Month: July 2017

It may look similar to the NexStar 4 SE, but the iOptron might just be the most user-friendly telescope on your list. Apart from being hands-free in most respects, the 80mm iOptron, in particular, is a similarly advanced telescope with a unique way of looking at the stars. While some astronomers might enjoy the classical method of hand-held maneuvering, the iOptron circumvents the trouble and time this process might take you.

The stars aren’t going anywhere, but nobody wants to take too much time to see them.

Mount

The iOptron mount utilizes an equatorial mount, a rare but flexible mounting system. It is different from other mounts, like the altazimuth, in that it accounts for the Earth’s spin. You won’t notice it when you’re standing on solid ground, but our planet rotates on an axis. This rotation provides viewing problems for amateur astronomers who are searching for objects in the sky. No object will always be in the same position twice.

The iOptron’s equatorial mount compensates for this problem and provides a range of viewing anywhere above the horizon. That’s right, anywhere. Most telescopes with altazimuth mounts can only move along the horizontal and vertical axis and take the time to get to their desired position.

A computerized GPS system eliminates the need for manual maneuvering of the telescope. All you have to do is tell the telescope where you want to look (according to its 80,000 object database), and it will move in that direction.

Price

For being very user-friendly while sporting two state-of-the-art systems, the 80mm iOptron is a little less than five-hundred dollars. It’s almost unbelievable to think that you can have this type of telescope, with its ease of assembly, for that price.

Optics

It comes equipped with a 25mm and a 10mm (1.25″ diameter) interchangeable eyepieces for increased or lesser magnification. The iOptron would be nothing without its light gathering power. With a focal length to aperture ratio of (f/5), the iOptron is one of the fastest snapshooters among modern telescopes, ensuring that you receive the best quality view in the shortest amount of time.

Overall

It was difficult for us to find much to slander in the iOptron. While it is almost ready to go right out of the box, its computer systems will take some getting used. It is still a complex machine to operate and requires some careful read through of the instructions.

8 AA batteries power the mount as opposed to a dedicated plug-in source, enabling you to take it beyond the confines of your home. This just means that you will have to gauge the power carefully and always carry spares, lest they die on you right when night falls.

It would be fitting that one of the crown jewels of Celestron’s stock would be the 8″ Advanced VX telescope. This machine tops our list as the most expensive telescope for valid reasons, not the least of which is its power to look deep into space and still capture high-quality moments with its ultra-fast f/ratio.

Why the steep price?

At nearly two-thousand dollars, it can be hard to reason with someone why you would need this telescope, but Celestron makes a very tempting offer. It may not be marketed as for beginners, but with the proper instruction and focus, anyone can become acquainted with its mechanics.

The Celestron’s optics and systems require an extraordinary amount of power, the equivalent of a car battery. It might be difficult to find a sufficient source of energy (though that’s not to say there are none). Celestron, therefore, offers a bundle that includes a 12-volt power supply. A 12-volt equivalent and an adapter will be needed if you plan to substitute your own.

A 2-year warranty is included on the telescope in the case of any unfortunate accidents. While this telescope is not as large nor as heavy as the LightBridge, its various parts are incredibly intricate and valuable. It probably doesn’t need to be said twice, but you should handle each piece with extreme caution and reference.

Optics

A standard VX comes equipped with a 40mm eyepiece, allowing for 51x magnification, but the highest magnification the VX can go is 480x. This optic grants the VX astrophotography capabilities, but the quality will depend on how far you want to magnify the image.

The eyepieces are also interchangeable with 20mm and 25mm pieces. If you are unsatisfied with what you’re getting from the 40mm, feel free to change it out with a smaller or larger one, but a good idea would be to double check the eyepiece and the telescope are compatible.

Some users have reported the VX is ideal for planetary viewing but is still capable of searching deep space. A 9×50 finder scope comes with your purchase, an excellent tool for tracking even the dimmest of objects in the night sky.

Mount

Like the iOptron, the VX makes use of the extraordinary equatorial mount, allowing for a broader range of movement across the sky when compared to those with altazimuth mounts. Celestron’s version of the equatorial mount is different from the iOptron’s and allows for greater stability and vibration resistance when planted on the ground.

