Celestron 203/2032 Schmidt-Cassegrain CGEM II 800 GoTo

The classic C8 on the heavy photography platform

The Celestron SC 203/2032 CGEM II 800 attaches the famous C8 optics onto the CGEM II: the mount with an 18 kg payload capacity that makes these eight inches rock solid. With 841 times more light than the naked eye and a 2032 mm focal length, you'll achieve sharp planetary detail, resolving globular clusters, and detailed planetary nebulae, with the stability long photo sessions demand.

The CGEM II Mount: Room for Serious Photography

The CGEM II is Celestron's heavier-duty German equatorial GoTo mount: 18 kg (40 lbs) payload capacity, NexStar+ hand controller with over 40,000 objects, All-Star Polar Alignment, permanently programmable periodic error correction (PPEC), and an autoguider port. Where the Advanced VX reaches its limit with these tube sizes, the CGEM II has plenty of margin: precisely what long, unattended exposures require. The mount operates on 12V; a power tank is the logical addition.

When would you choose the CGEM II over the Advanced VX?

The same C8 tube is also available on the lighter Advanced VX. Choose the CGEM II when astrophotography is the primary goal: the wide carrying capacity margin dampens wind and vibrations and maintains high focal accuracy during long exposures, even with the camera, guide, and accessories attached to the tube. Realistic visual planetary work is possible down to about 300x under Dutch conditions.

What's in the box?

• Optical tube SC 203/2032 with StarBright XLT coating
• CGEM II GoTo Mount with NexStar+ Hand Controller
• Steel tripod with accessory tray
• Eyepiece and diagonal mirror (1.25 inch)
• Seeker
• Counterweight

Featured accessories

• The Celestron PowerTank Lithium LT The mount feeds all night in the field.
• A moon filter (1.25 inch) the bright moonlight reflects off this eight-inch optic.

Still unsure about the right model? Our Buyer's guide for beginners and the telescope selection aid help you step by step. Also check out all the catadioptric telescopes or the full range on the Celestron brand page. You can read more background information about the brand in the Celestron brand guide.