Celestron CPC Deluxe HD 9.25" powered by PrimaLuceLab

The Celestron CPC Deluxe HD 9.25" powered by PrimaLuceLab is the best performance-per-portability model in the CPC Deluxe HD powered by PrimaLuceLab family: at 235mm aperture and 2350mm focal length, it delivers optical performance that is visibly superior to the smaller 8" model, and it is still light enough for one person to set up alone. Built around the Celestron CPC Deluxe HD 9.25" aplanatic Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope with EdgeHD optics on a computerized alt-azimuth fork mount, it combines exceptional optical quality with the simplicity of a no-polar-alignment setup. The 9.25" is well known among amateur astronomers for delivering image quality that goes beyond what its aperture advantage alone would suggest: its optical design uses a different focal ratio primary mirror that requires less correction from the secondary, resulting in higher contrast. If you are looking for the best possible optical performance in a telescope you can still move and set up alone, the CPC Deluxe HD 9.25" powered by PrimaLuceLab is our recommended choice. This model is not compatible with SESTO SENSO so it comes standard with "ESATTO + ARCO Base Kit" that adds ESATTO motorized focuser, the ARCO field de-rotator for long-exposure deep-sky imaging, and PLAY software to bring everything together into a single, unified control interface. Optionally add the EAGLE Expansion Kit, and start exploring the Universe.

The CPC Deluxe HD 9.25" powered by PrimaLuceLab is designed to give you full control over a real telescope system. This means it requires initial assembly, software configuration, and your active involvement in learning how to use it. It does not include cameras, and some accessories need to be chosen based on your specific goals. Everything is documented in detail: before purchasing, we recommend reading the dedicated installation and user manual (click here to read and download) so you know exactly what to expect, what is included, and what you will need to add.

Celestron CPC Deluxe HD 9.25" powered by PrimaLuceLab - main features:

• Celestron CPC Deluxe HD 9.25" aplanatic Schmidt-Cassegrain with EdgeHD optics D: 235mm F: 2350mm f/10
• Best performance-per-portability model in the family
• Computerized alt-azimuth fork mount, no polar alignment required
• Motorized focusing with ESATTO 2" LP with mirror lock to eliminate mirror shift
• ARCO 2" field de-rotator for long-exposure deep-sky imaging on an alt-azimuth mount
• OnAxisLock2 precision visual back with concentric ring-clamp system
• PLAY software: unified control of mount, focuser, rotator, and camera
• Auto Alignment with plate solving for precise automatic alignment
• AutoStacking for real-time image preview during capture sequences
• Connect to ASCOM cameras (tested with QHYCCD, ZWO, Player One, Atik and QSI cameras with ASCOM driver updated for ASCOM 7 platform)
• Canon and Nikon DSLR/mirrorless cameras supported directly by PLAY
• Optional EAGLE Expansion Kit: onboard Windows 11 computer with power distribution system and autoguiding with CompactGuide 60mm
• Open system with standard ASCOM interfaces, upgradeable with new cameras and accessories
• Dedicated installation and user manual for the CPC Deluxe HD 9.25" powered by PrimaLuceLab included
• Book "Explore the Universe through astrophotography: capturing pictures with telescopes and PLAY software" by Filippo Bradaschia included

One telescope, uncompromising optical quality

Watch the polar cap of Mars, or follow the Great Red Spot as it crosses the disc of Jupiter. Resolve the finest lunar craters in extraordinary detail, or resolve individual stars in the core of a globular cluster. The Celestron EdgeHD 9.25" optical tube delivers 235mm of aperture at f/10, but what sets it apart is its optical design that produces higher contrast. This translates directly into better visual performance and more detail on the Moon and planets (without reaching the aperture of the 11", which of course captures more light but it is also more sensitive to atmospheric turbulence and less practical to move). The computerized alt-azimuth fork mount eliminates the complexity of polar alignment entirely: level the tripod, align on a star, and you are ready. Use it with 1.25" or 2" diagonals and eyepieces for visual observing, add a planetary camera for high-resolution lunar and planetary imaging, or install the optional 0.7x focal reducer and capture wide-field deep-sky objects at f/7. One telescope, for astronomers who know that contrast makes the difference.

