Celestron CPC Deluxe HD 11" powered by PrimaLuceLab

The Celestron CPC Deluxe HD 11" powered by PrimaLuceLab is the most powerful model in the CPC Deluxe HD powered by PrimaLuceLab family, designed for astronomers who want the highest possible optical performance from a telescope that can still be transported and used in the field. Built around the Celestron CPC Deluxe HD 11" aplanatic Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope with EdgeHD optics on a computerized alt-azimuth fork mount, it delivers 280mm of aperture (an aperture comparable to telescopes found in small observatories) combined with the simplicity of a no-polar-alignment setup. Its size and weight mean that two people are typically needed to move and set it up, but the reward is a level of light-gathering power and resolving capability that no smaller instrument in this family can match. PrimaLuceLab adds motorized focusing, the ARCO field de-rotator for long-exposure deep-sky imaging, and PLAY software to bring everything together into a single, unified control interface. Choose your Base Kit, optionally add the EAGLE Expansion Kit, and start exploring the Universe.

The CPC Deluxe HD 11" 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 11" powered by PrimaLuceLab - main features:

• Celestron CPC Deluxe HD 11" aplanatic Schmidt-Cassegrain with EdgeHD optics D: 280mm F: 2800mm f/10
• Most powerful model in the family, maximum optical performance
• Computerized alt-azimuth fork mount, no polar alignment required
• Motorized focusing with SESTO SENSO 3 SC or ESATTO 2" LP (depending on Base Kit selection)
• 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, observatory-class performance

Observe the Moon and planets at magnifications and with a level of detail you would expect from an observatory telescope. Separate the components of a tight double star that smaller telescopes simply cannot split. In deep-sky imaging, the long focal length of the 11" lets you capture galaxies, globular clusters, and planetary nebulae at high magnification, recording fine structural details that shorter focal length instruments cannot resolve. The CPC Deluxe HD 11" powered by PrimaLuceLab does it all with a single instrument. At 280mm aperture and 2800mm focal length, the EdgeHD 11" optical tube delivers a level of light-gathering power and resolving capability that approaches what you would find in a small observatory, in a telescope that can still be transported and set up in the field. 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 maximum-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 refuse to compromise.

Visual observing: the full power, always accessible

Owning the most powerful telescope in the CPC Deluxe HD powered by PrimaLuceLab family does not mean sacrificing convenience at the eyepiece. All PrimaLuceLab components mounted on the CPC Deluxe HD 11" (the motorized focuser, the ARCO rotator, the OnAxisLock2 visual back, and the EAGLE computer if installed) remain on the telescope at all times and have no impact on visual use. To switch to visual observing, simply attach a diagonal and an eyepiece to the OnAxisLock2 visual back and you are ready. The only accessory to set aside is the optional 0.7x focal reducer, if you had it installed for deep-sky imaging. Everything else stays in place. At 280mm aperture, the visual experience this telescope delivers is in a different league: globular clusters resolved to the very core, planetary details that reveal themselves gradually as the seeing improves, and a view of the Moon that fills the eyepiece with craters, rilles, and mountain ranges in extraordinary clarity. The computerized alt-azimuth mount points to any of its 40,000+ catalogued objects and tracks them automatically, keeping your target centered without any manual adjustment. No wedge, no polar alignment.

Powerful and ready, from the very first night

Every component in the CPC Deluxe HD 11" powered by PrimaLuceLab has been pre-selected, pre-tested, and documented to work together as a complete system. The dedicated installation and user manual produced specifically for the CPC Deluxe HD 11" powered by PrimaLuceLab guides you through every step of the process: assembling the telescope, fitting the PrimaLuceLab devices to the Celestron CPC Deluxe HD, connecting all accessories for visual observing and astrophotography, loading all required software and drivers on your Windows computer or on the EAGLE onboard computer, configuring PLAY for your specific setup, and carrying out your first imaging session under the night sky. You also receive the individual manuals for each PrimaLuceLab component, plus the book "Explore the Universe through astrophotography: capturing pictures with telescopes and PLAY software" to develop a thorough understanding of astrophotography techniques and image processing.

