The 700 Maksutov-Cassegrain CGEM II telescope (CGEM II 700 Mak) is specifically crafted for high contrast, detailed observation of smaller celestial objects like planets. Its Maksutov-Cassegrain optical tube combined with a robust equatorial mount and tripod offers unparalleled views of planetary features and lunar surfaces, including craters and maria. This telescope is also adept at locating smaller, fainter deep sky objects such as globular clusters and planetary nebulae. Ideal for urban astronomers, the Mak excels in enhancing contrast in celestial objects. Moreover, its design facilitates easy transportation to dark sites, with the optical tube, mount head, tripod, counterweight bar, and counterweight disassembling into manageable pieces without the need for tools.
Maksutov-Cassegrain Optical Design
The Mak is a catadioptric telescope, combining a lens and a mirror in its optical design. Light travels through the corrector lens to the primary mirror, then to a spherical secondary mirror, and finally to the eyepiece. This process results in bright, sharp images with minimal chromatic aberration.
Unique to the Maksutov-Cassegrain is the “secondary spot” – a reflective coating on the corrector plate, negating the need for frequent collimation like in a Schmidt-Cassegrain and contributing to the high-contrast views characteristic of Maks.
One consideration for Maksutov-Cassegrain telescopes is their cool-down time; the heavier Maksutov corrector plate takes longer to adjust to ambient air temperatures compared to Schmidt-Cassegrains.
CGEM II Mount & Tripod
The CGEM II is a sturdy equatorial mount, well-suited to support the 19 lbs 700 Mak. It features a 40 lbs load capacity, 2” diameter steel tripod legs, and a CGE dovetail mounting bar for easy connection. This computerized mount includes a NexStar+ hand controller with a database of over 40,000 celestial objects and the ability to track them across the sky.
The CGEM II mount's motor drive system, equipped with low cog DC servo motors with integrated optical encoders, ensures smooth and accurate tracking. The mount also incorporates Permanent Periodic Error Correction (PPEC) to compensate for periodic tracking error and has a dedicated autoguider port for additional tracking accuracy.
Celestron's innovative All-Star Polar Alignment procedure simplifies the polar alignment process, eliminating the need for extra equipment. Additionally, the CGEM II can image through the meridian without requiring a meridian flip until 20° past the meridian.
The NexStar+ controller offers numerous functionalities, including multiple alignment methods, adjustable slew rates, and continual firmware updates.
For improved cable management, all cabling for the mount is housed internally, minimizing issues during setup and breakdown.
Accessories Included
The CGEM II 700 Mak comes with a 2” Visual Back, a 2” Star Diagonal with 1.25” adapter, a 28 mm wide-field 2” eyepiece, and an 8x50 straight-through finderscope. It accommodates 2” accessories, enhancing the viewing experience.
StarBright XLT Technology
StarBright XLT, Celestron's advanced optical coating system, includes multi-layer mirror coatings, anti-reflective coatings, and high-transmission water white glass. These components collectively enhance light transmission, reducing chromatic aberration and improving image quality.
Starry Night Special Edition Software
Included with the telescope is the Starry Night planetarium software, compatible with macOS and Microsoft Windows. This software offers a comprehensive learning experience about various astronomical phenomena and includes features for observation planning and telescope control.
Order Processing Time:
We typically process orders within 1 to 2 days. Please be aware that the deadline for placing orders is 6 p.m. Orders submitted after this time will be processed the next business day.
Shipping Information:
Expect your order to arrive in 4 to 7 days. We offer free shipping for orders over $200. For orders below $200, a flat shipping fee of $15 applies.
Please note that we currently only ship within the United States. International shipping is not available.
The majority of our orders are dispatched via third-party freight carriers (18-wheelers). In case your order includes an item that requires freight shipping, we will contact you to schedule a curbside delivery. Ensure that your contact number is correct at checkout.
Order Confirmation and Payment:
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Your card will be charged only when the item is shipped. For backordered items, we might hold a charge to reserve the product for you.
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