New tabletop game 'Death in Space' lets you mine for precious gems in the ravaged Tenebris system. Celestron Astro Fi 130mm f/5 Reflector Telescope. It takes just 15 minutes to set up the Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 130AZ. Uranus and Neptune might barely be viewable at the max magnification that the Infinity 102AZ can handle. Also note, that the same telescope is also being sold as the Popular Science StarSense Explorer DX 5. Add to Wish List. Although it's portable and definitely portable it wouldn't be as easy as moving a 102az. 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. Celestron StarSense Explorer vs Celestron NexStar Telescopes: How do they compare? Which makes it better for planetary views. 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. 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. 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. The optics are fitted into a closed tube. View Map. Socket wrench + normal wrench should do the trick if I recall correctly. Does the difference between this and the Meade infinity 102 justify the $170 increase? The StarSense Explorer app is ridiculously easy to set up. You can find the Celestron dx 130az on Aliexpress for a relatively cheaper price. Before the purchase, be sure to install the StarSense Explorer app on your phone. Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 114AZ vs DX 130AZ ), Deimos vs Saturn (How Are They Different? a 6" or even 8" dobsonian ( Links on what to expect in different telescope aperture sizes ). If you compare their size, 130az is quite big and heavy. On Aliexpress it costs around $418. Would one model be a better purchase vs the other? 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. StarSense Explorer DX 130AZ vs 102AZ - posted in Celestron Computerized Telescopes: Hi all, Ive 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. There are a few differences between each of the models, so lets look at each of them in turn to help decide whats right for you. $469.95. StarSense Explorer DX 130AZ vs 102AZ - Cloudy Nights A poor design, as these screws will quickly get lost. Celestron Starsense Explorer 8 Dobsonian, Celestron Starsense Explorer 10 Dobsonian. The method of alignment is to aim the telescope at a chosen object which is where the red-dot finder comes in handy and then move the red crosswires on the app to the same object shown on the phone view. You wont be able to see many details but large planets will be visible. Whereas Celestron dx 130az has an aperture of a whopping 130 mm. Heavy and large. Its a good magnification for viewing the Moon, planets, smaller deep-sky objects like globular clusters, and splitting double stars. The 5 reflector seems like a solid scope. 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 with eight different models, which is right for you? For Celestron dx 102az the former type is used and also they are low in quality. The StarSense Explorer DX-102 is limited to brighter objects by the nature of its small aperture. In instructions intended for raw beginners, points such as this are vital. Winner: The specifications of Celestron dx 130az are more impressive. In terms of magnification that's a significant step-up from the 'toy' telescopes that dominate . The StarSense Explorer DX 102 includes two 1.25" eyepieces: a 25mm "Super" Konig providing 26x and a 10mm Konig providing 65x. This model and the 102 AZ are refractors. Your 5 year old will not be able to reach the eyepiece of the 130mm without assistance or something to stand on (which usually leads to grabbing for something and the only something in the area is the telescope which you just centered in on the object you want to show). For this review I tested the DX 102AZ, a 102mm f/6.5 achromatic refractor. 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. Why you can trust Space.com 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. As for what the app provides, they have database of a few hundred celestial objects so not bad for a beginner getting involved with this hobby. Your email address will not be published. So unless you can be sure it has those or the price is absurdly low, wed recommend you pass. Though most other popular telescopes are on months-long backorders, the DX 102 and its cousin, the DX 130AZ, appear to be in stock most of the time, and even when they areon backorder, there have been reports that deliveries are quicker than usual. However, there are some key differences between them. For example, if Saturn or the Andromeda galaxy are above you that night, you can select them on the app and then follow the arrows on the app to point the telescope at them. Some of the Celestron Astromaster telescopes use similar OTAs (telescope tubes) and similar AZ mounts. 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. I guess at the end of the day, I'm curious if either the refractor or reflector is known to be a lot easier with kids; and whether the refractor tends to be a better fit for beginners. The device comes with 2 1.25 kellner eyepieces at 25mm and 10mm, a StarPointe red dot finderscope, a 90 degree erect image starpointer, a Manual Alt-Azimuth mount, a StarSense Explorer phone dock, a tripod and a bunch of other miscellaneous documents. (Explained!). It has a memory card but it cant help you to take pictures. I'm interested in spending perhaps an hour or so every week or two doing astronomy. In this review Ill cover the pros, cons and the 102AZs features to ultimately help you decide on whether the system is worth investing in or a beginner level device that you should skip out on. The only major complaint was to do with the inaccuracy of the apps tracking ability, especially when users decided to look further out. 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. Patented, award-winning StarSense sky recognition technology uses your smartphone to analyze star patterns overhead and calculate the telescope's position in real-time. Celestron StarSense Explorer Review & Comparison. 