Motorized focusing: two options for every need

Focusing is one of the most critical operations in astrophotography, and the CPC Deluxe HD 11" powered by PrimaLuceLab offers two motorized focusing solutions, one for each Base Kit. The SESTO SENSO 3 SC attaches to the existing internal focuser of the telescope and replaces manual focusing with a precision motor controlled through PLAY software. It allows you to save focus positions for different accessories and switch between visual and photographic configurations instantly. If you also want to lock the telescope primary mirror, removing mirror shift entirely, you can select the Base Kit with the ESATTO 2" LP focuser: a true external focuser that replaces the internal focusing mechanism completely, eliminates internal focuser backlash, and allows you to lock the primary mirror in position during imaging sessions. With 280mm of aperture and 2800mm of focal length, the precision that ESATTO delivers becomes even more valuable: at this focal length, even the smallest amount of focus drift or mirror movement has a visible impact, making ESATTO the preferred choice for users who prioritize astrophotography with the 11".

OnAxisLock2: keeping every accessory on axis

At 2800mm focal length, even the slightest tilt between a camera sensor and the optical axis creates problems. Every accessory connected to the back of the CPC Deluxe HD 11" (whether an eyepiece, a diagonal, or a camera) must sit perfectly centered and hold that position under its own weight throughout the entire imaging session. Conventional visual backs use a single thumbscrew that applies force on one side only, allowing heavy accessories to tilt imperceptibly but enough to degrade image quality. The OnAxisLock2 2" visual back included with every Base Kit replaces this with a concentric ring-clamp mechanism that distributes clamping force uniformly around the full circumference of any 2" accessory, keeping it precisely centered and completely free from tilt or lateral movement regardless of its weight. This level of mechanical precision is not optional: it is the difference between sharp stars across the entire field and a compromised image. The kit also includes the OnAxisLock2 31.8mm (1.25") eyepiece holder for using 1.25" accessories.

Maximum aperture for planetary and lunar detail

With 280mm of aperture and 2800mm of focal length, the CPC Deluxe HD 11" powered by PrimaLuceLab reaches a level of resolving power that no smaller instrument in this family can match. On nights of good atmospheric seeing, the 11" reveals planetary details with a clarity and richness that place it in the same category as observatory instruments: surface features on Mars, atmospheric structures on Jupiter, the Cassini division and fine ring detail on Saturn, all rendered with maximum sharpness and contrast. 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 push the effective focal length even further and extract the finest details from planetary discs and the lunar surface. One important consideration: at 280mm aperture, the telescope is more sensitive to atmospheric turbulence than smaller instruments. Choosing nights of stable atmosphere is the key to unlocking the full potential of the 11".

Long exposure deep-sky imaging, no equatorial mount needed

An alt-azimuth telescope tracking a celestial object keeps it centered in the field of view, but the field itself slowly rotates as the Earth turns. This effect, known as field rotation, causes stars to trail in circular arcs during long exposures, making deep-sky imaging impossible without a dedicated solution. ARCO solves this problem. Positioned between the telescope and your camera, ARCO continuously rotates the camera with exceptional precision and at exactly the right rate, automatically calculated by PLAY software based on the telescope's pointing position at any given moment. The result is that, when you add the optional 0.7x focal reducer, the CPC Deluxe HD 11" can capture long-exposure deep-sky images without an equatorial mount or equatorial wedge, retaining all the convenience of the alt-azimuth design. At 280mm aperture, the light-gathering advantage of the 11" is particularly valuable for deep-sky imaging: more light collected  means more signal in each sub-frame. The long focal length also works in your favour for compact deep-sky objects: galaxies, planetary nebulae, and globular clusters fill the frame with fine structural detail that wider field instruments cannot resolve. Beyond field de-rotation, ARCO also lets you rotate the camera to any angle for precise framing of your targets.

PLAY: total control in a single application

PLAY is the PrimaLuceLab software that brings every component of your telescope system together under a single interface. From one application you govern the mount, the focuser, the ARCO rotator, and your camera, with no need to switch between separate programs for separate devices. The built-in planetarium renders the sky in real time and lets you browse targets across multiple catalogs, or use the Suggested Targets feature to identify the best objects visible from your location on any given night. Auto Alignment uses plate solving to synchronize the telescope's pointing with the actual sky, requiring no manual star identification at any point. AutoStacking receives each captured frame as it arrives and processes it immediately, aligning and combining frames in real time so you can follow your target building up in brightness as the session unfolds. PLAY is conceived as the operational center of your astrophotography workflow and runs alongside dedicated companion tools: PHD2 for autoguiding during long-exposure sessions, and SharpCap for high-frame-rate planetary and lunar video capture. PLAY runs on any Windows 10/11 computer.

