The EdgeHD 11 Optical Tube Assembly from Celestron features an Aplanatic Schmidt-Cassegrain optical system. This compound, or catadioptric, light-path employs a combination of mirrors and lenses that offer a large high-resolution aperture, a shorter tube length, and enhanced portability. This telescope has an 11" aperture, a focal length of 2800mm, and a focal ratio of f/10.

The EdgeHD optical system consists of a zero power corrector plate, a spherical primary mirror, and a secondary mirror along with a set of field flattening lenses integrated into the baffle tube. The optics of an EdgeHD telescopes feature StarBright XLT multi-layer coatings on the primary and secondary mirrors for increased reflectivity. The corrector is also fully coated to ensure enhanced anti-reflection characteristics.

The EdgeHD optical system is designed to optimize an image circle with a 42 mm diameter around the center of the field of view. This circle completely covers the diagonal of a full-frame DSLR camera or a standard 35mm film frame. As such, it extends significantly beyond the diagonal of APS-C sensors and the smaller chips used in specialized astrophotography CCD cameras. Further refinement of the system's imaging capabilities is managed via mirror tension clutches that help support the primary mirror and minimize its lateral movement. This enhancement is particularly important to astrophotographers as it significantly improves the system's stability and imaging clarity.

Part of the next generation of equatorial mounts from Celestron, the CGX-L features a robust load capacity of 75 pounds with an excellent load to weight ratio. Designed with imaging in mind, you will find additional auxiliary ports and an autoguiding port on the dec for improved cable management. Worm gears have been upgraded to a larger (compared to previous models) 144mm gear for excellent tracking and slewing with heavy loads and smart design improvements like a longer saddle plate and 2.75" provide a highly stable and secure platform for your large aperture telescope.

With a shorter, more compact mount head and built in handles, the CGX-L is surprisingly easy to carry and assemble. As part of it's ergonomic design, the adjustment knobs are designed for reduced friction and a stationary latitude knob with a newly-designed linkage system greatly reduces the amount of friction when polar aligning the mount. Teflon bearings on the azimuth adjustment allow you to adjust even with a full load on the mount and an the latitude scale is large, clear and easy to read

• 75 pound load capacity
• A shortened mount profile creates a more compact mount that is easier to carry and assemble but also improves the mounts central gravity boosting load capacity.
• High torque motors with better slewing and tracking ability.
• A belt driven motor minimizes backlash but remains smooth even when handling a large telescope. A clear window allows you to easily monitor the motor.
• Spring loaded brass worm wheel and stainless steel worm gear. By spring loading the motor worm and gear, gear friction is greatly reduced and optimal gear mesh is maintained.
• Internal cabling keeps your mount free from cable clutter and reduces the chance of snagging wiring. The power input port and accessory ports stay in one position at all times.
• The CGX-L has built-in physical hard stops and optical hard stops eliminating the chance that the counterweight shaft will strike the leg.
• Designed for easy remote control, home sensors allow you to start in the index position no matter what position the mount was in when it was powered off.
• Includes a USB 2.0 Nexstar+ hand controller equipped with Celestron's PWI telescope control software designed in partnership with PlaneWave Instruments, featuring multi-point mount modeling for precision pointing accuracy.
• Includes Celestron's All Star Polar Alignment for incredibly accurate guided polar alignment allowing you to align with any bright fixed object in the night sky. There's no need for additional polar finders or accessories.
• The head of the Celestron CGX-L is fully adjustable allowing you to slide the telescope perfectly over the center of gravity and take full advantage of the 3º-65º latitude range.
• Includes a dual saddle plate to accommodate both D and V series dovetail plates.
• +20º of additional tracking past the meridian on either side
• The 2.75" steel tripod has been newly designed for the CGX-L with a wider stance and a lower minimum height than it's predecessors.
• 2 autoguider ports for better cable management.
• PEC sensor and PPEC ready.
• A threaded power connector to ensure your mount never comes disconnected at the base.
• A red lit on/ off switch makes it easy to find in the dark.
• Internal Real Time Clock.

Plan on viewing or imaging with an equatorial mount, you'll need to balance and compensate for the weight of the OTA and accessories. Counterweights are not an option! Failure to do so could cause OTA damage, and issues with the mount motors and tracking. Luckily, the Celestron 22 lb counterweight is exactly what you'll need! It works with the CGX-L, CGE Pro and CGEM DX Mounts!

Features:

• Fits with 32mm counterweight shafts
• Sturdy lock knobs