Highlights
- 6 (150mm) f/5 optical design gives excellent wide field views
- Parabolic primary mirror minimizes spherical aberration to produce a better image
- The most compact and portable of Celestron's German equatorial mounts offers the same rigidity as our larger mounts with minimal flexure and an improved industrial design
- Holds a maximum instrument capacity of 30 lb
- Every feature an astroimager wants: PEC, an autoguider port, the ability to image across the meridian, and more
- Dual saddle plate is compatible with narrow CG-5 dovetails and wider CGE dovetail. Also compatible with Vixen format dovetails longer than 100mm, but not compatible with Losmandy D format plates.
- Latitude range allows the mount to perform between 7° and 77° latitude
- Accessories include a 20mm eyepiece and 6x30 finderscope
FAQ
I have an optical tube equipped with a Losmandy D dovetail mounting plate. Will this work with the improved Advanced VX (AVX) mount?
No, the Losmandy D dovetail plate will not fit the improved AVX mount. The improvement to the AVX mount allows it to be used with CGE format dovetail plates, but not Losmandy D format plates. The CGE and Losmandy D formats are similar, but not exactly the same. Losmandy plates are a millimeter or so wider, but CGE plates allow more surface area contact with the dovetail clamp.
What prevents the Losmandy D plates from working with the improved AVX?
The improved AVX can accept a dovetail with a maximum width of 74.5mm. The Losmandy D plate is a bit wider than that. Also, the improved AVX requires the height of the dovetail undercut to be at least 10.2mm, and the Losmandy D has a dovetail undercut which shorter than that.
So, how do I mount my optical tube with a Losmandy D dovetail plate onto the improved AVX?
You'll need to replace the Losmandy D dovetail plate with a compatible dovetail plate, such as the Celestron #94214 CGE Universal Mounting Plate.
I have a Losmandy D format dovetail plate, but it is not manufactured by Losmandy. Will it work with the improved AVX?
No, if the dovetail plate uses the Losmandy D format, then it is not compatible with the improved AVX, regardless of the manufacturer of the plate.
I have an optical tube equipped with a Vixen dovetail mounting plate. Will this work with the improved AVX mount?
Yes, the improved AVX, like the original AVX, is compatible with Vixen format dovetail plates. However, the plate must have a dovetail length of 100mm or greater.
Why does my Vixen dovetail, or CG-5 dovetail, need to have a dovetail length of at least 100mm?
The knobs on the AVX that hold the dovetail plate in place are spaced 90mm apart. If the dovetail length is less than 100mm, then both knobs cannot come into contact the dovetail simultaneously. See the below engineering drawing.
My optical tube has a Vixen or CG-5 dovetail plate with a dovetail length of less than 100mm. How do I mount it onto the AVX?
You'll need to replace the dovetail plate with a compatible dovetail plate, such as the Celestron #94213 Universal Mounting Plate, CG-5.
Specifications
Optical Tube Info: | |
---|---|
Optical Design: | Newtonian Reflector |
Aperture: | 150mm (6") |
Focal Length: | 750mm (30") |
Focal Ratio: | f/5 |
Focal Length of Eyepiece 1: | 20mm (.8") |
Magnification of Eyepiece 1: | 38x |
Finderscope: | 6x30 |
Star Diagonal: | N/A |
Optical Tube: | Aluminum |
Highest Useful Magnification: | 354x |
Lowest Useful Magnification: | 21x |
Limiting Stellar Magnitude: | 13.4 |
Resolution (Rayleigh): | .93 arc seconds |
Resolution (Dawes): | .77 arc seconds |
Light Gathering Power (Compared to human eye): | 459x |
Secondary Mirror Obstruction: | 44mm (1.75") |
Secondary Mirror Obstruction by Diameter: | 30% |
Secondary Mirror Obstruction by Area: | 8.78% |
Optical Coatings: | Fully Coated |
Optical Tube Length: | 686mm (27") |
Optical Tube Diameter: | 184.15mm (7.25") |
Optical Tube Weight: | 10 lbs (4.54 kg) |
Dovetail: | CG-5 Dovetail bar |
Mount Info: | |
Mount Type: | Computerized Equatorial |
Instrument load capacity: | 30 lbs (13.6 kg) |
Height adjustment range (includes mount and tripod): | 1118mm - 1626mm (44" - 64") |
Tripod Leg Diameter: | 50.8mm (2") Stainless Steel |
Latitude adjustment range: | 7° - 77° |
Mount Head Weight: | 17 lbs (7.71 kg) |
Accessory Tray: | Yes |
Tripod Weight: | 18 lbs (8.16 kg) |
Weight of Counterweights: | 1 x 12 lbs |
Slew Speeds: | 9 slew speeds - max speed 4°/second |
Tracking Rates: | Sidereal, Solar and Lunar |
Tracking Modes: | EQ North & EQ South |
GPS: | N/A |
Dovetail Compatibility: | Dual saddle plates (CG-5 and CGE saddle) |
Number of Auxiliary ports: | 3 Aux ports (1 hand control and 2 AUX ports for optional accessories) |
Autoguide port: | Yes |
USB Port: | Yes, input on Hand Control |
Power Requirements: | 12V DC 3.5A (tip positive) |
Motor Drive: | DC servo motors with encoders on both axes |
Alignment Procedures: | 2-Star Align, 1-Star Align, Solar System Align, Last Alignment, Quick Align |
Periodic Error Correction: | Yes |
Computerized Hand Control: | 2 line x 18 character backlit Liquid Crystal Display, 19 LED backlit buttons, USB 2.0 port for PC connection |
NexStar+ Database: | 40,000+ objects, 100 user defined programmable objects. Enhanced information on over 200 objects |
Software: | Celestron's Starry Night Special Edition Software, SkyPortal App |
Total Kit Weight: | 57 lbs (25.85 kg) |
Included Items: | Advanced VX Equatorial Head | Tripod | Accessory Tray | 1 x 12 lbs counterweight | NexStar+ Hand Control | DC Power Cable (item# 18769) | Hand Control Holster |
Solar Warning |
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