Overall

When you decide to buy the VX, you should also be considering why you’re deciding on this one as opposed to all others.

It may be because you want to get the most out of astrophotography with one of the best optical telescopes on the market. But two-thousand dollars is a deep investment. You want this telescope to last you a long time.

The VX is a worthwhile machine that will satisfy anyone from the beginner to the astro-enthusiast. The trick is to become experienced and knowledgeable about everything the VX offers to maximize its stargazing potential.

After the 90 GT, we wondered what sort of telescope Celestron would produce next. It would probably be something straight out of the pages of a science fiction book if it were anything more advanced than the 90 GT. Indeed, Celestron seems to be moving in the direction of hands-free telescope movement, in particular with the development of the NexStar 4 SE.

At first glance, it looks like there’s a telephone connecting the telescope to the motorized altazimuth mount and tripod, but this is a next generation object tracking system. Many of the features common across Celestron products also appear in the 4 SE.

Price

Where you end up purchasing the 4 SE will depend, but one thing that reviewers can’t deny is the unbeatable price. The 4 SE isn’t universally known as an entry-level/beginner telescope, but its hands-free control system makes it pretty easy to use.

The telescope’s small body means its optics can’t see the furthest distances into space, but that doesn’t mean that they sky isn’t full of objects within viewing distances. In addition to purchasing the 4 SE, you receive a 40,000 object database. These objects may not all be visible each night, but each night will yield a different sight.

Features

In addition to the control system, many features such as SkyAlign allow the user to line up three, bright celestial objects in the sky for viewing. The StarPointer finder scope will help you lock on and stay in view of whatever object(s) you want to track.

A new feature that the 4 SE sports is the StarBright XLT system. We mentioned that the 4 SE’s size limits its viewing range. To complement this, the StarBright system maximizes light transmitted from objects to the telescope. A 102mm aperture is the stock opening for light to travel through. This is such a small opening that you can understand why the StarBright system would need to be utilized.

You can also engage in light astrophotography with the 4 SE. It is not a dedicated astrophotography telescope. The pictures you take and what you’ll be able to view will be limited.

Assembly

If you’re looking at purchasing this telescope after handing your Vixen Space Eye off to your kids, you’re in the right direction. Most 4 SE users have raved about the telescopes portability and weight, making it easy to transport beyond the confines of your home and the surrounding area. Don’t get too over-confident, however, just like the 90 GT, it is quickly moved and if not rooted properly, can tip over with not too much force.

Overall

For the price, the 4 SE comes equipped with a majority of the features that appear individually in other telescopes. Don’t forget about its small but worthwhile ability to engage in astrophotography. It’s no surprise that the 4 SE is one of the best all around telescopes out there.

A major gripe is going to be the viewing range, but that shouldn’t limit your search for new objects in each night sky. With the 40,000 object database courtesy of Celestron, who knows what you will find in the last frontier!

You haven’t seen any telescope until you see the LightBridge 12-Inch Truss Tube. At first glance, one might think this telescope belongs out in the desert with a giant radar dish attached to it. For what it’s worth, the LightBridge is unlike any telescope on our list. The price is steep, and not meant for amateurs or beginners. Professional astronomers or stargazers with deep pockets will take one look at the LightBridge and say, “mine.”

Parts and Assembly

At about one-thousand dollars, the LightBridge is no toy to be handled lightly. It will most likely be delivered in two different shipments, due to its size. The LightBridge sports a 12-inch aperture, for which it is named, as there are similar LightBridge’s with larger and smaller aperture.

The first thing that will catch your eye about the LightBridge is its design, called a Dobsonian truss tube and named after John Dobson, the man who championed their design. What’s the difference between a truss tube and a conventional telescope mounted on a tripod? The difference is the light gathering power and the sophisticated optics which provide the bulk of the cost of the telescope.

The LightBridge, while still capable of viewing objects that others can do with ease, is a far ranging step above standard telescopes because of its focus on light gathering.

