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Celestron Cpc 800 XLT Computerized Telescope w/Tube and Tripod
Delivery & Support
Select to learn moreSmiles (S N Recorded)
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Purchase options and add-ons
Brand | Celestron |
Model Name | 11073XLT |
Eye Piece Lens Description | Plossl |
Objective Lens Diameter | 203 Millimeters |
Product Dimensions | 36"D x 19"W x 30"H |
Focus Type | Manual Focus |
Finderscope | Reflex |
Number of Batteries | 1 Lithium Ion batteries required. (included) |
About this item
- Item may ship in more than one box and may arrive separately
- 8 inch Schmidt Cassegrain telescope
- 2032 millimeter focal length
- Aluminum optical tube construction
- Starbright XLT high performance optical system ; Convenient remote hand control holder - Allows you to view information hands-free while using the scope
- SkyAlign alignment technology ; 9x50 finderscope to help accurately find objects
Frequently bought together
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From the manufacturer
CPC 800 GPS XLT Computerized Telescope
A favorite among experienced visual observers. The computerized altazimuth mount provides outstanding tracking accuracy while the 8” Schmidt-Cassegrain optical tube delivers sharp views.
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GPS Technology
Forget about entering your latitude and longitude manually. The GPS automatically determines the date, time, and your telescope’s exact coordinates—even in remote locations. No cell service needed.
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Celestron’s Revolutionary SkyAlign Procedure
SkyAlign makes aligning your telescope as easy as 1-2-3! Center any three bright celestial objects in the eyepiece and hit Align. From there, your CPC is ready to pinpoint thousands of objects.
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StarBright XLT Optical Coatings
See the difference with Celestron’s StarBright XLT optical coatings. This proprietary formula enhances light transmission through the optical path, resulting in noticeably brighter, sharper images.
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Celestron is Here for You
Astronomy can be intimidating, but Celestron is here to help. As the premier telescope brand since 1960, we offer free US-based tech support & how-to videos, so you can enjoy stargazing hassle-free.
Ergonomic Design
Don’t let its sturdy design and large aperture fool you. Our engineers designed the CPC to go wherever you want to observe. Ergonomic carrying handles make set up manageable by one person.
Compare these telescopes
11073-XLT | 11074-XLT | 11075-XLT | 11007 | |
Customer Reviews
|
4.3 out of 5 stars
117
|
4.3 out of 5 stars
117
|
4.3 out of 5 stars
117
|
4.4 out of 5 stars
30
|
Price
| $2,499.00$2,499.00 | $2,903.12$2,903.12 | $3,999.00$3,999.00 | $3,199.00$3,199.00 |
Optical Design
| Schmidt-Cassegrain | Schmidt-Cassegrain | Schmidt-Cassegrain | EdgeHD |
Aperture
| 203.2mm (8”) | 235mm (9.25”) | 280mm (11”) | 203.2mm (8”) |
Focal Length
| 2032mm (80”) | 2350mm (93”) | 2800mm (110”) | 2032mm (80”) |
Focal Ratio
| f/10 | f/10 | f/10 | f/10 |
Magnification
| 51x | 59x | 70x | 51x |
Limiting Magnitude
| 14 | 14.4 | 14.7 | 14 |
Lowest Magnification
| 29x | 34x | 40x | 29x |
Highest Magnification
| 480x | 555x | 661x | 480x |
Total Weight
| 69 lbs | 85 lbs | 92 lbs | 70 lbs |
Compare with similar items
This Item Celestron Cpc 800 XLT Computerized Telescope w/Tube and Tripod | Recommendations | dummy | dummy | dummy | dummy | |
Try again! Added to Cart | Try again! Added to Cart | Try again! Added to Cart | Try again! Added to Cart | Try again! Added to Cart | Try again! Added to Cart | |
Price | $2,499.00$2,499.00 | $3,999.00$3,999.00 | -12% $2,903.12$2,903.12 List: $3,299.00 | $1,139.00$1,139.00 | -37% $81.68$81.68 List: $129.99 | -6% $599.95$599.95 List: $639.95 |
Delivery | Get it May 16 - 17 | — | — | — | Get it as soon as Thursday, May 16 | Get it as soon as Thursday, May 16 |
Customer Ratings | ||||||
Easy to use | 4.5 | 4.5 | — | — | 4.3 | 3.3 |
Sold By | Smiles (S N Recorded) | Amazon.com | Amazon.com | Adorama | SuPerL | Amazon.com |
