Celestron dx 130az has a focal ratio of f/5. At its core, the StarSense Explorer actually uses a relatively old technology known as plate-solving. The 80 mm model is the smallest with the weakest viewing capacity, and the 254 mm model is the largest with the best. Mike Swanson Reading through the specs, I cant see the difference. There is no reason at all to get the StarSense Explorer LT 114AZ. Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 130AZ 130mm f/5 AZ Reflector Telescope (24) Price View Cart. The optical quality is good for a telescope of this type, but for planetary observing a different instrument would be preferable, such as the 130 mm reflector in the same range. Tower - 3, Oxygen Business Park SEZ, Sector 144, Noida Expressway, Noida, Uttar Pradesh - 201304. 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. No, a dedicated short focal length eyepiece is better. Once you undergo a super-simple alignment procedure, the StarSense Explorer app has thousands of objects it can find for youthe Moon, planets, most of the Messier catalog, and many more. The mirror can become dewed up within minutes on some nights often the clearest. Amazon.com : Celestron - StarSense Explorer DX 102AZ Smartphone App-Enabled Telescope - Works with StarSense App to Help You Find Stars, Planets & More . The package comes with two eyepieces, giving two useful magnifications of 26x and 66x, and what is termed an erect-image diagonal. Your email address will not be published. This telescope was a huge investment for Someone like myself. 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. The altitude slow motion is equally stiff to turn, while the azimuth control had an annoying backlash. (Explained!). The downside is that it is generally in the higher budget range and that it is less portable, heavier, and bulkier. The details will be a lot better than dx 102az. For this review I tested the DX 102AZ, a 102mm f/6.5 achromatic refractor. You wont be able to see many details but large planets will be visible. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Our team of experts has reviewed and ranked 180+ telescopes based on price and quality. Thanks! 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. It would kill your phone quite fast. 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). This free guidetells youwhat gear you need to get started photographing the Milky Way, Planets, or Deep Sky Objects. Overall, this is the best option if you value a higher aperture for better views. Some drawbacks do become evident. Not only does it have great focal specs for exploring the night sky and perhaps getting in an astro image or two, it has StarSense tech that helps a learner locate and view objects that would otherwise be difficult for a beginner to find. Conclusion: Which Celestron StarSense Explorer is best for you? Its StarSense technology links a smartphone to a telescope in a simple, yet robust fashion. 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). The main advantage of the 102mm is nothing to adjust (optically). Here is a quick video that shows how this works: This is a great, innovative feature that takes advantage of the smartphone that you probably already own, and gives you something simpler and cheaper than a fully computerized telescope. The only shortcoming I guess you could say is its average specs and its Starsense technology being somewhat hit or miss however, from the research Ive done on it, the 102AZ is a device worth checking even if its a little more expensive than an equally powerful reflector system. We're pleased to report that loading and using the software on our Moto G8 phone was easy and quite intuitive. ), Why Is Jupiter Denser Than Saturn? The StarSense Explorer DX mount is nothing more than a repainted Omni XLT AZ or AZ3 mount with a bracket for the StarSense Explorer device. So, there are issues of ghosting and internal reflection. 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. Thank you for the advice Mike and Tfer. Theres a hex nut inside the dovetail clamp; a socket wrench will do the job. Although it's portable and definitely portable it wouldn't be as easy as moving a 102az. DXC Technology helps global companies run their mission-critical systems and operations while modernizing IT, optimizing data architectures, and ensuring security and scalability across public, private and hybrid clouds. On your phones screen, youll see the current position of your telescope. 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. Therefore this makes for a real (relative) bargain and a great option. You therefore get all the same advantages of a great compact Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope tube but with even higher power. Celestron StarSense Explorer 8" Dobsonian, Celestron Starsense Explorer 10" Dobsonian, The lightest, most portable, and easiest to operate in the range, Generally the cheapest (although check prices). 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. For purchasing this telescope, we highly recommend HighPointScientific, the largest telescope retailer in the United States. Moving from one object to another takes just seconds the quickest finding system weve seen. Learn how your comment data is processed. 