The Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 130AZ telescope is all about the smartphone app used to align it, though it's a more manual affair than you might expect. The StarSense app also lists 5-inch and 6-inch Schmidt-Cassegrains . This is generally only used to locate a singular celestial object. Celestron Starsense Explorer 8 Dobsonian, Celestron Starsense Explorer 10 Dobsonian. Are the Celestron StarSense Explorer good telescopes? 6mm goldline and/or a 2x Barlow would be my first picks. These are still decent entry level specs and will allow beginner level astronomers to see the following celestial objects provided enough of the StarSenses power is used : The tube isnt too big coming in at around 81 cm whilst the tripod will allow the device to extend to 1.24 meters, which honestly isnt that great. Refractor devices can also double as a spotting scope of sort and the 102AZ is no exception. Would one model be a better purchase vs the other? Again, just think about where you will use and store your telescope, as these DX models make great sense if you are short on space, whereas the other models are more inexpensive but bulkier. Then along came plate solving the software to identify a field of view of stars in a photograph and the great computing power, position sensing, and imaging capabilities of a modern smartphone. Once set up, you need to align the red-dot finder with the main instrument by day. Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 102. The pros of the lens included within the StarSense include the following : Overall, even though the optics within this telescope arent necessarily the most accurate when it comes to colours, it will still provide a solid experience for most. StarSense Explorer DX 130AZ Smartphone App-Enabled Newtonian Reflector Telescope. The only bad thing upon assembly is that I have the same problem as you did, the altitude axis on my mount is also too tight to freely the OTA up and down. The StarSense app displays the cameras view of the night sky, using a time exposure if necessary so it may take some seconds to appear or refresh. The downside is that it is generally more expensive. I am trying to get my 9 Year old interested in this and the only reason why I was considering the 130 was because of the Star sense app which makes it super easy to find deep space objects and galaxies. Your email address will not be published. Saturns ring or Jupiters clouds can be seen clearly with more colours. Need more information regarding both telescopes? You can find the Celestron dx 130az on Amazon which costs around $450. Astrophotography with Nikon D3200: Can It Be Better? This is not to be confused with smartphone attachments that simply enable you to take photos of bright objects through the eyepiece, as found on some other beginners instruments. Overall, this is the best option if you value a higher aperture for better views. We previously complained about the lack of targets in the apps database, but Celestron has updated the app and drastically expanded its number of objects, greatly increasing its overall utility. As for what the app provides, they have database of a few hundred celestial objects so not bad for a beginner getting involved with this hobby. The StarSense Explorer DX 102 includes two 1.25 eyepieces: a 25mm Super Konig providing 26x and a 10mm Konig providing 65x. StarSense Explorer DX 130AZ StarSense Explorer DX 102AZ ; Optical Design : Newtonian Reflector : Refractor : Aperture : 130mm (5.12") 102mm (4") Focal Length : 650mm (25.6") Particularly under dark skies, bright nebulae like Orion and the Lagoon look great, but planetary nebulae such as the Cats Eye are really too small and dim to be interesting in the 102. Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Thanks so much in advance. So, it doesnt require collimation or cleaning. A pair of flexible slow-motion cables are included for making fine adjustments, though the backlash from them can be annoying when using high magnifications, and its not as intuitive as a simple Dobsonian mount, for instance. The 114AZ and 130AZ are reflectors (as well as the two dobsonians). The plate-solving is only done when you first mount your phone or when you move the telescope a significant amount. The downside is that it is generally in the higher budget range and that it is less portable, heavier, and bulkier. Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, If youre interested in other refractor systems, maybe due to the slightly inferior light gathering abilities of the 102AZ, this list may be helpful. There are some issues with glare and ghosting, and they are slightly inferior in sharpness to a true Plossl design, but both eyepieces are comfortable to use and work well, though they are a bit below what you should be expecting in quality at this price point. My guess is that it is the wind. COAST HX4 Dual-Color Utility Beam LED Clip Light. Yes, the Celestron StarSense Explorer telescopes are good. You can see a quick summary below, or read on for further detail: *This website makes money through affiliate commissions. But you can certainly have better ones with that budget. Hope this post was helpful to make your choice. It has all the same pros and cons as the 8-inch model above, except that they are even more extreme even higher power and viewing capacity, but also even heavier and bigger. The other telescope offered on the same DX mount is a $400 130mm f/5 Newtonian reflector. The Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 102AZ offers access to the myriad targets that grace our night sky, but can be tricky to locate if the astronomer is just starting out in skywatching. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Not portable. Robin is the Vice President of the Society for Popular Astronomy, and even has an asteroid named after him (24728 Scagell), but neither the asteroid nor Robin poses a threat to civilization as we know it. $599.95. Space is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Similar cost. So, as you can see both telescopes have their strong and weak points. I have two young kids (between 5-10 years old) and would like to try and get them interested. The only shortcoming I guess you could say is its average specs and its Starsense technology being somewhat hit or miss however, from the research Ive done on it, the 102AZ is a device worth checking even if its a little more expensive than an equally powerful reflector system. Modified vs Unmodified DSLR Astrophotography: The Ultimate Showdown! Buy from scopes' recommended retailer, HighPoint, StarSense Explorer technology helpful in locating targets. Mainly interested in the mount and optical tube. 10.7 Arcsec-(Rayleigh)0.89 Arcsec-(Dawes), 1.37 Arcsec-(Rayleigh)1.14 Arcsec-(Dawes), Has more magnification power and forms better views, Less expensive but doesnt provide enough features considering the price. Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 102 AZ Review (Refractor) Would a barlow lens be a good addition to this setup? Im very new to Astromony and have a chance to get a Celestron C102-HD. ==>Click Here To Check TheCelestron StarSense Explorer DX 102AZsPricing On Amazon! This would be my first telescope and looking for Push To feature to help my 9 year old and me get into exploring the skies. Celestron has been attempting to use various methods of technological assistance for the past two decades first with the NexStar series of telescopes and SkyAlign (to mixed results), then with their StarSense technology (a flop), their AstroFi and NexStar Evolution telescopes, and now the StarSense Explorer. The main advantage of the 102mm is nothing to adjust (optically). Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 102AZ Review (Worth Buying!?) Some of the Celestron Astromaster telescopes use similar OTAs (telescope tubes) and similar AZ mounts. It has a focal ratio of f/6.5, which means that it has a . The instrument comes in just two main parts the tripod and the tube assembly so it seems straightforward to assemble. The pricing of this instrument is not significantly less than that of the Celestron NexStar 102 SLT the same instrument on a fully motorized mount, which has the great advantage of tracking objects for you. Faint objects like planetary nebulae or galaxies are off-limit. You can take a number of its key characteristics from its name: Not in the name, but worthy of note, is that it is a refractor telescope (as opposed to a reflector). at Amazon. ), Deimos vs Titan (How Are They Different? Newly added to the range in 2022 are this two Schmidt-Cassegrain (SCT) models the DX5 and the DX6 (below). Which is better than the image youll see from normal reflector optics. So, what is so special about the Celestron dx eyepieces? This model and the 102 AZ are refractors. Celestron StarSense Explorer Mike Swanson Although the Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 102AZ didn't make into our list of the best telescopes (opens in new tab) for 2021, it's still an excellent piece of kit for those just starting out in skywatching, especially those who are hunting for an all-inclusive package that's easy to use and makes navigating the night sky a breeze. The mounting of the Celestron StarSense DX 102AZ is completely manual, with flexible rods to allow what are called slow motions, to provide finer control over the movement than simply pulling and pushing the instrument. A 6mm gold-line eyepiece will provide 108x with the StarSense Explorer DX 102, which is near the upper bounds of what the optics of this telescope can handle. ), Deimos vs Europa (How Are They Different? Winner: Between the two telescopes, Celestron Starsense Explorer dx 130az has superior image formation quality. Avoid! StarSense dock for your smartphone. All the following stages are accomplished using the StarSense app that you need to unlock using a code supplied with your instrument, which will work with up to five devices. Saturns rings and the Cassini Division within them look fabulous, while its dimmer moons and cloud belts are a bit harder to spot. It's good environment company employees also good respect Great place to work in dxc technology. One 10mm Kellner and one 25mm Kellner eyepiece. Is LT127 a better choice? Is that telescope comparable to this model? Dx 130 on the other hand weighs about 8.16 kg. To completely overcome false color you need a considerably more expensive apochromatic refractor or a reflector. New York, View planets, brighter nebulae, galaxies, and star clusters from the city PLUS fainter, deep sky objects from darker sites. StarSense Explorer DX 102AZ Refractor. 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I'll be observing from my front/backyard, which is in a location with a Bortle scale of 4 (rural/suburban transition). ), Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 130AZ Review (Is The StarSense Software Worth The Price? Can you describe how you were able to loosen? Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). Just about light enough for car travel and capable of really sharp image quality it's nevertheless a poor choice for astrophotographers. The bracket fits most phones and will work just fine even if you have a relatively thick case (or even a PopSocket). Your smartphone's camera must be sensitive enough to image the brighter stars on a night setting. The body of the eyepieces is fully built on plastic. However, reflectors tend to give you more aperture (power) for the same price, with the downside being the bigger size and more cumbersome operation. View Map. The instructions tell you to turn it, but this is easier said than done. Should you buy the Celestron StarSense DX 102AZ? New tabletop game 'Death in Space' lets you mine for precious gems in the ravaged Tenebris system. The Celestron dx 102az telescope is not good for viewing faint objects. Celestron Starsense explorer dx 130az uses Newtonian reflector type optics. This free guidetells youwhat gear you need to get started photographing the Milky Way, Planets, or Deep Sky Objects. On Aliexpress it costs around $418. Here lately though, it has not been able to track location. The finding system is not always spot-on, so you need to be prepared to search for objects around the edge of the field of view. This telescope is full of design flaws. The good news is you can at least upgrade your Celestron finderscope later. For example, if Saturn or the Andromeda galaxy are above you that night, you can select them on the app and then follow the arrows on the app to point the telescope at them. Celestron StarSense Explorer vs Celestron NexStar Telescopes: How do they compare? Dx 102azs optical design also has chromatic aberration issues. The StarSense Explorer DX 102 is a nice telescope, but a fully computerized instrument or a manual scope with more aperture might be a better pick. RECOMMENDED BUY FOR THE STARSENSE TECHNOLOGY. The details will be a lot better than dx 102az. But it needs collimation from time to time since the alignment gets messed up often. Compare Celestron StarSense Explorer vs Celestron NexStar 130 SLT vs Celestron 130 vs Celestron DX 102AZ . Not only does it have great focal specs for exploring the night sky and perhaps getting in an astro image or two, it has StarSense tech that helps a learner locate and view objects that would otherwise be difficult for a beginner to find. Locate faint, deep-sky objects in seconds and see them in more detail . Includes Free. Senior Software Developer (Former Employee) - Bangalore, Karnataka - April 23, 2023. Im very interested in the cosmos but being a chemistry student, I dont have much time to learn the precise location of Messier objects, how to find planets, and looking at the moon over and over gets boring (when you dont know what youre doing) comparing this to a Dob 8 in my opinion is like comparing a truck to sports car. However, I want to share a great tip with you. The Celestron Starsense explorer dx 102az telescope uses one of the oldest types of telescope optics. Celestron StarSense Explorer DX100AZ vs. DX 102AZ DXC Technology helps global companies run their mission-critical systems and operations while modernizing IT, optimizing data architectures, and ensuring security and scalability across public, private and hybrid clouds. Alignment procedure depends on a mirror, which collects dew, Instrument is stiff to move without slow motions. Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 130AZ telescope review That leaves 130az with more options for planetary views. (Image credit: Celestron) The Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 130AZ is a 130-mm (5.1-inch) Newtonian reflector. You need to consider where you will use and store it. StarSense Explorer DX 130AZ | Celestron Refractor optics can be further broken down into achromatic and apochromatic, where the former and lesser quality of the 2 is used within the StarSense Explorer. The scope is alsoavailable on Amazon, which is unquestionably the most popular e-retailer in the United States, even when telescopes aloneare taken into account. Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 130AZ Review (Is The, Orion EON 115ED Triplet Review (Photography Device Worth, Celestron Omni XLT 120 Review (Is It Worth The Price?! Optically the telescope is well up to standard for a short-focus achromatic refractor and is well-suited to deep-sky observing. The accessory tray that sits in the middle of the tripod legs needs to be attached by fiddly thumb screws that are already in place. And if you have a news tip, correction or comment, let us know at: community@space.com. This is the best measurement of a telescopes capacity to provide good views. Celestron is one of the most renowned brands making telescopes. You need to consider where you will use it and store it. StarSense Explorer LT 114AZ Newtonian. Uranus and Neptune are barely more than star-like dots, with blue disks barely bigger than the resolving limit of the telescope itself. The 130 mm (5-inch) aperture is fairly large and will enable great views of planets and deep-sky objects when the night sky conditions are right. You can zoom in for better precision. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Thank you in advance! But Celestron dx 130az does since they are exposed to dirt. Any additional thoughts you have to sesparate the two? Once you undergo a super-simple alignment procedure, the StarSense Explorer app has thousands of objects it can find for youthe Moon, planets, most of the Messier catalog, and many more. Improved focal ratio for better photography, Less cumbersome than the larger models below, Less power (aperture) than the two reflector options below, More aperture and better views with 4.5 inch aperture, One of the cheaper options alongside the 80AZ model, Larger, heavier, more cumbersome, and less portable than the refractors above, Large aperture for the best views of objects in the night sky, Larger, heavier, more cumbersome, and less portable than the other models. Therefore these models will suit those where space is at a premium at home and would prefer something smaller, easier to store, and more portable. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. DXC Technology | India Neptune and Uranus will be barely visible. Welcome to my Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 102AZ Review! The 8-inch aperture is huge and will provide few limitations to what you can see.