
PlaneWave CDK500 Observatory System
Starting Price: $56,000.00
Price as Configured: $56,000.00
Price as Configured: $56,000.00
Brand: PlaneWave Instruments / SKU: PW-200130Q
Enjoy exceptional optical and tracking performance for astrophotography, or research, with the CDK400 package! Includes a CDK20 optical tube and L-500 mount.
NOTE: Packaging and shipping cost will be determined when the order is ready to ship and must be paid for before the equipment will ship. A shipping quote can be obtained on request

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The CD500 System includes:
- CDK20 optical tube:
- f/6.8 and 3454mm focal length
- No coma, no off-axis astigmatism, and no field curvature.
- Pinpoint stars across a 52mm image circle.
- Rock solid fused silica mirrors with low thermal expansion.
- Carbon fiber optical tube assembly for rigidity and fast cooling.
- Simple secondary mirror collimation thanks to the fixed primary mirror.
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The PlaneWave Instruments CDK20 is a 20-inch (0.51m) f/6.8 Corrected Dall-Kirkham Astrograph telescope.The CDK20 has a dual carbon-fiber truss design, with 3 cooling fans ejecting air from the back of the telescope. The CDK20 covers a 52 mm field of view without any field curvature, off-axis coma, or astigmatism. The instrument weight is 140 lbs (64 kg) and comes standard with a back plate retaining ring ready to accept the focuser of your choice. All CDK20 telescopes come with fused silica primary and secondary mirrors.
- L-500 direct drive mount:
- Zero periodic error, zero backlash, and minimal maintenance due to the lack of gears.
- Slew speeds up to 50 degrees/sec for satellite tracking and fast target acquisition.
- Sidereal tracking accuracy of < 0.30 arcseconds RMS over 5 minutes.
- High resolution optical encoders on both axes for precision feedback.
- Can be installed in either equatorial, or alt/az configuration.
- Includes PWI4 software (ASCOM compliant) for mount control
The L-Series combines versatility, simplicity and affordability by combining all the technology of Planewave's Observatory class telescopes into a compact stand-alone mount. In its Alt/Az configuration, it is considerably more compact than its equatorial counterpart, allowing a larger telescope to fit in a smaller enclosure. The mass it takes to make a rigid alt/az mount is substantially less, leading to cost savings. Unlike German Equatorial mounts, there are no meridian flips to deal with, and no large protruding counterweights to create a dangerous hazard in a public observatory. Alt/Az is more intuitive to use and no polar alignment is needed.
Planewave L Series Mount features:
- Direct-drive motors on each axis for smooth, fast, and virtually silent movement of the telescope
- Slew speeds up to 50 degrees per second
- High-resolution encoders on each axis for precise positioning
- Zero backlash
- Zero periodic error
- PointXP mount modelling software
- Enclosed electronics
- Through the mount cabling