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. In fact, you do need to apply a lot of force to twist it. 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. Celestron has been attempting to use various methods of technological assistance for the past two decades first with the NexStar series of telescopes and SkyAlign (to mixed results), then with their StarSense technology (a flop), their AstroFi and NexStar Evolution telescopes, and now the StarSense Explorer. In order of aperture, the Celestron Starsense Explorer DX 102AZ is the second most powerful in the range. (Image credit: Celestron) The Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 130AZ is a 130-mm (5.1-inch) Newtonian reflector. Its not a bad telescope to have. I already have eye pieces. if youre not butchering it for the StarSense hardware, thats what Id buy. In all my research the 8 Dobsonian seems to be a good beginner telescope. Before the main discussion, lets see the fundamental difference between both telescopes. A simple slot-and-turn system would be much less aggravating for astronomers, unless you intend to use the instrument solely as a piece of furniture permanently set up in the corner of the room or do without the tray altogether. Stargazing Help is a participant in Amazon Associates program. 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. Compare Celestron StarSense Explorer vs Celestron NexStar 130 SLT vs As noted above, the 102 in the name refers to the telescope's aperture of 102mm (4-inch). Four are reflector telescope types and two are refractor telescopes. ), Deimos vs Europa (How Are They Different? Due to an a enclosed tube being used, the optics wont need to be cleaned or collimated all the time. Each is different but they all feature the StarSense Explorer technology that provides a great halfway point between computerized (GOTO) telescopes and manual ones (see FAQs below if you want more information on GOTO telescopes). Your smartphone's camera must be sensitive enough to image the brighter stars on a night setting. Our Verdict: The Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 102 AZ telescope is a beginner's ultimate telescope. There are some issues with glare and ghosting, and they are slightly inferior in sharpness to a true Plossl design, but both eyepieces are comfortable to use and work well, though they are a bit below what you should be expecting in quality at this price point. Celestron dx 102az weighs around 6.4 kg. Looking for something portable at the moment, with plan to add a 10 dob in the future. This forum and community is a wonderful resource! The coating inside is of low quality. Celestron StarSense Explorer: 8 Models Compared (2023) It has a focal ratio of f/6.5, which means that it has a . Just about light enough for car travel and capable of really sharp image quality it's nevertheless a poor choice for astrophotographers. The Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 130AZ is a 5.1" diameter reflecting telescope on an alt . 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. For information: The StarSense technology on these telescopes enables you to use your smartphone to give you much of what youd get from a GOTO telescope. Amazon.com : Celestron - StarSense Explorer DX 102AZ Smartphone App-Enabled Telescope - Works with StarSense App to Help You Find Stars, Planets & More . ), Celestron Nexstar 4SE Review (Worth The Price Or Too, Celestron PowerSeeker 70EQ Review (Worth A Buy Or. 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. Unwary users are likely to try polishing it with glass cleaner or even abrasive solutions. 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. But with dx 130az you can. In that regard you cant completely be reliant on the app, which may or may not be reasonably accurate considering the quality of your phones camera nevertheless, this shouldnt be a deal breaker if you were to decide on this telescope. By entering your email address you agree to receive emails from Skies &Scopes. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. How Do The Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 102AZsOptics Work? Should I buy a used StarSense Explorer DX 102AZ? The 130 mm (5-inch) aperture is fairly large and will enable great views of planets and deep-sky objects when the night sky conditions are right. No, your phone cant take pictures while using the Starsense app. Apparently, they both go with dx 102az and 130 az. Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 130AZ: Full review | Space Interestingly, it seems the 130mm is also now out of stock. The package comes with two eyepieces, giving two useful magnifications of 26x and 66x, and what is termed an erect-image diagonal. Saturns rings and the Cassini Division within them look fabulous, while its dimmer moons and cloud belts are a bit harder to spot. A 2 diagonal and eyepieces would allow for a wider field of view, but are expensive and would make the scope unable to properly balance on its mount, as well as straining the lightweight mount and tripod. After a career that included making telescopes and editing a photography magazine, he became an author of popular astronomy books including Complete Guide to Stargazing, 101 Things to Spot in the Night Sky and Night Sky Atlas. Thanks so much in advance. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Locate faint, deep-sky objects in seconds and see them in more detail . So, lets get down to the details, shall we? Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 102 AZ Review (Refractor) It doesnt suffer from chromatic aberration and delivers a much sharper image of the night sky. A star diagonal is standard with astronomical refractors and reflects the beam from the focuser through 90 degrees to allow a much easier observing position than crouching on the ground looking up through the tube, but usually, it has the drawback of reversing the image as in an ordinary mirror. HIGH-QUALITY 102MM REFRACTOR: Fully coated glass optics provide bright, sharp, clear views of craters on the Moon, Jupiter, Saturn, Mars, and deep sky objects like the Orion Nebula, Andromeda Galaxy, and Pleiades Open Star Cluster. Ultimately, due to the somewhat inferior nature of the phones used (at least when compared to a GoTo Computerised Mount) the field of view will only be limited to a max of 0.25 degrees (half the width of the moon). So, it doesnt require collimation or cleaning. But it can suffer from spherical aberration. ), Why Is Jupiter Denser Than Saturn? 