A Celestron X-Cel LX 2.3mm in the Celestron Omni XLT 120 gives 435x, a 0.14 degree true field and a 0.3 mm exit pupil. The worked calculation and whether it sits in the useful range.

Updated 05 September 2026.

Eyepiece and telescope pairing

Celestron X-Cel LX 2.3mm in the Celestron Omni XLT 120: magnification and field

What the Celestron X-Cel LX 2.3mm does in the Celestron Omni XLT 120, worked from the published focal lengths and apparent field.

Field of view

ring = 0.14 degrees true
dot = 0.3 mm exit pupil

Computed optics

Magnification
435x1000 mm / 2.3 mm
True field
0.14 degrees60 deg / 435x
Exit pupil
0.3 mm120 mm / 435x
Max useful mag
283xpublished
Barrel match
1.25 in eyepiece in a 2 in focuser
No fit

Over-powered. At 435x this pair exceeds the published highest useful magnification of about 283x for the Celestron Omni XLT 120, so the image dims and softens without showing more real detail. Use a longer eyepiece.


Magnification is the telescope focal length divided by the eyepiece focal length: 1000 mm divided by 2.3 mm is 435x. The true field of view is the eyepiece's 60 degree apparent field divided by that magnification, 0.14 degrees.

The exit pupil, the width of the light beam leaving the eyepiece, is the aperture divided by the magnification, 120 mm over 435x, which is 0.3 mm. That makes this a high-power lunar, planetary and double-star setting.

Questions and answers

Celestron X-Cel LX 2.3mm in the Celestron Omni XLT 120: magnification and field?

Over-powered. At 435x this pair exceeds the published highest useful magnification of about 283x for the Celestron Omni XLT 120, so the image dims and softens without showing more real detail. Use a longer eyepiece.