Celestron NexStar 8 SE Telescope

Product Description

The largest of the NexStar SE family with 78% more light gathering, the NexStar 8 SE will enable you to see deep into the Universe. The distinctive patented fork arm with ergonomically designed integrated hand control cradle gives solid support to Celestron's classic 8-inch optics. The NexStar 8 SE features Schmidt-Cassegrain 8-inch aperture optics with our premium StarBright XLT coatings and a powerful 2032mm focal length and f/10 focal ratio. The NexStar 8 SE has all the same features as Celestron's most advanced computerized GoTo telescopes, including our revolutionary SkyAlign alignment technology, a sky tour feature, a database of over 40000 celestial objects and easy to use hand control. Sturdy computerized altazimuth mount Ultra sturdy steel tripod with accessory tray Star diagonal provides more comfortable viewing position when observing objects that are high in the sky 40,000 object database with 200 user-definable objects and expanded information on over 200 objects SkyAlign allows you to align on any three bright celestial objects, making for a fast and easy alignment process Flash upgradeable hand control software and motor control units for downloading product updates over the Internet Custom 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 asterisms DC Servo motors with encoders on both axes Autoguider port for long exposure astrophotography Double line, 16-character Liquid Crystal Display Hand Control with backlit LED buttons for easy operation of go to features

Amazon.com Review

Celestron's Nexstar 8 SE telescope combines excellent optics and computerized "GoTo" tracking in a package that's light, portable and affordable. The legendary performance of Celestron's orange tube C8 telescope has been updated with high performance Starbright XLT coatings, and the single arm Nexstar mount now includes Celestron's easy to use "SkyAlign" technology.

Jupiter as seen through the Celestron NexStar 8SE special-edition computerized telescope

Jupiter as seen through the Celestron NexStar 8SE special-edition computerized telescope.

The Nexstar 8 SE upholds Celestron's reputation for quality optics. When I use an 11mm Plossl eyepiece (almost 200x magnification) for example, I can easily see the Cassini Division in Saturn's rings. When I look at Jupiter, the pale orange color of Jupiter's famous Great Red Spot is visible, and I've even been able to identify the polar caps and spot dust storms on the planet Mars. A 20mm Plossl eyepiece (about 100x magnification) is a good choice for viewing galaxies and star clusters. When I look at globular cluster M13 in the constellation Hercules the high contrast XLT optics show me a glowing snowflake made of hundreds of tiny pin-point stars! And a low power 32mm Plossl eyepiece is a good choice for views of larger deep space highlights like the Andromeda Galaxy and the Orion Nebula.

Click for larger image.

The moon seen through the Celestron NexStar 8SE telescope.
(See larger image.)

Celestron's patented "SkyAlign" system makes the Nexstar 8 SE very easy to use. I just pick the nearest town from the built-in list, enter the date and time, and point the telescope at three bright stars. I don't need a star chart because "SkyAlign" identifies the stars for me. When I just want a quick look at the moon or a planet, I like to use the "Solar System Align" option. After entering the date and time, I just point the telescope at the moon and press the "Align" key. That's all it takes, the computer takes over and the telescope begins tracking quietly and accurately. At star parties I often have my Nexstar up and running while older computerized telescopes are still waiting for their alignment stars to appear in the twilight.

The Nexstar 8 SE comes with a simple red-dot finder scope and a basic 25mm eyepiece. You'll want to add a few good eyepieces to take full advantage of the Nexstar 8 SE's excellent optics. At the very least get Celestron's bargain priced Accessory Kit which includes high and low power plossl eyepieces, or treat yourself to some top rated Tele Vue eyepieces. At twenty-four pounds total weight, the Nexstar 8 SE is unusually light and portable for an eight-inch telescope. The drawback of course is that some people will find it too light. Like other Schmidt Cassegrain (SCT) telescopes there are plenty of optional accessories to upgrade this telescope with, such as heavy duty tripods and an optical finder scope. If you want to try astro-photography, however, check out Celestron's CPC 800 Telescope which features a heavy duty mount and tripod and an 8x50 optical finder scope right out of the box. --Jeff Phillips

Pros:

Excellent optics
Easy computerized GoTo tracking
Light, portable and affordable

Cons:

Plastic accessories
Short battery life
Too light for astro-photography

Customer Reviews:

Amazing Scope.......2007-08-28

I love astronomy and have to say this was my first real purchase of a telescope. I placed my order and in 2 days my product was at the door. I was shocked how fast it came. I was very excited about viewing the planets and hopefully some deep sky objects. Novice would be the best way to describe my viewing experience. However, I was able to get the scope setup and struggled with the star alignment. Then I used the CD that came with the product and got to know the night sky. Yes I know, read the material first then play but I was like a kid in a candy store and just couldn't wait to start viewing.