Your targets, your camera, your results

No camera is included in any CPC Deluxe HD 11" powered by PrimaLuceLab configuration, and this is a deliberate choice. A telescope of this caliber deserves to be paired with the camera that best suits your specific targets, your preferred sensor characteristics, and your budget, not a camera chosen for you. 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 ideal match for the 11": their small pixels sample the long focal length correctly and their speed allows you to capture the thousands of frames needed for lucky imaging stacking. For deep-sky work, cooled cameras are an option, but keep in mind that the alt-azimuth configuration limits individual sub-frame exposures to a few minutes even with autoguiding. This makes compact non-cooled cameras with medium-sized sensors (around 11x11mm) a practical and effective solution for deep-sky imaging as well, particularly for compact objects like galaxies and planetary nebulae where the long focal length of the 11" provides a natural framing advantage. Cameras with side-mounted USB ports rather than rear-mounted ones reduce the overall length of the optical train, maximizing 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: your personal observatory

The optional EAGLE Expansion Kit transforms the CPC Deluxe HD 11" powered by PrimaLuceLab into a fully self-contained, remotely operated astrophotography station. The EAGLE6 S is a Windows 11 computer that mounts directly on the optical tube, consolidating your laptop, separate power supplies, and USB hubs into a single integrated unit. Every connected device draws power from EAGLE and communicates through its USB ports, and you operate the entire system wirelessly from a smartphone, tablet, or computer via Remote Desktop, from across the garden or from the other side of the world. The kit includes the CompactGuide 60mm guide telescope for autoguiding. The alt-azimuth fork mount configuration does not permit 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 solution. With a guide camera (not included, sold separately) and PHD2 software, the system tracks a reference star continuously and delivers real-time corrections to the mount, enabling deep-sky sub-frame exposures of up to around 3 minutes with round, sharp stars. With 280mm of aperture collecting light in every frame, stacking 20 to 50 sub-exposures of this length produces results of remarkable depth and detail. A compact non-cooled camera with a medium sensor (around 11x11mm) remains the practical choice for deep-sky work: it frames compact objects effectively 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 fine-tune the weight balance for the camera and dew shield you plan to use.

Purpose-built mounting and cable management

The EAGLE Expansion Kit includes two 495mm Losmandy-style PLUS dovetail plates with precision curved mounting blocks, machined to match the cylindrical profile of the CPC Deluxe HD 11" optical tube exactly. One plate is secured on top of the tube and one underneath, providing solid and stable attachment points for the CompactGuide 60mm guide telescope on one side and the EAGLE computer on the other. The greater weight of the 11" optical tube makes precise balance particularly important: EAGLE slides along the bottom dovetail bar to fine-tune the weight distribution based on the camera and dew shield in use, ensuring smooth and accurate tracking throughout the session. The kit also includes a complete set of optimized-length USB and power cables designed specifically for the CPC Deluxe HD 11", together with cable sleeves and cable ties for clean and organized routing along the tube. At this aperture and focal length, any mechanical disturbance during a session (including a cable that catches on the mount during a slew or pulls on a connector under load) can interrupt a device connection, introduce periodic tracking errors, or damage a port. The cable management solution included in the kit eliminates these risks before they can affect your results.

Master astrophotography with the included book

Every CPC Deluxe HD 11" powered by PrimaLuceLab ships with the book "Explore the Universe through astrophotography: capturing pictures with telescopes and PLAY software" by Filippo Bradaschia. A telescope of this capability rewards the astronomer who understands not just how to operate it, but why each technical choice matters, and this book provides exactly that foundation. It covers telescope optics and mount mechanics from first principles, sensor technology and camera settings, image acquisition strategies for different target types, post-processing workflows with dedicated software, and a complete seasonal guide to the best objects visible from your location throughout the year. The dedicated installation manual tells you precisely how to assemble and configure your specific system; this book gives you the knowledge to make the most of every clear night, and to keep improving your results as your experience grows.

A system platform that grows as far as you want to go

The CPC Deluxe HD 11" 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 and ambitions grow, 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 upgrade it as your targets become more demanding. You start with visual observing (where 280mm of aperture delivers an experience that no smaller instrument in this family can replicate) move to high-resolution planetary and lunar imaging with a fast camera and ARCO to keep your target perfectly oriented in the frame, then push into 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 operate everything remotely with an external Windows computer or with the optional EAGLE Expansion Kit, turning the telescope into a fully automated astrophotography station that runs unattended through the night. 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 11" powered by PrimaLuceLab is observatory-class performance in a telescope you can take anywhere.