Power

This telescope’s primary requires lots of power to operate and magnify, hence why it even has a cooling fan at the base. If you’re planning on bringing this telescope with you beyond the confines of your home, be sure to bring an adequate power supply because the LightBride has unmatched light gathering potential.

As with all telescopes, the ability to see far away objects depends on your telescope’s ability to gather light. The LightBride’s 12-inch aperture has a 1524mm focal length, among the largest of amateur telescopes available for purchase.

Handling

The LightBridge is going to be the most complicated telescope to maneuver on our list. Apart from weighing in, when fully assembled, at close to forty pounds, it is still mounted on an altazimuth axis. This mount allows for movement on the vertical and horizontal axis, but only by hand. It does come with a red dot finder located near the eyepiece to help you in your search for objects.

However, many customers have praised the LightBridge’s portability, with many loading it into the back of their cars (it folds nicely) and taking it away from centers of light pollution. For being a giant telescope worth nearly a grand, Meade Instruments took the time to ensure that the LightBridge would be fully accessible.

Overall

One question you’ll be asking yourself, is the LightBridge worth the nearly thousand dollars required to obtain it? As we mentioned before, this is no beginner’s telescope that comes after the Vixen Space Eye. If you have a deep pocket, the LightBridge is an ideal and portable telescope whose range extends far beyond most the telescopes on our list.

Keep in mind that range and quality of view do not always match up well with each other on standard telescopes. However, the LightBridge is engineered to amplify range and quality to their utmost capacity with some of the most powerful optics available to amateurs stargazers.

If you’re feeling bold, then perhaps you are willing to take the leap straight from the Vixen Space Eye to the StarBlast 4.5. This telescope is widely considered to be excellent entry-level telescope after a children’s. Apart from its name, which gives some credit to its capabilities, the StarBlast is manufactured by Orion Telescopes and Binoculars, who specialize in making high-tech viewing equipment.

Most users have reviewed the StarBlast positively by saying how easy it was to set up, and how quickly they were able to start stargazing.

What’s the difference between the StarBlast and similar user-friendly telescopes?

Range and View

The StarBlast is a reflector telescope, featuring a wide body and a small aperture over a sixty-six-degree angle.

What does that mean?

The telescope will be able to include more objects in its field (and more for you to view) while still retaining the power to see things so far away it’s almost unbelievable. Sure, we may see the various planets in our solar system and glimpse stars and nebulas outside of it, but what about the Andromeda galaxy, our closest neighbor?

That’s right, the StarBlast has the jaw-dropping power to see objects outside our galaxy, and it can be yours for under two-hundred dollars.

Optics

The power to see those objects requires incredibly intricate and advanced optics, hence the hefty price. However, the quality of such views and the pictures you take will be unmatched by almost any telescope in this price range.  Two eyepieces come with the telescope—a 15mm and a 6mm and a maximum magnification of being 75 times the original setting when using the 6mm eyepiece.

Handling

The StarBlast weighs more than the other telescopes we’ve reviewed—close to twenty pounds. It isn’t too difficult to move if you’re a burly adult or teenager. However, the size of the tripod and the large body of the StarBlast are not to be underestimated when children are near. While it may be an easy telescope to use, it’s handling is another criteria altogether.

The EQ-1 mount introduces slow-motion controls to the telescope market, making the tracking of celestial objects easier without the need of advanced computer systems that raise the price of more sophisticated telescopes.

Overall

We found it incredibly difficult to find bad things to say about this extraordinary telescope. There’s no doubt that the optics are extremely delicate, so you have to be careful during the initial assembly. The opportunity to view objects outside our solar system is well worth the couple hundred required to obtain the StarBlast.

What? How did a product not made by Celestron make our best telescopes list? The reasons will vary, but the factor that concerns most buyers of telescopes is the price. Meade Instruments manufactures the Infinity AZ, and for the price, we know you’ll be pleased with what you get.

The Infinity AZ is a 70mm telescope, identifiable by its long barrel. Like the 90 GT, this body allows the telescope to see deeper into space than most. The ability to see deep into space for such a minuscule price is hardly a deal to pass up. The further the view range, the more magical the wonders of space become.

What do you get?

