Optics
Celestron CGEM II Motorized Equatorial Mount with Tripod — 40 lb Capacity
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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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