I did get the sky align to work and then tested the alignment by having it go to the easiest target in the sky. (The moon). Boom it was center view. In a full moon phase right now so the obvious light polution is tremendous but I was able to view Jupiter and see 3 moons (due to the light conditions it wasn't to detailed). Everything else was bleed out by the moon.

I read the reviews before I purchased and did alot of research on scopes and have to say this one hit the nail on the head. It does take 8 AA batteries to operate and I read someone elses review that the batteries do not last long, so I purchased the power pack along with it.

The power pack was a good idea however, take heed that it plugs into where the scope rotates and if you are not careful you can find that your power cable is getting wrapped around the scope as it rotates.

GPS - I was considering purchasing the GPS but decided that google earth will provide me the Long and Lat just as easy.

Leveling - the little bubble level they give you works fine but make sure you keep track of that little bugger cause it's very easy to loose. They give you some double sided tape which proves to by useless because it throws off the bubble. Don't bother with the tape and just place it on the mount to level it.

Accessory pack - I did purchase the Celestron 94304 Nine-Piece Accessory Kit and feel that was a wise purchase. You get the barlow scope, some filters and my son loves the "shakey flashlight" (what he calls it).

Motors - Yes the motors are just a tad noisy but not that bad. It lets you know that it's working :). It tracks very well.

Mounting your scope: Do not make the same mistake I made and just slide it into it's mount and not pay attention to the vertical alignment. Make sure you mount it far enough in so that your scope can go vertical without it hitting the angle lens and preventing it from hitting it's target.

Finder Scope: Very nice- and once aligned works great. I love the red dot LED. It's nice to be able to adjust it's brightness so that it doesn't bleed out what you are trying to target.

Over all. If you are just starting out in astronomy and love to view the night sky. If you ever sat outside at night and wished you owned a telescope because it was a great night to view some planets and deep sky objects. If you were afraid of a telescope because your night sky knowledge was limited. This is the scope for you. I can't say enough good things about it. Not only does it find the stars and planets for me it is also teaching me as it goes.

Excellent Telescope at a Great Price.......2007-08-09

In brief I was thoroughly satisfied with the quality of the telescope. I havent yet used it much, but in about 2 weeks or so that I have owned the telescope, I have used it each night irrespective of the seeing conditions.
I will divide the entire review into two parts, likes and dislike/want.

Things that I dislike or would want.
Power consumption is really high... I learnt that the very first night. I had to terminate my viewing session in about two hours. I was using brand new Duracell AA battries with a lot of moving. I would have really like if Celestron was a little more direct about the fact that power comsumption is really high, but then again I could have missed it! I would really recommend buying the power tank.
Levelling the telescope is really important and Celestron has even provided with a bubble level. I would have really liked if the bubble was built into the mount.

Things that I like...
In one word... everything else. The optics are really good and I get clear crisp images. The GoTo system, called SkyAlign here, is easy enough to use. I had a little trouble getting it up and running but found a good thread on Cloudynights by MarvinTheMartian and followed everything there to get a really good alignment.

First light Report:
Saw Jupiter with the four moons and it was spectacular. I could even see the clouds of Jupiter. Moon is probably the best target to view, however dont make the mistake I made, see moon on a full moon night without any filter! Its just too bright!
I see from suburban areas, and have a lot of light pollution. Even with all that I was able to see some of the deep sky objects. I have seen M31 and am hoping for some more time and some clear skies to continue viewing.

Portability: Though people may say this is portable, I would not necessarily agree with them. Its not as portable as I would call portable. If you are like me, carrying it around like me, I would recommend buying a carrying case at least for the OTA.

Final Verdict: If money is not the concern, go ahead and buy this telescope. I really loved everything about this telescope and the dislikes are trivial (and hence the 5 star rating). Big aperture will keep me occupied for quiet some time before I move to my next, a 14"!

