The Moon looks pretty good, while Mercury and Venus show nothing besides their phases. especially in a light polluted city environment, Would still recommend a Dobsonian instead but the GTi is a huge upgrade over the StarSense Explorer. Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). 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. However, the system has a few notable limitations that could curtail observing sessions. What's more, the instrument comes with everything you need for a night under the stars: two eyepieces a 25 mm and 10 mm, which offer magnifications of 26x and 66x a StarPointer red-dot finderscope, star diagonal and tripod. Unwary users are likely to try polishing it with glass cleaner or even abrasive solutions. 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. Jupiters cloud belts and the Great Red Spot are relatively easy to see, and you can just make out the disks of its four moons when they transit the planet. Optical Design: Newtonian Reflector. Celestron StarSense Explorer Guide For Beginners The 80 mm model is the smallest with the weakest viewing capacity, and the 254 mm model is the largest with the best. There is a great deal on a Celestron 102 DX at Amazon for $359, only 50 dollars more than the Popular . Mars dark spots can be seen, although barely, when the planet is close to Earth, while its polar ice caps are a little more obvious. Thank you in advance! Would a barlow lens be a good addition to this setup? The StarSense Explorer DX 102 includes two 1.25 eyepieces: a 25mm Super Konig providing 26x and a 10mm Konig providing 65x. If on the other hand youre willing to spend a bit more for telescope that are more powerful but will require a bit more tinkering, the SkyWatcher Dobsonian 6-inch or the skyquest XT6 is most certainly worth looking into too. In fact, you do need to apply a lot of force to twist it. With the StarSense Explorer line of instruments, Celestrons magic solution has been to link these to a telescope, getting rid of the need for the costly handset, the user input, and the encoders. Just about light enough for car travel and capable of really sharp image quality it's nevertheless a poor choice for astrophotographers. Im still figuring out, between Starsense Explorer DX130 and LT127. Your smartphone's camera must be sensitive enough to image the brighter stars on a night setting. If you disregard factors like size and portability, then the Celestron Starsense Explorer 10 Dobsonian is the best as it has the highest aperture and will provide the best views. The StarSense Explorer DX 130AZ is a Newtonian reflector telescope with a 5.1-inch aperture. The eyepieces are supplied with tight plastic covers and how many beginners will try to twist these off, rather than prise them off? Also can you recommend some good telescopes which are available for $400 price range or less.I really dont want to spend more as I dont know if my son will want to pursue this in the future. StarSense Explorer DX 102AZ Smartphone App-Enabled Refractor Telescope. The Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 102AZ makes use of slow-motion controls for fine-tuned tracking. 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 is a nice, sturdy affair and an actual tray rather than the silly eyepiece rack supplied with many scopes. As for other key specifications, dx 102az has a focal ratio of 6.5. Overall, this is the most entry-level of the four telescopes in this range. The Celestron Omni XLT 150 is available here but is priced way above my budget. Telescope Aperture: 130mm (5.12") Focal Ratio: f/5. However, the mount does have a couple minor issues. *This post may contain affiliate links. Thanks so much in advance. 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 aperture is almost the same, but the eyepiece magnification that comes with LT127 are better (50x, 100x and 2x barlow lense), Ps: I dont have much choice except celestron, since only this brand is available in my country, The 127 is junk and magnification is not what matters most. Celestron StarSense Explorer Review & Comparison. 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. if youre not butchering it for the StarSense hardware, thats what Id buy. When the bullseye turns green, its ready to view in the telescopes eyepiece. DXC Technology | India Its not a bad telescope to have. These are very average specs and maybe even subpar when you consider reflector telescopes tend to offer a lot more bang for the buck nevertheless, the specs should be competent for beginners. These views will be much brighter and clearer with the larger aperture models. The Celestron dx 102az telescope is not good for viewing faint objects. The eyepiece for the 102mm will be better positioned for the little one. Although its portable and definitely portable it wouldnt be as easy as moving a 102az. Thats all from us about Celestron Starsense explorer dx 102az vs 130az. Is it because of the 4 vanes as well? Read why we prefer High Point Scientific to Amazon. Once chosen, you see a set of arrows on the screen that tells you which way to move the telescope to get to that object. The camera views the sky through a mirror, enabling you to view the phones screen at a convenient angle. This means we may be compensated if you click links on this page at no extra cost to you. The reason why this is a problem is because simply adjusting the axis to allow for a more smooth motion may take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour to do. PATENTED STARSENSE SKY RECOGNITION TECHNOLOGY: This one-of-a-kind telescope uses patented, award-winning StarSense sky recognition technology and your smartphone to analyze star patterns overhead and calculate its position in real time. Why use such a time-consuming means of attachment? Is that telescope comparable to this model? It focuses the image on a single point. 