Celestron 114LCM Computerized Telescope (Black)

Celestron 114LCM Computerized Telescope (Black) Review

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Celestron 114LCM Computerized Telescope (Black) Feature

• High qulaity 114 mm (4.5") refractor
• Quick-release computerized base, optical tube and accessory tray for quick no tool set up
• Database allows telescope to locate over 4,000 celestial objects
• Lightweight Computerized Mount
• Includes "The SkyX" Planetarium software

Celestron's computerized 114LCM telescope adds affordable GoTo technology to a compact Newtonian reflector. The complete package has everything you need except the batteries. The box contains high and low power eyepieces, the computer controller, an adjustable tripod, a red dot finder, and even a CD copy of "The SkyX" planetarium program for your computer.

The 114LCM's compact Newtonian optics produce images that are more than three times brighter than a 60mm beginner scope. 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 patented 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 "Enter" button. Then use the computer hand control to center the moon in the eyepiece 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 like the "Two-Star Align" and "SkyAlign" modes because they allow the telescope to point to 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 disadvantage of a computerized telescope is battery consumption. Standard AA alkaline batteries only last a few hours, but the 114LCM works very well with an external 12-volt battery such as Celestron's Power Tank. The "Lightweight Computerized Mount" of the 114LCM wobbles noticeably when I touch the focus knob, so I like to keep the tripod legs short and set my Power Tank battery on the accessory tray to keep the system from being top-heavy. –Jeff Phillips

Pros:

• Easy computerized tracking system
• Bright Newtonian optics
• Includes everything but the batteries

Cons:

• Short battery life
• Light weight tripod

Automatically Locates The Wonders Of The Universe With Its Motorized System & On Board Computer! All glass, fully coated optics reveal the depths of our solar system and the wonders of the Universe. Fully adjustable tripod features a convenient accessory tray. Easy to use computerized hand control allows user to locate objects at the touch of a button.

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Rerate Products

• Celestron 18778 AC Adapter for Computerized Telescopes
• Celestron Accessory Kit
• NightWatch: A Practical Guide to Viewing the Universe
• Celestron Nexstar RS 232 PC Interface Cable
• Celestron Power Tank

Customer Review

Apr 23, 2012 23:53:05

Celestron 52268 C90 Mak Spotting scope (Black)

Celestron 52268 C90 Mak Spotting scope (Black) Review

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Celestron 52268 C90 Mak Spotting scope (Black) Feature

• 90 mm (3.5") Diameter Maksutov spotting scope
• Multi Coated Optics
• Comes with 32 mm Eyepiece, 45° Erect Image Diagonal and 8x21 Erect Image Finderscope
• Compact and Portable Design
• Built-in T-Adapter threads for Ease of Adapting SLR Cameras

Celestron’s 52268 90mm Maksutov Spotting Scope delivers excellent high power optics in a compact, affordable package. The 52268 package includes a backpack style soft carrying case, an 8x21 erect image finder scope, a 1.25 inch size correct image 45* prism diagonal, and a fully coated 32mm plossl eyepiece for a magnification of 39X.

The Maksutov-Cassegrain design of the C90 uses a combination of mirrors and lenses; this “folded” optical system has a focal length of 1250mm in a body only twelve inches long. The Maksutov design delivers high power views without a trace of the chromatic aberration, also called blue fringing, that can distort high power views in competing refractor style spotting scopes. At 40X magnification where some low cost spotting scopes start to seem fuzzy, the C90 is just getting started. The C90 uses the same 1.25 inch eyepieces used in astronomical telescopes. The standard equipment 32mm plossl eyepiece yields a magnification of 39X, but many other eyepieces can be used to vary the magnification.

The Celestron model 52268 seems very well built, with excellent multi-coatings visible on the front lens. The real beauty of this 90mm Maksutov spotting scope, however, is in the view it offers. When I use an optional 12.5mm eyepiece to look at Jupiter at 100X I can clearly see Jupiter’s major cloud bands as well as its four moons. When I look at the Moon and stars I can easily push the magnification to 200X with an optional 6mm eyepiece. When I look at birds in the backyard, I’m treated to delightful views full of vibrant color and crisp detail. With a close focus distance of only 15 feet, the detail and texture I see is simply amazing.

