Aplanatic Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescopes

The Aplanatic Schmidt-Cassegrain is a derivative of the standard Schmidt-Cassegrain design that substantially reduces coma, an optical aberration that results in star images that are less than perfectly round as you move from the center towards the edge of field. In extreme cases stars at the very edge of field look more like small comets, complete with a fanned tail. This reduction in coma can be highly advantageous when imaging with today's larger format CCD cameras, but the difference is also visibly noticeable.

Standard Schmidt-Cassegrains feature two spherical mirrors and a weak lens corrector plate. Spherical mirrors are used because they easily mass produced at minimal cost. The aplanatic Schmidt-Cassegrain features an aspherical secondary mirror. An aplanatic Schmidt-Cassegrain produces a sharper image across the entire field, with stars that remain as points of light all the way to the edge of field.

10" Meade LX600

Special introductory pricing valid through May 31, 2012.

From: $4,399.00

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12" Meade LX600

Save $500 with special introductory pricing available through May 31, 2012. This product drop ships direct from the manufacturer.

From: $4,999.00

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14" Meade LX600

Save $1000 with special introductory pricing in effect now through May 31, 2012. This product drop ships direct from the manufacturer.

From: $6,999.00

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Celestron CGEM 800 HD

The Celestron CGEM 800 HD features Celestron's eight-inch EdgeHD optical system, providing coma free flat field images, mounted atop the CGEM German equatorial mount.

$2,499.00

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Celestron CGEM 925 HD

The Celestron CGEM 925 HD features Celestron's 9-1/4 EdgeHD optical system, providing coma free flat field images, mounted atop the CGEM German equatorial mount.

$3,499.00

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Celestron CGEM 1100 HD

The Celestron CGEM 1100 HD features Celestron's eleven-inch EdgeHD optical system combined with the capable CGEM German equatorial mount.

$3,999.00

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Celestron CGE Pro 925 HD

The Celestron CGEM 925 HD features Celestron's 9-1/4 EdgeHD optical system, providing coma free flat field images, mounted atop the heavy duty CGE Pro German equatorial mount.

$6,899.00

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Celestron CGE Pro 1100 HD

The Celestron CGEM 1100 HD features Celestron's eleven-inch EdgeHD optical system that produces pinpoint star images all the way to the edge of the field, combined with the heavy duty CGE Pro German equatorial mount.

$7,999.00

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Celestron CGE Pro 1400 HD

The Celestron CGE Pro 1400 HD features an Aplanatic Schmidt-Cassegrain optical system that reduces coma, producing pinpoint star images all the way to the edge of the field.

$9,999.00

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Celestron CPC Deluxe 1100 HD

The CPC Deluxe 1100 HD telescope is the largest aperture of the CPC Deluxe HD series, having 90% more light gathering capability than the 8-inch model.

$3,799.00

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Celestron CPC Deluxe 800 HD

The Celestron CPC Deluxe 800 HD combines Celestron's newly designed fork mount with its new EdgeHD optical system and is the most portable of Celestron's top-of-the-line fork-mounted astronomical telescopes.

$2,399.00

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Celestron CPC Deluxe 925 HD

Celestron's 9.25 optical system has enjoyed a loyal following since it's introduction in 1995. Now the 9.25 optical tube is even better with the addition of EdgeHD optics.

$3,199.00

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Meade 8-inch LX200-ACF

The 8-inch Meade LX200-ACF is an advanced amateur telescope suitable for both imaging and visual observation. The new Advanced Coma-Free optics are a significant improvement standard over Schmidt-Cassegrains, producing tighter star images.

$2,599.00

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Meade LX90 8-inch Telescope

Meade's most popular Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope just got even better. The new LX90-ACF features Meade's Advanced Coma-Free Optics provide pinpoint stars all the way to the edge of field.

From: $1,799.00

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Meade 10" LX800 ACF

The Meade LX800 with 10 inch f/8 Advanced Coma Free optics was designed with the astro-imager in mind. Simply add a DSLR or CCD camera and you have most everything you need to get started.

$8,999.00

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Meade 10-inch LX200-ACF

The 10-inch Meade LX200-ACF is the most popular telescope within this series. It is 40% larger than the eight-inch model, with the telescope and fork assembly tipping the scales at 68 pounds. Many find this to be the largest telescope they can handle.

$3,499.00

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Meade 12" LX800 ACF

The Meade LX800 with 12-inch f/8 ACF optics is a large telescope designed for astro-imaging, yet it retains the portability necessary to transport it to your favorite dark site.

$9,999.00

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Meade 12-inch LX200-ACF

The 12-inch Meade LX200-ACF telescope is equipped with the Meade giant field tripod, which tips the scales at 50 pounds vs. 20 pounds for the standard tripod. This is the largest model that should be considered for a one-man setup in the field.

$4,499.00

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Meade 14" LX800 ACF

The largest of the LX800 telescope series, the 14-inch model still retains a degree of portability necessary to transport it to dark sky sites.

$11,499.00

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Meade 14-inch LX200-ACF

The 14-inch Meade LX200-ACF is a LARGE telescope that is more suitable for permanent setup in an observatory. Occasionally they are seen in the field; however, we do not recommend a one-man setup due to the size and weight of the instrument. More...

$6,999.00

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Meade 16-inch LX200-ACF

The Meade 16" LX200-ACF telescope is an observatory class instrument typically found within university based observatories. The large aperture and long focal length of this instrument make it useful primarily for deep space astrophotography.

From: $13,499.00

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Meade LS-6 ACF

The innovative Meade LS-6 telescope with LightSwitch technology literally aligns itself without human intervention. Simply turn it on and the telescope does the rest.

$1,599.00

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Meade LS-8 ACF

The revolutionary Meade LS-8 ACF LightSwitch telescopes does what no other consumer telescopes can: take all the hassle out of using a telescope. Simply flip the switch and the LS automatically aligns itself.

From: $1,999.00

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Meade LT-6 ACF

The Meade LT-6 ACF is a fully featured computer-controlled 8-inch telescope ideal for any visual astronomer who demands superior optics, mechanics and computer control in a very portable and compact yet robust package.

$1,199.00

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Meade LT-8 ACF

The Meade LT-8 ACF is a fully featured computer-controlled 8-inch telescope ideal for any visual astronomer who demands superior optics, mechanics and computer control in a compact yet robust package.

$1,599.00

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Meade LX90 10-inch Telescope

Weighing in at 50 lbs. for the optical tube assembly, the Meade 10" LX90 telescope is lighter and easier to handle than competing scopes of similar aperture. The Advanced Coma-Free optics produce pinpoint star images across the entire field.

From: $2,399.00

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Meade LX90 12-inch Telescope

If you are a visual observer who craves a large aperture Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope, the 12" Meade LX90 may be for you. This is definitely a large telescope, yet the optical tube assembly tips the scales at only 60 lbs.

From: $2,899.00

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