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. The instructions tell you to turn it, but this is easier said than done. ), Deimos vs Europa (How Are They Different? Once set up, you need to align the red-dot finder with the main instrument by day. With Celestron dx 130az you will get about 200x magnification. Users of the Explorer have found it to be a very capable device and quite easy to set up. See our overview of all the different Celestron NexStar models. Get the 130. . Once youre accustomed to the instrument, finding objects is extremely quick and fun. You can unsubscribe at any time. It seems only Celestron telescopes are available in our country. . The StarSense has an Aperture of 102mm, a focal length of 650mm resulting in a focal ratio of just under f/6.5. Which Celestron StarSense telescope is best? 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. Your smartphone's camera must be sensitive enough to image the brighter stars on a night setting. Finally, the Celestron Starsense Explorer DX 130AZ model is bigger in terms of both physical bulk and aperture. Overall, this is the most entry-level of the four telescopes in this range. Its a simple, aluminum-legged alt-azimuth mount with slow-motion controls on both axes. Disclosure - If you buy something via our link, we may earn a commission with no additional expense to you. 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. Senior Software Developer (Former Employee) - Bangalore, Karnataka - April 23, 2023. View planets, brighter nebulae, galaxies, and star clusters from the city PLUS fainter, deep sky objects from darker sites. Way better scope but not comparable mount wise. I would recommend it though. This helps remove much of the frustration that can occur when starting with astronomy that it is too hard and takes too long to find things to look at. No, your phone cant take pictures while using the Starsense app. 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. In order of aperture, the Celestron Starsense Explorer DX 102AZ is the second most powerful in the range. All the telescopes from Celestron Edge HD and Schmidt-Cassegrain are compatible with the Starsense app. How were you able to loosen the tightness in the altitude axis? 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. 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. They are generally more expensive though. Which eyepieces would you suggest to replace those less-than-ideal ones that come with the Stars Sense 130? How Do The Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 102AZsOptics Work? Like other achromatic refractors, the Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 102AZ still has some false color, which reveals itself as colored fringes around the edges of objects, particularly at high magnification, and the short tube results in inherently more false color than with a longer focal-ratio achromatic instrument. Their knowledge of the subject, combined with features like a price match promise, free lifetime tech support, a 30-day return policy, and financing choices, makes them a great pick. The model I tested is the Explorer DX 102AZ refractor telescope ($400). There is a great deal on a Celestron 102 DX at Amazon for $359, only 50 dollars more than the Popular . What these StarSense Explorer telescopes do is attach your smartphone then, using the app, scan the night sky above you, tell you what you can see on that particular night, and then guide you to it. 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. In short, this is a brilliant telescope for viewing the night sky. 6mm goldline and/or a 2x Barlow would be my first picks. Every slow-motion control I've ever seen attaches to the mount using visible small thumb screws. However, the mount does have a couple minor issues. 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. Confusingly, the instructions then refer to the knob at the bottom of the clamp! The alternative equatorial mounting, which has one of its axes tilted at the same angle as your latitude, not only confuses the wits out of many beginners but has a drawback in that it involves an overhanging load usually balanced with a counterweight, reducing the portability. Its a great budget option, but if you have the space and intend to use it mostly at home then the 114AZ will give you more power for a similar price. It seems immovable, and many beginners will wonder if they are meant to be forcing this round at all. 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. Zane, thanks for the great review, it helped convince me to buy a StarSense 102! 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. 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 Celestron StarSense DX 102AZ features a doublet lens composed of two different types of glass, offering bright views of targets. Uranus and Neptune are barely more than star-like dots, with blue disks barely bigger than the resolving limit of the telescope itself. 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. Best regards, The optics are fitted into a closed tube. Would a barlow lens be a good addition to this setup? 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. This diagonal is definitely a weak link in the scope optically, and replacing it might be a good idea. STARSENSE EXPLORER APP: The app generates a list of the best objects to view based on your exact time & location. 