Celestron's C8 has been a best-selling optical system for decades. Combining a repuation for optical excellence with lightweight portability and great value, the C8-S is the perfect choice if you’re looking for an advanced first telescope or want to upgrade to a larger aperture telescope.

An adjustable counterweight makes it easy to point, balance and use. This C8 optical system comes with our premium StarBright® XLT coatings and its large aperture offers light gathering power 843 times that of the human eye. Included are setting circles on both axes, slow-motion controls and latitude scale. An optional polar alignment scope for quick alignment is available.

Mounted on the Advanced GT Series computerized mount, this telescope has some high performance software and hardware features. Operated by our proven NexStar® computer control technology the telescope has a 40,000+ object database with 400 user-definable objects and expanded information on over 200 objects. Custom database lists of all the most famous deep-sky objects by name and catalog number; the most beautiful double, triple and quadruple stars; variable star; solar systems; objects and asterisms.

Using the RS-232 communication port on the hand control, you can control the telescope via a personal computer and our new flash upgradeable hand controls allow you to update your telescope's operationg software via the internet. An autoguider port is also included for astrophotography.

CG-5 Mount - Precision engineered for stability.

Our new German Equatorial mount has precision worm gears on both axes for extremely smooth stability. The key element that makes this system the most stable in its class is the NEW heavy-duty tripod with larger and more substantial legs that offer excellent damping characteristics for more stable views. The CG-5 also has a convenient latitude scale for easier alignment and an optional polar finder scope for the ultimate in precision alignments.