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Celestron Advanced VX 700 Telescope

ByWill Kalif Posted on Updated on

Celestron Advanced VX 700 Telescope is designed exclusively for ‘experienced astronomers’ or sky gazers as it provides high-contrast planetary views. It offers a complete package of Maksutov-Cassegrain optical tube, robust advanced VX equatorial mount, and a sturdy steel tripod. Advanced mechanisms and software provide stunning high-quality views and images.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Celestron VX 700 Telescope

Advantages

  • 700 Maksutov-Cassegrain optical tube delivers high-contrast images.
  • StarBright XLT coatings transmit the maximum amount of light.
  • Sturdy equatorial mount can endure around 30 lb weight.
  • The NEW dual-side saddle plate is compatible to adjust with the narrow CG- 5 dovetails and wider CGE dovetail.
  • Free of chromatic aberration.
  • Does not need frequent collimation.

Disadvantages

  • The field of view is narrow (only 1 degree).
  • The setup time is longer than other scopes.
  • It is heavy and needs to be dismantled while transporting
  • Takes more time to cool down than Schmidt-Cassegrain of the same aperture for the thick corrector plate.

Technical Specifications of Celestron VX 700 Telescope

Optics

  • The optics follow the Maksutov-Cassegrain design. This design provides high-quality images and views.
  • The objective lens diameter is 180 mm with a focal length of 2700mm and a focal ratio of f/15.
  • The field of view is narrow and can be squeezed out a max 1-degree field of view.
  • It includes a thick corrector plate that takes time to cool down.
  • The optical design uses both a mirror and a lens. After passing through Mak and the corrector lens, the light is reflected by the primary mirror. Next, it falls on the spherical secondary spot, and then finally hits the eyepiece. This design helps to avoid frequent collimation.

Mount & Tripod

  • Advanced VX mount is easy to use as it includes a hand-controller and auto guider. Menu description and automatic slewing help the users master the mount quickly.
  • Sturdy enough to hold the heavy optics.
  • The accuracy of tracking is pretty good for planetary and visual work.
  • Solar-system alignment needs a rough polar alignment and locating the moon or any planet in the sky to start observation.
  • Computerized GoTo capability helps auto-tracking objects while moving.
  • Advanced technologies like  Celestron PWI telescope control software, permanently programmable periodic error correction (PPEC),  All-Star Polar Alignment, etc enhance the telescope performance.
  • 2’’ diameter legs of the stainless steel tripod provide an extra-wide stance and more stability.

Physical Appearance 

  • The weight is 97lb.
  • It looks aristocratic for its stunning color and nice polishing.

Accessories of Celestron Advanced VX 700

  • 2’’ visual back and a 2’’ mirror star diagonal
  • A low-power 28 mm L.E.T eyepiece providing magnification of 73x and 60 degrees of apparent field of view and 0.8 degrees of true field of view. 
  • 9×50 finderscope

What can you see with the Celestron VX 700 Telescope?

  • The craters and ridges of the moon with sharp details.
  • The cloud bands of both Jupiter and Saturn.
  • Polar ice caps and albedo features of Mars.
  • The phases of Mercury and Venus.
  • Uranus and Neptune as tiny blue dots.
  • Split double stars as nearly as 0.6 arcsec apart.

Recommended Accessories 

  • Meade 8.8 mm UWA as it provides a magnification of 307x and a field of view of 0.27 degrees.
  • Celestron Luminos 15 mm (0.45 degrees & 180x) or  Meade 14 mm UWA ( 0.425 degrees & 193x) for medium power.
  • Astromania 56mm Plosslmakes (1 degree & 193x) for maximum field of view.
  • Celestron PowerTank Lithium for power supply.
  • Apertura Celestron Advanced VX Mount Soft Case

Astrophotography Example with Celestron Advanced VX 700 Telescope

Fig 3: Astrophotography with Celestron Advanced VX 700 Telescope (Ref: cdn.stamped)  

Fig 4: Astrophotography with Celestron Advanced VX 700 Telescope (Ref: cdn.stamped) 

Fig 4: Astrophotography with Celestron Advanced VX 700 Telescope (Ref: cdn.stamped) 

Alternative Options to Celestron VX 700

You may find other options at the same price as Celestron Advanced VX 700 Telescope.

  • Sky-Watcher 12 ” Flextube SynScan: Wider field of view, larger aperture & more user-friendly.
  • Celestron NexStar Evolution 8:  Wider field of view, more aperture & faster cooling
  • Celestron Advanced VX 8 ” Schmidt-Cassegrain: Wider field of view, more user-friendly,  more aperture & faster cooling

Will Kalif is an amateur astronomer at TelescopeNerd.com. Will is an author of the book "See It With A Small Telescope". Will Kalif has been passionate about telescopes and the wonders of the night sky ever since he received his first telescope as a teenager. And for several decades now he has been making and using his own telescopes and helping other people to also enjoy the various things that can be seen on a dark and starry night.