Engineered to bridge the gap between their Advanced VX & heavy-duty CGX-L mounts, the Celestron CGEM II GoTo German Equatorial Mount delivers the performance required for capturing clear images during astrophotography sessions or resolving dim details when observing through an eyepiece. To make it compatible with a wide assortment of optical tube assemblies, Celestron outfitted the CGEM II with a dovetail saddle designed to accept the standard Vixen-style (Celestron's CG-5) and the larger Losmandy (Celestron CGE) dovetail bars.





Through the use of high-torque dual-axis low-cog DC servo motors, optical encoders on the motors, backlash compensation, and Permanent Periodic Error Correction (PPEC) the mount is capable of precise positioning and tracking accuracy to ensure your target object stays centered while constantly improving its performance the more you use it.





The brain of the system is the NexStar computer controller, which is equipped with a database of over 40,000 objects, including the planets, stars, nebulae, galaxies, and the complete Messier catalog; it can also be programmed with up 100 custom user-defined objects with filters to create custom object lists. Its intuitive menu-driven user interface makes observing the sky, day and night, fast and easy. Features such as guided tours, extended information on 200 popular objects, and multiple alignment options make the NexStar controller an invaluable tool to new users and experienced stargazers alike.The Celestron CGEM II Tripod has 2" diameter steel legs with graduated markings that make it easy to extend the legs to the same height. It comes with a 17 lb counterweight.Striking a comfortable balance between power and portability, the Celestron C8-A-XLT CGE 8" f/10 Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope is an ideal choice for observing objects within or beyond our solar system. It features a Schmidt-Cassegrain optical system consisting of a corrector plate, a spherical primary mirror, and a secondary mirror that work together to reduce spherical and chromatic aberrations. These corrections result in crisp and clear high-resolution images with accurate color representation, without distortion?especially at the edges. Complementing the optical system is the proprietary StarBright XLT optical coating system, which improves light transmission and reflectivity across the entire visual spectrum.





The optical tube is outfitted with a standard 1.25" visual back to make it easier to find eyepieces, accessories, and imaging gear. For visual observations, a 1.25" star diagonal is included along with a 25mm eyepiece that yields 81x magnification. The C8-A-XLT is offered here without a mount or tripod for users who already have a reliable support system and are looking to upgrade or add to their existing gear, but comes with a larger CGE dovetail plate that is compatible with Losmandy-style saddles.