Visual observing: always at its best

Owning a serious astrophotography system does not mean giving up the pleasure of looking through an eyepiece. Every PrimaLuceLab component mounted on the CPC Deluxe HD 9.25" (the ESATTO external focuser, the ARCO rotator, the OnAxisLock2 visual back, and the EAGLE computer if installed) stays on the telescope permanently and has no impact on visual use. To switch to visual observing, just attach a diagonal and an eyepiece to the OnAxisLock2 visual back. The only thing to set aside is the optional 0.7x focal reducer, if you were using it for deep-sky photography. Nothing else needs to change. The optical qualities that make the 9.25" exceptional for imaging (its high contrast and well-corrected field) pay dividends at the eyepiece too: objects reveal details that smaller instruments simply cannot match. Point the computerized alt-azimuth mount at any of its 40,000+ catalogued objects and it tracks them automatically, keeping your target centered without any manual intervention. No wedge, no polar alignment. Just observe.

A complete system, ready from night one

Every component in the CPC Deluxe HD 9.25" powered by PrimaLuceLab has been carefully selected, tested together, and documented as a complete system. The dedicated installation and user manual written specifically for the CPC Deluxe HD 9.25" powered by PrimaLuceLab takes you through the entire setup process from start to finish: mounting the telescope on the tripod, installing the ESATTO focuser and ARCO rotator on the optical tube, connecting all accessories for visual observing and astrophotography, setting up all required software and drivers on your Windows computer or on the EAGLE computer, configuring PLAY for your specific configuration, and completing your first imaging session under the night sky. You also receive the individual manuals for each PrimaLuceLab device, plus the book "Explore the Universe through astrophotography: capturing pictures with telescopes and PLAY software" for a thorough understanding of astrophotography techniques and image processing workflows.

ESATTO focuser: no limitations of internal focuser

Focusing is one of the most critical operations in astrophotography, and the CPC Deluxe HD 9.25" powered by PrimaLuceLab addresses this with the ESATTO 2" LP external focuser included in the Base Kit. Unlike a motor attached to the existing internal focuser, ESATTO replaces the internal focusing mechanism entirely, eliminating internal focuser backlash and allowing you to lock the telescope primary mirror in position. Locking the primary mirror removes image shift (the small but damaging displacement that occurs when the mirror moves during focusing on a standard SCT) making ESATTO the ideal solution for users who want the highest possible precision in both astrophotography and visual observing. Focus position is controlled through PLAY software.

OnAxisLock2: perfect optical axis alignment for every accessory

Any accessory connected to the back of the telescope — whether an eyepiece, a diagonal, or a camera — must sit perfectly centered on the optical axis. Even a small amount of tilt between the imaging sensor and the optical path introduces field curvature and elongated stars toward the edges of your frames. Conventional visual backs rely on a thumbscrews to secure accessories, which may allow the accessory to tilt under its own weight. The OnAxisLock2 2" visual back included with ESATTO + ARCO Base Kit solves this with a concentric ring-clamp mechanism: turning the outer ring distributes clamping force evenly around the full circumference of any 2" accessory, keeping it precisely centered and free from tilt or lateral movement. The difference is visible in your images, particularly at the edges of the field, and it is equally valuable during visual sessions with heavy eyepieces that would otherwise shift in a standard holder. The kit also includes the OnAxisLock2 31.8mm (1.25") eyepiece holder for using 1.25" accessories.