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. So, that really shortens out your options. The other telescope offered on the same DX mount is a $400 130mm f/5 Newtonian reflector. This means we may make a commission if you purchase an item using one of our links*. Space is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. However, we have some reservations on telescope vendors and recommend that you go with HPS. As for the weight, when fully assembled it comes in at a very portable 6.44kg so you or anyone thats even younger shouldnt have too much of a problem moving it around or even storing it, whether it be at the home or for whenever you decide to take it to an area with minimal light pollution. Join our Space Forums to keep talking space on the latest missions, night sky and more! The Celestron Starsense DX 6 is exactly the same as the DX5 above but has a larger 6-inch aperture instead. They take care of employees and no work pressure and fun at work. My guess is that it is the wind. 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. Unwary users are likely to try polishing it with glass cleaner or even abrasive solutions. The Celestron dx 102az telescope is not good for viewing faint objects. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 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. Both are pretty mediocre, a Dob would probably be a better choice. (14) notify when in stock. Is LT127 a better choice? Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). Although its portable and definitely portable it wouldnt be as easy as moving a 102az. We recommend High Point Scientific (#1 US retailer) for finding thecurrent retail price and purchasing/backordering. We use cookies to personalise content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyse our traffic. As noted above, the 102 in the name refers to the telescopes aperture of 102mm (4-inch). The StarSense app also lists 5-inch and 6-inch Schmidt-Cassegrains . You cant also take pictures of the sky with the help of the telescope. A poor design, as these screws will quickly get lost. Should you buy the Celestron StarSense DX 102AZ? It's good environment company employees also good respect Great place to work in dxc technology. The Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 130AZ is a 5.1" diameter reflecting telescope on an alt . Any tips would be greatly appreciated, otherwise, I may have to send my scope back. Not portable. 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. Rating: 9/10. 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). This forum and community is a wonderful resource! You can see a quick summary below, or read on for further detail: *This website makes money through affiliate commissions. Skies & Scopes 2023. Thats because of their aperture. When the bullseye turns green, its ready to view in the telescopes eyepiece. 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. And if you have a news tip, correction or comment, let us know at: community@space.com. Newly added to the range in 2022 are this two Schmidt-Cassegrain (SCT) models the DX5 and the DX6 (below). Modified vs Unmodified DSLR Astrophotography: The Ultimate Showdown! 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. Normally, this is done for astrophotography to avoid performing a time-consuming GoTo alignment and is only used to find one target. A used StarSense Explorer scope will likely be missing the code for the app and many of the scopes floating around have had their phone brackets yanked off as well for use on other instruments. After much debate, we finally know everything that there is to know regarding the two telescopes. 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). The StarSense Explorer DX 102AZ and 130AZ telescopes have slow motion controls for moving the telescope left and right as well as up and down. You wont be taking this on trips. The alt-azimuth mounting means that you can move the instrument around two axes up and down (altitude) and from side to side (azimuth). So, what is so special about the Celestron dx eyepieces? To connect the Starsense app with your telescope put your smartphone in the Starsense dock. 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. The advantage with these models is that the Schmidt-Cassegrain design allows high aperture in a much more compact body. You need to consider where you will use it and store it. These views will be much brighter and clearer with the larger aperture models. Here we focus on becoming a knowledge hub for astronomy and astrophotography enthusiasts. 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. Have you tried this model and would you recommend it? Includes Free. Now since the Dobsonian does not have an app how difficult does it become to locate objects ? 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. The bracket fits most phones and will work just fine even if you have a relatively thick case (or even a PopSocket). Overall, this is a great option if you prefer a smaller and less cumbersome refractor telescope, but want something more powerful than the 80mm option above. 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 You can zoom in for better precision. We may earn commissions by recommending products on this website. 