focal length | — | 2800mm (110") | — | 1250mm (49") | 400 millimeters | — |
focus type | Manual Focus | Manual Focus | Manual Focus | Manual Focus | Manual Focus | Manual Focus |
eye piece lens | Plossl | Plossl | Plossl | Plossl | Barlow | Plossl |
objective lens diameter | 203 millimeters | 279 millimeters | 235 millimeters | — | 70 millimeters | 130 millimeters |
telescope mount | — | Altazimuth Mount | Altazimuth Mount | — | Altazimuth Mount | Altazimuth Mount |
lens coating | — | StarBright XLT | StarBright XLT | StarBright XLT | Fully Coated | — |
weight | — | 80 pounds | 79 pounds | 45.31 pounds | 2.6 kilograms | 11.4 pounds |
power source | — | — | — | Battery Powered | Adapter | Battery Powered |
finderscope | Reflex | Reflex | Reflex | Reflex | Straight-Through | StarPointer™ red-dot finderscope |
battery quantity | 1 lithium ion | 1 lithium ion | 1 lithium ion | — | — | 1 lithium metal, 1 cr2032, 2 aa, 8 lithium ion |
What's in the box
Looking for specific info?
Product information
Product Dimensions | 36 x 19 x 30 inches |
---|---|
Item Weight | 59.9 pounds |
ASIN | B0009XH79U |
Item model number | 11073-XLT |
Batteries | 1 Lithium Ion batteries required. (included) |
Customer Reviews |
4.3 out of 5 stars |
Best Sellers Rank | #1,901 in Camera & Photo Products (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo Products) #23 in Catadioptric Telescopes |
Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
Date First Available | August 28, 2005 |
Manufacturer | Celestron |
Warranty & Support
Feedback
Product Description
Product Description
A rock-solid dual Fork arm mount and large aperture At an affordable price: that’s what makes the CPC telescope series a favorite among experienced amateur astronomers. Celestron’s revolutionary skyalign plus an internal GPS make alignment a snap. Use the Computerized hand control to quickly slew to over 40, 000 celestial objects, then track your target precisely as it moves across the night sky. Imagers can place the CPC dual Fork arm mount on an optional HD Pro wedge to polar align it for long-exposure astrophotography. Thoughtful ergonomic design makes setting up and breaking down your CPC quick and painless.
Amazon.com
Celestron CPC 800 XLT Computerized Telescope with Tube and Tripod Celestron's CPC 800 XLT telescope combines excellent Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with a state of the art computerized mount featuring GPS technology and user friendly design. This telescope is a solid all around performer likely to please both the experienced observer and the new astronomer.
After using older computerized telescopes, Celestron's new SkyAlign system seems almost like magic. I don't need to remember obscure star names or use a star chart, I just point the telescope at three bright stars or planets and the CPC 800 tells me the star names! SkyAlign is one of several alignment options, and some options can even be used during daylight.
The drive base and heavy duty CPC tripod are unusually solid, it's the same base and drive system used on the larger CPC 1100 telescope. When I rap on the telescope fork the vibration is gone in less than a second. In practice this means easier focusing even at high magnification. The solid base and precise tracking is a real advantage while viewing the planets and while photographing them. I've been able to image the planets at focal lengths of f/30 and f/40 which would be quite difficult without perfect tracking.
The excellent optics of the CPC 800 XLT telescope show me excellent views of the planets. When I look at Jupiter with a 12.5mm plossl eyepiece (about 160x magnification) I see multiple cloud bands and I can see the pale color of Jupiter's famous Great Red Spot. One night when the air was unusually still and clear I used a 7.5mm Ultrascopic eyepiece with a 2x Barlow for a magnification of 533X. Jupiter's moons were plainly resolved as tiny disks that night. When I look at Saturn at 200X I can usually see the Cassini division in the rings and make out four or five moons. When Mars comes closest to Earth every two years I've even been able to spot dust storms blowing across the Martian dessert.
