Celestron CGEM II 8 Inch Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope - 12010

Description

For years, the Celestron CGEM set the standard in affordable, high performance German equatorial mounts. After listening to customer feedback, Celestron’s design team has made this workhorse even more functional with a series of thoughtful upgrades. Meet CGEM II.

Improved Design and Ergonomics

The first thing you’ll notice about CGEM II is its lower profile and wider stance compared with CGEM. This new form factor anchors more securely to the ground for improved rigidity. Thanks to its super stable design, CGEM II can handle 40 lb of payload with ease.

Other clever updates make CGEM II significantly easier to use in the field. Beefy 2” steel tripod legs feature height index marks to make setting up and leveling your telescope a breeze. Celestron has lengthened the clutch levers and updated the polar alignment knobs so that you can make adjustments with just a twist of the wrist—even after a long night in the cold.

CGEM II features all internal cabling to prevent cable wrap and snags. Plus, for the first time ever, the hand control features an integrated USB port to make downloading software updates a breeze. You’ll also receive a new dual dovetail saddle so you can pair the CGEM II with virtually any optical tube; it accommodates both CGE/Losmandy and CG-5/Vixen style dovetails.

Celestron’s Signature Optics

Speaking of optical tubes, this telescope kit includes Celstron’s bestselling 8” Schmidt-Cassegrain optical tube. Developed by Celestron’s founder Tom Johnson in the 1970s and perfected over decades, this optical design has withstood the test of time thanks to its compact form factor, versatility, and stunning views. All optical surfaces feature Celestron's StarBright XLT coating for maximum light transmission and bright, detailed views.

Precision Tracking for Astroimaging

If you’re ready to take your astrophotography to the next level, CGEM II can help you get there. The low cog DC servo motor with integrated optical encoders provides precise tracking while minimizing cogging even at the lowest speeds.

All German equatorial mounts have periodic error in their worm gears, but CGEM II features permanent periodic error correction so you can train these errors out of your mount once and enjoy error-free performance for years to go come.

Of course, you also get all of the innovative software technologies that make using a Celestron GEM mount so easy: SkyAlign and All Star Polar Alignment. SkyAlign allows you to center any three bright objects to align the telescope’s GoTo in minutes, while All Star gives you a super accurate polar alignment in a fraction of the time it takes to use a polar finderscope. Best of all, you don’t need a clear view of Polaris. Once you’ve set up your CGEM II, these automated procedures will have you ready to capture images in about 15 minutes.

Whether you’re a serious visual observer, an experienced imager looking for a portable setup, or a newbie who wants to invest in a superior first telescope right out of the gate, you’ll love the performance and value of CGEM II.

Supplier SKU

12010