Celestron Celestron NexStar® 11 GPS
11" Schmidt-Cassegrain Computer Controlled Telescope

Above: Celestron NexStar 11 GPS Telescope with field tripod. (85,089 bytes).

We are placing this article on line to 1) demystify rumors, and 2) give notice to our customers that Company Seven has elected not to offer this new telescope for the time being. This however is a preview of the advertised configuation of this new computer controlled C-11. We suggest readers keep in mind the following data and specifications are subject to change.

Company Seven is accepting names on our non-binding waiting list for notification when the 11" telescopes become available, and are acceptable by our standards. We do not expect to see such an instrument available in any quantity much before mid or end of summer 2001, although Celestron intends to deliver the first production models in Spring 2001. We ask customers of Company Seven please contact us by telephone, by Email, or on line for more information.

DEVELOPMENT

Company Seven understood that the current production computer controlled telescopes are not exactly "idiot proof" since a knowledge of the sky and or the telescope geographic location was necessary in order to initialize these other telescopes. It was thought here that either Celestron or a competitor would "leap-frog" the other by incorporating an OEM "Global Positioning System" (hence "GPS") to help the user with the telescope set up process; apparently Celestron International has become the first in the world to do this.

While waiting for Celestron to come up with a good "Go-To" C-11, Company Seven continues to offer computer controlled C-11 telescopes that are industrial in quality of performance and reliability. These are based on implementing the Celestron C-11 optical tube assembly onto the proven Astro-Physics computer controlled German Equatorial mounts. In particular we suggest you consider this option with either our Astro-Physics Model 900 or our Model 1200 "GTO" series German Equatorial mounts. The concept of a German mount has advantages over the fork mounted designs in that:

• the better German mounts are less sensitive to the balance needs of the fork mount
  

• when working towards the celestial pole while using accessories such as CCD cameras with flip mirrors, etc. fork mounts can bind the telescope and restrict movements
  

• the German mounts allow one to quickly interchange telescopes so that one might be using the C-11 for small faint objects, and then later pull down the C-11 and slip on another telescope for coverage of wide fields of view.

• the fork mounted telescope will remain lighter in weight overall than most German mounts
• the fork mount will be quicker to set up with fewer components than a German mount
• for some the Fork mount is more intuitive, and therefore easier to use.

A large aperture 11" (279mm) Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope. The long 2800mm focal length (f/10) instrument is perhaps the largest truly portable Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope system which can be easily set up and operated by an individual of average height and weight. With 11" aperture, astronomical observing becomes easier than with smaller aperture telescopes as objects show much more detail and structure. In fact Company Seven probably sells as many about as many C-11's as we do C-8's!

The computer controlled C-11 telescope conceptually will be the same as the smaller Nextar 8 telescope with the exception of larger fork tines and a larger aperture optical tube. And yet, this new 11 inch telescope with fork mount may weigh only about 65 lbs.

CELESTRON'S ANNOUNCEMENT

"The NexStar 11 GPS is the culmination of years of engineering research and development delivering the ultimate instrument in Go-ToÊtechnology and astro imaging.ÊThis large aperture telescope with carbon fiber tube is the first instrument of itÕs kind to boast an integrated Global Positioning System and electronic compass, combined with the NexStar system, which makes this the most advanced telescope on the market.

ItÕs so advanced that as you turn it on, the integrated GPS and compass system automatically pinpoints your exact location and points to your first alignment star. No need to enter the date, time, longitude and latitude or even know the position of north.

Also new is our advanced Tour Function "search engine" that allows you to create your own customized Tours.Ê This tour feature will search the database for any object above the horizon based on the users search criteria and generate a custom list of fascinating objects to view.

The NexStar 11 GPS is the most advanced, easiest to use telescope we've ever designed.ÊIt's the ultimate large aperture, portable telescope.

NexStar 11 Specifications:

Optical:

• 279mm (11") Diameter Schmidt-Cassegrain
• Focal Length of 2800mm
• Focal Ratio of f/10
• Fastar f1.9 Compatible
• Made in the U.S.A.

• 50,000+ object database
• Flash Memory - allows software upgrades via the Internet
• Storage for numerous user-defined objects
• Database search engine to create custom Tours

Electronics:

• Computerized hand control with backlit, dual line liquid crystal display (LCD).
• Permanent Periodic Error Correction - Permanently saves and plays back corrections to reduce periodic error to a minimum.
• Designated Autoguider port
• RS232 compatible PC port
• Auxiliary ports for add-on NexStar accessories

• Dual aluminum fork arms with carrying handles and hand control receptacle.
• 5.625" 180 tooth precision worm gear on both axes
• 9.5" friction roller bearing
• 16 bit, 20 arc second resolution
• Fastar compatible optical tube for F/2 CCD imaging
• Adjustable height tripod
• Telescope weight: 65 lbs.
• Tripod weight: 26 lbs.
• Made in the U.S.A.

• Premium 40mm (70x) 1-1Ú4" Plossl Eyepiece
• 9x50 Finderscope
• Prism Star Diagonal, 1-1Ú4"
• Visual Back/Accessory Holder, 1-1Ú4"
• 115V AC adapter
• Adjustable Height Heavy Duty Field Tripod
• Computer Hand Control for Go-To Tracking with over 50,000 Object Database
• RS-232 Port to communicate with a PC
• Nine Available Slew Speeds