Celestron CGEM 1100 Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope
Item#: HN-CELE311
Price:
$3,399.00
Product Summary
Exploring the night sky may have never been easier thanks to the advanced alignment and tracking capability of this Celestron telescope. The telescope features a CGEM mount with software that can help you with polar alignment of the device as well as track objects near the meridian as they travel across the night sky. The included tripod allows for easy portability and possesses an accessory tray for keeping the equipment and tools you need to observe and record celestial objects. A 40,000 object database is also included, to give you plenty of known objects to look for and enjoy.
For help and guidance, call our optics specialists at 1-800-303-5877.
Description
Celestron's CGEM-1100 features our high-end 11" Schmidt Cassegrian OTA with XLT coatings mounted on our brand new CGEM™ mount.
The Celestron CGEM™ mount has a fresh, attractive, bold appearance and is capable of carrying Celestron’s higher-end SCT optical tubes (up to 11") securely and vibration free which is ideal for both imaging and visual observing.
Ergonomic Design - CGEM was designed to be ergonomically friendly with large Altitude and Azimuth adjustment knobs for quick and easy polar alignment adjustment. The internal RA and DEC motor wiring provides a clean look and an easy and trouble free set up.
Innovation - The CGEM series has a new innovative Polar alignment procedure called All-Star™ (patent pending). All-Star allows users to choose any bright star, while the software calculates and assists with polar alignment. Another great feature of the CGEM, sure to please astroimagers, is the Permanent Periodic Error Correction (PEC) which will allow users to train out the worm gears periodic errors, while the mount retains the PEC recordings.
Performance - For objects near the Meridian (imaginary line passing from North to South), the CGEM will track well past the Meridian for uninterrupted imaging through the most ideal part of the sky. The CGEM mount has a robust database with over 40,000 objects, 400 user defined programmable objects and enhanced information on over 200 objects.
Celestron's CGEM mount is the perfect fit between the Advanced Series and CGE Series. Offering the portability of the Advanced Series and the precision of the CGE.
Features:
- CGEM Computerized Equatorial Mount
- Ultra sturdy 2" steel tripod with Accessory Tray
- 9x50 Finderscope for easy centering of objects
- 40,000 object database with 400 user-definable objects and expanded information on over 200 objects
- Proven NexStar computer control technology
- Flash upgradeable hand control software and motor control units for downloading product updates over the Internet
- New "All-star" Polar alignment uses any bright star for a quick and accurate Polar alignment
- Software Features include: Mount Calibration, Database Filter Limits, Hibernate, five Alignment Procedures, and user-defined slew limits
- 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
- Permanent programmable periodic error correction (PEC) - corrects for periodic tracking errors inherent to all worm drives
- 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
- Steel worm gear and 90mm pitch diameter brass worm wheel
- Drive Motors - Low Cog DC Servo motor with integrated optical encoders offer smooth, quiet operation and long life. The motor armatures are skewed to minimize cogging which is required fro low speed tracking.
- Internal Cable wiring for trouble-free setup and transportation
- Designated six-pin RJ-12 modular jack, ST-4 compatible guide port
- Double line, 16-character Liquid Crystal Display Hand Control with backlit LED buttons for easy operation of goto features
- Autoguide port and auxiliary ports located on the electronic pier for long exposure astrophotography
- 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
Specifications
- MOUNT: Computerized Equatorial
- TRIPOD: Adjustable, Stainless Steel
- CD ROM: NexRemote control software with RS232 cable
- POWER SUPPLY: Car battery adapter
- TRIPOD WEIGHT: 17 lb (7.71 kg)
- MOUNT WEIGHT: 41 lb (18.6 kg)
- COUNTERWEIGHTS: 2 x 17 lb
- MOTOR DRIVE: Low cog DC Servo motors with encoders, both axes
- COMPUTER HAND CONTROL: Double line, 16 character Liquid Crystal Display; 19 fiber optic backlit LED buttons
- SLEW SPEEDS: Nine slew speeds: 4 °/sec, 2 °/sec, .5 °/sec, 64x, 16x, 8x, 4x, 1x, .5x
- TRACKING RATES: Sidereal, Solar and Lunar
- TRACKING MODES: EQ North and EQ South
- ALIGNMENT PROCEDURES: AutoAlign, 2-Star Align, Quick Align, 1-Star Align, Last Alignment, Solar System Align
- SOFTWARE PRECISION: 24bit, 0.08 calculation
- DATABASE: 40,000+ objects, 400 user defined programmable objects. Enhanced information on over 200 objects
- POWER REQUIREMENTS: 12 VDC 1.5 Amp
- GPS: Optional CN-16 GPS Accessory
Dimensions & Specifications
Aperture
280mm
Brand
Celestron
Eyepiece 1
40mm (70x)
Features
Equatorial Mount, GoTo
Finderscope
9x50
Focal Length
2800mm
Focal Ratio
f/10
Highest Useful Magnification
661x
Mount Design
Equatorial
Object Database
40000 objects
Optical Coating
StarBright XLT
Optical Design
Schmidt-Cassegrain
Recommended Usage
Viewing Galaxies/Star Clusters
Star Diagonal
1.25 diagonal prism
Telescopes Series
Celestron CGEM Telescopes
Warranty
2-Year Limited
Weight
120 lbs.