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. Boasting a whopping 10-inch aperture, the Celestron Starsense Explorer 10 Dobsonian is a beast of a telescope. Low powered (25mm) and high powered (10mm) eyepiece. All you need to do is install the app, enter the unlock code that came with your telescope, and dock the phone to your telescope. You can zoom in for better precision. Once done, the handset was able to direct the telescope to any other object in its database, but it needed position encoders on its axes. Quantitative measurements of how the telescope performs in various performance categories: An amateur astronomer and telescope maker from Connecticut who has been featured on TIME Magazine, National Geographic, Sky & Telescope, La Vanguardia, and The Guardian. ), Deimos vs Titan (How Are They Different? Bear in mind that not all smartphones will work, so remember to check your model against a list on the Celestron website before taking the plunge. at Amazon. Celestrons StarSense Explorer line of telescopes are some of the newest, and arguably most innovative telescopes on the market, and the newest effort of Celestron to make using a telescope as easy as possible. I dont intend on using the phone attatchment, but will probably upgrade the diagonal and finder scope on either. Now you are in business and you can choose from a list of objects observable with this instrument at the time, graded according to whether they can be seen from the city or from a dark sky. This means that it is larger and heavier. Free shipping. All Rights Reserved. You need to consider where you will use it and store it. Any tips would be greatly appreciated, otherwise, I may have to send my scope back. Welcome to my Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 102AZ Review! Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 102AZ Specs, The Eyepieces of the StarSense Explorer DX Series. The coating inside is of low quality. However, its enough to get you started. The StarSense Explorer app is ridiculously easy to set up. The optical design is dreadful, the mount and the focuser is plastic, and the accessories that come with it are useless. 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. StarSense Explorer 10" Dobsonian Telescope | Celestron Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 102AZ review: Design. Compare Celestron StarSense Explorer vs Celestron DX 102AZ vs Celestron 130 I had what seemed to be a related question, which has come up somewhat in that main thread: whether to purchase the DX 130AZ vs 102AZ? Add to Wish List Item in Wish List . Are the Celestron StarSense Explorer good telescopes? Celestron dx 130az has a focal ratio of f/5. Youd have to either detach the phone and try not to move the telescope or use two separate phones. The accessories provided are decent with the eyepieces being functional although of lower quality than Plossl eyepieces that a fair few telescopes in this price range tend to offer. Space is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. StarSense Explorer LT 114AZ Newtonian. When you unbox your new StarSense Explorer DX, you'll find: 130mm Newtonian reflector optical tube. Find out more about how we test and review products. The 114 is a flawed bird-jones telescope with bad optics. 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. All the telescopes from Celestron Edge HD and Schmidt-Cassegrain are compatible with the Starsense app. Overall, this is a brilliant option if you want near-perfect viewing of planets and galaxies and have the space to use it. Celestrons 1.25 prism is pretty good; a dielectric unit like Aperturas improves performance and wont scratch your eyepieces thanks to the equipped compression ring adapter. 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. 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. ), but techy enough to use either. But youll find the images quite sharp. This means they have the advantages of GOTO technology and are smaller telescopes in terms of physical size. They are generally more expensive though. Saturns rings and the Cassini Division within them look fabulous, while its dimmer moons and cloud belts are a bit harder to spot. The package comes with two eyepieces, giving two useful magnifications of 26x and 66x, and what is termed an erect-image diagonal. What Do The Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 102AZs Specifications Mean? The red dot finderscope is decent as are all of the other accessories too. The StarSense Explorer DX mount is nothing more than a repainted Omni XLT AZ or AZ3 mount with a bracket for the StarSense Explorer device. Unlike household mirrors, its reflective coating is on the front surface rather than the back, so regularly wiping it clear could result in damage to the coating. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Our team of experts has reviewed and ranked 180+ telescopes based on price and quality. One is achromatic and another is apochromatic. Youre at the right place. We are an independent astronomy and astrophotography-focused publication that conducts objective research to make product recommendations. Faint objects like planetary nebulae or galaxies are off-limit. These reasons may make it the best option for kids. 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. Required fields are marked *. Overall, this is a great option if you want high power in a compact package and have the budget to pay a little more for this. What can you see with Celestron StarSense Explorer? ), Deimos vs Saturn (How Are They Different? ), Celestron AstroMaster 130EQ Review (A Good Beginner Device!? As a result, youll get quite an exhilarating image. How does the StarSense Explorer 102 compare with the CELESTRON ASTRO FI 102 MM WI-FI MAKSUTOV CASSEGRAIN? Celestron Starsense Explorer DX 102AZ Vs 130AZ Thats why with cx 102az you wont be able to see faint objects. Just follow the arrows to locate stars, planets & more! Especially the Starsense explorer dx 120az and 130az. 