravity directly over the tripod legs and can be easily polar aligned without the use of an optional equatorial wedge. This proven design reduces the “tuning fork” vibration that can be associated with undersized fork mounts. An improved Super HD Tripod supports the CGE Pro mount. This fully extendable tripod is made from the finest 2.75" stainless steel and can be raised to a height of 55". The tripod uses a dual leg support for maximum rigidity with an upper leg brace to provide an outward preload and a lower leg brace providing inward tension.
- Balance – CGE Pro equatorial mounts can easily be balanced in both axes. Simply sliding the counterweight for Right Ascension and moving the optical tube along its dovetail mounting for Declination accomplish balancing the weight of camera equipment and other visual accessories. This means that no additional weight needs to be added to balance the telescope when additional accessories are added.
- Clearance – CGE Pro mounts support their tubes at a single contact point allowing the tube to move freely around its polar axis without making contact with the telescope’s mount. Software features allow the user to set the mounts slew limits to guaranty safe motion. This is particularly useful when adding photographic and CCD instruments that extend from the rear of the telescopes.
All CGE mounted telescopes are compatible with Celestron’s CN-16 GPS accessory.
Combine the GPS and built-in real time clock and these telescopes will keep track
and remember their exact location and time without having to enter the information
into the hand control.
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General Features
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- CGE PRO computerized Equatorial mount.
- Heavy duty stainless steel tripod adjustable from 38 - 55".
- One 10kg (22 lbs) counterweight.
- Weighs 69kg (154 lbs).
- Proven NexStar computer control technology.
- 40,000 object database with 100 user-definable objects and expanded information on over 200 objects.
- New All-Star Polar Alignment routine for both Northern and Southern Hemispheres.
- Software Features include: Database Filter Limits, Hibernate, five alignment methods and user-defined slew limits.
- Flash upgradeable hand control software and motor control units for downloading product updates over the Internet.
- Custom database lists of all the most famous deep-sky objects by name and catalog number; the most beautiful double, triple and quadruple stars; variable star; solar systems; objects and asterisms.
- Double line, 16-character Liquid Crystal Display Hand Control with backlit LED buttons for easy operation of goto features.
- 12VDC Servo Motors with integrated optical encoders.
- Permanent programmable periodic error correction (PEC) - corrects for periodic tracking errors inherent to all worm drives.
- Drive Motors - High quality motors with seven slot skewed armature to minimize magnetic cogging for quiet operation and long life. Precision made cut-steel gears in gearbox for Improve tracking precision.
- Bearing and Shaft - Main shafts are made from 1.57" diameter steel tubing with .40" wall thickness with two preloaded 2.68" O.D. tapered roller bearings on each axes.
- Precision worm drive system - .75" pitch dia. precision made steel worm preloaded with two .87" OD ball bearings to minimize run-out (a source of periodic error). 255 tooth 6" pitch dia. precision made worm wheel with enveloping brass teeth.
- Spring loaded DEC worm to minimize backlash and for easy guiding.
- 4 point RA and DEC clutch system for no-slip pointing precision.
- Autoguide port, PC port and auxiliary ports located on the electronic pier for long exposure astrophotography.
- Rugged 9-pin thread on motor cables.
- Latitude range: 10º to 65º northern or southern hemispheres.
- RS-232 communication port on hand control to control the telescope via a personal computer.
- Includes NexRemote telescope control software, for advanced control of your telescope via computer.
- GPS-compatible with optional CN16 GPS Accessory (93967).
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Mount Specification
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| Model |
Celestron CGE Pro (GoTo) |
| MOTOR DRIVE |
DC Servo motors with encoders, both axes |
| COMPUTER HAND CONTROL |
Double line, 16 character Liquid Crystal Display; 19 backlit LED buttons |
| SLEW SPEEDS |
Nine slew speeds 5.5 deg/s, 2 deg/s, 0.5 deg/s, 64x, 16x, 8x, 4x, 1x, 0.5x |
| TRACKING RATES |
Sidereal, Solar and Lunar |
| TRACKING MODES |
EQ North and EQ South |
| ALIGNMENT PROCEDURES |
2-Star Align, Solar System Align, Last Alignment, Quick Align, 1-Star Align |
| DATABASE |
40,000+ objects, 100 user defined programmable objects. Enhanced information on over 200 objects |
| POWER REQUIREMENTS |
12 VDC 2A |
| INTERNAL CLOCK |
Yes |
| GPS |
Optional CN-16 GPS Accessory |
| TRIPOD AND PIER WEIGHT |
52 lb (23.59 kg) |
| EQ MOUNT WEIGHT |
75 lb (34.02 kg) |
| COUNTERWEIGHT BAR |
5 lb (2.27 kg) |
| COUNTERWEIGHTS |
1 x 22 lb |
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Auto-Guiding
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You can use this mount as part of an auto-guiding system for astrophotography.
Other components that you will need are:
- A computer to control the telescope mount (e.g. Windows 2000/XP/Vista).
- Auto-guider control software such as:
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AstroArt is a good commercial solution, because it can control multiple
CCD cameras (e.g. for guiding and imaging) and it can be used for image stacking, processing,
photometry, etc.
- A computer interface and cables to connect the computer to the telescope mount:
- Shoestring GPUSB auto-guider USB Connectivity Kit, through the computer's USB port.
- Shoestring GPINT-PT auto-guider Parallel Port Connectivity Kit, through the computer's Parallel Port.
- CCD camera for auto-guiding :
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Notice
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We are constantly checking the accuracy of the technical data. We are prepared
to provide more detailed information on request. Technical data is subject to
change without notice.
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Promotional Offer
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Cash Back on Opticstar
Imaging Products
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updated: 24th September 2012
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Customers who purchase any Celestron telescopes or Celestron optical tubes
or Celestron mounts
listed on this page qualify for a 10% cash back on any Opticstar astronomy
cameras purchased at the same time or at a later date.
This offer is valid for 1 year commencing on the date that the Celestron
product is purchased from the Opticstar website or the Opticstar showroom.
Any additional purchases at a later date of Celestron products that qualify for
this offer will renew the cash back period to 1 full year.
Opticstar astronomy cameras that qualify for this offer include the following:
Once an Opticstar CCD or CMOS camera has been purchased within a year of
the qualifying Celestron purchase, the cash back can be claimed by contacting
Opticstar by email or over the phone quoting the receipt number(s). Please
allow up to 14 days to process the payment.
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Sample Images
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Opticstar DS-145M ICE
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posted: 13th March 2009
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The M20 nebula shot by John Haunton with the Opticstar DS-145M ICE.
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Sample Images
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Opticstar PL-130M CoolAir
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posted: 10th February 2009
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An impressive 9.4 megapixel mosaic of the Moon by Herwig Sulzbacher with
the Opticstar PL-130M.
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Feedback
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We want to hear your comments.
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Sample Images
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Opticstar DS-335C ICE
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updated: 20th August 2010
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The M8 nebula shot by John Haunton with the Opticstar DS-335C ICE.
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Astrophotography
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posted: 26th February 2013
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High quality refractor telescopes, bundled with CCD cameras for deepd sky imaging,
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A&M 80mm f/6 Review
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"Best Of Breed"
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updated: 25th March 2009
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The A&M 80mm f/6 A&M/TMB has been
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and it has been hailed as the "best of breed". The review concludes by saying "offers
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Willmann Bell
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Books for Astronomy
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updated: 15th May 2012
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Acclaimed books from Willmann Bell...
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