For the past year or more, my Celestron CGE-Pro mount was seemingly having a difficult time centering selected deep-sky objects. The motors also did not sound good at times when moving to the selected objects. I also had to perform a factory reset on the settings every few months.
Rather than updating the firm ware for a 12 year “maybe older” hand controller, my son Brad, surprised me with a new Celestron NexStar+. However, I was concerned if it would be compatible with the older mount, but I’m happy to say…it worked perfectly!
I first updated all my site settings using the new hand controller, which is an easy task using my iPhone compass feature for the time, latitude, and longitude. There are other settings such as DST or Standard, and a few others.
Last night, and with a bright moon, I wanted to verify the mount and hand controller in all functions. I began the sequence of the mount start-up. Then the three-star alignment, which after the first star, were all centered in the telescope field-of-view.
The first thing I noticed was the two motors sounded much smoother. I was actually getting concerned the motors might be having problems. I’d read in an article a jerky motion or sound of the motors was a sign that a motor might be going bad. So, I was now feeling really good, but how would the GoTo function perform when locating deep-sky objects?
My first object was the Andromeda galaxy, and with the sound of both motors, and going in different directions, I anxiously waited for it to stop. I then looked into the eyepiece and the galaxy was perfectly centered! The next object would be planetary nebula M57, far to the west from Andromeda, which would make for a great test. The planetary…like Andromeda was “perfectly centered” in the eyepiece. I then selected about 15 other deep-sky objects, including a few double stars. Everything worked perfectly. I was excited to say the least!
I’m so appreciative to Brad for my new hand controller. Despite not ever using the mount, he always seemed to know much more than me, and all the way from the west coast. 🙂 Electronics and electrical stuff are his thing and occupation...not mine for sure.
The CGE-Pro mount has bronze gears and was the most heavy-duty mount ever sold by Celestron, with a 90 pound payload.
NGC 474 Galaxy Cluster galaxy cluster (or group) consists of three relatively bright galaxies. They are: NGC 467 (mag. 12.9), NGC 470 (mag. 12.5), and NGC 474 (mag. 12.4). This is a fascinating little trio of galaxies, especially because the catalogued largest one, NGC 474, does not visually appear as large as nearby NGC 470. The reason is that NGC 474 has an outer halo that is extremely faint. It has been seen in 18-inch instruments and larger as just a faint brightening of the black background.
In 1994, Roger Ivester wrote a paper concerning the “apparent missing matter” in NGC 474 with the story being revealed in the following:
My observations on Thursday, December 1, 1994, included three spiral galaxies in Pisces, NGC 467, NGC 470, and NGC 474, each separated by only a few minutes of arc. It became apparent immediately that NGC 470 was the largest and most easily seen of the group, but when I referred to the NGC 2000.0 Catalogue, it listed NGC 474 as being over twice as large as either NGC 470 or NGC 467.
At this point, I concluded that NGC 474 must have a halo that could not be seen visually, or at least not from my back yard. The next day I located a photo of this group, but it did not show a faint outer arm, nor was any halo apparent. The view appeared very similar to what I had seen through my telescope.
I decided that another observation was needed, and made a note in my log to “view at next session.” On Monday, December 16, I went to a dark site in the South Mountains about 30 minutes north of Boiling Springs, North Carolina. This would prove to be the perfect site for another observation, notes and a sketch of these three galaxies. I saw NGC 474 as round, diffuse and with a brighter nucleus. NGC 470, appeared elongated, diffuse, and twice as large as NGC 474.
Next, NGC 467 appeared round, faint halo, with a brighter nucleus, and situated a few minutes N of an 8th magnitude star. It was almost the same apparent size as NGC 474. All three galaxies were very easy to locate, relatively bright, and showed excellent contrast. Again I was bothered concerning the size listing of NGC 474. My sources indicated that it was the largest of these galaxies, but NGC 470 was clearly the largest in my telescope and in a photo that I had looked at earlier. Could there be an error in the 7.9” size I read from the NGC 2000 Catalogue, an error which was perpetuated by the other sources? A table of diameters (in arc minutes) from different sources is listed below:
Source:
NGC 2000.0: NGC 470: 3.0 NGC 474: 7.9
Burnham’s Celestial Handbook: NGC 470: 1.7 x 1.1 NGC 474: 0.4 x 0.4
Tom Lorenzin’s 1000+: NGC 470: 3.2 NGC 474: 8.0
The Observer’s Guide, Nov/Dec 1991: NGC 470:  3.0 x 2.0   NGC 474:  7.9 x 7.2Â
Deep Sky Field Guide to Uranometria 2000.0: NGC 470: 3.0 x 1.8 NGC 474: 10.0 x 9.2
Astronomy Magazine, January 1993:Â Â Â NGC 470:Â 3.0 x 2.0Â Â Â NGC 474:Â Â 7.9 x 7.2Â
Luginbuhl & Skiff, Observing Handbook & Catalog: NGC 470: 3.0 x 2.0 NGC 474: 7.9 x 7.2
I expressed my concern to Tom English, Professor of Astronomy and Physics at GardnerWebb University, who promptly gathered all available reference material on NGC 474 from his extensive astronomy library at the University. Tom called me on Saturday afternoon, January 7, and invited me to research the data. While I was busy checking each source, Tom was checking the Sky & Telescope Cumulative Index to locate past issues with information on NGC 474. Tom left the lab and returned with a March 1988 issue of Sky & Telescope with a research note on the galaxy and an accompanying photo.