We are easily enticed by the low price of the Infinity AZ, but what exactly do you get? The 70mm scope allows for an excellent view range of space compared to the smaller or larger apertures. It rotates along an altazimuth mount, allowing generous freedom of movement.

Is the price the only difference maker? The answer is no. Unlike most telescopes that are made for or are primarily used at night, the Infinity AZ can be used during the daytime for activities such as birdwatching.

The telescope utilizes what’s called a rack and pinion focuser. Many refractor telescopes share this mechanism of focusing. However, it is prone to wear and tear due to the gears involved. Users should keep watch on the body of the Infinity AZ if they use it regularly.

Eyepieces and Viewfinders

The Infinity AZ, when purchased, comes with three interchangeable eyepieces and two lenses that allow you to adjust the magnification. Some customers have reported seeing as far as Jupiter and its various moons.

With careful calibration of the telescopes knobs, you can adjust the quality of your view. A red dot viewfinder also comes in the assembly, canceling out the chronic problem of “skipping” when trying to track an object in the night sky.

Overall

The Infinity AZ is not the most powerful telescope out there, but it gets the job done. Many reviewers have identified it as an excellent entry-level telescope after the Vixen Space Eye. It’s variable optics will allow for different magnification and power settings.

The price is important to take into account when looking for an upgraded telescope. You can count on the fact that you will never run out of things to look for.

Astrophotography is exactly how the name sounds—taking pictures of the great unknown. However, astrophotography requires a different type of telescope altogether. The NexStar 130 SLT is built by the same company, Celestron, that makes the AstroMaster 114 EQ, also a great telescope. There are fundamental differences that come with the 130 SLT, specifically the optics that are involved for the telescope to specialize in astrophotography.

It is not uncommon to see people modify their typical telescopes to be astrophotography capable. However, this process can be very risky if you don’t know what you’re doing. That is why the 130 SLT, being dedicated to astrophotography, will be the best choice for you to avoid all the risks of modding.

Differences with Normal Telescopes

To start, the 130 SLT is computerized, unlike most telescopes that you can simply look through with no questions asked. SInce the 130 SLT is a dedicated astrophotographer, the computer systems, and the photography software can be a little tricky to operate. Most customers have found issue with errors that usually stem from a mix-up in the process of setting the telescope up to take pictures.

You can count on the 130 SLT being more delicate and sensitive to sudden movements than most telescopes. You might have the perfect picture of a celestial object lined up, and then lose the entire focus because of vibration or disturbance. Be careful around it and its computer hardware!

Aperture

The 130 SLT packs a large 130mm aperture, giving it the ability to collect light on a broad scale, which is perfect for astrophotography. If you are unfamiliar with aperture, here’s a quick rundown:

• Smaller the Aperture (big numbers)— The less light enters the lens, but you will get more precise and sharper photos.
• Bigger the aperture (small numbers)— The more light enters the lens, allowing for better depth of field and more light gathering from distant objects.

It can be quite confusing to remember the inverse details of aperture, but it’s important just to practice and test the limits of the 130 SLT. The telescope also sports a feature called SkyAlign, enabling you to align and focus on up to three bright objects in the sky. There are innumerable numbers of stars and objects giving off an extraordinary amount of light, so don’t feel limited!

Mount

The 130 SLT comes equipped with a motorized Altazimuth mount. This makes it easier to track objects as they move across the sky instead of using your hands. The real difference maker is the brightness of the object you are looking at. If you are trying to look at a far away planet or object, there’s a good chance it might not generate enough light for the telescope to see.

Similar to the accessories of the AstroMaster, Celestron provides you with a 4,000 object database to scour the sky for. Having the database is one thing, but the night sky is never the same as the evening before, so be on the lookout for new objects that appear each night!

Overall

The 130 SLT will be one of the more tricky telescopes to handle given its purpose, but that doesn’t mean it’s unfriendly to beginners. It will cost you a couple of hundred bucks, but you have to put that into perspective. You’ll be receiving one of the best astrophotography telescopes out there with some different features included.

With all the various tools and programs included, rest assured that you’ll be taking and saving pictures of the stars and planets in no time.