Very nice scope, but please read about customer service........2007-01-23

The five stars represent my opinion about the scope. I'm a novice at astronomy, so I can't really make any comparisons. I can tell you, however, that this scope does everything I've ever read about it. I pulled it out of the box and put it together and it went to work just the way the book said. I've done some solar viewing and a little digital astrophotography. My major purpose for this scope is in the area of deep-sky astrophotography without spending multiple thousands of bucks. It may be a little overkill for a novice like myself, but I wanted a scope that I wouldn't outgrow, and one that is easy to accessorize. The only thing I can nit-pick on this scope is the motor drives on the mount. They work fine, but they make a little too much noise, and the sound indicates to me that the gear train is not high quality components. It does seem to run very smooth, though! And accurate, every time! If YOU take the time to accurately set it up and aim it, then IT will put what ever you ask for right in the middle of your field of view. The battery holder is a little tight on the 2000mah NiMH AA batteries that I bought for it, but since I plan to use the AC adapter I bought for it, that's not really a big problem. I wish Celestron had designed the bubble-level INTO the base of the mount rather than just leave it loose for the user to install with the double stick tape on it's bottom. I bought a larger level from an RV store and epoxied it to the top of the battery cover. It seems to be very accurate and my alignment seems to work every time. I recommend a good variety of eyepiece filters, a solar filter for the main aperture, a 45deg. upright diagonal, and several eyepieces to cover the range from about 4mm to 32mm. Zhumell and Celestron both offer good filter/eyepiece sets at very good prices here on Amazon. For the astrophotographer, there's a whole world of accessories to chose from for this scope, and this is where I learned just how bad Celestron's customer support is! A lot of accessories out there state they are compatible with the Celestron C8 and 8i scopes, but this 8SE is so new that it isn't mentioned very often. I was concerned about the differences in the three 8" scopes, so I submitted an inquiry to Celestron's customer support, asking for a description of the differences in the C8, 8i and the new 8SE scopes. After four days they closed my ticket without answering my questions, so I submitted another request. After 14 days there was no response. I called them and the fellow I talked to had to put me on hold three times for about ten minutes each while he went to ask someone for answers. Shouldn't they man the tech-support phones with people that know the differences in their own products? All I was asking is if the visual back from a C8 will fit the 8i and 8SE, and if the solar filters for a C8 will fit the 8SE. He didn't know! I just hope my scope doesn't break because their tech support is less than helpfull. [...]. Just don't expect Celestron to be there for you without a lot of prodding.
By the way, for anyone considering this scope, the best info I've found is that all of the eyepiece accessories that will fit the rear cell of the C8 will also fit the 8i and the newer 8SE. The Celestron tech had to go actually test fit a visual back from the C8 to an 8SE to find out! He did say that any filters for the main aperture (the big end where light enters) of the C8 will not fit the 8i or 8SE! There was a significant dimension change made there.
I hope this helps eliminate the frustration I had in selecting and buying any accessories that anyone buying this scope may have. Happy star-gazing!

Celestron 94162 Solar Filter for NexStar 8 and 8i SCT Telescopes

Average customer rating:

Celestron 94162 Solar Filter for NexStar 8 and 8i SCT Telescopes

Manufacturer: Celestron
ProductGroup: Photography
Binding: Electronics

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Accessories:

Solar Astronomy Handbook

Product Features:

Designed to work with Celestron's NexStar 8 SE and 8i XLT Special Edition 8-inch SCT telescopes
Constructed of durable ABS plastic and rubber cell, with Baader Astro Solar safety film
Allows you to see the detail in sunspots, bright faculae, and the mottled areas known as granules
ND-5 rated film transmits 0.001-percent of visible light, while reflecting or blocking 99.999-percent of unwanted light
Backed by a 1-year manufacturer's warranty

ASIN: B00009R7TO

Product Description

Celestron Solar Filters are made with Baader Astro Solar Safety Film. Far superior than any existing glass, Mylar or polymer filters, they lead to brighter, sharper, and higher contrast images.Enter the millennium with the finest solar filters available. Astro Solar Safety Film is clear and homogenous and attains the optical performance of high quality plane-parallel glass filters-it is diffraction limited! Double-sided metal coatings have uniform density and good color balance across the entire field ensuring razor sharp images from edge to edge.The Sun appears in its "real "color -neutral white, not blue or orange ,and the sky adjacent to the solar limb is jet black.You can see detail in sunspots, bright faculae near the limb and the mottled areas known as granules with these filters. The Sun offers constant changes and will keep your observing interesting and fun. Even small aperture telescopes can enjoy features of the Sun.The Astro Solar film is completely safe and durable (won't break like glass if dropped). Its rating is ND-5 which means that the film transmits 1/100,000 of visible light (.001%) while reflecting (blocking) 99.999%of unwanted light. The film absorbs all ultraviolet rays while coating reflects infrared light rendering both absolutely harmless. For added assurance, Baader Astro Solar film has been declared safe for direct solar viewing by the German National Bureau of Standards for eye safety.Celestron has previousl

Amazon.com Product Description

The Celestron 94162 solar filter for NexStar 8 and 8i SCT telescopes is designed to work with Celestron's NexStar 8-inch SCT telescopes (Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope). While this unit is made to work specifically with the NexStar 8 SE and NexStar 8i XLT Special Edition SCT telescopes, it can be used with other compatible 8-inch SCT telescopes as well.

