Celestron - CGE Pro 1100 EdgeHD Computerized Telescope

Celestron CGE Pro 1100 EdgeHD Telescope

A definite must-have for all astroimagers, the Celestron CGE PRO 1100 EdgeHD guarantees great visualization of the heavenly bodies. This high definition imaging device boasts of an 11” Aplanatic Schmidt telescope which is free from coma and corrects spherical aberration for better picture quality. This powerful Celestron telescope comes with a precision equatorial mount or CGEM mount for better control and reduction of unnecessary vibration, movement and other nuisances. It is also very sturdy and can possibly take the load of other advanced telescope models. Most obviously, both amateurs and pros will find the 11" HD telescope a great option as it is full-packed with features. It can be safely said that this computerized imaging device has set the new standard in astro imaging and visual observing.

This Aplanatic Schmidt telescope enables your eyes to gather 1600 times more light than you can possible handle with your naked eye alone. More specifically, the telescopes Celestron C11 SCT gives you with an ulta-precise f/10 optics that has an amazing 0.47 arc seconds of resolution spread in over a 0.71 angular field of view. It provides you with an unmatched magnification limit of 661X, meaning; it guarantees precise capturing of noteworthy lunar and planetary views. If lucky enough and given the appropriate sky conditions, this robust telescope is good for CCD imaging of the details on Mars and the well-defined divisions of Saturn’s ring band. You can have that amazing chance at seeing high resolution views of various star clusters, structures of galaxies and even rare sightings of peculiar double or variable stars. The CGEM 1100 has a very user-friendly eyepiece that allows you enjoy panoramic view of the entire heavens. 

But wait, that’s not all with this Celestron telescope. There’s more to see with the design qualities that this imaging device boasts. The CGEM Schmidt-Cassegrain mechanism makes visual field adjustment a piece of cake. It uses pre-loaded bearings to minimize the “mirror flop” which is common with other types of focus mechanisms. There’s also no hassle in assembling the equipment as all the RA and Dec motor wiring are encapsulated in it. To ensure long life, especially with constant slow tracking, the motor armatures are skewed thereby reducing cogging. The polar shafts are also well supported by multiple tapered roller bearings and ball bearings while the mount uses steel worm gear and a sturdy worm wheel. For a continuous and uninterrupted enjoyment of the heavens, the power plug is properly secured and cannot be unintentionally disconnected. All these features ensure that your Aplanatic Schmidt telescope will last a lifetime.

This high definition imaging device can be used for simply observing as well as for capturing heavenly sights. It enables you to tack uninterrupted images past the meridian but also through the most ideal parts of the heavens. Interestingly, the device comes with a Permanent Periodic Error Correction (PPEC) that allows you to smoothen out the common worm gear errors, while the mount takes note of the PEC recordings. The autoguide port plus auxiliary ports are also strategically placed in the electronic plate for easy navigation. Other built-in features complement these mechanical adjustments for better view of the sky. 

This Celestron telescope carries the brand’s time-tested tradition of providing imaging units that have proven durability, performance and value. The Celestron CGE PRO 1100 EdgeHD is not only for asto photographers or astro buffs, in fact, major educational institutions and astronomical organizations use Celestron telescopes in their practice. So, regardless of your reason for observing the skies, this one can be a worthy investment.

Features

General Features

• 11" EdgeHD Optics
• Celestron premium StarBright XLT coatings
• CGE PRO computerized Equatorial mount
• Heavy duty stainless steel tripod adjustable from 38 - 55"
• 9x50 finderscope with quick release bracket to help accurately find objects
• 2" Star diagonal provides more comfortable viewing position when observing objects that are high in the sky  

HD Features

• New aplanatic Schmidt telescope design produces aberration-free images across a wide field of view
• Mirror tension locks hold the primary mirror in place and reduce image shift
• Cooling vents allow hot air to be released from behind the primary mirror
• Fastar compatible for fast f/2 imaging

Computerized Mount Features

• Proven NexStar computer control technology
• 40,000 object database with over 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
• Custom Rate 9 feature allows you set maximum slew rateTandem mode allows you to star align the mount even when positioned for tandem scope use
• 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 stars; solar system objects and asterisms
• Double line, 16-character Liquid Crystal Display Hand Control with backlit LED buttons for easy operation of goto features
• 12 VDC 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 improved 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
• Spring loaded DEC worm to minimize backlash and makes guiding easy
• 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
• Latitude range: Latitude range: 10° to 65° 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 SkySync GPS Accessory (93969)
   

The CGE Pro 1100 HD combines Celestron's state of the art CGE Pro Computerized Equatorial mount with its new EdgeHD optical system.  With an optical tube assembly weighing only 28 lbs, this telescope is still portable enough to be taken to dark skies, and has 89% more light gathering power than an 8" telescope and 40% more than the 9.25".  For astrophotography, the German Equatorial mount offers easier balancing, unlimited space at the rear of the telescope tube to mount a camera, and whole sky access.  Now you can enjoy all of the NexStar software and database features with the extra stability and portability of a German Equatorial mount.

New Optical Design
The EdgeHD optical system takes all of the compact power popularized by the Schmidt Cassegrain Telescope (SCT) and combines it with an improved high definition optical system for wide field, astrograph quality images. 

As a visual instrument, EdgeHD optics deliver pinpoint images even with your widest field eyepiece.  You can search for all of the Messier Catalog objects, and see hundreds of other equally interesting NGC, IC and Caldwell objects with amazing clarity.  For astroimaging, the EdgeHD optics produce aberration-free images across your favorite CCD or DSLR camera.  All EdgeHD optics are designed to produce an extremely flat focal plane precise enough to match the strict tolerances of the largest commercial CCD detectors, allowing all stars to be in tight focus to the very edge of the chip.
 

