celestron starsense explorer dx 102az vs 130az

Just follow the arrows to locate stars, planets & more! collimating. 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. Deep-sky objects are a little less exciting. Which is better than the image youll see from normal reflector optics. Includes Free. SKU: CEL-22461. Are the Celestron StarSense Explorer good telescopes? New tabletop game 'Death in Space' lets you mine for precious gems in the ravaged Tenebris system. 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. Thanks so much in advance. Normally, this is done for astrophotography to avoid performing a time-consuming GoTo alignment and is only used to find one target. Robin is the Vice President of the Society for Popular Astronomy, and even has an asteroid named after him (24728 Scagell), but neither the asteroid nor Robin poses a threat to civilization as we know it. But it needs collimation from time to time since the alignment gets messed up often. Senior Software Developer (Former Employee) - Bangalore, Karnataka - April 23, 2023. Thats because of their aperture. To connect the Starsense app with your telescope put your smartphone in the Starsense dock. Find out more about how we test and review products. The Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 130AZ is a 5.1" diameter reflecting telescope on an alt . The Celestron Starsense DX 6 is exactly the same as the DX5 above but has a larger 6-inch aperture instead. The eyepieces supplied, although in lightweight plastic barrels, are of good optical quality. This means we may make a commission if you purchase an item using one of our links*. ), Deimos vs Uranus (How Are They Different? 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 4.3 out of 5 stars 274 The body of the eyepieces is fully built on plastic. Then along came plate solving the software to identify a field of view of stars in a photograph and the great computing power, position sensing, and imaging capabilities of a modern smartphone. What eyepiece should I upgrade for this telescope? The only major complaint was to do with the inaccuracy of the apps tracking ability, especially when users decided to look further out. The downside is that it is generally in the higher budget range and that it is less portable, heavier, and bulkier. 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. Just trying to decide between a 102 refractor vs a 130 reflector. If on the other hand youre willing to spend a bit more for telescope that are more powerful but will require a bit more tinkering, the SkyWatcher Dobsonian 6-inch or the skyquest XT6 is most certainly worth looking into too. I'm new to astronomy and have previously only spent a couple of hours playing around with a 60mm refractor from a thrift store (have been able to find planets, and haven't looked for much else). 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. Its a good magnification for viewing the Moon, planets, smaller deep-sky objects like globular clusters, and splitting double stars. The Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 102AZ is an achromatic refractor, with a 102 mm doublet lens composed of two different types of glass. So, it doesnt require collimation or cleaning. We're pleased to report that loading and using the software on our Moto G8 phone was easy and quite intuitive. 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. Saturns rings and the Cassini Division within them look fabulous, while its dimmer moons and cloud belts are a bit harder to spot. We also share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising and analytics partners. 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. It has a focal ratio of f/6.5, which means that it has a . The StarSense Explorer DX 102 is a nice telescope, but a fully computerized instrument or a manual scope with more aperture might be a better pick. The pros of the lens included within the StarSense include the following : Overall, even though the optics within this telescope arent necessarily the most accurate when it comes to colours, it will still provide a solid experience for most. 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. Thanks! It has a memory card but it cant help you to take pictures. There is no reason at all to get the StarSense Explorer LT 114AZ. But thats not possible with dx 102az. 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. These are very average specs and maybe even subpar when you consider reflector telescopes tend to offer a lot more bang for the buck nevertheless, the specs . $599.95. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Zane thoughts on StarSense Explorer DX130 vs Astro-Fi 130? You may even see Marss red spot, Saturns rings, or even Jupiters spiral patterns. Join us in this discussion to learn more. It has more magnification power than dx 102az. 