Zane, thanks for the great review, it helped convince me to buy a StarSense 102! Mainly interested in the mount and optical tube. We make money through affiliate commissions and this means we may be compensated if you click links on this page at no extra cost to you. I'm aware the reflector has a larger aperture (though the secondary mirror erodes this advantage a little?) For purchasing this telescope, we highly recommend HighPointScientific, the largest telescope retailer in the United States. You wont be taking this on trips. However, the mount does have a couple minor issues. This refers to the telescopes build and shape. View Map. SKU: CEL-22461. You may even see Marss red spot, Saturns rings, or even Jupiters spiral patterns. 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. Overall, this is a good option if you only have the budget for one of the cheaper telescopes and want more power. He began his working career with Kodak, back in the days of film, and then spent time observing from the Pic du Midi Observatory in the French Pyrenees. These views will be much brighter and clearer with the larger aperture models. The 114 is a flawed bird-jones telescope with bad optics. The Celestron StarSense Explorer comes in six different models. $479.95. 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. How would you rate the StarSense DX6 version (6 inch SCT) compared to a Skymax 127 on GTi mount? The eyepieces supplied, although in lightweight plastic barrels, are of good optical quality. In fact, they are as big as a fairly small person, so this isnt an option if you have limited space or want something portable. One is achromatic and another is apochromatic. Required fields are marked *. collimating. For the 102 Ill need to likely buy a star diagonal, while for the 130 Ill need to buy a Cheshire or laser collimator so still a tie. Unlike Celestrons other computer-assisted offerings, the StarSense Explorer telescopes have no motors. Join us in this discussion to learn more. Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. 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 vs 102AZ - Cloudy Nights Celestron Starsense explorer dx 130az uses Newtonian reflector type optics. All of this requires some user input namely the date and time, the location, and choosing the stars. Low powered (25mm) and high powered (10mm) eyepiece. A large 10" parabolic primary mirror with XLT coatings helps you make the most of StarSense technology. 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. Celestron dx 130az has a focal ratio of f/5. There is no reason at all to get the StarSense Explorer LT 114AZ. How were you able to loosen the tightness in the altitude axis? Zane thoughts on StarSense Explorer DX130 vs Astro-Fi 130? Although its portable and definitely portable it wouldnt be as easy as moving a 102az. The mid level focal ratio is good as itll decrease the amount of chromatic aberration that can be seen, and the aperture means the max theoretical magnification of the device will be around 200x although real world usage will be around 10 20% lower. If you compare their size, 130az is quite big and heavy. 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. 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. Here's the full lineup of StarSense Explorer telescopes in order of price (low to high): StarSense Explorer LT 80AZ Refractor. Nevertheless, the purpose for this software is to provide convenience for beginner level astronomers so, Ill explain how it works here. This means that it is larger and heavier. Your smartphone's camera must be sensitive enough to image the brighter stars on a night setting. Faint objects like planetary nebulae or galaxies are off-limit. Thanks to your phones limited battery life and computing power, the StarSense Explorer technology obviously cant take a new picture of the sky every time you move the telescope. This StarSense Explorer DX 102 review was written in January 2020, when the scope was first released for $399. There is an issue though in that if you are using your smartphone attached to the telescope to use the StarSense technology then you wont be able to attach it to the eyepiece to take a photo at the same time. Compare Celestron StarSense Explorer vs Celestron NexStar 130 SLT vs The eyepieces are supplied with tight plastic covers and how many beginners will try to twist these off, rather than prise them off? Are the Celestron StarSense Explorer good telescopes? Celestron StarSense Explorer: 8 Models Compared (2023) 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. Now that we know a little bit about the two telescopes lets take a look at this graph for a more comprehensive view: Both the Celestron telescopes are good choices in their respective categories. But it can suffer from spherical aberration. All Rights Reserved. I'd ideally want it to not be too hard for them to reach the eyepiece. The software constantly checks the alignment of the instrument and complains if it cant see the sky, so snapping on the cover in between observations is not easy or ideal. Celestron dx 102az on the other hand is not really worth the price. Whereas Celestron dx 130az has an aperture of a whopping 130 mm. The mount's not even ideal. How Do The Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 102AZsOptics Work? 