Discount Telescopes and Telescope Accessories

Celestron NexImage Solar System Imager

Amateur astronomers have been taking great pictures of the moon and planets by using modified Webcams. The favored Webcams for astro-imaging have been the hard-to-find Philips ToUCam and Vesta models because of their high-performance CCD chips. Now Celestron's Neximage puts the same CCD technology in a package that's ready to use with any telescope that accepts 1.25-inch eyepieces. The NexImage includes an anodized metal nosepiece that fits in a 1.25-inch eyepiece holder. When I installed the Windows based software, I also updated my Windows Media Player files. Then I simply plugged the NexImage into my computers' USB port, and I was ready to start taking pictures.

The NexImage CCD is sensitive enough that I can take "snapshots" of the Moon or Sunspots (always use a safe Solar filter, of course!) even without a motor-driven telescope. The real power of the NexImage package, however, comes from its included Registax software which automatically aligns and stacks hundreds of individual AVI video frames into one sharp, highly detailed picture.

I used my 8-inch Celestron Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope (similar to the Nexstar 8 GPS ) and my 2x Ultima Barlow lens to capture some beautiful pictures of Jupiter and Saturn. The sensitive Sony CCD chip in the NexImage easily shows color and detail on Jupiter that just doesn't show up when I use CMOS-based Webcams.

The fine performance of the NexImage package is limited somewhat by its included video capture software. The AmCap software doesn't give me the precise control of exposure times I'd like; I wasn't able to photograph the moon Callisto next to Jupiter, for instance, without overexposing the planet. Celestron doesn't mention the other little drawback in its ads. You'll have so much fun that your hard drive will start filling up with pictures and AVIs! --Jeff Phillips

Pros:

• Sensitive CCD chip
• Fits any telescope that takes 1.25-inch eyepieces
• Powerful image processing software

• Takes practice to get the exposure time just right
• Software is Windows only
• You'll fill up your hard drive with pictures

Celestron NexStar 8 SE Telescope

Celestron's patented "SkyAlign" system makes the Nexstar 8 SE very easy to use. I just pick the nearest town from the built-in list, enter the date and time, and point the telescope at three bright stars. I don't need a star chart because "SkyAlign" identifies the stars for me. When I just want a quick look at the moon or a planet, I like to use the "Solar System Align" option. After entering the date and time, I just point the telescope at the moon and press the "Align" key. That's all it takes, the computer takes over and the telescope begins tracking quietly and accurately. At star parties I often have my Nexstar up and running while older computerized telescopes are still waiting for their alignment stars to appear in the twilight.

The Nexstar 8 SE comes with a simple red-dot finder scope and a basic 25mm eyepiece. You'll want to add a few good eyepieces to take full advantage of the Nexstar 8 SE's excellent optics. At the very least get Celestron's bargain priced Accessory Kit which includes high and low power plossl eyepieces, or treat yourself to some top rated Tele Vue eyepieces. At twenty-four pounds total weight, the Nexstar 8 SE is unusually light and portable for an eight-inch telescope. The drawback of course is that some people will find it too light. Like other Schmidt Cassegrain (SCT) telescopes there are plenty of optional accessories to upgrade this telescope with, such as heavy duty tripods and an optical finder scope. If you want to try astro-photography, however, check out Celestron's CPC 800 Telescope which features a heavy duty mount and tripod and an 8x50 optical finder scope right out of the box. --Jeff Phillips

Pros:

• Excellent optics
• Easy computerized GoTo tracking
• Light, portable and affordable

• Plastic accessories
• Short battery life
• Too light for astro-photography

Celestron 21045 114mm Equatorial PowerSeeker Telescope

Optically, the Powerseeker 114 holds its own when compared with my Celestron Firstscope 114EQ. Using the K20 eyepiece included as standard equipment, about 45x magnification, it's easy to see the Andromeda Galaxy and its smaller satellite galaxy M32. When compared to 60mm refractors, the Powerseeker 114 brings out much more detail in the Orion Nebula, reveals many more stars in Perseus' Double Cluster and even brings out a few individual stars in globular clusters like M13. Saturn looks quite small at 45x with the K20 eyepiece, but using my own 7.5mm eyepiece (120x) I can easily detect the shadow cast by the planet on the rings, and even glimpse the ring's Cassini Division. When the mirrors are properly lined up or "collimated," the images are reasonably sharp up to magnifications of 225x. I find a collimation tool helps get this fine tuning just right.