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. However, the mount does have a couple minor issues. Im still figuring out, between Starsense Explorer DX130 and LT127. Im very new to Astromony and have a chance to get a Celestron C102-HD. Celestron StarSense Explorer vs Celestron AstroMaster Telescopes: How do they compare? We use cookies to personalise content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyse our traffic. The mount's not even ideal. However, it has the lowest aperture, which will limit your viewing capacity. Thats because of their aperture. Also I dont speak for Celestron and to prove so I will say the eye pieces are complete trash and it should come with a collimating tool. Although its portable and definitely portable it wouldnt be as easy as moving a 102az. 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. Faint objects like planetary nebulae or galaxies are off-limit. As a result, youll get quite an exhilarating image. This means we may be compensated if you click links on this page at no extra cost to you. 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. The diagonal provided by Celestron uses a roof prism rather than a simple mirror, giving a non-reversed image so you can use the instrument by day as well as by night. The bracket fits most phones and will work just fine even if you have a relatively thick case (or even a PopSocket). Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 102AZ review: First light and functionality. +91-120-406-2000. Though you won't have the activation code, it will open and test your phone for compatibility. However, reflectors tend to give you more aperture (power) for the same price, with the downside being the bigger size and more cumbersome operation. Google Maps Jupiter, Venus, Saturn and Mars should look pretty great through the scope and fairly easy to locate. You can take a number of its key characteristics from its name: Not in the name, but worthy of note, is that it is a refractor telescope (as opposed to a reflector). How about Starsense Explorer DX130 compared to Astromaster 130EQ? Both are pretty mediocre, a Dob would probably be a better choice. For relative beginner (upgrade from binoculars! 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. A large 10" parabolic primary mirror with XLT coatings helps you make the most of StarSense technology. Celestron dx 102az on the other hand is not really worth the price. But thats not possible with dx 102az. Disclosure - If you buy something via our link, we may earn a commission with no additional expense to you. 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. STARSENSE EXPLORER APP: The app generates a list of the best objects to view based on your exact time & location. Need more information regarding both telescopes? Astrophotography with Nikon D3200: Can It Be Better? Celestron StarSense Explorer telescopes are manual, not computerized, but their design gives you many of the advantages of this technology. The other advantage is that no power source is needed. Telescope Aperture: 130mm (5.12") Focal Ratio: f/5. 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?! Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 114AZ Review: Don't Fall Into The Trap. This means we may make a commission if you purchase an item using one of our links*. You can even watch faint celestial objects with it. 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Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. We recommend High Point Scientific (#1 US retailer) for finding thecurrent retail price and purchasing/backordering. So, as you can see both telescopes have their strong and weak points. Galaxies are almost certain to disappoint, as few will show detail under dark skies, and a beginner will struggle to see them all in light-polluted conditions. 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. The telescope attaches to the mount using a standard dovetail, but as it came out of the box the clamp assembly was twisted through 180 degrees, with the locking screw at the bottom. 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. This is the best measurement of a telescope's capacity to provide good views. 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. 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. Optical Design: Newtonian Reflector. For $399 you can get a much more capable telescope with a larger aperture, e.g. UNLEASH THE POWER OF YOUR SMARTPHONE: Let your iPhone or Android phone take you on a guided tour of the night skyno telescope experience required. The eyepiece for the 102mm will be better positioned for the little one. He has made numerous TV appearances explaining astronomy news stories, and lectures aboard cruise ships. Youre at the right place. 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 80 mm model is the smallest with the weakest viewing capacity, and the 254 mm model is the largest with the best. (14) notify when in stock. The final step is to remove the cap from the mirror on the StarSense dock again, courageously pulling off with some effort and fitting your smartphone into the spring-loaded slider. The Moon looks pretty good, while Mercury and Venus show nothing besides their phases. If you compare their size, 130az is quite big and heavy. Its also not flexible to eyepieces other than the 1.25 ones. The Celestron StarSense DX 102AZ features a doublet lens composed of two different types of glass, offering bright views of targets. There is no reason at all to get the StarSense Explorer LT 114AZ.