Celestron NexStar 8 SE Telescope
by Celestron
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Category: Digital Camera
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Digital Photo Product Details
Manufacturer: CelestronModel: 11069
Product features:
- 8-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope, StarBright XLT high transmission coatings come standard
- StarPointer finderscope to help with alignment and accurately locating objects
- Quick-release fork arm mount, optical tube and accessory tray for no-tool setup
- SkyAlign allows you to align on any three bright celestial objects, making for a fast and easy alignment process
- Nearly 40,000-object database with 200 user-definable objects and expanded information on over 200 objects
- Corel PaintShop Photo Pro X3 [OLD VERSION]
- AmazonBasics Camcorder/Camera Bag with Shoulder Strap (Black)
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Celestron NexStar 8 SE Telescope
Customer Review: Okay Tube, Bad Mount
Summary: 2 Stars
I've used this telescope since June 2009. The NexStar 8 SE provides pretty good views, but the computerized mount is literally a piece of junk. I'll tell you why.
Problems with the mount:
1. Battery compartment: Lots of space taken up for batteries, but batteries only work for a few minutes. This thing eats batteries, and doesn't come with a power cord! Further, the battery compartment design is poor, with two battery holders dangling by their wires. The battery holders must be placed a certain way after batteries are installed into them. There's only one way to place the battery holders and still be able to close the compartment cover, but there are a few ways to place the battery holders incorrectly. If you want to be able to close the battery compartment, you'll probably have to look up the instructions on the internet. You'll need to by the optional AC power cord (which is what I did since I'm always observing within an extension cord's length of an electrical outlet), or the 12V cord along with a 12V battery in order to use this scope.
2. Noise: I know everything seems louder at night... in the dark... when you're supposed to be quiet. But slewing at moderate to fast speed with this thing is like a freight train coming down the tracks. It's not a problem if you're not near anyone, but the many times I've been in my backyard or up at the lake with this scope, I've worried about disturbing neighbors.
3. No clutch in azimuth: This means you can't move the mount in a sideways direction without using the power-hungry, fantastically noisy motor. You can move the mount in altitude manually, but not in azimuth. Truly a bummer.
4. Spur gears: There's a lot of slop in the gears, so when you begin to slew the scope it often doesn't actually begin to move for a short period of time. No big deal, but it's annoying.
5. Time isn't saved: As others have mentioned, having to enter the time each time you turn on the mount is just ridiculous.
6. Cheap hand controller: The screen on my hand controller came loose and tilted within a couple of weeks of use. LCD screen doesn't work well in cold weather. I know this is a common problem with these types of controllers, but cold weather is a common condition for astronomical observing. Celestron and all other manufacturers really should take this into account and install a heating element in the controller. (I know all the workarounds - use handwarmers, put the controller in your jacket, attach your own heating element, etc. - but they're just not convenient.) There's obviously no intention of minimizing power consumption with this mount, so adding a heating element wouldn't be a big deal.
7. Built-in bubble level: There isn't one.
8. Defective (at least mine is): I'm in the process of sending my mount to Celestron for warranty repairs because it no longer slews properly at slew speeds slower than 8 or 9 during alignment. So, at a slew speed of 5 which is the default for alignment, the mount doesn't move at all. It's too bad I have to pay for sending it in, when I'd really rather just get a better mount.
Problems with the tube:
1. Focus knob: The focus knob shakes and moves the mirror way too much. If I didn't know better I'd think it was a defect. But I know better. It's not considered a defect. It's just a bad design that amateur astronomers apparently don't mind too much.
2. Accessory mounting holes: Ideally, you'd have a red-dot finder and 9x50 finderscope mounted to the top of the tube. You can't do that with this scope unless you're willing to get out your drill. There are mounting holes at approximately the 2 o'clock position and 4 o'clock position, so most people will probably use those using the topmost holes for the red-dot finder and the lower ones for the magnified finderscope. There should be another set of holes on the top of the tube somewhere between 10 and 2 for the purpose of mounting accessories.
There are a few things I like about the scope:
1. Portable: Compared to my 10" dob, the 8 SE is quite portable, and this is the primary reason I bought it. I've been able to take it to the lake (where the sky is much darker) on many occasions.
2. Tracking: Once aligned the mount tracks pretty well. I've left the scope tracking for over an hour, to find that the object of interest was still in the field of view when I returned.
For me, the bottom line is that the NexStar 8 SE has too many problems, and shouldn't be considered by anyone new to astronomy. Considering the design quality, the 8 SE is overpriced. You can get a bigger and better telescope for less than half the price if you're willing to give up the computerized object locator and the tracking ability that's inherent in such a mount. Trust me. If you're a beginner in reasonably dark skies (meaning you can actually see and locate stars with just your eyes) then a computerized mount like this one will frustrate you far more than it will help you.
Description of Celestron NexStar 8 SE Telescope
The Celestron NexStar 8SE Telescope offers a multitude of features, including the 2032mm focal length and SkyAlign. Viewing the stars will never be the same, as you expand your horizons with the stimulating and technological advances included in the Celestron Telescope. Inside the Celestron NexStar, you find an autoguider port to enable long exposure photos, as well as the exceptional Go To button to quickly locate and position the star of your choice. The Celestron NexStar 8SE Telescope lets you peer deep into the universe with the largest model in this deluxe series of computer-controlled telescopes.Features:8" Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope with 203.2mm aperture78% more light gathering power than 6" models2032mm focal lengthFocal ratio: 10Portable ? weighs 33 lb including the tripodCombines the classic heritage of the original orange tube telescopes with the latest state-of-the-art featuresStarBright XLT high transmission coatings come standardCelestron's unique patented single fork arm with integral hand control design provides a rigid and smooth operating structure for the optical tubeStar diagonal provides more comfortable viewing position when observing objects that are high in the skyProven NexStar computer control technologySkyAlign allows you to align on any three bright celestial objects, making for a fast and easy alignment processIncludes:Quick release fork arm mount, optical tube and accessory tray for no-tool setupStarPointer finderscope to help with alignment and accurately locating objectsSturdy computerized altazimuth mountInternal battery compartment to prevent cord wrap during useUltra sturdy steel tripod with accessory tray40,000 object database with 200 user-definable objects and expanded information on over 200 objectsFlash upgradeable hand control software and motor control units for downloading product updates over the InternetAutoguider port for long exposure astrophotographyDC Servo motors with encoders on both axesCustom databaAmazon.com Review Celestron's Nexstar 8 SE telescope combines excellent optics and computerized "GoTo" tracking in a package that's light, portable and affordable. The legendary performance of Celestron's orange tube C8 telescope has been updated with high performance Starbright XLT coatings, and the single arm Nexstar mount now includes Celestron's easy to use "SkyAlign" technology.
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The Nexstar 8 SE upholds Celestron's reputation for quality optics. When I use an 11mm Plossl eyepiece (almost 200x magnification) for example, I can easily see the Cassini Division in Saturn's rings. When I look at Jupiter, the pale orange color of Jupiter's famous Great Red Spot is visible, and I've even been able to identify the polar caps and spot dust storms on the planet Mars. A 20mm Plossl eyepiece (about 100x magnification) is a good choice for viewing galaxies and star clusters. When I look at globular cluster M13 in the constellation Hercules the high contrast XLT optics show me a glowing snowflake made of hundreds of tiny pin-point stars! And a low power 32mm Plossl eyepiece is a good choice for views of larger deep space highlights like the Andromeda Galaxy and the Orion Nebula.
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(See larger image.) |
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
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