This Celestron solar filter is made with Baader Astro Solar safety film, which is far superior to any existing glass, Mylar or polymer filters, leading to brighter, sharper, and higher contrast images. This filter is clear and homogenous, attains the optical performance of high-quality, plane-parallel glass filters, and is diffraction limited. The double-sided metal coatings have uniform density, providing good color balance across the entire field, which in turn ensures razor sharp images from edge to edge. The 94162 filter causes the sun to appear in its true color of neutral white, rather than blue or orange, with the sky adjacent to the solar limb a jet black. This unit reveals the constant changes that keep solar observing fun and interesting, allowing you to see the detail in sunspots, bright faculae near the limb, and the mottled areas known as granules, so that even small aperture telescopes can enjoy features of the sun.

The Astro Solar film in this filter is completely safe and durable, so it won't break like glass if dropped. This filter's ND-5 rating means the film transmits 1/100,000 of visible light (or 0.001-percent), while reflecting or blocking 99.999-percent of unwanted light. The film absorbs all ultraviolet rays, while its coating reflects infrared light, rendering both absolutely harmless. As an added assurance, Baader Astro Solar film has been declared safe for direct solar viewing by the German National Bureau of Standards for eye safety. Each 94162 solar filter is mounted in a durable ABS (Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) plastic and rubber cell that won't break and is highly resistant to heat distortion, and is backed by a 1-year manufacturer's warranty.

Average customer rating:
Celestron NexStar 8 GPS Telescopes 11052

Manufacturer: Celestron
ProductGroup: Photography
Binding: Electronics

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ASIN: B00009XVHN

Amazon.com Review

Introduced in 1970, the Celestron 8 is one of the most, if not the most popular amateur telescope of all time. In the nearly quarter century since its introduction, the C8 continues its role of industry leader thanks to new and innovative features. This, the NexStar 8 GPS, is the most advanced version of the telescope ever offered. Like its larger 9.25- and 11-inch cousins, the NexStar 8 GPS combines the time-proven design of Celestron's Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with a state-of-the-art computer-driven fork mount coupled to the Global Positioning System (GPS) of Earth-orbiting satellites to synchronize time, date, and location.

The NextStar handset is your user-friendly, GPS-powered guide to more than 40,000 celestial objects.

The telescope and fork mount assembly come with a variety of standard accessories, including a 40-mm Plössl eyepiece, a 1.25-inch star diagonal, a visual back adapter, a 9x50 straight-through finderscope, a hand controller, an AC adapter to power the built-in computer control, and a heavy-duty, adjustable tripod.

Right out of the box, it quickly becomes apparent that this is no ordinary Schmidt-Cassegrain. For openers, the tube is not made of metal, but rather carbon fiber. Carbon fiber has been used in recent years for everything from sailboats to high-end bicycles, and is famous for its weight-to-strength ratio. But for telescopes the real value is its thermal properties. In order for a telescope to perform optimally, the temperature of its optics must match that of the outside air. An hour or more may pass before the optics in a telescope brought outdoors from a warm house reach thermal equilibrium. A traditional metal tube, a great absorber of heat, only slows the process. Carbon fiber, on the other hand, does not absorb heat as readily, shortening up the cool-down process. The carbon-fiber tube also lessens focus shift as the telescope cools during the night, an important consideration for long-exposure astrophotos and CCD imaging.

Of all the C8s that I have viewed through recently, including several NexStar 8 GPSs, all have produced sharp images of the Moon and naked-eye planets. Jupiter, for instance, reveald some very sharp detail in the Jovian clouds, while Saturn's rings, including Cassini's Division and the elusive C ring, were clearly resolved.

Deep-sky objects can also be viewed well with the NexStar 8 GPS. For example, the four stars in the Trapezium quadruple star system buried inside the Orion Nebula were easily resolved. Under steady seeing conditions, I could also just barely make out one of the two fainter "E" and "F" stars set amongst the brighter four, which are a good test for an 8-inch.

Star testing a NexStar 8 GPS, I found that the optics were top quality. Images both inside and outside of focus were identical (comparing the two is what a star test is), and nearly textbook perfect. I could detect only the slightest hint of spherical aberration. Astigmatism and other telltale optical imperfections were imperceptible.

