Celestron NexStar 5 SE Telescope

Celestron NexStar 5 SE Telescope Reviews

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Celestron NexStar 5 SE Telescope Feature

• 5-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

Celestron's NexStar 5 SE computerized telescope combines excellent optics and easy computerized GoTo tracking in a convenient portable size. The standard equipment tripod and mount feature easy no-tool setup, and the package even includes a student version of "The Sky" planetarium software for your computer.

The excellent optics of Celestron's classic C5 Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope have been updated with premium Starbright XLT optical coatings. This telescope consistently delivers crisp, high contrast views of the moon, the planets, and brighter deep space objects. The standard equipment 25mm plossl eyepiece produces a magnification of 50x, powerful enough to show the rings of Saturn, the cloud bands of Jupiter, and the changing face of the Lunar disk. Optional eyepieces can be added to bring out significantly more detail. I like to use a 12.5mm plossl (100x magnification) or a 7.5mm Ultrascopic eyepiece (166x) for high power views of the planets. With the 7.5mm Ultrascopic eyepiece I can usually see the Cassini Division in Saturn's rings and cloud bands on the planet itself. I like to use a 32mm plossl eyepiece for great low power views of deep space highlights like the Orion Nebula or the Double Cluster in Perseus.

The NexStar 5 SE package also includes a sturdy adjustable tripod, a motorized alt-azimuth mount, and the NexStar hand held computer controller. You won't need a GPS receiver or star charts to operate this telescope. The SkyAlign procedure is easy to use, and experienced observers will like the two-star align and solar-system align options because they are even quicker to set up. The steel tripod and alt-azimuth mount provide a solid base for the NexStar 5 SE. Vibration is not a problem, even while focusing at high power. The computerized tracking is also very good, easily keeping planets in the field of a high power eyepiece. The disadvantage of a computerized telescope, of course, is battery consumption. I like to use a rechargeable Celestron Power Tank because the standard AA alkaline batteries only last a few hours.

This telescope is perfect for visual observing, and allowed me to capture some sweet images of the moon and planets using a Celestron NexImage web-cam. For long exposure deep space photography, however, I'd take a look at Celestron's Advanced Series equatorial telescopes such as the C6 N-GT --Jeff Phillips

Pros:

• Excellent optics
• Light and portable
• Computerized GoTo tracking

Cons:

• Short battery life
• Too light for deep space photography

Suggested Options: Celestron Nine-Piece Accessory Kit Celestron Power Tank Battery Celestron NexImage Webcam Boost your viewing experience with 56% more light gathering power in this high-quality telescope.Features:5" Schmidt – Cassegrain telescope with 125mm aperture56% more light gathering power than 4" models1250mm focal lengthFocal ratio: 10Ultra portable – weighs just 28 lbs. including the tripodAn ideal telescope for observing and photographing the wonders of spaceCombines the classic heritage of the original orange tube telescopes with the latest state-of-the-art featuresStarBright XLT high transmission coatings come standardProven NexStar computer control technologyIncludes:StarPointer finderscope to help with alignment and accurately locating objectsQuick release fork arm mount, optical tube and accessory tray for no-tool setupSturdy computerized altazimuth mountInternal battery compartment to prevent cord wrap during useUltra sturdy steel tripod features built-in wedge for astrophotographyCD-ROM "The Sky" Astronomy Software which provides education about the sky and printable sky mapsNearly 40,000 object database with 200 user-definable objects and expanded information on over 200 objectsSkyAlign allows you to align on any three bright celestial objects, making for a fast and easy alignment processFlash upgradeable hand control software and motor control units for downloading product updates over the InternetCamera control feature and shutter release cable that allows you to remotely take a series of exposures using your digital SLR cameraCustom database lists of all the most famous deep-sky objects by name and catalog number; the most beautiful double, triple and quadruple stars; variable star; solar systems; objects and asterismsDC Servo motors with encoders on both axesDouble line, 16-character Liquid Crystal Display Hand Control with backlit LED buttons for easy operation of GOTO featuresNexRemote telescope control software and RS-232 cable included for advanced control of your telescope via computerGPS-compatible with optional CN16 GPS Ac

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Detail Products

• Celestron Accessory Kit
• Celestron Power Tank
• Celestron AC Adapter for use with all Celestron computerized telescopes.
• NightWatch: A Practical Guide to Viewing the Universe
• Celestron 93230 8 to 24mm 1.25 Zoom Eyepiece

Detail Reviews

Jul 04, 2011 00:45:05