The CPC 800 XLT also delivers beautiful views of deep space objects. The CPC 800 is large enough that galaxies begin to reveal their structure and globular star clusters are well resolved. At a recent Astronomy viewing night at a local school, some of the students liked globular cluster M13 the best. They said it looked like a snowflake made of tiny stars! The well known Orion Nebula is a winter highlight. Most telescopes will show four stars in the Trapezium, the bright multiple star inside the Orion Nebula, but with the CPC 800 I can often pick out faint stars "E" and "F" as well.
The accessories with this CPC 800 XLT package include an 8x50 finder scope, a 40mm plossl eyepiece (50X magnification), the NexStar computer hand control, and a 12 volt car battery adapter. You'll also need a 12 volt power supply. An AC adapter is available, but I like using a 12 volt battery pack because I don't need to be near an extension cord to use the telescope.
A few good eyepieces help me take full advantage of the CPC 800's excellent optics. Plossl eyepieces like the ones in Celestron’s Accessory Kit would be an economical way to get started, and of course premium eyepieces like the TeleVue 10mm Radian offer delightful views of the planets. If I were choosing just two eyepieces to add to the CPC 800, I'd pick a 10mm X-Cel eyepiece (200X for planet viewing) and a 21mm X-Cel eyepiece (100X for globular clusters and galaxies) to go with the standard equipment 40mm (50X) eyepiece.
The CPC 800 XLT is an excellent all around telescope. The C8 optics are large enough to give me delightful views of deep space objects, and the optics are powerful enough to show me amazing views of the planets. Even with all this power the whole system is portable enough that I can easily transport my telescope to the local high school and share the view on Astronomy night. --Jeff Phillips
Pros:
- excellent optics
- solid drive base
- easy computerized finding and tracking
- 12 volt power supply not included
From the Manufacturer
The CPC 800 GPS XLT is the most portable of Celestron's top-of-the-line fork-mounted astronomical telescopes and includes Celestron's premium StarBright XLT coatings. This telescope is at home as a superb visual instrument or, with optional wedge and CCD cameras, as a serious astrophotographer's tool.
Turn this scope to planets and see amazing detail on the surface of Jupiter; see Cassini's Division in the rings of Saturn, and resolve details on the surface of Mars. Even the distant Uranus, Neptune and Pluto are within your reach.
Although large in aperture, with its conveniently located carrying handles and an instrument weight of only 42 lb., this telescope is portable enough to setup in your backyard or take with you to your favorite dark sky location.
Celestron's new CPC Series with revolutionary SkyAlign Alignment Technology re-defines everything that amateur astronomers are looking for — quick and simple alignment, GPS, unsurpassed optical quality, ease of set-up and use, ergonomics, enhanced computerization and, most important, affordability.
Internal GPS
The CPC Series' internal GPS receiver automatically downloads the date and time from orbiting satellites and pinpoints its exact location on Earth. This eliminates the need for you to manually enter the date, time, longitude and latitude.
Celestron's Revolutionary SkyAlign
Once the CPC's internal GPS has established the telescope's position, aligning the telescope is as easy as 1-2-3! Simply locate and use hand control to manually point (slew) the telescope to three bright celestial objects. You do not need to know the names of the stars — you may even pick the moon or bright planets! Celestron's NexStar software technology will model the night sky to determine the position of every star, planet and celestial object above the horizon. Once aligned, the remote hand control allows direct access to each of the celestial catalogs in its user-friendly database.
Celestial Object Database
The CPC database contains over 40,000 celestial objects including Messier objects, the Caldwell Catalog, as well as NGC Galaxies, nebulae and planets. User-definable filter limits make navigating through this expansive database quicker and easier. Filter Limits let you filter out objects that are outside of your local horizon (ie, if trees or mountains were in the way).
Identify feature tells you what you're looking at, but it can also be a very fun way to tour around the sky. Just point the telescope up somewhere and ask it to identify Messier objects (for instance) and it will show you the 5 nearest Messier objects to your position and let you GOTO them. You can keep doing this for different parts of the sky or for different object types -- it is a lot of fun.
There's also "Solar Sys Align" that lets you align on the sun or moon for daytime observing -- it is easy to use this to see planets or bright stars in the day.
