Celestron CGX-L Equatorial 1100 RASA Telescope

Capturing impressive deep-sky astroimages is easier than ever with Celestron’s new Rowe-Ackermann Schmidt Astrograph, the perfect companion to today’s top DSLR or astronomical CCD cameras. This fast, wide-field f/2.2 system offers two huge advantages over traditional f/10 astroimaging: better apparent tracking and shorter exposures. That means you’ll create better-looking astroimages in a fraction of the time, even without the use of an autoguider.

The Rowe-Ackermann Schmidt Astrograph builds on the legacy of Celestron’s Schmidt Camera, which allowed astrophotographers to produce images on film in the 1970s.

Today, with CCD sensor sizes as large as film—or larger—the Schmidt Astrograph offers a 43.3mm optimized image circle to capture pinpoint stars on the largest imaging chips. (Note: We previously published 70mm which is actually the aperture of the last lens in the telescope. The optical design has not changed). Combine this large image circle with a focal length of just 620 mm and you have an instrument suitable for wide-field imaging, creating huge mosaics of the night sky, surveying, and even comet hunting.

Optical Performance:

The Rowe-Ackermann Schmidt Astrograph features newly designed optics with 4-element rare-earth glass for images free of false color and aberrations like coma and field curvature. The optical quality and spot size across the entire image circle is unprecedented for an astrograph in this price range—or even that of a much more expensive instrument. The design also provides minimal vignetting.

Advanced Features:

Advanced features like a custom engineered linear brass focuser bearing and FeatherTouch Micro Focus Knob allow you to make the fine adjustments you need to capture the perfect shot. Meanwhile, a12V MagLev fan reduces cooldown time and provides optimal airflow through the dust filtered optical tube.

Engineered as a complete astroimaging system, every component of the Rowe-Ackermann Schmidt Astrograph is optimized for peak performance with DSLR and astronomical CCD cameras. Down to the thickness of the glass used in the included fully-multicoated optical window or an optional imaging filter, every component of the system has been taken into careful consideration to work together seamlessly.

CGX-L Mount:

Celestron's newly designed CGX-L Computerized Equatorial mount is the latest addition to our fully computerized equatorial mount series. Capable of carrying Celestron’s largest optical tubes with ease, CGX-L is designed for backyard observatories and remote imagers looking for exceptional load capacity to weight ratio, compact design, and innovative features that fully support large telescopes, imaging kits, and the latest in wireless tech accessories.

Key design goals included larger 144 mm diameter worm wheels which provide smoother operation and can more accurately drive heavier loads, longer 270 mm dovetail saddle to support larger optical tubes, remote operation friendly features such as home and limit optical sensors, easier polar alignment adjustments, and better cable management overall. In addition to that, we’ve made mechanical and ergonomic improvements throughout to make the mount sturdier, easier to use, and easier to transport. COMPACT. ERGONOMIC. INNOVATIVE.

General Features:

11" RASA optical tube assembly
CGX-L computerized equatorial mount
Astrograph Features:

Ultra-fast, 11-inch f/2.2 optical design with rare-earth glass for images free of false color, coma, and field curvature. Cuts imaging time by more than half
Expansive 43.3 optimized image circle maintains pinpoint stars to the far corners of even the largest astroimaging sensors, while the usable field extends even further to 52 mm for larger format sensors.
Custom engineered linear brass focuser bearing reduces image shift, while dual-speed 10:1 FeatherTouch Micro Focus Knob provides the most precise focusing
Quiet, high-output 12V MagLev fan reduces cooldown time and blocks dust
Common camera adapters (T-thread and M48) included for easy attachment to popular CCD and DSLR cameras
Computerized Mount Features:

New CGX-L Features

Increased 75 lb load capacity. Exceptional load capacity to weight ratio
Additional Aux accessory ports and autoguider port on the Dec axis for better cable management
Larger 144 mm diameter worm wheels to better and more accurately drive heavier loads
Longer 270 mm dovetail saddle to better support larger optical tubes
Massive 70 mm stainless steel tripod legs with a wider stance for improved stability under heavy loads
New accessory tray holds three 1.25” and two 2” eyepieces with an upright stand for your smartphone or tablet
Heavy duty, 31.5 mm stainless steel counterweight shaft to support additional counterweights
Optional add-on polar axis finderscope custom designed for CGX and CGX-L
Supports WiFi and wireless operation accessories such as StarSense AutoAlign and SkyPortal WiFi Module (sold separately)
Mount Features:
Compact, lower profile equatorial head provides improved stability and portability. Sturdier and more rigid with quicker dampening time
Improved motors provide more torque, better slewing and tracking under heavy loads
Heavy duty belt-drive system minimizes backlash while providing smooth motor operation at full capacity
Clear windows built into motor covers so pulleys and belts can be monitored
Spring-loaded brass worm wheel and stainless steel worm gear reduce friction and provide optimum gear mesh
Internal cabling for worry-free remote operation. Power input and lower accessory ports remain stationary while the mount slews to avoid snags
Internal hard stops for both axes prevent cable tension and tripod strike
Internal optical sensors on both axes for simple and safe remote operation
-Home sensors allow the mount to always start in the index position regardless of orientation before a power reset
-Limit sensors automatically shut off slewing or tracking before reaching the hard stop fail safe
Includes Celestron's new PWI telescope control software, co-developed by PlaneWave Instruments. Software features multi-point mount modeling for extremely precise pointing accuracy
Software Polar Align: “All-Star Polar Alignment” allows quick and very precise polar alignment. Align on any bright named star without extra polar alignment accessories, apps, or other assistance
Adjustable EQ head position to optimize center of gravity over the tripod and fully utilize the increased 3º-65º latitude range
Dual-fit Vixen/CG-5 and Losmandy/CGE dovetail saddle
+20º of additional tracking past the meridian on either side
Redesigned tripod has a widened stance for added stability. The minimum tripod height has also been lowered per user feedback
Tripod legs can be collapsed with accessory tray installed for faster setup and transport
Improved Ergonomics:
Integrated handles for easy transport and portability
All-new ergonomically designed dovetail clamping knobs
Innovative and improved polar alignment adjustment system
All-new ergonomic adjustment knobs with reduced friction for smooth and easy positioning under full loads. Stationary latitude knob with a newly-designed linkage system greatly reduces the amount of friction when polar aligning the mount. Redesigned azimuth adjustment with low-friction Teflon bearings to make adjustments easy under full load. No more binding, rough adjustments!
Easy to read latitude scale
Electronics:

NexStar+ hand control with USB port
USB 2.0 port used to connect directly to PC with PWI Software
2 available autoguider ports for optimum cable management
PEC sensor and PPEC ready
Threaded 12VDC power input barrel connector
Internal Real Time Clock (keeps time and site information saved)
On/Off rocker switch with red LED

Specifications

Optical Tube Info:
Optical Design: Rowe-Ackermann Schmidt
Aperture (mm): 279 mm (11 in)
Focal Length: 620 mm
Focal Ratio: 2.22
Backfocus from front lens assembly: 72.8 mm
Backfocus from included camera adapters: 55 mm
Central obstruction diameter: 114mm
Finderscope: Not Included
Light Gathering Power (Compared to human eye): 1588x
Optical Coatings: StarBright XLT
Total Telescope Kit Weight: 143 lb
Included Items: Total Telescope Kit Weight
Resolution (Rayleigh): 0.5 arc seconds
Resolution (Dawes): 0.41 arc seconds
Optical Tube Length: 33in
Mount Info:
Mount: German Equatorial
Instrument load capacity: 75 lb
Tripod height adjustment range: 35.75” to 52.75”
Tripod leg diameter: 2.75"
Latitude adjustment range: 3º-65º
Tripod Weight: 46.2 lb
EQ Head Weight w/o Counterweight Shaft: 47 lb
Total EQ Head Weight: 52.6 lb
Max Slew Speed: 4º/second (3º/second is default)
Tracking Rates: Sidereal, Solar and Lunar
Number of Auxiliary ports (for hand control and accessories): 4
Autoguide port: Yes
USB Port: Yes
Software: PWI Telescope Control Software
Included Items
CGX-L Equatorial Head
CGX-L Tripod
Accessory Tray
2 x 22 lb Counterweight
NexStar+ Hand Control
DC Power Cable (plugs into cigarette lighter socket)
8 mm Allen Wrench (contained in rear carry handle)

Some items that are showing as in stock are in stock at our holding warehouses, not at the shop. To double check the stock levels at the shop, please contact us on 01909774369 or sales@rothervalleyoptics.co.uk.

The delivery times for most items is 1 - 2 days but again, please double check stock levels on important orders before placing an order via the website.

The delivery costs for courier next day are for mainland UK only. If you live in the Scottish Highlands/Islands, Channel Islands or Northern Ireland, then a shipping surchage will apply. please contact us for prices. Smaller items can still go 1st class via Royal Mail.