High-contrast planetary and lunar imaging

The CPC Deluxe HD 9.25" excels at capturing the finest surface details of the Moon and planets. At 235mm aperture and 2350mm focal length, the EdgeHD 9.25" optical tube gives you the reach that high-resolution planetary imaging demands, but the real advantage is contrast: the optical design produces a cleaner, sharper image with better separation between fine details than aperture alone would suggest. The polar caps of Mars, the cloud structures of Jupiter, the division between Saturn's rings — all benefit from the higher contrast that makes this telescope a favourite among planetary observers. Pair it with a fast planetary camera and you can capture thousands of short-exposure frames in seconds, then select only the sharpest frames for stacking. Add a 2x or 3x Barlow lens to increase the effective focal length further and extract even finer detail from planetary discs and the lunar surface. The Moon and planets are ideal targets for first astrophotography sessions: they are bright, require short exposure times, and the level of detail you can capture with the 9.25" will exceed your expectations from the very first session.

Deep-sky imaging without an equatorial mount

An alt-azimuth telescope tracking a celestial object keeps it centered in the field of view, but it cannot stop the field itself from slowly rotating as the Earth turns. This effect, called field rotation, causes stars to trail in circular arcs during long exposures, making deep-sky imaging impossible without a solution. ARCO solves this problem. Mounted between the telescope and your camera, ARCO continuously rotates the camera with extraordinary precision and at exactly the correct rate, automatically calculated by PLAY software based on the telescope's current pointing position. The result is that, when you add the optional 0.7x focal reducer, the CPC Deluxe HD 9.25" can capture long-exposure deep-sky images without an equatorial mount or equatorial wedge, retaining all the simplicity advantages of the alt-azimuth design. The larger aperture of the 9.25" collects more light per unit of time compared to smaller instruments, making it particularly effective for revealing faint details in nebulae and galaxies during deep-sky sessions. Beyond field de-rotation, ARCO also lets you rotate the camera to any angle for precise framing of your targets.

PLAY: one software to control everything

PLAY is the PrimaLuceLab software that unifies your entire telescope system into a single interface. Mount, focuser, rotator, and camera are all accessible from one application, without switching between different programs for different devices. The integrated planetarium displays the sky in real time and lets you pick targets from multiple catalogs, or use the Suggested Targets feature to find the best objects visible from your location on any given night. Auto Alignment uses plate solving to match the telescope's pointing to the actual sky, with no manual star identification required. AutoStacking processes each captured frame as it arrives, aligning and combining them in real time so you can watch your target build up in detail as the session progresses. PLAY is designed as the central hub of your astrophotography workflow and operates alongside specialized tools: PHD2 for autoguiding during long-exposure sessions, and SharpCap for high-frame-rate planetary video capture. PLAY runs on any Windows 10/11 computer.

Your imaging goals, your camera

No camera is included in any CPC Deluxe HD 9.25" powered by PrimaLuceLab configuration, and this is a deliberate decision. The system is built to work with whichever camera best matches your imaging goals, your preferred sensor size, and your budget. Any camera compatible with PLAY can be used with the CPC Deluxe HD telescope powered by PrimaLuceLab. Canon and Nikon DSLR and mirrorless cameras are also supported natively, without requiring an ASCOM driver (a list of tested models is available here). For lunar and planetary imaging, compact non-cooled astronomy cameras with high frame rates are the natural choice. For deep-sky work, cooled cameras are an option, but keep in mind that the alt-azimuth configuration of CPC Deluxe HD limits individual sub-frame exposures to a few minutes even with autoguiding — unlike equatorial mount systems that allow much longer single exposures. This makes compact non-cooled cameras with medium-sized sensors (around 11x11mm) a practical and effective solution for deep-sky imaging as well. Cameras with side-mounted USB ports rather than rear-mounted ones reduce the overall length of the optical train, which maximizes the available clearance when the telescope points near the zenith. Smaller sensors can be set closer to the focal reducer (at a shorter backfocus distance than the optimal one) without creating field curvature, further reducing clearance issues at high elevations.