Innovative Features
The new CPC Series telescopes, like our acclaimed Advanced Series and premium CGE Series telescopes feature meticulously matched and hand-figured optical systems that are manufactured in our facilities in Torrance, California. In addition, all CPC models are available with StarBright and StarBright XLT High Performance Optical Coatings.
With the introduction of the CPC Series, Celestron has “gone back to the drawing board” and re-designed, re-engineered, and re-invented a telescope family that provides superior quality, unsurpassed ease of use, and incomparable value. All CPC models ship standard with our NexRemote telescope control software.
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers like the quality, ease of use, and optics of the telescope. They mention that it's well made, easy to set up, and has clear instructions. They appreciate the excellent views and crisp images. However, some customers feel the weight is too heavy. Opinions are mixed on performance and value.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers like the quality of the telescope. They mention that it's well-made, amazing, and the best amateur telescope available.
"...It's still going strong and working fine after I replaced the front cell. I've had a few issues with the GPS receiver that I've been able to resolve...." Read more
"...The quality of the scope and tripod are evident in the size and weight alone...." Read more
"...I looked at Jupiter first. Brilliant, crystal clear, sharp image, although small because the 40mm eyepiece only gives around 50x...." Read more
"...First up, the mount is sturdy, easy to use and gives great vibration suppression performance...." Read more
Customers find the telescope easy to use. They say the fork has bevels that snap, the setup is simple, and the power tank is easy to operate. They also say the instructions are clear. The controller is fairly intuitive, although it feels dated with the menu-driven. However, using it on manual mode is very simple. Customers also say that the hand control is fairly easy to set up and use.
"...Images are quite crisp with the supplied eyepiece. The controller is fairly intuitive, although it feels a bit dated with the menu-driven two-line..." Read more
"...The hand control is fairly easy to use, and the layout of the buttons is easy to get used to. The display is a bit dim, but not uncomfortably so...." Read more
"...Set up is simple. Just place the tripod in position and level it with the built in bubble level. Pick the scope up and rest it on top of the tripod...." Read more
"...It's not light, but I'm able to set everything up unassisted without too much difficulty (I'm in my late 20's and of very average fitness!)...." Read more
Customers are satisfied with the optics of the telescope. They mention that the view is excellent, the visual experience is much better, and the images are quite crisp. The tracking works well, and they see clearly. The clarity is nothing short of breathtaking. The view from the included eyepiece is fine, but having more options is something you'll want.
"...tested the scope with an artificial star and found that the optics are still very fine! The collimation was off a bit but not by much...." Read more
"...The view from the included EP is fine, but having more options is something you'll want right from the start...." Read more
"...a considerable amount of haze and horrible light pollution, the view was excellent, with 3 moons lined up on one side of the planet and a 4th on the..." Read more
"...Nebulosity is apparent in several structures - the dumbbell nebulae look great, and the pinwheel galaxy demonstrates significant structure in its..." Read more
Customers like the alignment of the telescope. They say the new alignment is great, and they have had no trouble doing alignments. They also appreciate the GPS alignment feature, and the alignment software works well. They mention that the one star alignment is pretty quick, and that the telescope's collimation is perfect.
"...One star alignment is pretty quick and gets me close enough to find other objects pretty well.The tripod is very solid...." Read more
"...I've had no trouble doing alignments, and have even aligned it using the moon, Jupiter, and Sirius when they were all in the same general area in..." Read more
"...Checking the optical path, the telescope's collimation was perfect, so no major bouncing around during shipping and no adjustments necessary...." Read more
"...I do love the alignment and star tracking (goto). It works very well...." Read more
Customers are mixed about the performance of the telescope. Some mention that it works very well, and is pleased with the scope's performance. The goto feature works extremely well, but there are times when the computer and WiFi are needed. However, others say that the internal GPS has never worked well, or has had issues with the receiver.
"...It's still going strong and working fine after I replaced the front cell. I've had a few issues with the GPS receiver that I've been able to resolve...." Read more
"...Once aligned, the goto feature works extremely well, although there are times when the object doesn't center perfectly...." Read more
"...I do love the alignment and star tracking (goto). It works very well...." Read more
"...It features a GPS built into one of the mounting forks, most useful. Be sure to get a moon filter as it is really bright...." Read more
Customers are mixed about the value of the telescope. Some mention it's the best one for the money, while others say it'd be better off buying a cheaper one.