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. In order of aperture, the Celestron Starsense Explorer DX 102AZ is the second most powerful in the range. Can you take pictures with the Celestron StarSense? Celestron StarSense Explorer vs Celestron NexStar Telescopes: How do they compare? Its also portable and has a better optical design. Add to Wish List. When you unbox your new StarSense Explorer DX, you'll find: 130mm Newtonian reflector optical tube. It shares many of the characteristics of the other refractor in the range above in that it is smaller, lighter, and less cumbersome to operate, but it is more powerful with the larger aperture and you will be able to see more through it. The 130 is better but still pretty small for that price. As a result, youll get quite an exhilarating image. You cant also take pictures of the sky with the help of the telescope. 10.7 Arcsec-(Rayleigh)0.89 Arcsec-(Dawes), 1.37 Arcsec-(Rayleigh)1.14 Arcsec-(Dawes), Has more magnification power and forms better views, Less expensive but doesnt provide enough features considering the price. You can zoom in for better precision. Buy from scopes' recommended retailer, HighPoint, StarSense Explorer technology helpful in locating targets. A large 10" parabolic primary mirror with XLT coatings helps you make the most of StarSense technology. Celestrons specs say 11% obstruction by area, so the 130 loses 1460 of area = 11813, still bigger than the 102. The other 2 are known as reflector optics (it utilises mirrors as opposed to the glass lens used in refractor telescopes) and compound optics (they utilise a combination of the other 2 optics). Users of the Explorer have found it to be a very capable device and quite easy to set up. This means we may be compensated if you click links on this page at no extra cost to you. 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. The alt-azimuth mounting means that you can move the instrument around two axes up and down (altitude) and from side to side (azimuth). Winner: For this round, the Celestron Starsense Explorer dx 130az is the winner. . $469.95. Heavy and large. 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. Once set up, you need to align the red-dot finder with the main instrument by day. 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. 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. 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. Thanks for the great review! 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. Read our full affiliate disclosure here. Celestron dx 102az comes with two 1.25 eyepieces. ), Deimos vs Saturn (How Are They Different? Some drawbacks do become evident. Mainly interested in the mount and optical tube. They are completely manual though and do not have the StarSense technology and smartphone interactivity (although you may be able to replicate this with other adapters and apps. 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. Popular Science by Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 5" Smartphone App-Enabled Schmidt Cassegrain Telescope. On your phones screen, youll see the current position of your telescope. Every slow-motion control I've ever seen attaches to the mount using visible small thumb screws. It doesnt have issues like chromatic aberration like the dx 102az. A 32mm Plossl will provide 20x, with a slightly wider true field than the included 25mm ocular, but is of debatable usefulness. 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. The tube itself is around 81 cm long. Heres how it works. ), Celestron Omni XLT 102 Review (Worth It Or Overpriced!? But its only limited to brighter objects in the night sky. Welcome to my Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 102AZ Review! It has an aperture of 114 mm (4.5 inches). The scope is alsoavailable on Amazon, which is unquestionably the most popular e-retailer in the United States, even when telescopes aloneare taken into account. They take care of employees and no work pressure and fun at work. 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. Dx 130 on the other hand weighs about 8.16 kg. But they take more time to set on the mount than dx 102az usually takes. Thanks. And if you have a news tip, correction or comment, let us know at: community@space.com. Avoid! 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. Here lately though, it has not been able to track location. Optically the telescope is well up to standard for a short-focus achromatic refractor and is well-suited to deep-sky observing. Smartphones can be fitted into a spring-loaded slider on the StarSense Explorer DX 102AZ, allowing for basic astrophotography. In principle, the StarSense Explorer tech is basically a bracket to point your phone at a small mirror that has been aligned to the telescope mount, and then uses the phones onboard camera and processing power to plate-solve. Here's the full lineup of StarSense Explorer telescopes in order of price (low to high): StarSense Explorer LT 80AZ Refractor. And the Celestron Starsense Explorer dx 130az has a 10mm Kellner eyepiece with 65x magnification power. Way better scope but not comparable mount wise. The StarSense Explorer DX 102 includes two 1.25" eyepieces: a 25mm "Super" Konig providing 26x and a 10mm Konig providing 65x. Type of Electronics: Manual - Smartphone with StarSense Explorer App Assisted. Compare Celestron StarSense Explorer vs Celestron NexStar 130 SLT vs Celestron 130 vs Celestron DX 102AZ . Learn how your comment data is processed. Mike Swanson