EAGLE Expansion Kit: fully integrated and remote

The optional EAGLE Expansion Kit takes the CPC Deluxe HD 9.25" powered by PrimaLuceLab to a fully integrated, remotely operated astrophotography station. The EAGLE6 S is a Windows 11 computer that attaches directly to the optical tube, replacing your laptop, separate power supplies, and USB hubs with a single self-contained unit. All connected devices draw power from EAGLE and communicate through its USB ports, and you operate everything wirelessly from a smartphone, tablet, or computer via Remote Desktop. The kit includes the CompactGuide 60mm guide telescope for autoguiding. The alt-azimuth fork mount configuration does not allow an off-axis guider — the camera would collide with the fork arms during ARCO field de-rotation — so a parallel guide scope mounted on the optical tube is the correct approach. With a guide camera (not included, sold separately) and PHD2 software, the system monitors a reference star continuously and sends mount corrections in real time, enabling deep-sky sub-frame exposures of up to 3 to 4 minutes with round, well-defined stars. Stacking 20 to 50 frames of this length produces impressive results, particularly with the light-gathering advantage of the 9.25" aperture. A compact non-cooled camera with a medium sensor (around 11x11mm) remains the practical choice for deep-sky work: it provides a useful field of view while keeping the optical train short and the zenith clearance safe. EAGLE also includes environmental sensors for sky quality monitoring, an inclinometer for measuring maximum safe elevation angles, and slides along the optical tube to serve as a counterweight for precise balance adjustment.

Precision mounting and organized cable routing

The EAGLE Expansion Kit comes with two 495mm Losmandy-style PLUS dovetail plates fitted with precision curved mounting blocks, machined to follow the cylindrical profile of the CPC Deluxe HD 9.25" optical tube. One plate is secured on top of the tube and one underneath, creating solid and reliable attachment points for the CompactGuide 60mm guide telescope on one side and the EAGLE computer on the other. The bottom dovetail bar also allows EAGLE to slide along the tube to adjust the weight distribution depending on the camera and dew shield in use. A complete set of optimized-length USB and power cables is included, designed specifically for the CPC Deluxe HD 9.25" to minimize excess cable length, together with cable sleeves and cable ties for neat, organized routing. Keeping cables under control is not a cosmetic concern: a cable that snags on the mount during a slew or pulls on a connector under load can interrupt a device connection, strain a port, or introduce periodic errors in the tracking.

Deepen your knowledge with the included book

Every CPC Deluxe HD 9.25" powered by PrimaLuceLab ships with the book "Explore the Universe through astrophotography: capturing pictures with telescopes and PLAY software" by Filippo Bradaschia. This is not a quick-start guide: it is a thorough treatment of astrophotography from the ground up, covering optical theory, mount mechanics, sensor technology and camera settings, image acquisition strategies, post-processing with dedicated software, and a complete seasonal guide to the best targets visible from your location throughout the year. The dedicated installation manual tells you exactly how to assemble and configure your specific system; this book gives you the deeper understanding of why each choice matters and how to keep improving your results night after night.

An open platform that evolves with your experience

The CPC Deluxe HD 9.25" powered by PrimaLuceLab is built on open, standard interfaces. All devices communicate through the ASCOM platform, the industry standard for astronomy software and hardware interoperability. This means that as your experience grows, you can add new cameras, new accessories, and new software tools without ever having to replace the core system. You choose the camera that best fits your imaging goals today, and replace it with a better one tomorrow. You start with visual observing (where the high contrast of the 9.25" optics immediately sets it apart) move to high-resolution planetary and lunar imaging with a fast camera and ARCO to keep your target perfectly oriented in the frame, then progress to deep-sky imaging with ARCO field de-rotation and autoguiding: all with the same telescope, the same mount, the same core system. You can even control everything remotely with an external Windows computer or with the optional EAGLE Expansion Kit, turning the telescope into a fully automated astrophotography station operated from your sofa. You choose the camera. You choose the accessories. You decide how far to take it. Please note that PLAY is always required in any configuration, even when using third-party software for image acquisition, because the ARCO field de-rotation function is managed exclusively by PLAY. The CPC Deluxe HD 9.25" powered by PrimaLuceLab is designed to be your first serious telescope and the one you keep using for years.