Throughout these travels, I found images to be sharp and contrasty, a testimony to Celestron optics as well as their excellent coatings. Optical collimation was also very close to perfect right out of the box, indicative of Celestron's product inspection and packing ability. Corrections are easily made by turning one or more of the adjustment screws on the secondary-mirror assembly. The instruction manual that comes with the telescope includes a very good description of this procedure, as well as other important topics, such as telescope set-up and care, use of the hand controller, and even a primer on observing the sky and astrophotography.

It must be noted, though, that the 40-mm Plössl eyepiece that comes with the telescope is mediocre at best, and should be replaced with better eyepieces as soon as funds permit. At a minimum, I would recommend a 32-mm Plössl eyepiece for low-power viewing, a 17- to 20-mm eyepiece for medium power, and a 9- to 12mm eyepiece for high-power views. You should also consider premium eyepieces, such as the Tele Vue 11mm Nagler Type 6 as well either their 8mm Radian or 9mm Nagler Type 6 All will show the full potential of the NexStar 8 GPS, and will last a lifetime if properly cared for. Even if money is tight after the telescope purchase, try to expand your eyepiece collection with some budget-priced Plössl eyepieces.

When it comes to an advanced instrument outfitted with all the bells and whistles, the NexStar 8 GPS is a leader in the field thanks to its easy set-up, ergonomically friendly design, crisp optics, and intelligent options. --Phil Harrington, author of Star Ware

Pros:

Excellent optics
Starbright XLT coatings increase image contrast and sharpness
Carbon-fiber tube

Cons:

Mediocre 40-mm eyepiece

Amazon.com Product Description

The NexStar 8GPS Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope is part of Celestron's "Top-of-the-Line" fork-mounted astronomical telescopes. This telescope is at home as a superb visual instrument or, with optional CCD cameras, as a serious scientific research tool. Besides seeing all of the Messier Catalog objects, you can also see hundreds of other, less famous, but equally interesting NGC, IC and Caldwell objects. Turn this scope to the planets and see amazing detail on the surface of Jupiter; see Cassini's Division in the rings of Saturn, and resolve details on the surface of Mars. Even the distant Uranus, Neptune and Pluto are within your reach. Although large in aperture, with its conveniently located carrying handles and an instrument weight of only 42lb., this telescope is portable enough to set up in your backyard or take with you to your favorite dark sky location.

Catadioptrics

This is a catadioptric telescope. Catadioptrics use an ingenious combination of mirrors and lenses to "fold" the light path into a remarkably compact tube. This type of design--which includes Schmidt-Cassegrain and Maksutov-Cassegrain telescopes--offers good value even while it scores high on the techno-geek meter.

Read more about different telescope designs in our buying guide

The NexStar GPS Series 8GPS Specifications:

8" (203.2mm) Schmidt-Cassegrain Optical Design
2032mm Focal Length, f/10
StarBright Multi-Coatings
Dual Fork Arm
Carbon Fiber Optical Tube
Fastar Compatible for f/2 CCD Imaging
Double line, 16 character Liquid Crystal Display; 19 fiber optic backlit Computer Hand Control
RS-232 communication port on hand control
Auxiliary Port and Autoguide Port on Drive Base
40,000+ object database
16 channel GPS Receiver
Fork Tine and Optical Tube Weight - 42 lb.

The NexStar GPS Series 8GPS Standard Accessories:

1-1/4" 40mm Eyepieces (51x)
1-1/4" Star Diagonal
9x50 Finderscope and Mounting Bracket
1-1/4" Visual Back
AC Adapter (car battery adapter is included with some models)
Heavy Duty Tripod
NexRemote Telescope Control Software

Moon Viewing 101

The moon is often one of the first celestial objects a beginner will look at through his or her telescope. Here are a couple hints for you once you get your hands on your new NexStar 8" GPS.

Often, it is tempting to look at the Moon when it is full. At this time, the face we see is fully illuminated and its light can be overpowering. In addition, little or no contrast can be seen during this phase. One of the best times to observe the Moon is during its partial phases (around the time of first or third quarter). Long shadows reveal a great amount of detail on the lunar surface. At low power you will be able to see most of the lunar disk at one time. The optional Reducer/Corrector lens allows for breath-taking views of the entire lunar disk when used with a low power eyepiece. Change to higher power (magnification) to focus in on a smaller area. Choose the lunar tracking rate from the NexStar's MENU tracking rate options to keep the moon centered in the eyepiece even at high magnifications.

