Celestron Advanced VX GoTo German Equatorial Mount with POWER TANK 7

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, 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.

• Graphical planetarium interface with PointXP advanced mount modelling allows you to add 100+ points to your alignment model for the most accurate pointing and tracking possible
• Ideal for remote observatory setups: save and re-load your alignment and park your scope
• Provides a complete ASCOM telescope interface to allow control of the telescope from third party software applications

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.

 

• The most compact and portable of Celestron’s German equatorial mounts offers the same rigidity as our larger mounts with minimal flexure and an improved industrial design
• Holds a maximum instrument capacity of 30 lb
• Every feature an astroimager wants: PEC, an autoguider port, the ability to image across the meridian, and more
• Dual saddle plate is compatible with narrow CG-5 dovetails and wider CGE dovetail. Also compatible with Vixen format dovetails longer than 100mm, but not compatible with Losmandy D format plates.
• Latitude range allows the mount to perform between 7° and 77° latitude

Product Description

The Celestron 7 amp-hour Power Tank solves your portable power problems by giving you a multi-output 12V DC power supply for operating your telescope and small accessories in the field. This 7.4 pound rechargeable sealed lead-acid battery works with all telescopes that can be powered by a 12V DC external power supply.

The Power Tank has all of these features:

• 7 amp hour rechargeable battery capacity (somewhat less if used in temperatures below 32 degrees F), enough for many hours of observing with most telescopes
• two 12V DC cigarette lighter plug outputs for powering scopes and accessories, with sliding covers to keep them dirt- and debris-free when not in use
• two built in 5V/1.5A USB ports for charging portable devices (such as a Smart Phone, iPad, or tablet) in the field
• an 8′ long DC power cord (the cord labeled C in the feature image below), with a cigarette lighter plug on one end for connecting to one of the cigarette lighter plug outputs on the Power Tank and a female 5.5mm pin jack plug for connecting to the 12V DC input on a Celestron telescope on the other end
• very, very bright 800,000 candle power built-in spotlight for scope setup/takedown and for finding your way across a dark field (definitely not for use at star parties if you want to preserve the dark-adapted vision of those still observing)
• a built-in flashlight for scope setup and takedown with a tethered detachable red lens cover to preserve your dark-adapted vision (too bright for reading star charts; a variable brightness LED flashlight is still best for that)
• separate on/off switches for scope power, red lens flashlight, and spotlight
• battery indicator lights that show the status of the battery – ON/ready to use; needs charging; charging; or OFF/fully charged
• an external 110V AC recharger for replenishing the Power Tank’s battery charge as many as 100 times or more; the two parts of the adapter for U. S. and Canadian use are labeled A in the feature image below (since Celestron products are sold world-wide, the Power Tank also includes three other AC adapter plugs for use in Europe and Asia, which are labeled B in the feature image below); the AC adapter can be used with any 100 to 240 volt 50/60 Hz AC power supply
• a molded-in carrying handle.
• a shoulder strap.

In addition to powering Celestron scopes, the 7 amp-hour Power Tank can also be used with 12V Meade scopes, including current LX200 models. However, a Meade #607 DC cord is needed to connect the Power Tank to a Meade 12V scope due to the difference between the sizes of the 12V DC input plug center posts on Meade and Celestron scopes. Because the Power Tank has a 12-volt DC output, it cannot be used with older Meade non-GPS LX200 scopes that require an 18V DC external power supply.

As with any rechargeable battery, the Power Tank will operate at full power until approximately 40% of its charge is left. The output voltage will then start to drop relatively quickly past this point. At 30%-35% of its full charge, the Power Tank may not have enough output voltage to successfully operate your various electronic components. The maximum true full power output capacity of the 7 amp-hour Power Tank is therefore in the neighborhood of about 4.5 to 5 amp-hours.