"...This works well, is inexpensive, and buys you a couple of hours before the dew forms. I eventually constructed a 3-watt dew heater...." Read more
"...this telescope for the fantastic optics, ease of use, and Amazon's great price." Read more
"...It is a very large investment: both in terms of cost and time and patience. Be prepared for that or you may find yourself frustrated...." Read more
"...it is pricey but if it keeps performing the way it has, it's worth it. i took some photos of the moon and jupiter with it, i will post them...." Read more
Customers find the telescope pretty heavy and a monster when it comes to weight. They say it's easy to set up unassisted, but requires a strong back.
"...this scope, DEFINITELY consider the fact that it is big and heavy. The scope is about 40 lbs, and the tripod is about 20...." Read more
"...Setting the scope is easy, but requires a strong back! The optical tube assembly (which includes the forks and drive system) is *heavy*...." Read more
"...It's not light, but I'm able to set everything up unassisted without too much difficulty (I'm in my late 20's and of very average fitness!)...." Read more
"...Be sure to check under the foam in the telescope lens box. The telescope is heavy and transportable...." Read more
Customers are dissatisfied with the electronics in the telescope. They mention that it has obvious flaws and issues are difficult to rectify.
"After all of the delays, messed up shipments, defective electronics etc...." Read more
"My telescope arrived damaged. Not shipping damaged, but defective...." Read more
"...My CPC1100 came with a defect on the LCD screen of the hand controller...." Read more
"...But the corrector plate on the unit I owned had obvious flaws (streaks, bubbles, spider web-like structures); I returned the product...." Read more
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I used this scope for the solar eclipse and have been photographing deep sky objects with a wedge. It's still going strong and working fine after I replaced the front cell. I've had a few issues with the GPS receiver that I've been able to resolve. I recently replaced the nylon ball bearings in the base of the mount with stainless steel bearings in order to get smoother tracking for astrophotography.
Update March 2016 - Parts are difficult to obtain from Celestron!!
I had an unfortunate accident with my telescope while setting up a outreach demonstration in a gym on a cloudy night. I forgot to tighten the thumbscrews that secure the scope to the tripod, and then tried to adjust the tripod! It was a dumb mistake and entirely my fault. I typically am more careful but guess I was in a hurry.
The telescope fell and dented the front cell (the bezel that the lens cap attaches to). I've since tested the scope with an artificial star and found that the optics are still very fine! The collimation was off a bit but not by much. I added "Bob's knobs" and was able to get a nice diffraction pattern during the fine in-focus collimation adjustment.
Celestron refused to sell me the front cell!! They offered the option of sending the scope back to the factory but it will take 20 to 40 days and cost an estimated $300. I don't mind the $300 so much, but don't want to be without the scope for a month as the weather is just getting nice and Jupiter is nicely placed!
I continued bugging Celestron, and they reluctantly agreed to sell me the front cell. It wasn't too hard to replace and I collimated the optical tube. It's been working fine ever since!
Update November 2015, a few months after purchase:
===========================================
I'm still happy wit this purchase. This telescope has rekindled my interest in amateur astronomy and helped me to see the sky in a "new light". It's also been a hit with my neighbors when I've invited them to star parties. The GOTO feature is really useful and helps keep things moving. The tripod and telescope are a bit unwieldy to carry into the field, but that's subjective. It takes me about 15 minutes to unload the stuff from my car and set up at my favorite field not far from my home.
I'd seen the planets before in my old 4.5" Newtonian scope that were OK, but have got some great views of the lunar eclipse, Saturn, Venus, and the moon with the CPC800 in the couple of months that I've owned it, and I'm dying to see Jupiter when it rises high in the night sky for me in the spring of 2016 (I'm not a morning person!).