Observing the Planets
Other fascinating targets include the five naked-eye planets. You can see Venus go through its lunar-like phases. Mars can reveal a host of surface detail and one, if not both, of its polar caps. You will be able to see the cloud belts of Jupiter and the great Red Spot (if it is visible at the time you are observing). In addition, you will also be able to see the moons of Jupiter as they orbit the giant planet. Saturn, with its beautiful rings, is easily visible at moderate power. Remember that atmospheric conditions are usually the limiting factor on how much planetary detail will be visible. So avoid observing the planets when they are low on the horizon or when they are directly over a source of radiating heat, such as a rooftop or chimney.

The Nuts and Bolts:

Control Panel
Focus Knob
Star Diagonal
Eyepiece
Finderscope
Finderscope Adjustment Screw
Optical Tube
Schmidt Corrector Lens
Hand Control
Fork Arm
Carrying Handle
Tripod

Product Description

Celestron NexStar 8 GPS Telescopes 11052 Celestron NexStar 8 GPS Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope 11052 is part of Celestron?s ?Top-of-the-Line? fork-mounted astronomical telescopes. 8GPS Celestron NexStar Telescope

Celestron Tripod for Nexstar 8/11 GPS Telescopes

Average customer rating:

A Great Upgrade over the Flimsy OEM Tripod

Celestron Tripod for Nexstar 8/11 GPS Telescopes

Manufacturer: Celestron
ProductGroup: Photography
Binding: Electronics

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Celestron NexImage Solar System Imager

Product Features:

Deluxe metal tripod has fully adjustable legs with all metal clamps for positive height adjustment
designed for Celestron’s C8, C9-1/4 and C11 telescopes
Also makes a very stable and sturdy platform for the C5+ telescope
New leg support has been added for additional stability
2-inch diameter legs provide excellent damping

ASIN: B000066S2R

Customer Reviews:

A Great Upgrade over the Flimsy OEM Tripod.......2007-04-05

I still find it hard to believe I was able to purchase a tripod of this quality for the money I spent. This tripod is about a 1000% improvement over the flimsy tripod that came originally with my orange tube Celestron C8. The telescope is now stable, much more enjoyable to use, and no longer looks like a child's toy.

Two problems: (1) The first tripod shipped arrived damaged in transit. Amazon handled the exchange seamlessly. (2) One of the slotted holes that accept the screws that attach the motor drive to the tripod was cast slightly narrow. I had to file quite a bit of metal to get the screw to go in. This is a Q.C. problem, and should not have been something I had to deal with. Had I bought it locally, I would have carted it back to the dealer for him to address.

Celestron Nexstar 8 Telescope (Telescope Only)

Average customer rating:

Great !!
If You Can Afford The N8GPS Get It
Great telescope, but get the new one instead.
I love this scope
Nice, but no tripod

Celestron Nexstar 8 Telescope (Telescope Only)

Manufacturer: Celestron
ProductGroup: Photography
Binding: Electronics

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Product Features:

Focal length of 2032mm
203mm (8-inch) diameter Schmidt-Cassegrain refractor
Observe immediately with the computerized auto align feature
Automatic slewing to over 18,000 celestial objects
Common sense menu descriptions

ASIN: B00005CFGG

Amazon.com Product Description

The Celestron Nexstar 8 is built around ease of use. The 8-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain optics offer images twice as bright as a 5-inch telescope, and feature Starbright multicoating. The auto-align feature accesses a database of 18,000 objects, and there's even a tour function that seeks out various regularly occurring astronomical events, depending on the month.

The Nexstar 8 offers nine different slew speeds, an RS-232 serial port for connection to a PC, computer hand control, a focal ratio of f10, and a focal length of 2032mm.

Customer Reviews:

Great !!.......2003-04-15

It is a really spectacular telescope!!
After having spent about 20 minutes to achieve a precise collimation, the images are almost perfect.
The location of celestial objects is very good.
I recommend an ocular of 35 mm and a Ultima barlow.

If You Can Afford The N8GPS Get It.......2003-01-22

I bought this scope as a gift for my Mom. She caught the backyard astronomy bug after looking through my Nexstar 11 GPS a few times. I wanted to get her a scope that was easy to use and fairly lightweight, but with more than a 5" appature so that she'd actually be able to see details on deep sky objects as opposed to blurs.

This scope delivers and is a great value for the money. However, it's goto accuracy - - while beating the competition at the same price point - - is not nearly as good as the accuracy of Celestron's higher end telescopes. There is a $500-1000 price difference between this scope and the N8GPS model, but I think the more expensive scope is actually a better value. This scope is really a terrific instrument, but if the extra money is not an issue I think most enthusiasts would be happier with the Nexstar 8 GPS (the one that looks like the N11GPS - with the carbon tube). It's got better gears, a sturdier mount, dual fork arms, and simply performs to perfection every time.