High magnification viewing requires a solid tripod, of course. Celestron’s Heavy Duty Altazimuth Tripod comes with slow motion controls to allow the scope to be pointed precisely, and I can clamp the dovetail base on my CG5 mount for astronomical use. The other drawback to high magnification viewing is a narrow field of view; high magnification makes it hard to follow moving targets like birds in flight. Overall the Celestron C90 Maksutov Spotting Scope does a fine job as a companion to good pair of binoculars. The C90 also doubles as a portable astronomy scope; it won’t show the flag on the Moon but it will show thousands of craters on the Moon as well as showing the moons of Jupiter and the rings of Saturn. --Jeff Phillips

Pros:

• Compact and portable
• Excellent high power optics
• Upgradeable with 1.25” eyepieces
• Adaptable for astronomy and photography

Cons:

• Not waterproof

Perfect for all Types of Viewing Situations! Celestron's C90 Mak is ideal for outdoor and wildlife observing, as well as hunting and celestial viewing. The Maksutov optical design is recognized for being a portable design that is easy to use and has a variety of applications, making it an excellent choice for both terrestrial and astronomical usage. This C90 Mak has excellent optics with razor sharp images over a wide field.

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Rerate Products

• Celestron 93230 8 to 24mm 1.25 Zoom Eyepiece
• Celestron 93625 Universal 1.25-inch Camera T-Adapter
• Celestron Telescope Moon Filter - 1-1/4" 94119-A
• Opteka T-Mount Adapter for Canon EOS 60D, 50D, 40D, 30D, 20D, 7D, 5D, 1D, Rebel T3i, T3, T2i, T1i, XS, XSi, XTi and XT Digital SLR Cameras
• Celestron Accessory Kit

Customer Review

Apr 07, 2012 11:59:07

Celestron NexStar 90SLT Mak Computerized Telescope (Black)

Celestron NexStar 90SLT Mak Computerized Telescope (Black) Review

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Celestron NexStar 90SLT Mak Computerized Telescope (Black) Feature

• High quality 90mm (3.5") Maksutov-Cassegrain
• Quick-release fork arm mount, optical tube and accessory tray for quick tool no set up
• StarPointer finderscope to help with alignment and accurately locating objects
• Good for terrestrial and celestial observing
• Includes "The SkyX" Planetarium software

Celestron's NexStar 90 SLT is the most compact telescope in Celestron's computerized NexStar line, with excellent Maksutov-Cassegrain optics that deliver delightful views of the Moon and planets. The NexStar 90 SLT package includes everything but the batteries. With a fully illustrated quick set-up guide, no tools are needed to assemble the telescope with its steel tripod, motorized mount, and computer hand control. Two eyepieces are included, a 25mm for 50X magnification and a 9mm eyepiece for 139X. The package even includes the latest version of "The Sky X", software that turns your PC into a virtual planetarium.

The Maksutov optical design of the NexStar 90 SLT gives the telescope a focal length of 1250mm in an optical tube only twelve inches long. This long focal length is ideal for bringing out detail on the Moon and planets. When I look at the Moon for example, the view is crisp and clear with no trace of false color. When I look at Saturn I can easily push the magnification to 200X with an optional 6mm plossl eyepiece. When I look at deep space objects I often like to use an optional 32mm plossl eyepiece (39X magnification) because objects like M45 the Pleiades cluster and M31 the Andromeda galaxy look better with a wider field of view.

The NexStar 90 SLT also features Celestron's patented SkyAlign technology. With SkyAlign I don't need a star chart or a compass to align the telescope, I just enter the date and time then point the telescope at three bright stars. SkyAlign tells me the star names, and allows the telescope to find over 4,000 stars, planets, and galaxies by just pushing a button. The accurate tracking makes it easy to get high power views of the planets, and allowed me to take some great pictures using a Celestron NexImage webcam. I also like the "Two-Star align" and "Solar System align" modes because I can often get the NexStar system up and running while older scopes are still waiting for their alignment stars to appear in he twilight.

I enjoy using the NexStar 90SLT because it has excellent optics in a compact, twelve pound package that I can carry outside in one trip and be ready to go in minutes. A computerized telescope may take practice to set up; if I don't enter the time correctly the alignment may fail for example. The other drawback of a computerized telescope, of course, is the short life of standard AA batteries. A rechargeable 12-Volt battery is a handy way to power the NexStar 90SLT, 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:

• Excellent optics
• Compact and portable
• Easy computerized go-to tracking
• "The Sky X" planetarium software included

Cons:

• Short battery life with AA batteries

Suggested Options:

• Celestron Accessory Kit 
• Celestron PowerTank battery

Quarter Moon shot at 50X with a Powershot camera

Quarter Moon closeup shot at 200X with Neximage camera

Crater Ptolemaeus shot at 400x with Neximage and 2x barlow

Planet Mars shot at 400x with Neximage and 2x barlow

Planet Saturn shot at 400x with Neximage and 2x barlow

Designed to be an affordable entry level to mid-level computerized GoTo telescope, the NexStar SLT refractors, reflectors, and Maks are available in the most popular sizes and are loaded with valuable design features. With preassembled, adjustable stainless steel tripods, and quick release fork arms and tubes, NexStar SLT telescopes can be set up in a matter of minutes – with no tools required! You can see details of the lunar surface, Venus and its phases, polar caps on Mars, Jupiter and its four moons, Saturn with its rings plainly visible and much more! Most NexStar SLT’s can also be used as a land-based spotting telescope.

