PlaneWave CDK14 S5 Package
Price as Configured: $19,000.00
The PlaneWave CDK14® S-5 Package gives serious astrophotographers and observatory builders a 14-inch Corrected Dall-Kirkham astrograph with pinpoint stars across a 70 mm image circle — and includes PlaneWave's new Series-5 low-profile focuser and controller at a greatly reduced cost. Deep Space Products is an authorized PlaneWave dealer with hands-on observatory integration experience, and the CDK14 pairs perfectly with telescope hosting at DSP Remote, our Bortle 1 facility in southwest New Mexico. Questions? Contact us — we help customers match equipment to their imaging goals.
Tell us what you're looking for, and we’ll point you in the right direction. Email Us.
Buying guide: Is the CDK14 S-5 the right telescope for your system?
The CDK14 S-5 Package is designed for astrophotographers and observatory operators who are ready to build a serious, permanent imaging system. It is not an entry-level telescope, and it is not optimized for visual use at a star party. Here's a straightforward look at who this telescope is built for — and where others in the PlaneWave lineup may be a better fit.
Who the CDK14 is for
If you're imaging resolved galaxies, globular clusters, or planetary nebulae at 2,000mm+ focal lengths — and you want corner-to-corner sharpness across a full-frame or larger sensor — the CDK14 is among the best tools available at its price point. It's particularly well suited to imagers who have outgrown APS-C sensors and are ready for full-frame large-format imaging, and to observatory builders who need a telescope that can run unattended night after night with minimal intervention.
CDK14 S-5 vs. CDK12.5
The CDK12.5 is PlaneWave's entry point into the CDK lineup at approximately $10,000 with its included EFA kit. It's an excellent telescope, but the differences are real: the CDK14 uses an all-carbon-fiber open truss design versus the CDK12.5's solid tube, which means faster thermal equilibration and less weight at similar tube length. The CDK14's 21% increase in light-gathering area over the CDK12.5 is meaningful in narrowband imaging, where integration time is already long. For most imagers who have considered both, the CDK14 is the more capable system — the CDK12.5 makes sense if budget is the primary constraint or your observatory footprint limits aperture.
Mount and dome size planning
The CDK14 OTA is 35 inches (889 mm) long and weighs 48 lbs (22 kg). Plan for a minimum 8-foot dome diameter (NexDome 2.2m is a common pairing). Add the focuser, camera, and filter wheel and your total payload will typically exceed 55–60 lbs — size your mount accordingly. The PlaneWave L-350 direct drive mount has a 100 lb payload capacity and integrates natively with PWI software for a seamless all-PlaneWave automation stack.
A note on shipping and crating
PlaneWave ships the CDK14 in a custom wooden crate. Crating fees are additional and are quoted after your order is placed — request a shipping quote before ordering if your budget is close to the line. Deep Space Products can help coordinate delivery logistics for observatory installations. If the telescope needs to go into a dome or enclosure with tight clearances, contact us before the equipment ships.
Related Products
