Celestron CPC 800 XLT Computerized Telescope w/Tube and Tripod Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This has got to be the easiest to operate serious astronomical telescope out there. I am very impressed by the design improvements made on this compared to other competitive models. The overall look is sleek and looks very sturdy without having a bulky look. I like the way the hand controller is stored on the fork arm as it faces you so that you can see the red lit hand controller without having to move. Very convenient. Also, the oversized clutch knobs to adjust the telescopes direction manually is a very good feature.
But what is really most impressive is the new SkyAlign technology and the sophisticated easy-to-use electronics. Previous alignment systems require for you to point and align it at a bright star that the telescope chooses randomly. There is a chance that the bright star you decide to align your telescope is the wrong bright object. With the new SkyAlign on this telescope, you choose any 3 bright objects in the sky, Moon and planets included. There will never be a shortage of bright objects at any time in the nightsky. It also guarantees that you are going to have an accurate alignment.
When I first turned on the telescope, the built in GPS unit links up to provide the telescope with the time and location. Next, I pointed it to a bright object. The instructions on the hand control display was very easy to follow. After pointing the telescope to a bright object, I pressed enter then I used the telescope hand control to point the telescope to a secod bright object on the other side of the sky. After pressing enter, I decided to point it at the moon, the most recognizable object in the night sky. After pressing enter, the hand control indicated to me that I pointed it at Vega, Jupiter and the Moon. That was just amazing. I then asked the telescope to go to Saturn. The telescope took off and after a few seconds stopped and placed Saturn right in the middle of the eyepiece view. With over 40,000 objects in its database, I was able to view several galaxies and nebulae that I was never able to locate before, all in one night.
Overall, a very impressive scope with superb optics (high transmission XLT), nice sleek look and sophisticated software.

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Tomorrow's next generation 8, 9.25, and 11 computerized GPS SCT's are here now!New alignment technology, advanced engineering, and bold new design at a lower price that is out of this world!Celestron's new CPC Series with revolutionary SkyAlign Alignment Technology redefines everything that amateur astronomers are looking for: quick and simple alignment, GPS, unsurpassed optical quality, ease of set-up and use, ergonomics, enhanced computerization and, most important, affordability.

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Celestron CG-5 Computerized German Equatorial Mount and Tripod Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I bought the CG-5C mount in January and have been using it for awhile now so its time to write the review. Once you get the hang of aligning it with at least 4 stars I found that it can search out objects with very good accuracy. I don't even need to remove my camera to guide from object to object.

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New German Equatorial mount has precision worm gears on both axes for extremely smooth stability. The key element that makes this system the most stable in its class is the NEW heavy-duty tripod with larger and more substantial legs that offer excellent damping characteristics for more stable views. The CG-5 also has a convenient latitude scale for easier alignment and an optional polar finder scope for the ultimate in precision alignments. GoTo convenience and GPS compatibility for precision accuracy. Couple this solid mount with the included computerized GoTo Control System to utilize many of the same functions and features-like the NexStar computer control systemand an Autoguider port for long exposure deep sky astrophotographyThe Computerzied Mount is also upgradeable to GPS with the optional CN16 GPS Accessory (#93963) allowing your telescope to pinpoint your position on the earth, the date and time, making the alignment process faster and easier than ever before!The GoTo version CG-5 Mount also come loaded with new software features and over 40,000 database objects. Capable of holding over 35 lbs of payload and slewing at 4° per second,you will be able to instantly point to any of the celestial objects in the database.

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Celestron NexStar 8 SE Telescope Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)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!

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Advanced computerized telescope has a large 8" aperture and sophisticated Schmidt-Cassegrain optics so you can see deep into the universe with incredible brightness and clarity. See 40,000 stars, planets, clusters, galaxies, nebulas and more with the press of a button. Simply use the backlit LCD hand control to select an object from the built-in database and watch the telescope automatically move and point at the object. The database has more than 40,000 of the best deep sky sights, plus you can add 200 user-definable objects of your own. Acclaimed SkyAlign technology and a StarPointer finderscope let you align the scope in minutes. The large 8" aperture combines with Schmidt-Cassegrain optics and StarBright XLT enhanced high-transmission lens coatings for ultra bright, razor sharp, high contrast images. Sturdy altazimuth mount and patented single fork arm ensure smooth, effortless movement. It weighs only 33 lbs., and the pre-assembled tripod, quick-release optical tube and fast no-tools set up make it easy to take it wherever the viewing is best. You can update your telescope's software via the Internet. The NexRemote telescope control software and a RS-232 cable allow you to control the scope via your computer (software and cable included). Also includes a 25mm 1.25" eyepiece, accessory tray and The Sky planetarium software with printable sky maps. Uses 8 AA batteries (not included). 40,000 stars, planets, galaxies and more at the press of a button order your Celestron 8SE telescope today!

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