Name: Celestron CGEM II Motorized Equatorial Mount with Tripod — 40 lb Capacity
Brand: Celestron
Rating: 2.3 (6 reviews)

Product description

The package consists of the motorized German equatorial mount head and a heavy-duty 2" steel tripod with graduated leg markings. The tripod is engineered to reduce vibration and provide a steady platform at high magnifications; all components are machined for rigidity and repeatable positioning.

Rated to carry up to 40 lb, the CGEM II will accommodate a wide range of optical tubes and accessories, including large Schmidt-Cassegrain tubes up to about 11". The mount offers a fast slewing rate (around 5°/sec) for quick object acquisition and ergonomically placed large altitude and azimuth adjustment knobs to simplify polar alignment and balancing.

Motion control comes from low-cog DC servo motors and multiple tracking modes (Sidereal, Solar, Lunar), suitable for both visual follow-up and time-lapse astrophotography. The mount supports Permanent Periodic Error Correction (PEC) to record and replay worm-gear corrections, improving long exposure guiding consistency.

Computerized control is provided via the NexStar+ hand controller, which holds a catalog of more than 40,000 celestial objects, offers USB connectivity, and includes several alignment routines such as AutoAlign and 2‑Star Align. The system also supports Celestron’s All-Star Polar Alignment method, allowing accurate polar setup even when the pole is not visible.

For field use, the mount disassembles into manageable pieces — the tripod and mount head separate for transport — and the quoted component weights are roughly a 20 lb tripod and a 40 lb mount head. The CGEM II is intended for both visual observers and imagers and continues to track through and beyond the meridian for extended observing windows.

Pros

High 40 lb payload accommodates large SCTs and accessories
Solid 2" steel tripod with graduated markings for stability
Advanced alignment and tracking features (All-Star, PEC, multiple rates)

Cons

Relatively heavy to transport compared with lighter mounts
Some users report fit-and-finish or thread contamination issues
Wireless/firmware/connectivity can be inconsistent for some setups

VerdictThe CGEM II is a robust, feature-rich equatorial mount aimed at serious hobbyists and aspiring astroimagers. It offers high payload capacity, solid mechanical design, and advanced alignment/tracking tools, but owners should be prepared for occasional setup, firmware, or connectivity quirks and occasional fit-and-finish issues.

Reviews

C. Carter 1/5

Mount fine, return process terrible

The mount itself seems okay, but returning it has been a nightmare. I've attempted a return for over a month and the vendor keeps obstructing the process despite approval from the marketplace.
charles apgar 1/5

Unreliable Wi‑Fi for phone/tablet control

Keeps dropping Wi‑Fi, so phone and tablet control are unreliable. My older AVX stayed connected; if wireless control matters, consider higher-tier models.
SB 1/5

Poor for astrophotography in my experience

Terrible tracking for my imaging sessions — performance was unacceptable, so I recommend avoiding it for serious astrophoto use.
Ron W. 3/5

Sturdier than AVX but some quality quirks

Upgraded from an AVX: the CGEM II is heavier, stronger and quieter and feels smoother. I replaced the oversized knobs because they stuck out and found dark residue on the threads; a quick clean and rethread fixed it. Index marks needed a small adjustment.
TC3 5/5

Great performer for budget-conscious users

After worrying over mixed reviews I took the plunge and was very pleased. Tracking and handling are impressive for consumer gear; no visible image motion through an 8mm eyepiece on my C8. Spend a couple nights learning the system — well worth it. I'd buy it again.
Geminijk 3/5

Expected better out of the box

I returned it because I expected more ready-to-use tracking for the money. Results seem hit-or-miss across units; some need tuning and calibration before delivering consistent performance.