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Rerate Products

• Celestron 18778 AC Adapter for Computerized Telescopes
• Celestron NexStar 130 SLT Computerized Telescope
• NightWatch: A Practical Guide to Viewing the Universe
• Celestron Accessory Kit
• Celestron Nexstar RS 232 PC Interface Cable

Customer Review

Apr 05, 2012 15:27:36

Celestron 93985 SkyScout Speaker (Black)

Celestron 93985 SkyScout Speaker (Black) Review

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Celestron 93985 SkyScout Speaker (Black) Feature

• Rechargeable lithium-ion battery charges from computer USB port
• Extension cable for flexible placement of speaker
• Nylon lanyard to hang speaker around your neck while using the SkyScout
• Expandable woofer for optimum sound quality
• Guaranteed not to affect the SkyScout pointing accuracy

This high quality compact speaker features: Rechargeable Lithium-Ion battery – charges from computer USB port Extension cable – for flexible placement of speaker while using the SkyScout. Nylon lanyard – to hang the speaker around your neck while using the SkyScout. Expandable woofer – for optimum sound quality

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Rerate Products

• Celestron SkyScout Personal Planetarium
• NightWatch: A Practical Guide to Viewing the Universe
• ScoutCase for Celestron SkyScout Personal Planetarium
• Celestron 93992 All About the Stars Expansion Card
• Celestron 93991 Astronomy for Beginners Expansion Card (Blue)

Customer Review

Mar 29, 2012 17:16:37

Celestron 21036 PowerSeeker 70AZ Telescope (Black)

Celestron 21036 PowerSeeker 70AZ Telescope (Black) Review

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Celestron 21036 PowerSeeker 70AZ Telescope (Black) Feature

• 70 mm (2.8") refractor
• Quick and easy no-tool setup
• 3x Barlow lens triples the magnifying power of each eyepiece
• Erect image optics - Ideal for terrestrial and astronomical use
• The SkyX Planetarium Software with 10,000 object database and enhanced images

Celestron's value priced PowerSeeker 70AZ is an affordable entry level telescope with some nice extras like a correct image prism and "The Sky" astronomy software included. The package also includes an Alt-Azimuth mount with adjustable aluminum tripod, high and low power eyepieces, a 3X barlow lens, and a 5 power cross hair finder scope.

The PowerSeeker 70AZ comes disassembled in a compact box, but the fully illustrated quick set-up guide makes it easy to assemble. 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.

The optics of the PowerSeeker 70AZ are surprisingly good, especially when I use the low power 20mm eyepiece. The correct image prism and the 20mm eyepiece give me a magnification of 35X, so backyard birds seem five times closer than with my seven power binoculars. The PowerSeeker 70 can be upgraded with standard 1.25 inch telescope eyepieces. A 25mm plossl eyepiece for example gives a true field of view of almost 2 degrees for delightful views of star clusters like the Pleiades, while a 6mm eyepiece provides a magnification of 117X, just right to see the rings of Saturn or the cloud bands on Jupiter. The included 4mm eyepiece (175X magnification) might be too much power: I can see Saturn's rings but at 175X it's not easy to focus and it's not easy to keep planets centered in the field of view.

The Alt-Azimuth mount included with the PowerSeeker 70AZ is lighter and easier to use than an Equatorial mount, but it does not track stars and planets. As soon as you get the Moon centered in the eyepiece it starts drifting toward the edge, this is caused by rotation of the Earth. The Moon may stay in the low power eyepiece for two or three minutes, but with the high power 4mm eyepiece (175X magnification) a star will disappear in only twenty or thirty seconds.

Celestron's PowerSeeker 70AZ is a real value because it has very good achromatic optics in a package that's light, portable and affordable. The drawback is that it has a lot of plastic parts, including the finder scope and the 3X barlow. For a more rugged alternative, take a look at Celestron‘s AstroMaster 70 AZ which comes with better eyepieces and includes a sturdier Alt-Azimuth mount. --Jeff Phillips

Pros:

• Very good optics
• Correct image prism
• Easy no tool set-up
• Light, portable, and affordable

Cons:

• Light weight tripod
• Does not track stars and planets
• Plastic finder and barlow lens

Moon as seen with the low power eyepiece, 35X

Crater Clavius shot with a Neximage camera, 280X

Planet Saturn shot with Neximage camera, 280X

Deer over 100 yards away shot at 35X

Birdfeeder about 50 feet away shot at 35X

Celestron PowerSeeker telescopes are a great way to open up the wonders of the Universe to the aspiring astronomer. The PowerSeeker series is designed to give the first-time telescope user the perfect combination of quality, value, features and power. Amateur astronomy is a great family hobby that can be enjoyed year round, and Celestron’s PowerSeekers are the ideal choice for families looking for an affordable and high quality telescope that will provide many hours of enjoyment for children and adults alike.

