telescopecomparison · 2-way
Celestron EdgeHD 14 vs Astro-Tech AT12RC

Celestron
EdgeHD 14
Best suited for experienced imagers chasing detail running a permanent observatory setup.

Astro-Tech
AT12RC
Best suited for experienced imagers chasing detail running a permanent observatory setup.
Key differences
+61% focal length
+17% aperture
Slower by 3.0 f-stops
Specifications
| Specification | Celestron EdgeHD 14 | Astro-Tech AT12RC |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | sct | ritchey-chretien |
| Optical design | Aplanatic SCT | Truss Ritchey-Chrétien |
| Aperture | 356mm | 305mm |
| Focal length | 3910mm | 2432mm |
| Native f/ratio | f/11.0 | f/8.0 |
| Image circle | 42mm | — |
| Full-frame support | Yes | Yes |
| Physical | ||
| Weight | 20.0kg | 26.5kg |
Advantages of Celestron EdgeHD 14
- Tighter framing — 3910mm vs 2432mm focal length
- 17% more light-gathering aperture
- Larger image circle (42mm) — supports bigger sensors
- Lighter (20kg vs 26.5kg) — easier to travel with
Advantages of Astro-Tech AT12RC
- Wider field — 2432mm vs 3910mm focal length
- Faster optics at f/8 vs f/11
Best for — Celestron EdgeHD 14
- Small galaxies, planetary nebulae, lunar & planetary detail
- High-resolution long-exposure work
- Faint-object imaging under dark skies
- Full-frame astro cameras and DSLRs
Best for — Astro-Tech AT12RC
- Small galaxies, planetary nebulae, lunar & planetary detail
- High-resolution long-exposure work
- Faint-object imaging under dark skies
- Full-frame astro cameras and DSLRs
Celestron EdgeHD 14 — typical FOV & scale
- With Full-frame (36×24mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 0.53° × 0.35°Scale: 0.20"/px
- With APS-C (23.5×15.7mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 0.34° × 0.23°Scale: 0.20"/px
- With IMX533 square (11.3×11.3mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 0.17° × 0.17°Scale: 0.20"/px
Astro-Tech AT12RC — typical FOV & scale
- With Full-frame (36×24mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 0.85° × 0.57°Scale: 0.32"/px
- With APS-C (23.5×15.7mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 0.55° × 0.37°Scale: 0.32"/px
- With IMX533 square (11.3×11.3mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 0.27° × 0.27°Scale: 0.32"/px
Celestron EdgeHD 14 — recommended user
Best suited for experienced imagers chasing detail running a permanent observatory setup.
Astro-Tech AT12RC — recommended user
Best suited for experienced imagers chasing detail running a permanent observatory setup.