Meanwhile this CPC800 has helped me to discover the beauty of deep sky objects such as galaxies and nebulae. I say this with some trepidation because you shouldn't expect to run out and see images as you see them in magazines. The great ring nebula in Lyra for example, still looks like a small fuzzy doughnut. But it is resolvable and unmistakable in this telescope, whereas in my 4.5" Newtonian it was barely recognizable. Such objects will never look as you see them in a magazine because the human eye is not as sensitive as long exposure photography, and we're bound to do our observing from under a thick layer of atmosphere. Speaking of which, I'll note that I'm located in a rural area with low light pollution and at about 1000' above sea level. I've gained a new appreciation for how special and rare dark skies are. Pity the city-dwellers who cannot see the milk way! That's the way the ball bounces.
I've started experimenting with astrophotography through this scope and have seen some colors in the nebulae through an inexpensive used DSLR camera from eBay. It's opened a whole new world for me but I see this as a specialized area that will take me a long while to master.
One of the first things you'll run into with this Schmidt-Cassegrain scope as opposed to a Newtonian telescope is dew. Moisture in the air will condense on the corrector plate and end your viewing session before you're ready. It's inevitable. I made a primitive dew shield from flexible black foam craft sheets. This works well, is inexpensive, and buys you a couple of hours before the dew forms. I eventually constructed a 3-watt dew heater. These things can be easily purchased as well, but I like DYI when possible. Learning these things is a natural progression if you take this hobby seriously. Astronomy requires patience and endurance. Summer buzzing bugs - winter freezing feet - cloudy nights. But you'll be rewarded if you stick with it.
Have fun!
...
It's a very nice instrument. I'm happy with it so far. I've had better luck using the one-star alignment method by just pointing it to a known object than by using the three star alignment. One star alignment is pretty quick and gets me close enough to find other objects pretty well.
The tripod is very solid. That tracking works well. Images are quite crisp with the supplied eyepiece. The controller is fairly intuitive, although it feels a bit dated with the menu-driven two-line LCD display. I found the power switch LED to be too bright as it shines up from the base pretty much into your eyes. I covered it with a piece of black tape.
The underside of the tripod has six triangular cavities cast into the aluminum. I added red LED light strips in these compartments shining down on the accessory tray and found these to be very helpful. The light shines down onto the tray and not into your eyes since the LED's themselves are well hidden in the cavities. I power the telescope and other accessories (including the LEDs) from a 20 aH sealed lead acid battery that I carry in a canvas bag.
I had a great time with this during the lunar eclipse star party on September 27th. The GOTO feature was extremely useful during the eclipse. As the skies darkened and stars started popping out, I could quickly slew to the ring nebula or Andromeda, and then easily slew right back to the moon to check its progress.
The DC power connector has a locking ring that is supposed to engage with threads on the DC socket. It doesn't. Celestron used a DC socket with threads that don't protrude enough from the base. I find it a curious oversight. The correct socket is probably only worth a couple of bucks. I worry that the power cord might pull out and mess up my alignment, so I tie the cord through the handle on the fork.
The finder scope inverts the image and has a non-illuminated reticle, and the adjustment screws protrude further than I would like. I found that they interfered with my piggyback camera mount. So I'm not really nuts about the finder scope.
I've generally been pretty pleased with purchases on Amazon. However, this is the most expensive item I've bought from Amazon so far. In retrospect, I would buy it from another supplier. Amazon chose to ship this using a freight carrier from a warehouse about 1000 miles from me, which took about a week. It arrived on time and in good condition, but later I later discovered that I could have bought this from another supplier in a neighboring state who would have shipped UPS without charging sales tax. I probably could have received the telescope in two days instead of a week.
It's a nice scope and expect to get years of enjoyment from it.
Now that my disclaimer is out of the way... All I can say is that I absolutely love this telescope. The quality of the scope and tripod are evident in the size and weight alone. I've used it many times already, and have no complaints whatsoever, aside from wishing I had a better yard and less light pollution! I've had no trouble doing alignments, and have even aligned it using the moon, Jupiter, and Sirius when they were all in the same general area in the sky. (The manual recommends that you align using objects that are as far apart as possible). Once aligned, the goto feature works extremely well, although there are times when the object doesn't center perfectly. I'm guessing that this may be because I align using objects that are close together in the sky. Unfortunately, my viewing area (so far) hasn't allowed me to use widely spaced celestial objects for alignment, but I will update my review later, if necessary.