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. The length of the tube is around 63.5 cm. In all my research the 8 Dobsonian seems to be a good beginner telescope. Like dx 102az, dx 130az also comes with two 1.25 eyepieces. The optical design is dreadful, the mount and the focuser is plastic, and the accessories that come with it are useless. Yes, you can take astrophotography pictures with the Celestron StarSense Explorer telescopes using a smartphone adapter like this basic one or this premium one. This is the best measurement of a telescopes capacity to provide good views. I recently purchased the 130mm version for a great price. StarSense Explorer DX 102AZ Smartphone App-Enabled Refractor 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. He has written for Amateur Astrophotography and Dark Sky Travels magazines and has been featured or quoted in Forbes, Yahoo!Life, Digital Camera World, Peta Pixel, and many other publications. 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. Winner: The specifications of Celestron dx 130az are more impressive. Just trying to decide between a 102 refractor vs a 130 reflector. It doesnt suffer from chromatic aberration and delivers a much sharper image of the night sky. . Brand new in 2022 are the two new Dobsonians in the range this Starsense Explorer 8-inch Dobsonian, and the 10-inch version covered below. $469.95. The new Celestron StarSense Explorer telescopes use your smartphone to make it much easier to find planets, galaxies, and other objects to look at. This model and the 102 AZ are refractors. It takes just 15 minutes to set up the Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 130AZ. The coating inside is of low quality. 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. However, there are some key differences between them. For Celestron dx 102az the former type is used and also they are low in quality. Its focal length is 660 mm. If you disregard factors like size and portability, then the Celestron Starsense Explorer 10 Dobsonian is the best as it has the highest aperture and will provide the best views. These reasons may make it the best option for kids. This is much less precise than a real GoTo system with tracking but much simpler, easier, and more reliable than a motorized telescope. 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. This is more powerful than the models above and will provide better views. 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. It's siblings, though, 80AZ , 102AZ, and 130AZ, are much . Today's best Celestron StarSense DX 102AZ deals, We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices, Today's best Celestron 31145 NexStar 130 SLT Series Newtonian Reflector Telescope deals, Today's best Celestron NexStar 102SLT Computerized Telescope deals. Thats all from us about Celestron Starsense explorer dx 102az vs 130az. Instead, it occasionally uses plate-solving technology when you first set up the telescope or move it across a significant portion of the sky, then tries its best to extrapolate finer movements using your phones relatively inaccurate gyroscope and accelerometer. Their Starsense explorer has been quite popular among stargazing beginners. The only bad thing upon assembly is that I have the same problem as you did, the altitude axis on my mount is also too tight to freely the OTA up and down. The Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 102AZ is an achromatic refractor, with a 102 mm doublet lens composed of two different types of glass. 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). Find out more about how we test and review products. Overall, this is a good option if you only have the budget for one of the cheaper telescopes and want more power. In terms of which one is right for you, there are two key things to look at it price and size: The fact that the price difference is fairly large actually helps narrow it down as, if you know your budget, you just need to pick what matters to you most: Please let us know if you have any questions by leaving a comment below. In practice, this system is limited to an accuracy of a bit better 0.25 degrees, or half the width of a full moon. Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 102AZ Specs, The Eyepieces of the StarSense Explorer DX Series. Deep-sky objects are a little less exciting. What Do The Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 102AZ's Specifications Mean? Free shipping. How about Starsense Explorer DX130 compared to Astromaster 130EQ? I find it exciting to hear that the StarSense explorer seems to make it quite easy and fast to explore the sky. Also, you look into an eyepiece on the side, rather than at the bottom. Need more information regarding both telescopes? StarPointer red dot finderscope, perfect for using the telescope during the day or without the StarSense Explorer app. It has a larger aperture than dx 102az. Winner: Between the two telescopes, Celestron Starsense Explorer dx 130az has superior image formation quality. The 5 reflector seems like a solid scope. Celestron StarSense Explorer telescopes are manual, not computerized, but their design gives you many of the advantages of this technology. 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). ), Deimos vs Titania (How Are They Different? The StarSense Explorer DX 102 includes two 1.25 eyepieces: a 25mm Super Konig providing 26x and a 10mm Konig providing 65x. New York, Add to Wish List. The StarSense Explorer app is ridiculously easy to set up.
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