To calculate how long the 7 amp-hour Power Tank will operate your particular complement of equipment, add up the maximum amperage ratings of your telescope and telescope accessories. Divide 4.5 by the total amperage draw of all your components to find the worse case number of hours that this Power Tank will operate your system. Keep in mind that accessories will usually not operate continuously at their full rated amperage. A dew heater might be rated at a 1-amp draw, but that is when it is turned up to maximum power. Seldom are dew heaters turned on full and left at that setting. Operating at only 1/4 to 1/3 of the rated power is usually more typical. The actual operating time of the Power Tank on a single charge can therefore often be two to three times the length of the worst-case scenario calculated above. Your operating time will depend on the ambient temperature and the particular combination of components you are using.

A note on assembling the AC adapter: The AC adapter has five parts, the adapter itself, and four different prong assemblies that snap into the adapter and plug into your household AC wall socket. Choose the prong assembly that matches the configuration of your AC wall socket. Do not attempt to slide the prong assembly straight into the adapter! This will cause damage to the adapter that is not covered by warranty.

Refer to the feature images below for proper assembly. Note that the metal prongs of the prong assembly are placed at the opposite end of the adapter from the end with the cord connected to it. The prong assembly is placed on top of the AC adapter so that tabs on the prong assembly can drop into small slots in the sides of the long and wide slot of the AC adapter. When the tabs drop into the slots and the top of the prong assembly is flush with the top of the AC adapter, slide the prong assembly into the AC adapter in the direction of the arrow in the image until the prong assembly clicks into place.

You should not have to remove the prong assembly unless you move overseas and need to connect your Power Tank to a different type of AC outlet. The prong assembly can be removed from the adapter by using a pencil to push down on the tab in that adapter that locks the prong assembly in place.

The battery instructions caution against using the charger continuously for more than 24 hours to avoid overcharging the battery and possibly damaging it. In addition, the instructions suggest recharging the battery occasionally to maintain its performance if it is not going to be used for several months at a time.

Printed instructions are supplied with the Power Tank. If all else fails, read the instructions!

 

The Portable and Versatile Celestron Advanced VX (AVX) German Equatorial Mount with Tripod

The Celestron Advanced VX mount is an ideal tool for budding (or seasoned) astrophotographers. An especially easy upgrade for NexStar and SLT users, this German equatorial mount is small enough for decent portability, yet rugged enough to support payloads of up to 30 pounds! This mount is also an excellent choice for those wishing to upgrade to a dedicated equatorial mount from a SkyTracker, NexStar 8SE/6SE, or SLTs. Check out our overview of the Advanced VX mount in the video below.

The technical features of the AVX mount are perfect for astrophotography, including permanently programmable periodic error correction (PPEC), integer gear ratios, built-in adjustable backlash compensation, and autoguider support. This mount also supports imaging across the meridian without the need of a meridian flip, and an extended operational latitude range from 7° to 77°! Ports for the hand controller, an autoguider (sold separately), and two AUX ports allow for expandability and power for optional accessories.

When paired with the included NexStar+ hand controller, the computerized GoTo capabilities of the Advanced VX mount can locate and track any of the 40,000 objects in the NexStar+ database. Built into the hand controller is Celestron’s All-Star Polar Alignment program to align the telescope to the north celestial pole without the need of a polar scope. Setup and alignment typically takes under 30 minutes.

A Solid Medium-Payload Workhorse Mount

Celestron’s Advanced VX German equatorial mount comes with a dual-saddle plate that can accommodate either Celestron CG-5 (narrow) or CGE dovetail bars. Switching between the two saddle plates is as simple as moving the hand knobs into a separate set of holes. This means you can use the Advanced VX mount with virtually any optical tube up to 30 pounds (although remember to factor in any additional weight from cameras, guide scopes, or other accessories you plan to use in your setup). This saddle is also compatible with Vixen-style dovetails 100 mm or longer. This mount is not compatible with Losmandy D-style plates.

The AVX mount also comes with an extendable tripod with 2″ diameter stainless steel legs, a tripod spreader/accessory tray, a 12 pound counterweight with shaft, and a DC power cable/cigarette lighter adapter.