My quest was about to end:
On page 244, there was the photo that would resolve the problem. It showed both NGC 470 and NGC 474 overexposed, with a very faint halo surrounding the latter. A quick measurement of each galaxy in the photo showed that, with the halo considered, NGC 474 is indeed about 2 ½ times the size of NGC 470, consistent with the NGC 2000 listings. A closer look at the list of sources gives an indication that this pair has been a source of confusion to many observers.
It also reveals that cataloged information tends to propagate from one publication to the next. We all use various catalogs for background information (such as size and magnitude) as we set our observing agendas, and too often we do not follow up on this information by making actual measurements ourselves.
In the Nov/Dec issue of The Observer’s Guide, I saw my frustration mirrored in the statement that NGC 474 “is much smaller than its catalog size. Apparently, its outer halo is so faint that it is not visible.”
Image from: wikisky.org (Note the expanded very faint halo of NGC 474, which cannot be seen visually)
The following image with identifications by James Dire, from Earl, North Carolina, using an Orion 150mm Maksutov-Newtonian f/5.3 and a Parallax mount. December 2009
My pencil sketch as following using a 10-inch f/4.5 EQ Newtonian with charcoal on black card stock at the telescope eyepiece.
After removing the mirror, take a sheet of notebook paper, lay on the mirror and trace around the outer perimeter. The following is a 4.5-inch mirror which I center-marked earlier this year.
Fold the circle template in half, then quarter and then make a tiny hole in the center with any small sharp object. Now take a black Sharpie and “lightly dot” the center of the mirror, via the tiny hole. Now you are ready to replace the mirror and begin collimation. I’m not going to discuss collimation in this post, but have provided the following link from “High Point Scientific”…which is excellent.
A collimation tool will be needed: I use a homemade machined collimating tool (see below) which works great. However, consider a Cheshire collimating eyepiece which is not very expensive at all. I have a Cheshire eyepiece, but most often find myself using only my homemade tool. A laser collimator is not necessary.
A couple photos of my Cheshire eyepiece as following which I also use on occasion:
While the mirror is out, it’s the perfect time to check if cleaning is needed.
The following procedure has allowed me to clean telescope mirrors with excellent results. It should, however, be noted that your results may vary. And mirrors coatings are very delicate, so be careful and use good common sense and care.
Information as following from the Astronomics site:
Sky Rover 2Ă—54 mm Constellation Binoculars
A Wider, Brighter Vision of the Cosmos
The Sky Rover 2×54 mm Constellation Binoculars redefine what it means to see the night sky with both eyes. With an immense 2× magnification and oversized 54 mm objectives, they gather over four times more light than the human eye alone — revealing countless faint stars, glowing Milky Way structure, and the delicate contrast of dark nebulae against their luminous backdrops.
These binoculars aren’t about power — they’re about perspective. They preserve the natural beauty of the night sky while subtly magnifying it, letting you see it as it truly is — only brighter, sharper, and deeper.
Ultra-Wide, Immersive Field
With an astonishing 36° true field of view, the 2×54 captures entire constellations at once. Orion, Taurus, and the Pleiades sit comfortably within the same frame, while the Milky Way arcs across the field as a seamless, glowing river of starlight. It’s the closest thing to a panoramic stargazing experience you can hold in your hands.
The low magnification and large exit pupil make viewing effortless — no focus adjustments, no eye strain — just pure, expansive immersion.
Precision Optics and Bright, Natural Views
Each 54 mm objective uses fully multi-coated optical glass to maximize transmission and suppress reflections. The custom wide-angle prism system maintains perfect alignment and contrast across the entire field, ensuring pinpoint stars and color-neutral performance. Internal baffling and edge-blackened elements minimize stray light and keep backgrounds dark and velvety, even under less-than-perfect skies.
The housing is lightweight but strong, made from precision-machined aluminum alloy with a matte finish that resists dew and glare. Fixed-focus design means it’s always sharp at infinity — simply lift it to your eyes and the universe appears.
