Products in the Same Family
Why Purchase from All-Star Telescope?
Free Expert Support
Whether you are a first timer needing help with setting up or an enthusiast that can't quite make that one thing work, our expert staff are ready to support your needs. With decades of knowledge and first hand experience we've been there and we can help you through it!
Stress Free, Secure Transactions
You can trust purchasing and delivery with All-Star Telescope. All of our transactions are 100% secure and Level 1 PCI DSS compliant thanks to Shopify's ShopPay platform. For additional protection, we insure 100% of the value of every shipment we make. If it get's lost during shipment, we replace it. If it gets damaged during shipment, we replace it. We make sure your product arrives exactly as you would expect it to; we promise.
We also ensure privacy protection. We never keep any of your credit card information on file and any of your personal data is stored according to our policies.
30 Day Return Policy
Buy with confidence knowing that we accept returns up to 30 days after purchase. We want you to have something you will actually use and we are confident that we keep good quality products in our store with No Junk.
Price Match Promise
Shipping around for the best price is tough, we make it easier by offering the best pricing in the market. But if you find a better price on an in-store item somewhere else we will match it!
Recommended Accessories
Celestron 12 lb Counterweight for 19mm sha...
Celestron Counterweight 11lbs for 19mm Sha...
Celestron Counterweight 17lbs for 19mm Sha...
Product Description
CGEM II 800 HD combines Celestron's newly redesigned CGEM II computerized equatorial mount with its acclaimed EdgeHD optical system. With 8 inches of aperture and our premium StarBright XLT coatings, the CGEM II 800 HD gives you over 800 times the light gathering power than the unaided eye and is the lightest and most portable telescope in its class.
OPTICAL TUBE INFO
EdgeHD is an aplanatic, flat field Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope that produces aberration-free images across a wide visual and photographic field of view. The optical system was designed to reduce more than just off-axis star coma; it also provides an astrograph-quality flat focal plane all the way to the edge of the field of view.
True Astrograph Quality
Many optical designs that advertise themselves as "astrographs" actually only produce pinpoint stars across a curved focal plane. While this may be acceptable for some visual observing, stars will appear out of focus at the edge when used with the flat chip sensor of a digital camera. EdgeHD optics produce a focal plane more than three-times flatter than a standard Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope and dramatically flatter than competing coma-free designs. This guarantees you visibly sharp stars across some of the largest CCD chips available today. Learn more about EdgeHD technology.
Improved Performance
Superior edge performance not only creates rounder, more pleasing stars, but actually improves the resolution and limiting magnitude when compared to telescopes of equal aperture. With Celestron's StarBright XLT optical coatings on every surface, EdgeHD optics gives you maximum light throughput across the widest visual and photographic spectrum.
Mechanical Features
In addition to EdgeHD's optimized optical design, the telescope tube has been redesigned to make sure you get the most from your optics each and every night.
Mirror clutches - Flexible tension clutches hold the mirror in place and reduce image shift when taking long exposure astro-images. Once focused, the flexible rods allow the mirror to be held in place without putting any force or pressure on the mirror assembly, keeping the image centered in the eyepiece (or on the sensor).
Tube vents - Cooling vents located on the rear cell allow hot air to be released from behind the primary mirror. Each vent has an integrated 50-mesh filter guaranteed to let warm air out without letting dust in.
Fastar versatility - EdgeHD is the most versatile imaging telescope available today. At its native f/10, you can achieve the image scale necessary to capture the smallest of deep sky objects. Add the optional reducer lens-custom-designed for your size EdgeHD tube-and you can increase your field of view without sacrificing optical performance. A Barlow lens gives you added power for high-resolution planetary, lunar and solar imaging. All EdgeHD optical tubes are Fastar-compatible, allowing the secondary mirror to be removed and replaced with a third party lens accessory for ultra-fast f/2 wide field imaging.
Individually Tested
Every EdgeHD that ships has been tested not only for the surface quality of each optical component, but also with a camera and artificial star to ensure the imaging system meets our rigid quality assurance. This "final acceptance test" confirms the EdgeHD will perform in the field and deliver high-quality astroimages.
MOUNT INFO
A fresh update to the venerable CGEM mount, the CGEM II has a fresh, attractive, bold appearance and is capable of carrying Celestron's higher-end SCT optical tubes (up to 11") securely and vibration free, which is ideal for both imaging and visual observing. Capable of holding 40 lbs. of payload and slewing at 5° per second, you will be able to instantly point to any of the celestial objects in the database.
ERGONOMIC DESIGN
CGEM II was designed to be ergonomically friendly with large Altitude and Azimuth adjustment knobs for quick and easy polar alignment adjustment. The internal RA and DEC motor wiring provides a clean look and an easy and trouble free set up.
