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.
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Frequently asked questions about the PlaneWave CDK14 S-5 Package
What's included in the S-5 Package, and is it everything I need to start imaging?
The CDK14 S-5 Package includes the CDK14 optical tube assembly, the Series-5 low-profile motorized focuser, the Series-5 Controller (which manages focusing, fans, and anti-dew heaters), and an OTA cover. You'll still need a mount, a camera and imaging train, and if you want full dew prevention, the optional Delta-T controller (sold separately). Deep Space Products can help you identify the right mount, camera adapters, and accessories to complete your system — just reach out before you order.
What mount is recommended for the CDK14?
At 48 lbs (22 kg), the CDK14 is within the payload envelope of the PlaneWave L-350 direct drive mount, which PlaneWave lists as an ideal pairing. German equatorial mounts in the Astro-Physics AP1100 class are also popular. For observatory installations, the L-350 in alt-az orientation paired with the Series-5 Rotator (sold separately) is a clean all-PlaneWave solution. Deep Space Products can advise based on your site, budget, and imaging goals.
How does the CDK design compare to a Ritchey-Chrétien telescope?
The Ritchey-Chrétien is excellent at eliminating off-axis coma — which is why it's used in many professional observatories. What it doesn't address is off-axis astigmatism and field curvature, both of which degrade stars toward the edges of the frame, especially on large sensors. The CDK design adds a correcting lens group that eliminates all three aberrations, yielding a flat, coma-free, astigmatism-free field across 70 mm. For large-format CMOS sensors, the practical advantage of the CDK is significant: you get clean corners without external field flatteners.
How difficult is collimation on the CDK14?
The CDK14 is one of the simpler premium astrographs to keep collimated. The primary mirror is permanently bonded to the rear backplate, so it never moves. Collimation involves only the tip and tilt of the secondary mirror, adjusted by three thumbscrews. PlaneWave sets the mirror spacing at the factory and no longer ships a Ronchi spacing adjustment kit — because you shouldn't need to change it. Many users report shipping-crate collimation that's near-perfect, requiring only minor secondary tweaks at first light.
What pixel scale will I get, and do I need a focal reducer?
At the CDK14's native 2563 mm focal length, a 3.76 µm pixel camera (like the ZWO ASI6200 or QHY600) produces an image scale of approximately 0.30 arcseconds per pixel. For most imaging sites, this is finer than the atmospheric seeing limit — so most imagers either bin 2× at native focal length (yielding ~0.60 arcsec/pixel) or use PlaneWave's 0.66× reducer to reach f/4.76 and ~0.46 arcsec/pixel with a wider field. Both approaches are valid; the choice depends on your target size and local seeing conditions.
Is the CDK14 suitable for remote or automated observatory use?
Yes — the CDK14 was designed with automation in mind. Fan control, anti-dew heaters, and the Series-5 motorized focuser all operate through PlaneWave Interface 3 (PWI3) software, which is ASCOM-compatible and integrates with major automation platforms. The Series-5 Controller consolidates these functions into a single device. For fully unattended remote setups, users typically add the Delta-T controller for automated dew prevention and pair the scope with a direct-drive mount like the L-350 for repeatable pointing without backlash.
Does Deep Space Products support PlaneWave equipment, and can I host my CDK14 at DSP Remote?
Deep Space Products is an authorized PlaneWave dealer with direct experience integrating CDK telescopes into permanent and remote observatory systems. Our team can advise on mount matching, imaging train configuration, and dome compatibility. DSP Remote — our Bortle 1 telescope hosting facility in southwest New Mexico — has hosted PlaneWave systems and is a natural fit for CDK14 owners who want autonomous, unattended imaging under genuinely dark skies. Contact us to discuss hosting options.
What camera and sensor formats work with the CDK14?
The CDK14's 70 mm image circle accommodates sensors up to full-frame (43 mm diagonal) and larger medium-format sensors with the illuminated area limited to 52 mm. It's optimized for large-format CMOS and CCD cameras — popular pairings include the ZWO ASI6200MM Pro, QHY600M, and QHY411. PlaneWave provides adapter charts for QHY and ZWO cameras (available in the Downloads tab). For monochrome users adding a filter wheel, Deep Space Products can help you determine the right back-focus spacing before you order.
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