Please note that if you are wanting to take advantage of our Saturday and Sunday timed services or next day pre 12 or pre 10:30 services, you MUST check that the stock is here at the shop before placing orders. Also, orders using the Saturday and Sunday services must be placed before 1pm the previous working day. Also, please remember to check that the stock is here at the shop before placing orders. If the stock is not at the shop, we won't be able to ship on any of the timed services. 

Please note International customers will need to contact us for a shipping price prior to ordering via the website. We don't ship all items internationally. It is at our discretion what we ship outside of the UK. This all depends on the size and weight of the items. Please get in touch with us for any postage costs. Please note we do NOT ship telescopes or heavy items outside of the UK. This is due to massive postage costs and problems regarding returns.

If you have any questions regarding stock levels or delivery, please get in touch.

Zygo Interferometer Testing For ED Refractor Telescopes!

We are extremely pleased to announce our Zygo Interferometer is now installed and ready for use! Our experienced staff can test refractor lenses up to 120mm aperture and provide a comprehensive 2 page report showing the optical quality and Strehl ratio, plus much more information. We are using the very latest Zygo MX software to provide a more detailed report compared to other standard reports.

The interferometer is essentially a measuring instrument. Within the interferometer is a calibrated laser that is pointed through the optical test surface, then onto a high quality reference sphere, then back through the test subject then to an internal camera which gives us the measurement on the screen. From this, we can adjust the position of the test optic and the reference sphere to obtain a perfectly calibrated system. The more central the laser to the test optic and then on return, the better and more accurate reading and measurement we can take. This takes a lot of adjustment to get the best results from the optical surface. Once the measurement has been taken, we are provided with a series of results that show the optical quality of the surface plus other information. Continue reading for an explanation of the individual values and you can also see a test report that was done on one of our RVO Horizon 60 OTAs. 

We are offering certain telescopes with a Zygo test at an extra cost. Mainly ED doublets and triplets. All available telescopes with a Zygo test report are listed here. Just select Zygo Test Report from the drop down box at the top of the listing and we will test the optics in house and provide a full 2 page report with your scope. This will show you the optical quality of your telescope optics. We can also offer this service on your refractor telescope. Please get in touch for more details about this. 

At Rother Valley Optics, one thing we pride ourselves on is customer service and quality of our equipment. When we test your telescope, we will ensure that it is of the highest quality otherwise, we will reject the scope under our strict quality control and test another model for your peace of mind. One of the main values to look at when testing a refractor is the Strehl ratio. The higher this number, the higher quality lens you have. At Rother Valley Optics, we will guarantee the highest possible Strehl ratio for your telescope.  We will aim to provide 0.95 Strehl or higher on Takahashi, RVO Horizon, William Optics and many more! Generally, the higher the Strehl ratio, the lower the Astigmatism and Coma meaning a better image quality from your instrument. 

Other measurements such as the PV and RMS are important too. With these measurements, the lower the number the better as it shows less curvature on the lens. The flatter an optical lens, the better it will perform. The PV rating (Peak To Valley) is a measurement from the highest point (Peak) to the lowest point (Valley). From this we get the RMS (Root, Mean, Square). This is a similar figure to the PV and measured exactly the same way. The RMS is basically an average height difference from the PV so again, the lower the better. As you can see form the example below, we measured an RMS of just 0.027 wave which is a very good value.

We also measure the Power with our systems which is essentially the error from the reference sphere to the test optic. The reference sphere we use on our system is a very high quality sphere so the closer to zero the Power, the less error between the 2 elements thus ensuring a higher quality optical surface. 

You will also see some more values such as Astigmatism and Coma. Again, these are measured by the interferometer when we take measurements of the optical surface after adjustment. These are values which ideally would be at 0 but as our test optics are all curved lenses, there will always be astigmatism and coma present. The lower the number, the less of these aberations you will effectively see but with most refractors, you can buy field flatteners which will compensate for the coma anyway. The astigmatisms value is explaining the error between the symmetrical curvature of the lens. Basically, no lens will be perfectly symmetrical, the lower the astigmatism, the more symmetrical the lens surface is. 

Once the Zygo test report has been completed, the optical alignment is thoroughly tested and tuned to ensure they are spot on before they leave us. 

All available telescopes are on the website at the link below and ones we've tested already that are available straight away are also listed.

https://www.rothervalleyoptics.co.uk/zygo-tested-refractors.html

Here is an example of the test what we provide. This was a test on one of our Horizon 60 ED OTA's.

For any questions about this amazing new service, please either call 01909774369 or email sales@rothervalleyoptics.co.uk.

Are you interested in this product but would like to speak to someone with some more information? Simply fill in the form below and we will get back to you as soon as we can!

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