Great telescope, but get the new one instead........2002-09-14

GPS makes the next generation so much easier to align. Pass on the Nexstar 8 and look at the Nexstar 8i (with GPS add on) or Nexstar 8 GPS.

I love this scope.......2002-03-04

This telescope is wonderful. I love the goto - it's very easy to align and put the target in the FOV w/o fail.

My rational for getting the goto was to maximize my viewing times in the evening since I don't get much time to do so. For this it works very well. I spend much less time looking for objects and more time looking at them.

Jupiter, Saturn look great - good detail. I live in light polluted area (don't we all) but detail still looked good.

Haven't had a good dark night yet with it (moon has been out every night I've had it so far) - but could still see Andromeda galaxy (albeit faintly) and Orion nebula (not so faintly!) with it. This is literally on my driveway with mercury vapor lights in the street about 30 yds away (I could read my star maps by them).

Needless to say - detail on the moon is breathtaking.

Be sure to get more than the supplied 40mm eyepiece. I got a 25mm, 10mm, and a barlow with it and that seemed to provide a good variety for magnification.

Nice, but no tripod.......2002-02-19

This is a nice telescope, but beware of distributors that sell it for a low price, but don't include what Celestron says is included, like the tripod. The tripod is required to use this telescope and you'll have a hard time finding the tripod if you didn't receive it with this scope. Now I have to return the scope and buy from a distributor that correctly includes it. (sigh.)

Average customer rating:

Celestron Nexstar 8 Telescope

Manufacturer: Celestron
ProductGroup: Photography
Binding: Electronics

Telescopes | Science | Learning & Education | Categories | Toys & Games

Product Features:

StarPointer Finderscope
Electronic Hand Control
AutoGuider port
Six slew speeds
24 lbs.

ASIN: B00004ZD3A

Celestron Nexstar 8i Special Telescope Kit w/Hand Control and Tripod

Average customer rating:

Great Scope, but dont buy it here.
Great Buy And Super Fast Delivery

Celestron Nexstar 8i Special Telescope Kit w/Hand Control and Tripod

Manufacturer: Celestron
ProductGroup: Photography
Binding: Electronics

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Celestron NexImage Solar System Imager
Rayovac NM715-8 Rechargeable NiMH AA Batteries, 8-Count Package
Celestron Power Tank
$Celestron Contrast Booster Filter 1.25" for Refractor Telescopes$ Celestron Contrast Booster Filter 1.25" for Refractor Telescopes
Celestron Collimation Eyepiece 1.25"

Product Features:

Includes a special kit for adding a computerized hand control and a sturdy Celestron tripod
203mm (8-inch) diameter Schmidt-Cassegrain refractor
Focal length of 2,032mm and focal ratio of f10
Fully enclosed high-speed motors on both axes
Auxiliary port for adding optional accessories

ASIN: B00007ARJG

Amazon.com Review

Combining the powerful optics of Celestron's legendary 8 inch Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope with the solid computerized tracking system developed for its popular Nexstar 5, Celestron's Nexstar 8i is simply a remarkable telescope value. Compared to the Nexstar 5i, the eight inch version is only six pounds heavier and only a little more expensive, yet it delivers more than two and a half times the N5's light gathering power. The Nexstar 8i's excellent optics easily bring out wonderful detail on the moon, the planets, and on star clusters and galaxies.

What can I see with the Nexstar 8i? I love the sharp, high contrast images of the planets. Cassini's division in Saturn's rings is a thin black line even when the view isn't perfect. On rare nights when the air is perfectly still and clear I've pushed the magnification past 400x; Saturn's rings and moons were still sharply etched against a black sky. Jupiter and Mars also show wonderful detail. While a smaller scope may reveal Jupiter's two major cloud belts and its famous great red spot, the Nexstar 8i is capable of showing multiple cloud bands and even some small white ovals on a good night. During its last close approach to Earth, I watched as Mars' South polar cap receded and dust storms swelled in a matter of weeks; no wonder early astronomers visualized Mars as a living planet. Deep space also takes on wonderful detail with a Nexstar 8i. Although globular cluster M13 in the constellation Hercules may be more famous, I enjoy looking at the lesser-known globulars M15 and M92 because I can begin to see the characteristic yellow color of red giant stars sprinkled among their countless pinpoints of light.

The computer-driven handset makes it
easy to find celestial objects.

