There’s a motive the unmistakable orange-colored Celestron NexStar 8SE is the most important of the best-selling NexStar telescopes, and hailed by Celestron because the ‘world’s most beloved telescope’. The highest-quality Schmidt-Cassegrain NexStar 8SE can take up an outstanding quantity of sunshine and permits customers to see deep-sky objects far into the universe. Smaller aperture variations can be found at 4 (opens in new tab), 5 (opens in new tab) and 6- inches (opens in new tab) with graduating prices. In fact, the smaller you go, the much less gentle captured, thus making your views much less awe-inspiring with every drop in aperture.
Key specs
Optical design: Schmidt-Cassegrain
Aperture: 8-inches (203.2mm)
Focal size: 80-inches (2032mm)
Focal ratio: f/10
Highest helpful magnification: 180x
Complete package weight: 32 lbs (14.48 kg)
Mount kind: Computerized Altitude-Azimuth Single Fork Arm
A motorized single fork arm mount powers the scope that slews to your required celestial object on the contact of a button on the hand-held distant. You will must align it first, however Celestron’s SkyAlign know-how simplifies this three-star alignment course of, and customers merely want to make use of the finderscope with no prior information of the heavens required.
There are ample equipment that may be added to the NexStar 8SE. The chances for intermediate and superior astronomers are limitless, and deep sky astrophotographers will love the graceful monitoring of the motorized mount for his or her lengthy exposures.
Celestron NexStar 8SE: Design
- Signature orange tube
- Hand controller which inserts contained in the arm of the fork mount
- Could be transported as a fully-assembled setup
Aside from the apparent and immediately recognizable orange tube (a coloration utilized by Celestron for the reason that Nineteen Seventies), some of the hanging issues concerning the NexStar 8SE is its compact and sensible measurement. The catadioptric development (the place refraction and reflection are mixed) signifies that the bodily tube will be saved brief regardless of providing a protracted focal size. You possibly can elevate the entire assembled unit up beneath your arm and carry it to the place it must be, and due to the clear, clutter-free physique, you do not have to fret about knocking equipment off the telescope.
The NexStar+ hand controller suits properly and firmly to the arm of the fork mount when not in use. We just like the hands-on really feel of utilizing the strong feeling hand controller reasonably than utilizing an app. The buttons, as is commonplace on most of these hand controller, are massive and straightforward to make use of when out on chilly nights and might even be programmed utilizing gloves. Merely kind within the variety of the respective evening sky object and the 8SE will easily and quietly slew to it within the sky — no fuss.
As we’d count on, the metal tripod feels sturdy and inflexible, which it must be to help the pretty heavy mount. Every part feels safe, which is a aid given that is an costly little bit of package. The tripod will be damaged down into separate parts to assist ease of transportation.
Celestron NexStar 8SE: Efficiency
- Excellent optics
- Good high quality hand controller
- Barely tough to align in case you’re not used to it
The primary activity when reviewing this telescope was getting it aligned. Plug the telescope in and switch it on. The hand controller asks you to pick your required language. After that, use the up and down arrows to decide on the tactic of alignment. Choose your metropolis and nation, enter your time (in 24hr format) and choose whether or not your locale is on daylight financial savings or not and at last enter the date.
Right here is when the hand controller will immediate you to pick a star. Right here, some information of the evening sky is advantageous however not essential, as you should utilize a planetarium app reminiscent of Celestron’s SkyPortal app that will help you determine which brilliant star you’re looking at, and thus which to pick on the hand controller, and which to align together with your crimson dot finder. You then repeat this to your second star.
As soon as aligned, utilizing the hand controller, you’ll be able to choose any celestial object within the sky (categorized beneath solar system, stars or deep sky), and your telescope will routinely slew to them. You can too have a ‘sky tour’ which chooses which attention-grabbing objects to indicate you.
This course of might sound daunting for a newbie, however in case you observe the provided directions to the T, you should not encounter any issues.
Further package that comes with the telescope
1.25″ (25mm) Plossl eyepiece
StarPointer Finderscope
90-degree Star Diagonal
Metal tripod with accent tray
2 12 months guarantee
Throughout our evaluate, our sky within the Northern Hemisphere did not get darkish sufficient for deep-space objects. As a substitute, we targeted our consideration on the easy-to-spot moon, in order that we might get a real-life really feel for the views regardless of the situations not being preferrred for sky watching. With the included eyepiece, we might get brilliantly sharp and brilliant views of the lunar floor.
We examined the slew charge and accuracy. Though there was a little bit of lag between urgent our desired topic on the controller, and the motor beginning to flip, we have been impressed with the motor’s smoothness when each slewing and object monitoring. That is preferrred for astrophotographers taking lengthy exposures to stack collectively to create mind-blowing deep-sky images.
Celestron NexStar 8SE: Performance
- 8 x AA batteries required
- Straightforward to assemble and disassemble
- A helpful crimson dot finder is included
As talked about, after aligning for the primary time, one in every of this telescope’s most fascinating traits is the short set-up course of. It may be saved away and will not really feel like a chore getting arrange once more whenever you need one other evening of sky watching. The provided crimson dot finderscope may be very easy to make use of, with a transparent crimson dot and mounting simply to the rear of the tube. It does not appear to be a lot, however it’s surprisingly efficient. The main target knob on the scope is massive and tactile, really easy to change because of the knurled rubberized texture, even when carrying thick gloves.
The telescope does require a whopping 8 x AA batteries. You’d most likely wish to put money into rechargeable batteries and a battery charger if you’re going to be often sky watching as the price of changing common batteries would rapidly add up. It might be good to see Celestron giving a Lithium-ion battery right here however notice that this would possibly push the value up considerably which is probably going why it depends on AAs.
Must you purchase the Celestron NexStar 8SE?
The Celestron NexStar 8SE is a improbable scope and one that will go well with a newbie, intermediate or superior sky watcher. One thing easy sufficient for a newbie to familiarize yourself with, but in addition please a sophisticated sky watcher is sort of arduous to return by.
It is usually a improbable possibility for astrophotographers, because of the graceful and correct monitoring. Though it does carry a good quantity of weight, the scope will be packed away and arrange very quickly, so there isn’t any want to go away it out taking on treasured space in your house.
If the Celestron NexStar 8SE is not for you
The NexStar 8SE is not a funds little bit of package. It is a important funding. Except you recognize you will follow skywatching or astrophotography for the lengthy haul, cheaper alternate options can be found and may be extra acceptable.
Try the Celestron Astro Fi 102 which we reviewed lately, as that is less expensive however nonetheless makes use of a motor to indicate you celestial objects in higher element. This mannequin makes use of a smartphone app (utilizing in-built Wi-Fi) reasonably than an built-in hand controller straight out of the field, however you’ll be able to hyperlink it as much as a hand controller as an alternative in case you desire one thing extra tactile than a shiny rectangle.
For individuals who plan to develop their astronomy expertise, loads of eyepieces, mounts and tripods can be utilized to reinforce the capabilities of the NexStar 8SE so it ought to meet your wants for a lifetime.
In conclusion, it is most likely among the best scopes accessible in case you can afford it. For those who will not profit long run, select a less complicated, cheaper mannequin. For extra inspiration, try our best telescopes guide.