Since both are beginner-level telescopes, comparison comes to mind. The StarSense Explorer DX 102 includes two 1.25 eyepieces: a 25mm Super Konig providing 26x and a 10mm Konig providing 65x. Skies & Scopes 2023. Especially the Starsense explorer dx 120az and 130az. The advantage with these models is that the Schmidt-Cassegrain design allows high aperture in a much more compact body. StarSense Explorer DX 130AZ StarSense Explorer DX 102AZ ; Optical Design : Newtonian Reflector : Refractor : Aperture : 130mm (5.12") 102mm (4") Focal Length : 650mm (25.6") Neptune and Uranus will be barely visible. It doesnt suffer from chromatic aberration and delivers a much sharper image of the night sky. Unwary users are likely to try polishing it with glass cleaner or even abrasive solutions. Thanks Zane; Ill take a look at Dob reviews. 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. 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. As for other key specifications, dx 102az has a focal ratio of 6.5. This is the best measurement of a telescope's capacity to provide good views. Its not a bad telescope to have. Which Celestron StarSense telescope is best? You can even watch faint celestial objects with it. The Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 102AZ is an achromatic refractor, with a 102 mm doublet lens composed of two different types of glass. You can find the Celestron dx 130az on Amazon which costs around $450. You can find the Celestron dx 130az on Aliexpress for a relatively cheaper price. Its focal length is 660 mm. Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 102AZ review: Design. The accessory tray that sits in the middle of the tripod legs needs to be attached by fiddly thumb screws that are already in place. Value $12.60. Also note, that the same telescope is also being sold as the Popular Science StarSense Explorer DX 5. Newly added to the range in 2022 are this two Schmidt-Cassegrain (SCT) models the DX5 and the DX6 (below). The length of the tube is around 63.5 cm. Out of the three types it is identified as having refractor-type optics. Its focal length is 660 mm. The DX 102 includes a 1.25 Amici prism star diagonal, which is mostly plastic and has some issues with glare and a diffraction spike on bright targets. Overall, this is the best option if you value a higher aperture for better views. The initial advent of computerized star catalogs, which were loaded into telescope handsets, made it possible to align a telescope on the sky by pointing it at just three bright stars. ), Deimos vs Europa (How Are They Different? 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. No, your phone cant take pictures while using the Starsense app. Youll need more expensive telescopes from Celestron to take pictures. Locate faint, deep-sky objects in seconds and see them in more detail . The Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 114AZ is different from the models above in that it is a reflector telescope. However, it has the lowest aperture, which will limit your viewing capacity. 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. The Celestron dx 102az telescope is not good for viewing faint objects. Im still figuring out, between Starsense Explorer DX130 and LT127. 4mm Eyepiece vs 20mm Eyepiece! Overall, this is a brilliant option if you want near-perfect viewing of planets and galaxies and have the space to use it. I would avoid both. The 5 reflector seems like a solid scope. Would one model be a better purchase vs the other? Again, just think about where you will use and store your telescope, as these DX models make great sense if you are short on space, whereas the other models are more inexpensive but bulkier. Is LT127 a better choice? COAST HX4 Dual-Color Utility Beam LED Clip Light. 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Open star clusters look great and benefit from the 102AZs wide field of view, but globular star clusters are little more than fuzzy balls. Read the full Earning Disclosure here. For a summary of the entire discussion take a look at this table: Between these two Newtonian and refractor telescopes Celestron dx 130az is a better option. I realized that it was very important for me that it the telescope be kid friendly. https://www.NexStarSite.com. Im very interested in the cosmos but being a chemistry student, I dont have much time to learn the precise location of Messier objects, how to find planets, and looking at the moon over and over gets boring (when you dont know what youre doing) comparing this to a Dob 8 in my opinion is like comparing a truck to sports car. Which eyepieces would you suggest to replace those less-than-ideal ones that come with the Stars Sense 130? Your smartphone's camera must be sensitive enough to image the brighter stars on a night setting. NY 10036. Trying to decide between these 2 scopes Im finding it difficult. So, what is so special about the Celestron dx eyepieces? So whether you buy this model or opt for the full Go To version, or indeed the NexStar 130 mm SLT reflector, is a decision that you will have to make depending on your observing interests. Can you describe how you were able to loosen? This is not to be confused with smartphone attachments that simply enable you to take photos of bright objects through the eyepiece, as found on some other beginners instruments. This means they have the advantages of GOTO technology and are smaller telescopes in terms of physical size. The tripod allows it to extend up to 1.24 metres. The prowess of the instrument is more suited to beginners than to dedicated observers. 