The Celestron CGEM-II Goto mechanism is designed for those looking for a heavy-duty mechanism that can be used for serious astrophotography. The CGEM-II is an improved version of the previous CGEM, which the manufacturer has developed to be even more user-friendly based on the experience gained with its predecessor.
The 5 cm thick steel feet and the considerable size of the mechanics head create excellent stability. Thanks to the ball-bearing shafts, periodic error is very low and can be almost completely eliminated by driving through the built-in autoguide port. Astrophotographers will appreciate the very fine corrections (up to 0.25x star speed) that can be made, as well as the possibility of a teachable periodic error correction (PEC).
The NexStar handheld controller allows a maximum movement speed of 5 degrees/second. Its database stores data on more than 45 000 objects, any of which can be accessed with the touch of a button. It also supports communication with a computer, so it can be controlled from a PC, and last but not least, it can be connected to a GPS receiver, which makes it as easy as possible to train the mechanics.
Accurate pole positioning is almost essential for astrophotography. The All-Star algorithm of the NexStar handheld controller ensures more accurate pole alignment than even pole telescopes, even when the Polaris is not visible. Unlike other mechanisms, the CGEM-II takes care to ensure that the tube of its telescope does not get stuck in the mechanism during tracking. Based on its load capacity, it is recommended for use with newton telescopes up to 25 cm, SC/MC systems up to 28 cm and 18 cm lens telescopes!
In addition to Vixen standard prism rails, the mechanics head can also accept CGE prism rail mounted tubes.