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. Rating: 9/10. Dx 130 on the other hand weighs about 8.16 kg. . The instrument comes in just two main parts the tripod and the tube assembly so it seems straightforward to assemble. . View planets, brighter nebulae, galaxies, and star clusters from the city PLUS fainter, deep sky objects from darker sites. In this range, the 80 mm refractor and 114 mm reflector are supplied on lighter-weight mountings, while the 102 mm refractor and 130 mm reflector have the same heavier mounting. Celestron Starsense Explorer DX 102AZ Vs 130AZ I consider myself handy and am not too worried about collimating a reflector (but would prefer to not have to do frequently). Its a good magnification for viewing the Moon, planets, smaller deep-sky objects like globular clusters, and splitting double stars. For use as a grab and go/ compliment for my 8in dob. The DX 102s optical tube is a 102mm f/6.5 refractor with a focal length of 650mm, the same as used on many other Celestron telescope/mount packages like the Omni 102 AZ and NexStar 102SLT. 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. Read why we prefer High Point Scientific to Amazon. Thanks for the great review! Youd have to either detach the phone and try not to move the telescope or use two separate phones. The length of the tube is around 63.5 cm. Read our full affiliate disclosure here. In all my research the 8 Dobsonian seems to be a good beginner telescope. Telescope Mount Type: Alt-Azimuth. Value $12.60. Also note, that the same telescope is also being sold as the Popular Science StarSense Explorer DX 5. 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. Thank you for the advice Mike and Tfer. a 6" or even 8" dobsonian ( Links on what to expect in different telescope aperture sizes ). No, a dedicated short focal length eyepiece is better. With Celestron dx 130az you will get about 200x magnification. When you unbox your new StarSense Explorer DX, you'll find: 130mm Newtonian reflector optical tube. So, if you want a telescope that can form clearer images, go for the Celestron Starsense Explorer dx 130az. Stargazing Help is a participant in Amazon Associates program. Skies & Scopes 2023. Especially the Starsense explorer dx 120az and 130az. ), Deimos vs Titania (How Are They Different? how do they compare? Have you tried this model and would you recommend it? Before the main discussion, lets see the fundamental difference between both telescopes. The clunky movement and delicate optics could limit the usefulness of the instrument for more detailed observations, but the system certainly does get you observing within just a few minutes, unlike more advanced telescopes, thus overcoming one of the greatest hurdles that beginners face. 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. It has a larger aperture than dx 102az. ), Why Is Jupiter Denser Than Saturn? Celestron StarSense Explorer vs Celestron NexStar Telescopes: How do they compare? Thanks. Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 130AZ 130mm f/5 AZ Reflector Telescope (24) Price View Cart. Yes, you can take astrophotography pictures with the Celestron StarSense Explorer telescopes using a smartphone adapter like this basic one or this premium one. The downside to large dobsonians like this is the size they are heavy and large. A 32mm Plossl will provide 20x, with a slightly wider true field than the included 25mm ocular, but is of debatable usefulness. Join our Space Forums to keep talking space on the latest missions, night sky and more! The accessory tray is a nice, sturdy affair and an actual tray rather than the silly eyepiece rack supplied with many scopes. 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! Overall, while it would not always be our first choice, the Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 102 is definitely one of my favorite beginner scopes in its price range. This is the best measurement of a telescopes capacity to provide good views. I've been following the StarSense Explorer main thread, which has a lot of great information and seems particularly targeted towards adapting the bracket/mirror towards other telescopes. The instrument is computerized, making use of the observer's smartphone and free-to-download StarSense Explorer app to make navigating the night sky and exploring solar system (opens in new tab) and bright deep-sky objects such as nebulas, star clusters and galaxies (opens in new tab) fun and, above all, a breeze to find. The clutch that holds the telescope in altitude, on the test model anyway, is fierce, so to move it you need to grasp the tripod firmly with one hand and wrench the tube up or down with the other as per the instructions. They take care of employees and no work pressure and fun at work. What eyepiece should I upgrade for this telescope? How about Starsense Explorer DX130 compared to Astromaster 130EQ? Although it's portable and definitely portable it wouldn't be as easy as moving a 102az. You Pay: $559.00. The DX 102 has a 2 rack-and-pinion focuser, but it cannot actually balance on its mount with a 2 diagonal and eyepiece, so in practice, the scope is limited to 1.25 eyepieces and accessories only. You cant also take pictures of the sky with the help of the telescope. This DX5 is Celestrons classic 5-inch SCT telescope tube with a hand-operable mount and the Starsense Explorer functionality that allows you to connect your smartphone and allow it to guide you, like the models above. 