Sale Price:
$289.98
39%
Suggestions for You
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviews(based on 6 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
100%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Pros
- Accurate (6)
- Strong construction (6)
- Quality lenses (4)
Cons
- Heavy (3)
Best Uses
- Astronomy (6)
- Reviewer Profile:
- Avid adventurer (4)
- Was this a gift?:
- No (3)
Reviewed by 6 customers
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Displaying reviews 1-5
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Pros
- Accurate
- Easy to Use
- Strong Construction
Cons
- Heavy
Best Uses
- Astronomy
Comments about Celestron CGEM 1100 Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope:
I've has a few scopes, and by far this is the best.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Accurate
- Quality Lenses
- Strong Construction
Cons
- None
Best Uses
- Astronomy
Comments about Celestron CGEM 1100 Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope:
This is a very nice scope. Even paying the [$] its worth it, but being on sale for [$] makes it a no brainer. As for setup you have to do it in pieces, but after a few times of doing it, it becomes quite simple. Once you get it polar lined up, the fun begins. I seen Saturn better then I have ever have, and slewed to many galaxies and they were right there to be viewed. My older xt10i I was unable to. Don't get me wrong, that is a very nice scope, but I wanted more and the Cgem 1100 gave it to me. I am looking forward to Jupiter coming back up as well as some of my favorite deep sky object, so I can re-explore them. This was well worth the money.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Accurate
- Quality Lenses
- Strong Construction
Cons
- Heavy
Best Uses
- Astronomy
- Bright Conditions
- Low Visibility
Comments about Celestron CGEM 1100 Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope:
Can't imagine anyone not happy with this. In 30 min. I saw more than I have ever before in my life.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Accurate
- Quality Lenses
- Set up is easy
- Strong Construction
Cons
Best Uses
- Astronomy
Comments about Celestron CGEM 1100 Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope:
This is my first scope.[...] I have had it out a few times now and could not be happier with the quality and ease of operation. Even in my light polluted suburb there is plenty to see through this scope. If you are going to add any accessories to it you will need additional weights.
Pros
- Accurate
- Strong Construction
Cons
- Ergonomics
- Heavy
Best Uses
- Astronomy
Comments about Celestron CGEM 1100 Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope:
This is the first big telescope for me. It is also the first equatorial mount. Out of the box there were a few small issues. One of the rivets that holds the cover in place was broken and the unit needed collimation. (Both were fairly easy fixes) The assembly, setup and alignment all went very smooth. I was viewing Saturn less than 20 minutes after I started to set up. On the first evening of use I had trouble with the power jack. By the second evening, I couldn't use it at all because of the bad jack. I ended up repairing this problem myself. (I fix electronics for a living so it wasn't difficult.) For many users, this would have required them to return the mount. (A painful process for something so heavy) I had two weeks of enjoyable viewing, trying out new locations and improving my alignment skills every time out. I finally had an opportunity to bring the scope to a very remote location with an incredible view of the night sky. For unknown reasons, it failed to work properly. The mount would begin moving on its own and would not go to the correct locations. To make matters worse, I crushed my thumb between the RA lock lever and the body of the equatorial mount. This probably wouldn't have happened, but I had to continually go back to the 'home' position since the mount had a mind of its own. The scope and mount were well balanced but since there is about 35lbs on each end of center, my thumb absorbed the energy from all that momentum. (I will lose my thumbnail as a result… OUCH) I didn't touch the scope until I got home 3 days later and when I set it up, everything worked!? This is very frustrating. When the scope is working it is great! The alignment is easy, the 'additional calibration stars' feature makes it goto and track very well. The views I get are incredible! I just don't know how often I will get an opportunity to view from remote locations and I wish I were more confident that the mount would work when I get there.
Displaying reviews 1-5
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