The real genius of the Nexstar 8i is its computerized object location and tracking system. I find the Nexstar system much easier to use than earlier computerized telescopes. You can choose from several different alignment modes, from the traditional two star alignment to the latest GPS-aided automatic setup using the optional CN-16 GPS module. I especially like the flexibility of the new "quick align" feature. Starting with "quick align" at a recent public viewing session, I was able to use Venus and the quarter Moon to synchronize my telescope alignment half an hour before sunset. The Nexstar didn't miss a target the rest of the evening. Meanwhile other computerized telescopes were sitting more than an hour, waiting for their alignment stars to appear in the twilight.

You'll want some good eyepieces to take full advantage of Celestron's excellent optics. I'd suggest starting with a set of three, Celestron's 10mm, 18mm, and 30mm Ultima eyepieces would be a good choice. These three would be ideal for viewing the planets at about 200x, galaxies at about 100x, and open star clusters at about 65x magnification. My only disappointment with the eight inch Schmidt-Cassegrain design is its limited field of view; some of my favorite objects like the Double Cluster in Perseus don't quite fit, even with a low-power eyepiece. Also be aware that you'll want an external power supply; the computer may crash after only a few hours when the on board AA batteries start to run down. The Nexstar 8i is a delightful telescope for visual observing or even web-cam images of the planets; for deep space photography, however, you'll want the greater stability of the Nexstar 8"GPS . -Jeff Phillips

Pros:

Excellent optics
Light and portable
Easy, computerized finding and tracking
GPS upgrade option

Cons:

Short battery life
Limited field of view
Not optimized for photography

Customer Reviews:

Great Scope, but dont buy it here........2004-11-07

Great scope, but buy it from Astronomics or OPT. You will get better customer service and a bunch of people who actually KNOW about telescopes.

Great Buy And Super Fast Delivery.......2004-06-03

I don't need to say much about this wonderful device, the documentation goes in depth all over the place. In the city I have gotten great views of the planets, their moons(Jupiter is outstanding), and our moon. I can't wait to get out of the city to see some really impressive galaxy and nebulae views!! A great buy with all thats included (Even the Nexremote) which I didn't expect!!

Average customer rating:

Celestron Nexstar 8 Tripod

Manufacturer: Celestron
ProductGroup: Photography
Binding: Electronics

Telescopes | Science | Learning & Education | Categories | Toys & Games

Celestron AC Adapter for All Nexstar Telescopes

Product Features:

Celestron Tripod, NexStar 8i - 93593
CSN

ASIN: B00005CFGZ

Product Description

A high quality tripod for serious astronomical observing and photography with your NexStar 8i, this steel field tripod folds down to a compact 8"x28". It is equipped with a built-on 20 - 90 wedge tilt plate for quick equatorial use and astrophotography. It has a metal center brace and accessory tray for added stability and spring loaded mounting screws permanently attached to mounting plate. Weight 9 lbs. Height extendable from 28" to 48".

Celestron Nexstar 8/11 GPS Heavy Duty Tripod

Average customer rating:

Celestron Nexstar 8/11 GPS Heavy Duty Tripod

Manufacturer: Celestron
ProductGroup: Photography
Binding: Electronics

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Celestron AC Adapter for All Nexstar Telescopes

ASIN: B000063N4V

Product Description

This tripod is a heavy-duty upgrade for your NexStar 5i or 8i. It is fitted with a mounting plate designed to accept 5i and 8i models exclusively.

JMI Telescope Carrying Case with Wheels & Dual Fork for Celestron NexStar 8 GPS.

Average customer rating:

JMI Telescope Carrying Case with Wheels & Dual Fork for Celestron NexStar 8 GPS.

Manufacturer: J.M.I.
ProductGroup: CE

Binoculars | Used Photo & Camera | Specialty Stores | Camera & Photo Features | Electronics

Telescopes | Used Photo & Camera | Specialty Stores | Camera & Photo Features | Electronics

Telescopes | Science | Learning & Education | Categories | Toys & Games

Product Description

The case includes four lockable latches, three steel-reinforced handles, a 3" by 26" steel hinge and die-cut foam lining with compartments for telescope, eyepieces and accessories (including mounting bolts). It can be carried or pulled using the attached wheels. An optional Large-Wheel Upgrade is available. The finder scope must be removed from the telescope and inserted into a foam compartment. An adapter bracket is included for instant accurate repositioning when attaching the finder scope. The telescope hand unit can be removed for protection, if desired, and placed in a vinyl cover (included).This product is designed for the following systems:Celestron NexStar 8 GPS.For a complete compatibility list please refer to the original manufacturer's web site.

Electronics:

Electronics

Electronics