INNOVATION
The CGEM II series features Celestron's innovative Polar alignment procedure called All-Star. All-Star allows users to choose any bright star, while the software calculates and assists with polar alignment. Another great feature of the CGEM II sure to please astroimagers, is the Permanent Periodic Error Correction (PEC) which will allow users to train out the worm gears periodic errors, while the mount retains the PEC recordings.
PERFORMANCE
For objects near the Meridian (imaginary line passing from North to South), the CGEM II will track well past the Meridian for uninterrupted imaging through the most ideal part of the sky. The CGEM II mount has a robust database with over 40,000 objects, 100 user defined programmable objects and enhanced information on over 200 objects. Celestron's CGEM II mount is the perfect fit between the Advanced Series and CGE Series. Offering the portability of the Advanced Series and the precision of the CGE.
What can I see with a Celestron CGEM II 800 EdgeHD Telescope (12017)?
Here are some simulated views of common objects. Results with your telescope will vary with viewing conditions, obrits, equipment and more.
Jupiter with
40mm Eyepiece - 51x Magnification
(Included with This Telescope)
Jupiter with
10mm Eyepiece - 203x Magnification
Sold Separately
Jupiter with
5mm Eyepiece - 406x Magnification
Sold Separately
Moon with 40mm Eyepiece
51x Magnification
(Included with This Telescope)
Moon with 10mm Eyepiece
203x Magnification
Sold Separately
Moon with 5mm Eyepiece
406x Magnification
Sold Separately
Andromeda with 36mm Eyepiece
56x Magnification
Sold Separately
Andromeda with 40mm Eyepiece
51x Magnification
(Included with This Telescope)
Andromeda with 10mm Eyepiece
203x Magnification
Sold Separately
What's in the Box
This Kit Product Contains the Following SKUs:
Specifications
| OPTICAL TUBE INFO: | |
| Optical Design: | EdgeHD |
| Aperture: | 203.2mm (8") |
| Focal Length: | 2032mm (80") |
| Focal Ratio: | f/10 |
| Focal Length of Eyepiece 1: | 40mm (1.57") |
| Magnification of Eyepiece 1: | 51x |
| Finderscope: | 9x50 |
| Star Diagonal: | 1.25" Star Diagonal |
| Optical Tube: | Aluminum |
| Highest Useful Magnification: | 480x |
| Lowest Useful Magnification: | 29x |
| Limiting Stellar Magnitude: | 14 |
| Resolution (Rayleigh): | 0.69 arc seconds |
| Resolution (Dawes): | 0.57 arc seconds |
| Light Gathering Power (Compared to human eye): | 843x |
| Secondary Mirror Obstruction: | 64mm (2.5") |
| Secondary Mirror Obstruction by Diameter: | 31% |
| Secondary Mirror Obstruction by Area: | 9.77% |
| Optical Coatings: | StarBright XLT |
| Optical Tube Length: | 432mm (17") |
| Optical Tube Diameter: | 238mm (9.37") |
| Optical Tube Weight: | 14 lbs (6.35 kg) |
| Dovetail: | CGE Dovetail Bar |
| MOUNT INFO: | |
| Mount Type: | Computerized Equatorial |
| Instrument load capacity: | 40 lbs (18 kg) |
| Height adjustment range (includes mount and tripod): | 1346mm - 1651mm (53" - 65") |
| Tripod Leg Diameter: | 50.8mm (2") Steel tripod with graduated markings on lower section |
| Latitude adjustment range: | 15° - 70° |
| Mount Head Weight: | 40 lbs (18.14 kg) |
| Accessory Tray: | Yes |
| Tripod Weight: | 20 lbs (9 kg) |
| Weight of Counterweights: | 1 x 17 lbs |
| Slew Speeds: | 9 slew speeds - max speed 4.5°/second |
| Tracking Rates: | Sidereal, Solar and Lunar |
| Tracking Modes: | EQ North and EQ South |
| GPS: | N/A |
| Dovetail Compatibility: | Dual saddle plates (CG-5 and CGE saddle) |
| Number of Auxiliary Ports: | 2 AUX Ports (1x Hand control Port and 1x AUX Port for optional accessories) |
| Autoguide Port: | Yes |
| USB Port: | Yes, input on Hand Control |
| Power Requirements: | 12V DC, 3.2 amps |
| 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: | 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 Starry Night Special Edition Software and SkyPortal App |
| Total Kit Weight: | 92 lbs (41.7 kg) |
Additional Articles, Videos, and Links
Go Ahead, Look at the Sun (With the Right Equipment)
Solar observation and solar photography are a lot of fun with the right equipment, and this is a great time to start. Every 11 years the Sun’s magnetic field completely flips. That means that the...
Using Your First Telescope - Part Two: Aligning a GoTo Scope
GoTo telescopes are terrific for their ease of finding objects, then automatically tracking them. They work well, but only if they are set up properly. Here are tips for avoiding the common errors.
How to Pick the Best Telescope Eyepieces
Finding the right new telescope eyepiece can be a game changer. This post will help you to pick the best telescope eyepiece for your needs.