Optional 56 mm Sky Rover UHC Filters
The 2Ă—54 mm Constellation Binoculars feature M56 threaded objectives and support optional Sky Rover 56 mm Ultra High Contrast (UHC) filters. These dedicated accessories are engineered to reduce the impact of urban and suburban light pollution, dramatically improving nebular visibility under bright skies.
Each UHC filter is crafted from optical glass with double-sided multilayer coatings and housed in a durable aluminum frame with precision laser engraving. The UHC (Ultra High Contrast) design selectively transmits key emission wavelengths while blocking broadband light sources such as street lamps, skylight, and artificial glow.
By attaching the filters directly to the binoculars’ threaded barrels, you can transform the 2×54 into a genuine wide-field deep-sky instrument. Nebulae like the Veil, North America, and California Nebulae spring to life with structure and contrast, even from light-polluted suburbs.
Under the Night Sky
From dark sites, the 2×54 delivers an astonishingly natural yet enhanced view of the Milky Way — rich star fields and faint clusters scattered across a glowing backdrop. Under filtered skies, emission nebulae gain definition and shape, while the faint tendrils of Barnard’s Loop and the nebulous regions in Cygnus become apparent to the eye.
During meteor showers, the 36° field allows you to watch entire streaks form and fade. For auroras, eclipses, and zodiacal light, the sense of scale and realism is breathtaking.
For Earth and Sky
Although designed for astronomy, the 2Ă—54 also excels for scenic twilight landscapes, aurora watching, or city skyline viewing. Its wide, natural perspective enhances faint contrast without distorting scale, making it ideal for photographers, educators, and casual stargazers alike.
What Users Are Saying
Reviewers describe the Sky Rover 2×54 mm as “a revelation — like seeing the sky with superhuman eyes.” Many praise its effortless immersion, low-light performance, and the ability to bring the Milky Way to life even from suburban skies. With the optional UHC filters attached, experienced observers report views of nebular detail they once thought impossible without a telescope.
Observing Tip
Use the 2×54 mm Constellation Binoculars from a reclining chair under a dark sky, and let the Milky Way drift slowly through its enormous field. With UHC filters installed, point toward Cygnus or Orion — you’ll see subtle structure and contrast that most binoculars can’t touch. For meteor showers or aurorae, simply lie back and let the sky unfold.
Final Thoughts
The Sky Rover 2×54 mm Constellation Binoculars are more than an observing tool — they’re a new way of seeing the night. Whether paired with Sky Rover’s dedicated 56 mm UHC filters or used alone under pristine skies, they deliver an experience that is both scientifically precise and emotionally profound. This is wide-field astronomy at its purest.
I’m sharing the following information by “expert” visual deep-sky observer, Mircea Pteancu from Romania. Thank you Mircea for sharing!Roger Ivester
Roger, Everything by Astronomics you shared…is confirmed by my own observations, using a pair of 2×54 binoculars with the Omegon trademark name. Mircea Pteancu
I used the 2x54mm binoculars under a Bortle 4 sky, and the views were wonderful. There, I observed with the Omegon 2x54mm: M8, M24, M25, M16, M11 (at limit of visibility) M13, M92 like a hazy star, M39 and Mel 20 with some resolved stars, Stock 23 (at limit of visibility) and the Double Cluster in Perseus.
I also saw some Deep Sky objects from the city with the 2x54mm’s: Examples would be M13, Mel 20 with five stars, Perseus Segment and again the Double Cluster.
In M45 I first counted eight stars, with a maximum of eleven stars.
From the city and with naked eyes I can reach magnitude 4.5 at best.
With the 2×54 binoculars, I can reach a magnitude 5.6.
From the city I resolved some wide double stars using the binoculars: STFA 37, Omicron Cyg as a double, Alpha Cap, Beta Cap, Delta Lyra as a double but the companion is quite dim.
When I was a kid, I could split Epsilon 1-2 Lyrae with the naked eyes. However, I lost this ability around the age of 40. Now, the 2x binocular have given me back this wonderful ability. Epsilon Lyrae is split large and bright, with “dark sky” between the stars.
The Moon with the 2×54 binocular are still without craters and appearing only as a shinny globe. However, the mare and oceans are obvious.
One field of astronomy not covered in the reviews are variable stars: Yes, I also use the 2x54mm binocular for variable star observations. Like those I reported to the AAVSO for September 26, September 29, November 1 and November 14, 2025. The variable stars were Beta Lyr, R Lyr, Alpha Her, Eta Aql, Rho Cas, Gamma Cas, Del Cep, miu Cep, Eps Aur, Eta Gem, Zeta Gem, Betelgeuse. And also Queen ALGOL! Mircea
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