As good as the optics are, however, the effect of cost-cutting shows up in the mechanical components. The focuser is plastic, the finder scope is plastic, the rings that attach the telescope to the tripod are plastic. Even when the tripod legs are clamped at their shortest setting, the telescope wobbles when I try to focus at higher magnifications. Celestron's instruction manual correctly recommends that most viewing be done in the range of 40x to 130x. So what about that 675x magnification proclaimed on the box? I'd say it's not worth the trouble.

Overall, the Celestron Powerseeker 114 is a budget priced telescope with good optical performance, especially when using the low power K20 eyepiece. If you're willing to spend a little more money, either Orion's SkyQuest XT4.5 or Celestron's Firstscope 114EQ will give you a sturdier mount, an improved finder scope, and better eyepieces. Also, for about the price of the Powerseeker 114, I like the dependable refractor design of Celestron's Firstscope 70EQ. --Jeff Phillips

Pros:

• Low cost
• Good optics
• Serviceable K20 eyepiece

• Wobbly mount
• Difficult to collimate
• Plastic finder and focuser

Celestron NexStar 130 SLT Computerized Telescope

The Newtonian design of the NexStar 130 SLT is optimized to produce bright images over a wide field of view. When I use an optional 32mm Plossl eyepiece, the famous Double Cluster in Perseus looks like a display of celestial fireworks with streamers of stars trailing across the 2 degree field of view. The standard equipment 25mm eyepiece magnifies the image about 26 times, with a wide field of view just right for viewing deep space objects like star clusters or the Orion Nebula. I had no trouble fine tuning the optical alignment, and I was rewarded with sharp views of Lunar craters even when I pushed the magnification up to the theoretical limit of 300x. The other drawback of a computerized telescope, of course, is battery consumption. An optional PowerTank battery is a handy way to power the NexStar 130 SLT, and I like to keep the tripod legs short and observe while seated because this gives me a solid and comfortable view. --Jeff Phillips

Pros:

• Wide field views
• Computerized go-to tracking
• Light and portable

• Short battery life
• Sensitive to vibration

Suggested Options:

• Celestron Accessory Kit
• Celestron PowerTank battery
• Celestron Collimation Eyepiece

Orion SkyQuest XT4.5 Classic Dobsonian Telescope

Your money buys you a lot in this case. Included are a good-quality 4.5" f/8 primary mirror, two eyepieces, a finder, and a CD-ROM with a stripped-down version of The Sky, a software guide to the sky. The scope comes in two cartons. One contains the optical tube, and the other is a flat-packed box containing the base, which you assemble yourself. Orion includes all the hardware and tools you need, and the instructions are well written. Allocate about 30 minutes to assemble and align everything.

There are a couple of cost-cutting measures. The primary mirror is spherical, not parabolic (this is not likely to affect the views, however). Also, the focuser is plastic. While I’ve never seen one break, plastic focusers are by nature less robust than metal ones. Finally (and this may be the most serious concern of all), the scope is a little short for an adult. The eyepiece is only 3 feet off the ground, which may force you to stoop over (hint: try sitting on a short chair or stool while observing). On the other hand, the height is ideal for a child, and as a result, I heartily recommend this telescope for children.

Under the stars, the XT4.5 exhibits excellent performance. Once properly collimated (aligned), the optics give clear, sharp, contrasty views. I’ve spent enjoyable nights using these telescopes, both as a teaching tool and by myself. Jupiter’s cloud band and four moons are no problem to see, nor are Saturn’s rings. The Orion Nebula is a glowing fan of green gas, with a quartet of tiny stars at its core. Under dark skies (and with some diligence) the XT4.5 can even pull in some of the fainter deep sky objects, like the brighter galaxies in the Virgo Cluster.

Despite the fact that I have a garage full of expensive telescopes, I never feel compromised with any of Orion’s XT scopes. As recently as a few years ago, the old adage regarding telescopes was that you must spend at least $300 to avoid buying junk. While this is still mostly true, Orion’s little XT4.5 breaks the price barrier in a big way. As long as you can deal with the short eyepiece height, it’s a great starter scope.

Pros:

• Very good optical and mechanical performance
• Fully accessorized
• Great value

• Short eyepiece height
• Plastic focuser

Celestron NexStar 114 SLT Computerized Telescope

The NexStar 114 SLT's compact Newtonian optics produce images that are three times brighter than 60mm beginner scopes. With this telescope it's easy to see Saturn's rings and Jupiter's cloud belts. When the night air is still and clear I've been able to see the Cassini division in Saturn's rings and even spot the shadow of Jupiter's moons crossing the planets cloud tops! Deep space objects like star clusters and galaxies also show up nicely. The Ring Nebula M57, for instance, shows up as a pale smoke ring, and globular cluster M13 begins to reveal its individual stars.