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. It seems only Celestron telescopes are available in our country. Our Verdict: The Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 102 AZ telescope is a beginner's ultimate telescope. There is a great deal on a Celestron 102 DX at Amazon for $359, only 50 dollars more than the Popular . The new Celestron StarSense Explorer telescopes use your smartphone to make it much easier to find planets, galaxies, and other objects to look at. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. 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. 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?! On your phones screen, youll see the current position of your telescope. Great review! Senior Software Developer (Former Employee) - Bangalore, Karnataka - April 23, 2023. Yes, the Celestron StarSense Explorer telescopes are good. It focuses the image on a single point. The plate-solving is only done when you first mount your phone or when you move the telescope a significant amount. As a result, youll get quite an exhilarating image. What about the Skywatcher skymax 102, 127 AZ GTI WIFI telescope? https://www.NexStarSite.com. 8-inch dobsonians are often highly recommended as the best telescopes and have been hard to get hold of in recent years due to shortages and supply chain disruptions around the world. Winner: The specifications of Celestron dx 130az are more impressive. The Moon looks pretty good, while Mercury and Venus show nothing besides their phases. The Celestron StarSense DX 102AZ features a doublet lens composed of two different types of glass, offering bright views of targets. The coating inside is of low quality. What Do The Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 102AZs Specifications Mean? It has more magnification power than dx 102az. To connect the Starsense app with your telescope put your smartphone in the Starsense dock. will also probably upgrade in 5 years or so. Its also portable and has a better optical design. Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 130AZ: Full review | Space Which makes it better for planetary views. 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. Every slow-motion control I've ever seen attaches to the mount using visible small thumb screws. I understand because they have the same focal length they give the same views in any given eyepiece, but using the area of a circle (pi x radius squared) 102 = 8171, and 130 = 13273. But they take more time to set on the mount than dx 102az usually takes. I had what seemed to be a related question, which has come up somewhat in that main thread: whether to purchase the DX . 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The StarSense Explorer DX 130AZ is a Newtonian reflector telescope with a 5.1-inch aperture. The advantage with these models is that the Schmidt-Cassegrain design allows high aperture in a much more compact body. StarSense Explorer DX 130AZ Smartphone App-Enabled Telescope - Amazon.com Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 102 AZ Review (Refractor) We dont have this model in my country but I saw a Celestron Starsense Explorer LT 127AZ being sold brand new. 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. Can you explain how they are still about equal in light gathering? What Are Users Of The Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 102AZ Saying, Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 102AZ Smartphone App-Enabled Telescope Works with StarSense App to Help You Find Stars, Planets & More 102mm Refractor iPhone/Android Compatible, Orion Spaceprobe 130ST Review (A Good Budget Astronomy Setup?! I'll be observing from my front/backyard, which is in a location with a Bortle scale of 4 (rural/suburban transition). This is much less precise than a real GoTo system with tracking but much simpler, easier, and more reliable than a motorized telescope. The 8-inch aperture is huge and will provide few limitations to what you can see. Does the difference between this and the Meade infinity 102 justify the $170 increase? 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. Confusingly, the instructions then refer to the knob at the bottom of the clamp! Between Celestron Starsense dx 102az and 130az, Celestron dx 130az is better. Thankfully, even with 1.25 eyepieces, you can squeeze out a field of view of about 2.5 degrees with a 32mm Plossl or similar, so this should not be of huge concern to a beginner. Refractor optics are also categorised into two types. Celestron dx 130az has a focal ratio of f/5. if youre not butchering it for the StarSense hardware, thats what Id buy. As for other key specifications, dx 102az has a focal ratio of 6.5. Its StarSense technology links a smartphone to a telescope in a simple, yet robust fashion. 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. ), Celestron Omni XLT 102 Review (Worth It Or Overpriced!? . 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).