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. StarSense Explorer DX 102AZ Smartphone App-Enabled Refractor Telescope. StarSense Explorer DX 102AZ Refractor. Why use such a time-consuming means of attachment? Though you won't have the activation code, it will open and test your phone for compatibility. The eyepieces provided with the 102az arent so good. The bracket fits most phones and will work just fine even if you have a relatively thick case (or even a PopSocket). This is probably one of the main reasons why youd consider getting the StarSense Explorer especially considering there are other similarly priced systems that offer a lot more bang for the buck (Ill list a few alternatives later). So all that is left is light gathering. Although the Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 102AZ didn't make into our list of the best telescopes (opens in new tab) for 2021, it's still an excellent piece of kit for those just starting out in skywatching, especially those who are hunting for an all-inclusive package that's easy to use and makes navigating the night sky a breeze. 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. If you compare their size, 130az is quite big and heavy. I consider myself handy and am not too worried about collimating a reflector (but would prefer to not have to do frequently). Similar cost. Just about light enough for car travel and capable of really sharp image quality it's nevertheless a poor choice for astrophotographers. In instructions intended for raw beginners, points such as this are vital. Celestron dx 102az has an aperture of 102 mm as the name says. See our overview of all the different Celestron NexStar models. (Image credit: Celestron) The Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 130AZ is a 130-mm (5.1-inch) Newtonian reflector. RECOMMENDED BUY FOR THE STARSENSE TECHNOLOGY. I am sorry but I have zero knowledge on this so please excuse my raw language ! I already have eye pieces. Celestron StarSense Explorer Review & Comparison. What about the Skywatcher skymax 102, 127 AZ GTI WIFI 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. But it can suffer from spherical aberration. We are an independent astronomy and astrophotography-focused publication that conducts objective research to make product recommendations. Faint objects like planetary nebulae or galaxies are off-limit. The accessory tray is a nice, sturdy affair and an actual tray rather than the silly eyepiece rack supplied with many scopes. The coating inside is of low quality. Alignment procedure depends on a mirror, which collects dew, Instrument is stiff to move without slow motions. 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. It seems immovable, and many beginners will wonder if they are meant to be forcing this round at all. Celestron Astro Fi 130mm f/5 Reflector Telescope. However, there are some key differences between them. My alt adjust is pretty over tight as well. 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. Uranus and Neptune might barely be viewable at the max magnification that the Infinity 102AZ can handle. Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 102AZ Specs, The Eyepieces of the StarSense Explorer DX Series. 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. at Amazon. This is more powerful than the models above and will provide better views. The eyepieces are supplied with tight plastic covers and how many beginners will try to twist these off, rather than prise them off? This StarSense Explorer DX 102 review was written in January 2020, when the scope was first released for $399. We dont have this model in my country but I saw a Celestron Starsense Explorer LT 127AZ being sold brand new. Uranus and Neptune are barely more than star-like dots, with blue disks barely bigger than the resolving limit of the telescope itself. Rather, the mount uses an adapter and the computing power of your smartphone to help you find your way around the sky, which well get to after covering the basics of the telescope(s) itself. If you compare their size, 130az is quite big and heavy. So, which one is better between Celestron Starsense explorer dx 102az vs 130az? document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Stargazing Help came into existence when some young minds got mesmerized by outer space while camping. The details will be a lot better than dx 102az. You need to consider where you will use it and store it. The package comes with two eyepieces, giving two useful magnifications of 26x and 66x, and what is termed an erect-image diagonal. Galaxies, nebulaes, star clusters and large parts of the messier should be viewable although there may be issues showing accurate colours with some stars.

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