Basic Information about the CGE Series
Manual Available Online
Here
| In the fall of 2002, Celestron introduced a new line of computerized
scopes - the CGE series. Utilizing a NexStar hand control, the CGE
series consists of a heavy-duty German equatorial mount (GEM) on a
heavy-duty tripod. The series includes 8, 9 1/4, 11 and 14 inch SCT
models and the mount is also sold without an optical tube. Initial
reports indicate it is very stable, with the weight of the 14 inch optical
tube being right at the limit of the mount's capabilities. While the NexStar
8/9.25/11 GPS are excellent scopes for imaging and
all-around use, the GEM format has certain advantages over the fork-mount of
the NexStar scopes. First, GEMs are much easier to balance than
fork-mounted scopes and thus potentially provide smoother tracking.
Second, the entire setup breaks down into 3 pieces - optical tube, GEM mount
and tripod. This allows for easier setup and transport of larger sized
scopes. In fact, the 14-inch CGE is the most portable computerized scope of
its size. With a fork-mounted scope the mount (fork arms and base) are
permanently attached to the optical tube at a cost of weight and portability.
Plus with a GEM, you don't need the optional wedge (required for
fork-mounted scopes) for long-exposure astrophotography.
|
 |
The computerized hand control is a version of the NexStar hand control
made specifically for the CGE. This hand control responds to the same
PC commands (via the RS-232 port on the bottom) as the NexStar 8/9.25/11 GPS, so
programs compatible with the N8/9.25/11GPS are compatible with the CGE. The mount includes the ability to use the CN-16 GPS module for precise
time and location information and also includes an autoguider port.
Following are the basic statistics for the series:
|
|
CGE 800 |
CGE 925 |
CGE
1100 |
CGE
1400 |
|
Aperture |
8" (203mm) |
9.25"
(235mm) |
11"
(279mm) |
14"
(355.6mm) |
|
Focal
Length |
2032mm |
2350mm |
2800mm |
3910mm |
|
Focal
Ratio |
f/10 |
f/10 |
f/10 |
f/11 |
|
Eyepiece |
25mm
Plössl |
25mm
Plössl |
40mm
Plössl |
40mm, 2"
barrel |
|
Max Mag |
400x |
470x |
550x |
710x |
|
Max FOV |
0.9° |
0.74° |
0.6° |
0.56° |
|
Magnitude
Limit |
13.3 |
13.5 |
14 |
14.6 |
|
Resolution Limit |
0.7 arcsec |
0.6 arcsec |
0.5 arcsec |
0.4 arcsec |
|
Finder |
6x30 |
6x30 |
9x50 |
9x50 |
|
Optical
Tube |
Carbon
Fiber |
Aluminum |
Carbon
Fiber |
Aluminum |
|
Fastar |
Yes |
No |
Yes * |
Yes * |
|
Tube
Weight |
12.5 lbs.
(5.7 kg) |
20 lbs.
(9.1 kg) |
27.5 lbs.
(12.5 kg) |
45 lbs.
(20.5 kg) |
|
EQ Mount
Weight |
42 lbs.
(19.1 kg) |
|
Tripod
Weight |
41.5 lbs.
(18.9 kg) |
* Fastar for the CGE 1100 and 1400 is only available via
Starizona.
Additional information is found
here on Celestron's web site.
|