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?! For purchasing this telescope, we highly recommend HighPointScientific, the largest telescope retailer in the United States. SKU: CEL-22461. Its also not flexible to eyepieces other than the 1.25 ones. Can you describe how you were able to loosen? Find out more about how we test and review products. ), Deimos vs Titania (How Are They Different? So, which one is better between Celestron Starsense explorer dx 102az vs 130az? But you can certainly have better ones with that budget. Its focal length is 660 mm. Watch this video from Celestron for a quick overview of these two models and also to give you a good perspective of the size of them standing next to a grown man: Overall, this is a brilliant option if you have the space to use it. The accessory tray that sits in the middle of the tripod legs, however, needs to be attached by fiddly little thumb screws that are already in place but the wrong way round in their holes! Due to an a enclosed tube being used, the optics wont need to be cleaned or collimated all the time. This diagonal is definitely a weak link in the scope optically, and replacing it might be a good idea. So, that really shortens out your options. As a result, it sometimes shows chromatic aberration. The StarSense has an Aperture of 102mm, a focal length of 650mm resulting in a focal ratio of just under f/6.5. It has more magnification power than dx 102az. The series also includes an 80mm f/11 refractor and a 114mm f/9 reflector, both for $180 on the lighter LT mount. Unfortunately, the adjustment range on the device supplied did not allow it to be aligned accurately, and for the test, we used another one that we already had. Once youre accustomed to the instrument, finding objects is extremely quick and fun. You wont be able to see many details but large planets will be visible. Tower - 3, Oxygen Business Park SEZ, Sector 144, Noida Expressway, Noida, Uttar Pradesh - 201304. Includes Free. In terms of magnification that's a significant step-up from the 'toy' telescopes that dominate . Astrophotography with Nikon D3200: Can It Be Better? Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 102AZ: Full review | Space New tabletop game 'Death in Space' lets you mine for precious gems in the ravaged Tenebris system. Celestron StarSense Explorer DX100AZ vs. DX 102AZ - posted in Refractors : There is about a $100 difference in these two packages, but there is only 2 mm difference in the aperture. It shares many of the characteristics of the other refractor in the range above in that it is smaller, lighter, and less cumbersome to operate, but it is more powerful with the larger aperture and you will be able to see more through it. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. There are six different models to suit different budgets and priorities. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Alignment procedure depends on a mirror, which collects dew, Instrument is stiff to move without slow motions. Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 102AZ Reviewed: Partially Recommended Locate faint, deep-sky objects in seconds and see them in more detail . However, refractors are traditionally more robust than reflectors, so there is no ideal instrument to suit everyone. The mirror can become dewed up within minutes on some nights often the clearest. RECOMMENDED BUY FOR THE STARSENSE TECHNOLOGY. These eyepieces have a lot of plastic in their build, but use glass optics and are fairly sharp, with more eye relief than a typical Plossl ocular (particularly beneficial with the 10mm). Compare Celestron StarSense Explorer vs Celestron NexStar 130 SLT vs Celestron 130 vs Celestron DX 102AZ . Normally, this is done for astrophotography to avoid performing a time-consuming GoTo alignment and is only used to find one target. All of this requires some user input namely the date and time, the location, and choosing the stars. The body of the eyepieces is fully built on plastic. Join us in this discussion to learn more. Celestrons main explanation is that many beginners would buy the bracket and attempt to fit it onto substandard telescopes (or simply do it improperly) and become frustrated. The word achromatic implies a freedom from the false color that bedevilled refractors in the very early days of telescopes, but this is a comparative term. This telescope was a huge investment for Someone like myself. Which eyepieces would you suggest to replace those less-than-ideal ones that come with the Stars Sense 130? Before the purchase, be sure to install the StarSense Explorer app on your phone. What this does is take a snapshot of the sky and from the image taken attempts to locate where you are by comparing the shot to star maps using specifically set algorithms. We may earn commissions by recommending products on this website. Not portable. So, there are issues of ghosting and internal reflection. Trying to decide between these 2 scopes Im finding it difficult. For Celestron dx 102az the former type is used and also they are low in quality. With the Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 102AZ, which links the telescope to modern mobile phone technology and computing power, Celestron has made locating objects in the sky not just easy, but fun especially for those just starting out in a skywatching hobby. 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. ), Deimos vs Uranus (How Are They Different? The optics are fitted into a closed tube. But it needs collimation from time to time since the alignment gets messed up often. Winner: Between the two telescopes, Celestron Starsense Explorer dx 130az has superior image formation quality. Now, launch the Starsense app on your phone. At this aperture and focal ratio, there is a fair amount of chromatic aberration, but sharp views of the Moon and planets are still possible. Best regards, a 6" or even 8" dobsonian ( Links on what to expect in different telescope aperture sizes ). Which is better than the image youll see from normal reflector optics. In practice, this system is limited to an accuracy of a bit better 0.25 degrees, or half the width of a full moon. Here we focus on becoming a knowledge hub for astronomy and astrophotography enthusiasts. Celestron StarSense Explorer vs Celestron AstroMaster Telescopes: How do they compare? The downside is that it is generally in the higher budget range and that it is less portable, heavier, and bulkier. 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.