Customer Login
If you are already registered, please log in.
Zoom the image with the mouse
FedEx Ground Order Cutoff is 11am
Celestron Mount Capacity Chart
The Advanced VX (AVX) sets a standard in mid-level telescopes, providing many of the features found on Celestron's most sophisticated German equatorial mounts at an extremely affordable price. The Advanced VX mount is designed to provide superior performance for smaller telescopes while taking advantage of Celestron's most advanced technologies: All-Star Polar Alignment, Celestron PWI telescope control software, SkyAlign, and permanently programmable periodic error correction (PPEC).
If you're an experienced imager, you'll love taking this portable mount to a dark sky site and enjoying all the conveniences of a larger observatory mount. Or, if you're new to imaging, Advanced VX will help you get started with the hobby and keep up with your needs for years to come.
Computerized German equatorial mount
The Advanced VX is the smallest of Celestron's German equatorial mounts. The computerized GoTo capability automatically tracks objects as they move across the night sky. The Advanced VX mount includes ports for a hand control, an autoguider, and 2 AUX ports for optional accessories. The NexStar+ hand control gives you instant access to all the functions your mount has to offer. With automatic slewing and menu descriptions, any level of astronomer can master this mount in just a few observing sessions. The Advanced VX also has an impressive tripod for its class with a 2” diameter steel tripod legs providing an extra-wide stance for improved stability.
Payload capacity
The payload capacity for the Advanced VX is 30 lb. It offers a sturdy platform for any of the Advanced VX optical tubes, even when paired with optional accessories like StarSense AutoAlign, Focus Motor, a finderscope, and a camera. Celestron's payload capacity does not include the weight of the counterweights.
Dual saddle plate
As of early 2019, Advanced VX mounts include a dual saddle plate that accommodates both CG-5 and CGE-style dovetail. Switching between the two saddle plates is as simple as moving the hand knobs into a separate set of holes. You can use an Advanced VX mount with virtually any optical tube within its weight limit. Compatible with Vixen format dovetails 100mm or longer, not compatible with Losmandy D format plates (regardless of plate manufacturer).
Software
Celestron PWI Telescope Control Software
Your Ultimate Astronomy Software Suite
All current Celestron computerized telescopes include Celestron PWI (CPWI), the most advanced astronomy software suite provided with any consumer-grade telescope. Celestron's experts co-developed CPWI with the engineers at PlaneWave Instruments. The result is an all-in-one solution offering you many of the same features used on PlaneWave's observatory-class telescopes.
For more information on CPWI and to see the user interface, click here.
Starry Night Software
Included with your purchase is a free download of Celestron's Starry Night Special Edition Software. This advanced software by Simulation Curriculum offers detailed information about celestial objects and helps you plan your next observing or imaging session. The Special Edition software also allows you to control your telescope via computer.
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.
You may return most new, unopened items within 30 days of delivery for a full refund. We'll also pay the return shipping costs if the return is a result of our error (you received an incorrect or defective item, etc.).
Items that have been opened, damaged or are otherwise unsaleable will be subject to a minimum 10% restocking fee, to be assessed by Telescopes Canada upon receipt of the returned goods
You should expect to receive your refund within four weeks of giving your package to the return shipper, however, in many cases you will receive a refund more quickly. This time period includes the transit time for us to receive your return from the shipper (5 to 10 business days), the time it takes us to process your return once we receive it (3 to 5 business days), and the time it takes your bank to process our refund request (5 to 10 business days).
If you need to return an item, simply login to your account, view the order using the 'Complete Orders' link under the My Account menu and click the Return Item(s) button. We'll notify you via e-mail of your refund once we've received and processed the returned item.
We can ship to virtually any address in the world. Note that there are restrictions on some products, and some products cannot be shipped to international destinations.
When you place an order, we will estimate shipping and delivery dates for you based on the availability of your items and the shipping options you choose. Depending on the shipping provider you choose, shipping date estimates may appear on the shipping quotes page.
Please also note that the shipping rates for many items we sell are weight-based. The weight of any such item can be found on its detail page. To reflect the policies of the shipping companies we use, all weights will be rounded up to the next full pound.
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 |
Alignment Procedures | 2-Star Align, 1-Star Align, Solar System Align, Last Alignment, Quick Align |
Periodic Error Correction | Yes |
Computerized Hand Control | NexStar+ hand control with LCD display, 19 fiber-optic backlit LED buttons |
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 | 47 lbs (21.31 kg) |
Included Items | Advanced VX Equatorial Head| Tripod| Accessory Tray|1 x 12 lbs counterweight| NexStar+ Hand Control| DC Power Cable (plugs into cigarette lighter socket) |
Will this handle a 11" Schimdt Cassegrain
The capacity for the AVX is 30lbs and the 11" SCT optical tubes are 27.5 lbs (without eyepiece, camera or guide equipment etc).
For visual work, this will be fine. For astrophotography it may be difficult to get good images with this much weight. Balancing is crucial here for imaging with so much weight on the mount. Reducing counterweights weight is one way to help reduce the overall weight, by using an extension on the counterweight bar rather than adding more weights.
Generally we would not recommend imaging at the maximum weight of a mount - some mounts can do this, but it will be much more of a challenge and having a mount with more capacity will save you much gray hair for the extra cost in the long run.
If you are already registered, please log in.