The CGEM II 1100 HD telescope combines Celestron's CGEM II computerized equatorial mount with the renowned EdgeHD optical system. Despite the optical tube assembly's weight of just 28 lbs., it remains highly portable for stargazing under the darkest skies. Notably, it boasts 89% more light-gathering power than an 8" telescope and a 40% increase over the 9.25" variant.

Optical Tube Information:

Experience the Universe in High Definition The EdgeHD is a flat-field Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope renowned for producing aberration-free images across a broad visual and photographic field of view. Its optical design goes beyond eliminating off-axis star coma, providing an astrograph-quality flat focal plane to the very edges of the field of view.

True Astrograph Quality While many optical designs claim to be "astrographs," they often only yield pinpoint stars across a curved focal plane. EdgeHD optics stand out by delivering a focal plane more than three times flatter than a standard Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope. This results in consistently sharp stars even on the largest CCD chips. Celestron's StarBright XLT optical coatings maximize light transmission across the visual and photographic spectrum.

Mechanical Features In addition to its optimized optical design, the telescope's tube has undergone redesign for enhanced performance:

1. Mirror clutches: Flexible tension clutches secure the mirror in place, minimizing image shift during long-exposure astro-imaging. The flexible rods maintain mirror stability without exerting force or pressure on the mirror assembly, ensuring the image remains centered.

2. Tube vents: Cooling vents on the rear cell release hot air behind the primary mirror. These vents incorporate an integrated 50-mesh filter, allowing warm air to exit while preventing dust from entering.

3. Fastar versatility: EdgeHD telescopes are remarkably versatile for imaging. At their native f/10, they offer the necessary image scale for capturing even the smallest deep-sky objects. Adding the optional reducer lens custom-designed for your specific EdgeHD tube increases your field of view without compromising optical performance. With a Barlow lens, you gain additional power for high-resolution planetary, lunar, and solar imaging. All EdgeHD optical tubes are Fastar-compatible, enabling the removal of the secondary mirror for third-party lens accessories, resulting in ultra-fast f/2 wide field imaging.

Individually Tested Each EdgeHD undergoes rigorous testing to assess the surface quality of optical components and ensure the imaging system meets stringent quality standards. A final acceptance test confirms its ability to perform in the field and produce high-quality astro-images.

Mount Information:

The CGEM II mount represents an update to the venerable CGEM mount, featuring a fresh, bold appearance capable of securely and vibration-free carrying Celestron's higher-end SCT optical tubes, including those up to 11". This mount, ideal for both imaging and visual observing, can handle payloads of up to 40 lbs. and slew at an impressive rate of 5° per second, facilitating quick and precise alignment with celestial objects.

Ergonomic Design The CGEM II's design prioritizes ergonomics, featuring large Altitude and Azimuth adjustment knobs for effortless polar alignment adjustments. The internal wiring for the RA and DEC motors ensures a clean setup with minimal complications.

Innovation Celestron's CGEM II series introduces the innovative Polar alignment procedure called All-Star™. This feature enables users to select any bright star while the software calculates and assists with polar alignment. Another noteworthy feature, the Permanent Periodic Error Correction (PEC), permits users to train out the worm gears' periodic errors while retaining the PEC recordings.

Performance For objects near the Meridian (the imaginary line passing from North to South), the CGEM II can continue tracking well beyond the Meridian, ensuring uninterrupted imaging in the most favorable part of the sky. The mount boasts a comprehensive database with over 40,000 objects, including 100 user-defined programmable objects and extensive information on over 200 celestial objects. Celestron's CGEM II mount bridges the gap between the Advanced Series and CGE Series, offering the portability of the former and the precision of the latter.

Specifications

Software and Documentation