Celestron's computerized SkyAlign system is remarkably quick and easy to use. If you can see the moon, you can align this telescope! When you turn on the telescope, select "Solar System Align" on the hand control, enter the date and time, point the telescope at the moon, and press the "Align" button. That's all it takes; the computerized tracking system takes over and begins tracking, quietly, and accurately. Experienced users will love the "Auto Two-Star Align" and "SkyAlign" modes because they allow the telescope to point accurately at over 4,000 objects in the NexStar database. The accurate tracking allowed me to use a Celestron NexImage to take some nice close-up pictures of the moon and planets.

The biggest drawback to a computerized telescope is its battery consumption. The standard AA batteries only last a few hours, but the NexStar 114 SLT works very well with an external 12-volt battery such as Celestron's Power Tank. The other drawback comes from the NexStar 114 SLT's compact optical design. This telescope uses a short-focal-length mirror combined with a corrector lens to simulate a traditional long tube reflector. This works pretty well at moderate magnification levels, but the mirrors may need to be fine-tuned, or "collimated," to get the best high power images. I find Celestron's Collimation Eyepiece helps me get this fine tuning just right, but the reward is sharp images, even when I use the high power 9mm eyepiece with a barlow lens for a magnification over 200x. --Jeff Phillips

Pros:

• Easy computerized GoTo system
• Good (but not great) optics
• Includes everything but the batteries

• Short battery life
• Optics may need occasional fine tuning

Celestron 21041 60mm PowerSeeker Telescope

The Powerseeker 60 comes disassembled in a compact box, but it won't take long to put everything together. Go ahead and try it out in the daytime, that's the best time to align the finder scope while looking at a distant tree or telephone pole.

My first view of Saturn's rings and star cluster M13 in Hercules came with a 60mm telescope, and I enjoy celestial viewing with the Powerseeker 60 to this day. The secret is to use the low power K20 eyepiece and only extend the tripod legs half-way. This gives me sharp and steady views, whether I'm looking at nearby hills, craters on the Moon, the Double Cluster in Perseus, or even the Andromeda Galaxy!

With a 1.25" focuser and diagonal mirror, it's easy to add better eyepieces. The Kellner type K20 eyepiece yields a 1.1 degree true field of view, better than the Huygens or H-type eyepieces still found in many beginner scopes. Adding an optional Celestron 25mm E-Lux eyepiece is better still. With nearly 2 degrees true field of view, the 25mm E-lux makes it much easier to find objects, either on land or in deep space. The SR4 eyepiece is less impressive; it's like peeking through a pin-hole. Adding the 3x barlow to the SR4 to get that 525x proclaimed on the box is peeking through a dim, fuzzy pin-hole.

I'm surprised that a telescope this inexpensive can be this good. It's good enough to show me Saturn's rings at night or a Steller's Jay at 100 yards during the day. In my opinion, the Powerseeker 60 would be an even better bargain if it came with a K10 eyepiece in place of the 3x barlow and the SR4 eyepiece. Also take a look at Celestron's Firstscope 60AZ; it's only a little more expensive, but it includes two useable eyepieces, a red-dot finder, and planetarium software for your computer. –Jeff Phillips

Pros:

• Low cost
• Decent optics
• Accepts 1.25" eyepieces

• Too small for serious astronomy
• Only one good eyepiece

Celestron NexStar 102 SLT Computerized Telescope

The popularity of our previous short tube refractor models inspired us to go a step further with the introduction of our NexStar 102 SLT. You'll find that astronomical viewing is a delight with this large, powerful 4" telescope. The 102 SLT offers a 63% increase in image brightness over 80mm models. This short-tube telescope with a fast f/5 optical system gives images that are bright and crisp.

And the 102 SLT, like the other models in the SLT Series, comes with a fully computerized hand control with a database of over 4,000 celestial objects! With its pre-assembled, adjustable steel tripod, the NexStar 102 SLT can be up and ready to use in a matter of minutes. Our new SkyAlign alignment technology and the included StarPointer Finderscope with a red LED makes aligning a breeze.

Because of its wide 1.7 ° field of view, the NexStar 102 SLT is optimal for scanning large areas of the sky and for superb terrestrial (land) viewing. A wonderful entry to mid-level astronomical scope, with the use of an optional erect image diagonal, the 102 SLT can also be used as a land-based spotting telescope.