The hand control is fairly easy to use, and the layout of the buttons is easy to get used to. The display is a bit dim, but not uncomfortably so. It's nice to be able to choose between deep sky objects, named stars, planets, and even a sky tour with just a touch of a button and some scrolling. That means that you don't have to be an expert on constellations and star names, and can get right to viewing. And the view from this scope is outstanding, even in my light-polluted back yard.
When I was researching telescopes, I didn't know much about eyepieces, so I'll offer my own opinions in case you're new to this too. When I bought my telescope, I also bought the Celestron two-inch eyepiece kit. In hindsight, it was a good move, and the 2" size is amazing. The CPC800 includes a 1.25" diagonal and a single 1.25" plossl eyepiece. If I hadn't ordered the EP kit at the time I purchased the scope, I KNOW that I would have been very impatient to try different magnifications. The view from the included EP is fine, but having more options is something you'll want right from the start. I definitely recommend purchasing an eyepiece kit (or separate eyepieces, if your budget allows) along with the scope. To be honest, the Celestron kit doesn't really include any "higher" magnification EPs, so I had to order a 10mm EP after a few weeks of using the lenses in the kit. SO... if you are a first-time buyer like I was, the 2" kit is a good start (it has 26mm, 32mm, and 40mm EPs, which give you 75x, 62x, and 50x magnification), plus a barlow lens that doubles the magnification of each lens. It also includes several color filters. It doesn't come with a moon filter though, so you might want to add one, because the moon is a target you'll go to a lot. I bought a 10mm (200x magnification) EP, and plan to add a 17mm and 13mm EP at some point. I may consider a higher power lens (like an 8 or 5mm), but I don't think there will be much use for such high magnification, so it's not a pressing concern.
As other reviewers mentioned, the scope does NOT come with a power cord (which seems a bit odd), so you'll need one of those, or a power tank. I bought the smaller Celestron powertank, and couldn't be happier. It's a must-have if you plan to take the scope to the country for clear, dark skies and don't want to drain your car battery. To be honest, I've never even used the AC power cord, even though I've only used my scope at home so far. If I could do it over, I might not even bother buying it. The powertank is easy to use, and has built-in flashlights, so there's really no point running an extension cord to use the power cord.
All in all, I am extremely pleased with this telescope, and highly recommend it if you are prepared for the size, weight, and time it takes to set up. There is definitely something to be said for a scope that you can carry and set up in a few minutes, but that's really the only drawback of owning a larger telescope like this. The quality of the images you'll see more than makes up for the "longer" setup time. I am glad that I made this purchase, and would do it again in a heartbeat!
Top reviews from other countries
Novice, il s agit de mon premier télescope. Le rendu me paraît très net et très lumineux.
J apprécie la localisation automatique et le suivi automatique des astres.
Je reste surpris de l ergonomie des logiciels tout comme de l utilisation de port série rs232.
C est une recette réchauffée de plus de dix ans.
Setting up the telescope took some time. Once the tripod is levelled, lifting the telescope into place can cause difficulties if you are alone as a central peg on the tripod has to locate in a hole on the underside of the base of the telescope. With some practice, and looking around the base for symmetrical placing of the tops of the tripod legs, this will become easier. One rotated into place, three bolts hold the telescope in position. Engage all three bolts before tightening them. They are captive bolts and they are sprung too, so when dismantling you feel when the bolts have disengaged. The telescope is heavy (22kg) so hold the telescope close to the body when lifting it into place.
The sighting scope (9x50) is good for terrestrial use but can be a nightmare for use at night. A 'red spot' sight is much easier to use when aligning the telescope. I had some difficulty at first and found that the GPS system thought that I was in California rather that west Wales. I had to go through the computer menu to switch off the GPS and then switch it back on again to get the correct setting. A session in daylight in order to line up the sighting scope or red-spot finder and also to familiarise yourself with the computer menu is a good idea.
The CPC 800 is a joy to use. The motors are very quiet and move the telescope very smoothly to your target. You may have a few people waiting to look, and not having to twiddle any knobs in between is sheer bliss. It is, as I said at the beginning, a very well-made machine that is a delight to use.
The telescope is packed in two large boxes because of the weight of the tripod and the heavier optical tube assembly and base. These can become separated in transit. Be patient, it is worth the wait.