Diffraction Limited
Some companies boast that their telescopes give diffraction limited stars in the very center of the field of view.  EdgeHD optics not only produce diffraction limited stars on axis, but maintain diffraction limited stars across the entire field of view of many of the most popular astrophotography cameras.  Even at the very edge of a full frame camera chip, the EdgeHD 11" delivers stars of less than 2 arc seconds.

The EdgeHD 11" optics produce a focal plane three-times flatter than the standard equivalent SCT telescope with diffraction limited stars beyond the entire SBIG STL4020CM field of view!

a long with the newly designed optics, the EdgeHD also has re-designed mechanics guaranteed to help you get the maximum performance from your instrument.

Features Include:

Mirror Locks – To hold the mirror in place and reduce image shift during imaging.

Tube Vents - Each vent has an integrated 60 micron micro-mesh filter allowing hot air to be released from behind the primary mirror.

Fastar Versatility – All EdgeHD optical tubes are equipped with a removable secondary mirror for fast f/2 CCD imaging.  Not only does imaging in the FASTAR configuration allow for exposure times that are 25 times faster than at f/10, but also yields a field of view five times wider.  A perfect combination for imaging your favorite wide field objects in a fraction of the time. (FASTAR imaging requires a third party lens assembly in place of the secondary mirror).

Axiom Eyepiece - EdgeHD 11" optical tubes come with Celestron's top of the line Axiom eyepiece. With a 23 mm focal length and 82° AFOV, you get an incredible combination of power and wide field of view.  Plus each Axiom eyepiece is optimized to deliver pinpoint images when used with a flat field telescope.
Learn more about the benefits and features of this new optical system by going to the EdgeHD web page.

CGE PRO Mount

In addition to being fully computerized with a database of over 40,000 celestial objects, the CGE Pro German Equatorial mount has been completely redesigned to offer numerous design advantages:

• Increased Payload Capacity - With a maximum payload of 90 lbs, the CGE Pro mount is able to hold the 11" telescope more securely even when fully loaded with all your imaging gear.
• All-Star Polar Alignment - Choose any bright alignment star for a software assisted alignment of the mount's 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 past 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.
• 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 smooth  +/- 3 arc second tracking accuracy typical unguided periodic error, which can be further reduced with PPEC

CGE PRO EdgeHD Series Computerized Telescopes

SEE THE UNIVERSE IN HD

Introducing Celestron's New Aplanatic Schmidt Telescope Design!

• Visibly Sharper Images
• Superior Performance
• Enhanced Mechanical 
• FeaturesFastar® Compatible

EdgeHD is an aplanatic Schmidt telescope designed to produce aberration-free images across a wide visual and photographic field of view.  The optical system was designed to reduce more than just off-axis star coma, but also to give an astrograph quality flat focal plane all the way to the edge of the field of view.

True Astrograph Quality

Many optical designs that advertise themselves as "astrograph" quality actually only produce pinpoint stars across a curved focal plane.  While this may be acceptable for visual observing, stars will appear out of focus at the edge when used with a flat chip sensor of a digital camera.  EdgeHD optics produce a focal plane more than three-times flatter than a standard Schmidt Cassegrain telescope and dramatically flatter than other competing coma-free designs.  This guarantees you visibly sharp stars across some of the largest CCD chips available today.



Improved Performance
Superior edge performance not only creates rounder, more pleasing stars but actually improves the resolution and limiting magnitude when compared to telescopes of equal aperture. Starbright XLT® Coatings coupled with Celestron's StarBright XLT coating group on every surface, EdgeHD optics gives you maximum light throughput across the widest visual and photographic spectrum.

Mechanical Features
In addition to Celestron’s new optimized optical design, the EdgeHD tube has been redesigned to make sure you get the most from your optics each and every night.

Mirror Clutches - Flexible tension clutches hold the mirror in place and reduce image shift when rotating the tube around the mount.  The flexible rods allow the mirror to be held in place without putting any force or pressure on the mirror assembly, keeping the image centered in the eyepiece (or chip).

Tube Vents - Cooling vents located on the rear cell allow hot air to be released from behind the primary mirror.  Each vent has an integrated 60 micron micro-mesh filter guaranteed to let warm air out without letting dust in.

Fastar Versatility - The EdgeHD is the most versatile imaging scope available today. At its native f/10, you can achieve the image scale necessary to capture the smallest of deep sky objects. With the optional reducer lens (coming soon), you can increase your field of view without sacrificing optical performance.  A barlow gives you the added power for high resolution planetary, lunar and solar imaging.  And of course, all EdgeHD optical tubes are Fastar® compatible for ultra fast f/2 wide field imaging.  Each tube has been fitted with a removable secondary mirror and are opto-mechanically aligned on a laser bench to ensure they are axially symmetric in any configuration.

Celestron's newest line of observatory class German equatorial telescopes The CGE Pro computerized series is Celestron's newest line of observatory class German equatorial telescopes. Offered with 9.25", 11" and 14" aperture Schmidt Cassegrain optical tubes, they all come mounted on the new state of the art CGE Pro GoTo mount.

The German Equatorial mount has long been the favored choice of astronomy buffs and astrophotographers because of its stability and portability. More stable because the center of gravity is directly over the center of its base, more portable because it can be broken down into smaller component parts for easy storage and transportation. For astrophotography, the German Equatorial mount offers easier balancing, unlimited space at the rear of the telescope tube to mount a camera, and whole sky access. Now you can enjoy all of the NexStar software and database features with the extra stability and portability of a German Equatorial mount.