Celestron Polar Finder for CG-5 Advanced, CGEM, and Advanced VX Mount # 94224
Brand | Celestron |
Part Number | 94224 |
Availability | available |
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Product Info
Manufacturer Description
Please note: This is the NEW version of Celestron's # 94224 polar finder. It no longer has the silver aluminum ring that the previous version had and that you will see all over the internet. The old version was modified by Celestron very recently to also work with its latest Advanced VX mounts. The item we ship will match the photo above.
General Features
- Polar alignment reticle for both Northern and Southern Hemispheres
- Eyepiece focus adjustment to achieve sharp focus on reticle
This useful accessory speeds accurate polar alignment by providing a means of visually aligning your German equatorial mount with Polaris and true North. As a result, you can spend more time observing and less time setting up. The finderscope has an easy to use cross hair reticle. For use with CG-5 (Advanced) and CGEM mount. Also works with Celestron's new Advanced VX mount.
Product carries two year factory limited warranty (within US/Canada only).
Reviews
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Feb 12, 2019
Celestron should align theese at the factory.
Pros: Cons: Comments:Hi,
Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? Yes
Aligning the etched reticle in this is a lot less than fun. It could have been done at the factory, but NOOO, you have to fiddle with 3 tiny screws for hours trying to get the x centered. Mine arrived with one of the screws inside the finder.
I aligned this by first leaving the finder out of the mount, taking the eyepiece off of it, then centering the reticle with the set screws. Then put the eyepiece back on, and screw the finder into the mount. THEN, looking the WRONG way through the mount and finder (from the objective end) you can see the reticle just fine pointed at the floor. Put a piece of paper with a big x on it and set this on the floor so you can see it through the finder. Then do the rotation of the mount as described in the instructions, but still looking through the wrong end of the finder. It is much easier to align the finder when you are pointing it at the cross on the paper on the floor. Just adjust the set screws very small adjustments until it is aligned with the x on the paper and the x on the reticle does not move when you rotate the mount.
Works perf.
While I could have trashed this polar finder in this review. I found that it could work just fine once it is set up.
It would be nice to have been illuminated, but as suggested elsewhere, a small red led flashlight will illuminate it enough to get polar alignment.This review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com
Feb 2, 2019Perfect with illumination
Pros: Cons: Comments:After getting my second AVX, I absolutely needed another polar finder scope. If properly adjusted (following instructions) you can get next-to-no drift during long observing sessions. At the recent lunar eclipse, my Celestron 8SE never drifted out of view (23mm eyepiece) over 3 hours. I still use a guidescope and camera for long exposure imaging on my other AVX with refractor. The fantastic eclipse viewing experience makes me think I need to readjust the alignment on that first polar finder.
Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? Yes
Regarding adjustment of the optics to match the mount’s rotation axis, the instructions are a little vague. There are 3 tiny hex screws around the circumference that need to be loosened/tightened in order to get a good axis alignment. Allen wrench is not provided.
Con: the graphic and text in the view is printed black. If you can do your polar alignment before it has gotten completely dark out (but Polaris is still visible), you are in good shape to see the graphics. Otherwise, you might need to shine a flashlight at an angle on the far side to get enough light into the channel in order to see the graphics well enough to do the polar alignment. There are some homebrew solutions on the web to make it easier.This review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com
Oct 5, 2018Clearly a solid, nicely made product.
Pros: Cons: Comments:Has already helped me polar align with greater ease with my Celestron AVX! Once you get hang of it, can take only a minute. A great aid.
Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? YesThis review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com
squeege3000 Well-Known Member
- Skill Level
- Unknown
- Time with Product
- Unknown
- User Notes:
- Review by mark b.
Apr 11, 2018the little Ursa that could!
Pros: Cons: Comments:Celestron finder scope very easy to install, and also to center. just follow directions - until you reach how to polar align scope. Then the instructions are a little sketchy. Look up Kochab method of polar aligningment on the internet.
Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? YesThis review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com
Mar 4, 2018Precision Alignment Tool
Pros: Cons: Comments:The Celestron Polar Finder is an ideal alignment tool. It increases the accuracy of my alignments and facilitates more precise imaging. With a small investment in time in advance, this tool decreases the imagery processing steps I need to take after an enjoyable evening of imaging.
Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? YesThis review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com
Jan 3, 2018Celestron Polar Finder for CG-5 Advanced, CGEM
Pros: Cons: Comments:Shipped fast, worked right out of box as best I can tell. Was already aligned which is a good thing because the instructions seemed vague at best but I could probably figure it out if I had to.Agena has always good to order from.4 stars only because of the instructions.
Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? YesThis review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com
Nov 18, 2017Celestron Polar Scope
Pros: Cons: Comments:The polar scope did enable me to be fairly close to correct polar alignment so that more accurate alignment using SharpCap was must quicker. The only complaint about the polar scope is the well documented disappointment that it was not illuminated.
Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? YesThis review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com
Aug 28, 2017Did require slight collimation which
Pros: Cons: Comments:Did require slight collimation which took about 15 minutes on a cellphone tower about 1km away. Gets me 10' or better polar alignment (once I got it to 1' N 2' West with just the polar scope) which then cuts down on drift alignment time to try and get it perfect.
Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? YesThis review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com
May 31, 2017Celestron Polar Finder Scoope.
Pros: Cons: Comments:This a very handy tool to have. It fits right into the mount, and it is relatively easy to polar align your scope with tool.
Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? YesThis review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com
May 16, 2017A challenge to setup, but works well
Pros: Cons: Comments:Between the woefully incomplete instructions and the tiny, fiddly adjustment screws, this thing is a real bear to set up. First, the single sheet of instructions doesn't mention how to achieve proper focus on both the reticle and infinity (it requires focusing the eyepiece on the reticle and then adjusting the secondary ring until stars are in focus). It also doesn't mention just how tiny the screw turns have to be during adjustment in order to prevent the reticle from loosening up and rattling around inside the scope. After a lot of trial and error, I finally got everything lined up, and now it's helping me achieve terrific polar alignments.
Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? YesThis review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com
Mar 23, 2017Good product
Pros: Cons: Comments:I'm an astrophotographer. So a good polar alignment is crucial to getting proper side-reel tracking. This makes setting up a good polar alignment much easier and faster. It arrived fast and well packaged. Installation of the polar alignment scope was simple. Over all a good product that no amateur astronomer or astrophotographer should be without.
Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? YesThis review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com
Jan 3, 2017A useful accessory
Pros: Cons: Comments:This polar finder scope is designed to fit the Celestron CGEM telescope mount. The mount has been discontinued in favor of a newer model. If you own a CGEM and do not have a polar finder scope, pick one up fast as the stock will eventually run out. This scope works as designed.
Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? YesThis review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com
Dec 27, 2016Easy polar alignment
Pros: Cons: Comments:This polar finder makes polar alignment much easier than using the "declination drift method".The only minus of this scope is the lack of illumination for the reticle. I have to improvise by placing a red led light on the side of the front of the polar axis to make the reticle visible so that I can adjust the mount to get the Polaris into the little circle.
Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? YesThis review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com
Dec 24, 2016Celestron Polar Finder
Pros: Cons: Comments:This unit fitted my Orion Atlas mount perfectly. The construction is first rate, and I'm very happy with my purchase Thanks, Gary
Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? YesThis review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com
eyedoc1984 New Member
- Skill Level
- Unknown
- Time with Product
- Unknown
- User Notes:
- Review by Eyedoc of Rust belt state.
Sep 29, 2016Alignment instructions are terrible.
Pros: Cons:Difficult to Use,Poor Lens Quality,Unstable
Comments:The alignment procedure, according to the directions included, are awful. Must have lost something in translation. I never did get it aligned properly. Not a quality instrument.
Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? NoThis review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com
ChuckP New Member
- Skill Level
- Unknown
- Time with Product
- Unknown
- User Notes:
- Review by Chuckp of Pittsburgh area, Pennsylvania.
Apr 3, 2016Celestron Polar Finder for CG-5 Advanced, CGEM, and Advanced
Pros:Accurate,Easy to Use,Strong Construction,Compact,Quality Lenses,Lightweight
Cons: Comments:I read a number of reviews in various places before getting this polar scope for my CGEM-DX mount with Celestron C-11... and this polar scope is so good it should come with the mount as standard ... This is the fastest and easiest way to nail down polar alignment. It does work well, even though the reticle is not "illuminated", as some reviews say it may be hard to see the reticle, I found that not to be a problem. If it were illuminated, it would have to cost double or triple. You CAN see the reticle perfectly well enough to get the alignment setup, and then you're done. The way it gets used is that once you pop it in the bore of the polar axis, (you can leave there all the time as I do), you look at where the big dipper is in the sky, and rotate the polar scope until its schematic figure of the big dipper in the reticle, are opposite each other, ie at the right rotation position in the polar axis. Then one the circle at the center of the reticle, you move the adjustments on your mount, until Polaris is right on the circle in the middle of the reticle. Then lock the mount adjustments, and you are done. The key is to put Polaris on the center circle, and have the polar scope rotationally adjusted according to the actual big dipper compared to the big dipper figure on the reticle. Then you are truly good enough for tracking for visual purposes. However if you are doing astrophotography, you will still need a guide-scope system, but you would still use this polar scope to get everything in the right neighborhood of alignment. The alternative of "drift alignment" is more accurate, but that takes HOURS to do, and it's tediously iterative. This polar scope nails it quickly to a very close good alignment.
Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? YesThis review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com
Jan 25, 2016Love having a polar finder for my AVX!
Pros:Lightweight,Quality Lenses,Easy to Use,Accurate,Strong Construction,Compact
Cons: Comments:This is a must have for me. It allowed me to align my scope the first time I used it in much less time with better accuracy than I have ever achieved. I went on to take my first acceptable astro-images that night. Very happy.
Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? YesThis review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com
Jan 23, 2016I don't have to guess anymore
Pros:Accurate,Quality Lenses,Strong Construction
Cons: Comments:I was able to use this scope with an older Celestron CG-5 mount from the early 2000's. I was pleasantly surprised that it fit perfectly. It has helped me to take accurate photos with exposures times around 1 minute plus. Which is something that was impossible prior to using the finder scope.
Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? NoThis review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com
Apr 2, 2015Adequate
Pros:Affordable,Compact
Cons:Difficult to Use,No Time Scale,Not Illuminated
Comments:The unit works, but its lack of built-in illumination and a time scale makes it more difficult to use than needs be. Once dusk has past (or you are not in a very light polluted area) the reticle becomes difficult to see. Without a time scale (like the Vixen) you are just guessing when it comes to setting the rotation of the reticle.
Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? No
This polar scope will get your polar alignment closer to correct, but it is not the precision instrument it should be. If you are setting up your goto mount for visual use at home it's O.K.. If you are travelling to a dark sky site to do astrophotography it will leave you a bit disappointed.
Bottom line: adequate for casual useThis review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com
Feb 20, 2015Not so good
Pros:Strong Construction,Compact
Cons:Difficult To Focus,Difficult to Use
Comments:I encountered the same problems others have reported. When you start adjusting the reticle, it can slip out of place. When you change the focus to make it in focus, the reticle can fall away from the adjustment collar. I had to insert a nylon washer to hold the reticle in place so I could make the focus correct. The nylon washer obscures some of the figures on the reticle. The instructions go in to detail on how to set the reticle position up, but no instructions on how to use it at the telescope.
Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? NoThis review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com
Jan 30, 2015Makes aligning simple
Pros:Easy to Use,Strong Construction,Accurate,Lightweight,Quality Lenses
Cons: Comments:Of course this doesn't take place of a good drift alingment but with this polar alignment scope and a guiding scope program I have dome away with time consuming drift alignments setups on my CGEM DX mount
Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? YesThis review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com
Sep 8, 2014Handy for accurate alignments
Pros: Cons:Lighted Version Preferred
Comments:The Goto software has its range limit for accurate alignments. But for imaging, or using a micrometer, the polar axis scope will help to minimize field rotation by insuring that the mount's polar axis will be parallel with the Earth's axis. Goto may compensate for your errors visually, but there will be field rotation ruining your deep sky images if the mount is not mechanically aligned properly.
Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? YesThis review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com
May 30, 2014Celestron Polar Finder-Useful time saver
Pros:Accurate,Easy to Use,Quality Lenses,Strong Construction,Time saver
Cons:No Illumination
Comments:The Celestron Polar finder is an essential tool for polar aligned telescope mounts. It allows, once properly setup, a polar alignment to be made in minutes. The alignment, along with a 3 star mount alignment proceedure, is sufficent for short imaging sessons and visual observing.
Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? Yes
The optics are clear and accurate, the quality of contruction is excellent.
It is essential to follow the directions.
The proper use requires the rotation of the RA axis of the mount to align the star patterns.
The polar alignment can be done before or after mounting your scope and weights. If the weights and scope are attached care must be taken to avoid injury or damage from moving loads and possible interference between the scope and weights and stationary objects such as the tripod.
One improvement I would like to see an illuminated reticule. Otherwise a inexpensive investment that will save you time and fustration.This review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com
Dec 10, 2013It's so easy
Pros:Lightweight,Easy to Use,Compact,Accurate,Strong Construction,Quality Lenses
Cons: Comments:This polar finder is easy to install and even easier to use. This is a very fast way to get set up and start using you telescope.
Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? Yes
Just rotate the mount until the big dipper and Cassiopeia are in the right position then adjust the mounts alt azimuth adjusters until Polaris is in the little circle and you will have a very good alignment not perfect but very close. If you need a more accurate alignment then this, then you can use the drift method to tweak the alignment to perfection. I find that the polar scope is close enough for me to have an enjoyable night under the stars.This review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com
Nov 30, 2012Celestron polar finder
Pros:Finder Scope,Lightweight
Cons:Difficult to Use,Unstable
Comments:This polar finder was a dissapointment. The optics were not centered, they rotated 2 degrees off center. Thread collar was off. I had to rethread this unit. Now the unit functions as needed. I hope that other units undergo better quality control...
Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? YesThis review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com
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