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Rerate Products

• Meade 20218 NG-70SM 70mm Altazimuth Refractor Telescope
• NightWatch: A Practical Guide to Viewing the Universe
• A Child's Introduction to the Night Sky: The Story of the Stars, Planets, and Constellations--and How You Can Find Them in the Sky
• The Kids Book of the Night Sky
• Star Maps for Beginners: 50th Anniversary Edition

Customer Review

Mar 09, 2012 00:23:17

Celestron 71321 Nature 10x50 Porro Binoculars (Black)

Celestron 71321 Nature 10x50 Porro Binoculars (Black) Review

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Celestron 71321 Nature 10x50 Porro Binoculars (Black) Feature

• Precision BAK-4 prisms
• Fully multi-coated optics
• Waterproof and fogproof
• Twist-up eyecups
• Rubber covered body protects the optics

Conquer the Elements! The Nature Series takes you to an even higher performance level. Significant features include fully multi-coated optics and high definition views.These binoculars feature state-of-the-art design with a modern open frame style. Fully multi-coated optics and high precision BAK-4 prisms enhance the optical quality with maximum contrast and color rendition. The rugged aluminum main body has a rubber covering for additional protection for the optics. Twist up eyecups provide easy adjustment for your eyes. The Nature series is waterproof & fogproof with nitrogen filled gas for added protection when out in damp environments.

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Rerate Products

• Celestron SkyMaster Giant 15x70 Binoculars with Tripod Adapter
• Binocular Highlights: 99 Celestial Sights for Binocular Users (Sky & Telescope Stargazing)
• Celestron 71133 UpClose 10x25 Roof Prism Binocular
• Sky & Telescope's Pocket Sky Atlas
• The Night Sky 30°-40° (Large; North Latitude)

Customer Review

Feb 01, 2012 16:10:06

Celestron 71008 SkyMaster 25x70 Binoculars (Black)

Celestron 71008 SkyMaster 25x70 Binoculars (Black) Review

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Celestron 71008 SkyMaster 25x70 Binoculars (Black) Feature

• 25x magnification porro prism binocular
• High quality BAK-4 prisms
• Large 70 mm objective lens offers maximum image brightness in low-light and long-range conditions
• Multi-Coated optics for sharp, clear views
• Long eye relief ideal for eyeglass wearers

Celestron’s SkyMaster Series of large aperture binoculars are a phenomenal value for high performance binoculars ideal for astronomical viewing or for terrestrial (land) use - especially over long distances. Each SkyMaster model features high quality BAK-4 prisms and multi-coated optics for enhanced contrast. Celestron has designed and engineered the larger SkyMaster models to meet the special demands of extended astronomical or terrestrial viewing sessions.

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Rerate Products

• Barska Binocular Tripod Adaptor
• Celestron SkyMaster Giant 15x70 Binoculars with Tripod Adapter
• Digital Concepts TR-60N Camera Tripod with Carrying Case
• Binocular Highlights: 99 Celestial Sights for Binocular Users (Sky & Telescope Stargazing)
• Celestron 71012 SkyMaster 20-100x70 Zoom Binoculars

Customer Review

Jan 03, 2012 21:28:34

Celestron 71326 Nature 8x42 Roof Binoculars (Black)

Celestron 71326 Nature 8x42 Roof Binoculars (Black) Review

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Celestron 71326 Nature 8x42 Roof Binoculars (Black) Feature

• Precision BAK-4 prisms
• Fully multi-coated optics
• Waterproof and fogproof
• Twist-up eyecups
• Rubber covered body protects the optics

Conquer the Elements! The Nature Series takes you to an even higher performance level. Significant features include fully multi-coated optics and high definition views.These binoculars feature state-of-the-art design with a modern open frame style. Fully multi-coated optics and high precision BAK-4 prisms enhance the optical quality with maximum contrast and color rendition. The rugged aluminum main body has a rubber covering for additional protection for the optics. Twist up eyecups provide easy adjustment for your eyes. The Nature series is waterproof & fogproof with nitrogen filled gas for added protection when out in damp environments.

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Rerate Products

Customer Review

Sep 07, 2011 00:41:05