7" 700 Maksutov Cassegrain W Advanced VX

Overview:

The 700 Maksutov-Cassegrain Advanced VX (AVX) telescope (Advanced VX 700 Mak) is a specialized instrument designed for detailed, high contrast views that sets a standard in mid-level telescopes. With its Maksutov-Cassegrain optical tube and the sturdy Advanced VX equatorial mount and tripod, this kit provides unparalleled views of the planets and up-close views of the lunar surface, including craters and maria.

Astronomers located in urban areas will especially appreciate the Mak’s ability to bring out more contrast in celestial objects. But since the entire kit disassembles into separate, lightweight, and manageable pieces, it’s also a great choice for transporting to dark sky sites.

Maksutov-Cassegrain Optical Design
The Mak is a catadioptric telescope, which means the optical design includes both a lens and a mirror. The light coming through a Mak passes through the corrector lens to the primary mirror and back to a spherical secondary mirror before it hits the eyepiece. Images are bright, sharp, and virtually free of chromatic aberration.

The Maksutov-Cassegrain’s optical design offers several unique benefits. Instead of a secondary mirror, the Mak features a "secondary spot” of reflective coating applied directly to the inside of the corrector plate. Because of this, the telescope does not require frequent collimation like a Schmidt-Cassegrain. Also, the secondary spot is significantly smaller than a traditional Schmidt-Cassegrain secondary mirror, giving the Mak its signature high-contrast views.

One important thing to note about Maksutov-Cassegrain telescopes is that the larger, heavier Maksutov corrector plate takes longer to cool down and adjust to ambient air temperature compared to a Schmidt-Cassegrain of the same aperture.

Advanced VX & Tripod
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, SkyAlign, 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, astronomers of all skill levels can master this mount in just a few observing sessions. The Advanced VX also has an impressive tripod for its class with 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 the 7” Maksutov-Cassegrain optical tube, 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 dovetails. Switching between the two saddle plates is as simple as moving the hand knobs into a separate set of holes. You can use your Advanced VX mount not only with the 7” Mak, but virtually any optical tube within Advanced VX’s weight limit. Compatible with Vixen format dovetails 100mm or longer, not compatible with Losmandy D format plates (regardless of plate manufacturer).

• Celestron PWI Telescope Control: Your Ultimate Astronomy Software - All current Celestron computerized telescopes include Celestron PWI (CPWI), the most advanced astronomy software 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 - Also 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 includes telescope control via your PC.

Accessories Included
The Advanced VX 700 Mak comes complete with a 2” Visual Back, a 2” Star Diagonal with 1.25” adapter, a 28 mm wide-field 2” eyepiece, and a large 8x50 straight-through finderscope. The optical tube accommodates the larger 2” accessories, such as 2” Barlow lenses, the 2” eyepiece and filter kit, and larger wide-field eyepieces.

• Two-year warranty
• 700 Maksutov-Cassegrain telescope with f/15 focal ratio provides high contrast views of the planets and lunar landscapes, perfect for serious planetary imagers and visual observers.
• Celestron’s premium StarBright XLT coatings ensure maximum light transmission.
• Advanced VX, the most compact and portable of Celestron’s German equatorial mounts, offers a maximum instrument capacity of 30 lb with the same rigidity as our larger mounts and minimal flexure
• 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
• Accessories included: 2” Visual Back, 2” Star Diagonal with 1.25” adapter, 28mm eyepiece (2”), 8x50 finderscope.

Q:

I have an optical tube equipped with a Losmandy D dovetail mounting plate. Will this work with the improved Advanced VX (AVX) mount?

A:

No, the Losmandy D dovetail plate will not fit the improved AVX mount. The improvement to the AVX mount allows it to be used with CGE format dovetail plates, but not Losmandy D format plates. The CGE and Losmandy D formats are similar, but not exactly the same. Losmandy plates are a millimeter or so wider, but CGE plates allow more surface area contact with the dovetail clamp. 

Q:

What prevents the Losmandy D plates from working with the improved AVX?

A:

The improved AVX can accept a dovetail with a maximum width of 74.5mm. The Losmandy D plate is a bit wider than that. Also, the improved AVX requires the height of the dovetail undercut to be at least 10.2mm, and the Losmandy D has a dovetail undercut which shorter than that. 

Q:

So, how do I mount my optical tube with a Losmandy D dovetail plate onto the improved AVX?

A:

You’ll need to replace the Losmandy D dovetail plate with a compatible dovetail plate, such as the Celestron #94214 CGE Universal Mounting Plate.

Q:

I have a Losmandy D format dovetail plate, but it is not manufactured by Losmandy. Will it work with the improved AVX?

A:

No, if the dovetail plate uses the Losmandy D format, then it is not compatible with the improved AVX, regardless of the manufacturer of the plate.

Q:

I have an optical tube equipped with a Vixen dovetail mounting plate. Will this work with the improved AVX mount?

A:

Yes, the improved AVX, like the original AVX, is compatible with Vixen format dovetail plates. However, the plate must have a dovetail length of 100mm or greater.

Q:

Why does my Vixen dovetail, or CG-5 dovetail, need to have a dovetail length of at least 100mm?

A:

The knobs on the AVX that hold the dovetail plate in place are spaced 90mm apart. If the dovetail length is less than 100mm, then both knobs cannot come into contact the dovetail simultaneously. See the below engineering drawing. 

Q:

My optical tube has a Vixen or CG-5 dovetail plate with a dovetail length of less than 100mm. How do I mount it onto the AVX?

A:

You’ll need to replace the dovetail plate with a compatible dovetail plate, such as the Celestron #94213 Universal Mounting Plate, CG-5.