Pros
Great for beginners and advanced users
Portable and lightweight
Fully automated GoTo mount with SkyAlign technology
Capable optics with good light-gathering ability
Easy to assemble and set up
Good for planetary viewing
Useful for casual astrophotography
Cons
Battery life is limited and requires additional external power tank
Azimuth locks up when power is off
Screws for collimation might strip easily; poor quality
Main Product Advantages
9 Portability
The telescope's compact size and light weight (approximately 28 pounds) make it easy to transport, set up, and store, suitable for users who need mobility.
8 Optical Quality
The Schmidt-Cassegrain design with a 5-inch primary mirror provides sharp and clear images of celestial objects. Factory collimation ensures high-quality optics right out of the box.
8 GoTo Functionality
Fully-automated GoTo mount with SkyAlign technology, capable of automatically locating and tracking over 40,000 celestial objects. However, it requires precise alignment and good power supply for optimal performance.
8 Price
Considered good value for the feature set offered, especially when compared to the cost of other computerized telescopes. However, the price for some accessories and replacement parts can add up.
7 Ease of Use
The telescope is user-friendly with straightforward assembly and a short learning curve for beginners. However, some adjustments and initial setups, like aligning the finder scope, may require additional effort.
7 Construction Quality
Overall quality is solid, though some users have reported issues such as the red dot finder not working and the need for certain parts like collimation screws to be of better quality.
7 Customer Support
Generally positive reviews about customer support helping with part replacements and resolving issues, though some users reported dissatisfaction with support for more complicated issues.
6 Accessories
Comes with a 25mm Plössl eyepiece and Star Pointer finderscope. Users often recommend additional accessories such as a Power Tank, quality eyepieces, and a Barlow lens to enhance the experience.
6 Astrophotography Capability
Suitable for basic astrophotography with DSLR cameras, but limited to short exposures (up to 30 seconds). Not ideal for serious astrophotography which requires more stable German equatorial mounts.
5 Battery Life
Runs on 8 AA batteries which have limited life, typically under 2 hours. Users recommend purchasing an external power supply or rechargeable power tank for extended use.
Celestron NexStar 5SE Telescope - Computerized Telescope for Beginners and Advanced Users
The best telescope is the one used often to enjoy the beauty and intrigue of the night sky. For those searching for telescopes for astronomy beginners that are infused with the latest computer technology, Celestron’s NexStar 5SE Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope fits the bill perfectly. The NexStar 5SE Computerized Telescope features Celestron’s iconic “orange tube” design and updated technology with the latest features for amazing stargazing for beginners and experienced observers.
Advanced Features and Excellent Optics
Celestron’s signature telescope combines advanced features and excellent optics in one easy-to-use system, the NexStar 5SE. It’s the perfect choice for your first serious telescope, offering striking views at an economical price. The five-inch primary mirror in this computerized telescope packs enough light-gathering ability to observe the best that our Solar System has to offer, from Saturn’s rings to the cloud bands on Jupiter and geographic features on the surface of the Moon.
When it comes to deep sky objects, take your 5SE to a dark-sky site and you’ll see hundreds of pinpoint stars in the Hercules Globular Cluster, the spiral arms of the Whirlpool Galaxy, and more. Featuring a database of more than 40,000 celestial objects, the 5SE’s GoTo mount automatically locates and tracks objects for you. You can also take a Sky Tour and let your telescope show you the best objects currently visible.
Portable and Easy to Set Up
The single fork arm design and sturdy steel tripod all assemble and break down from separate components for easy transportation. SkyAlign technology gets your telescope aligned and ready to observe in minutes. Even if you’re unfamiliar with the night sky, you can easily align your telescope on any 3 bright objects. The NexStar 5SE is a telescope that will grow with you as you advance in the hobby of astronomy. It’s compatible with all the high-tech accessories advanced users love. Provide GPS coordinates to your telescope with SkySync, or add automatic alignment functionality with StarSense AutoAlign.
Excellent Optics and Easy Computerized GoTo Tracking
Celestron's NexStar 5 SE computerized telescope combines excellent optics and easy computerized GoTo tracking in a convenient portable size. The standard equipment tripod and mount feature easy no-tool setup, and the package even includes a student version of "The Sky" planetarium software for your computer.
The excellent optics of Celestron's classic C5 Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope have been updated with premium Starbright XLT optical coatings. This telescope consistently delivers crisp, high contrast views of the moon, the planets, and brighter deep space objects. The standard equipment 25mm plossl eyepiece produces a magnification of 50x, powerful enough to show the rings of Saturn, the cloud bands of Jupiter, and the changing face of the Lunar disk.
Standard Equipment and Additional Features
The NexStar 5 SE package also includes a sturdy adjustable tripod, a motorized alt-azimuth mount, and the NexStar handheld computer controller. You won't need a GPS receiver or star charts to operate this telescope. The SkyAlign procedure is easy to use, and experienced observers will like the two-star align and solar-system align options because they are even quicker to set up. This telescope is perfect for visual observing, and it allowed the reviewer to capture some sweet images of the moon and planets using a Celestron NexImage web-cam.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
Excellent optics
Light and portable
Computerized GoTo tracking
Cons:
Short battery life
Too light for deep space photography
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Celestron NexStar 5SE is a highly recommended telescope for both beginners and advanced users. It combines advanced features, ease of use, portability, and excellent optics in an economical package. While it may have some drawbacks like short battery life and limited use for deep space photography, its pros far outweigh the cons, making it an excellent investment for anyone interested in exploring the night sky.
