Celestron NexStar 8 SE Telescope
by Celestron
List Price:
Our Price: $1,199.00
You Save: $862.59 (42%)
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
Buy Used: from $1,149.00 (click here)
Category: Digital Camera
See more product details
Customers in the UK,
buy this product at amazon.co.uk
for British Pounds
Digital Photo Product Details
Manufacturer: CelestronModel: 11069
Product features:
- 8-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope, StarBright XLT high transmission coatings come standard
- StarPointer finderscope to help with alignment and accurately locating objects
- Quick-release fork arm mount, optical tube and accessory tray for no-tool setup
- SkyAlign allows you to align on any three bright celestial objects, making for a fast and easy alignment process
- Nearly 40,000-object database with 200 user-definable objects and expanded information on over 200 objects
- Corel PaintShop Photo Pro X3 [OLD VERSION]
- Corel Photo & Video Pro X3 Bundle [Old Version]
- AmazonBasics Universal Camera Case for Digital Cameras HF (Black)
- AmazonBasics Camcorder/Camera Bag with Shoulder Strap (Black)
- AA Battery 1.5v Alkaline pack of 4
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Celestron NexStar 8 SE Telescope
Customer Review: Very nice scope, but please read about customer service.
Summary: 5 Stars
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!
Description of Celestron NexStar 8 SE Telescope
The Celestron NexStar 8SE Telescope offers a multitude of features, including the 2032mm focal length and SkyAlign. Viewing the stars will never be the same, as you expand your horizons with the stimulating and technological advances included in the Celestron Telescope. Inside the Celestron NexStar, you find an autoguider port to enable long exposure photos, as well as the exceptional Go To button to quickly locate and position the star of your choice. The Celestron NexStar 8SE Telescope lets you peer deep into the universe with the largest model in this deluxe series of computer-controlled telescopes.Features:8" Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope with 203.2mm aperture78% more light gathering power than 6" models2032mm focal lengthFocal ratio: 10Portable ? weighs 33 lb including the tripodCombines the classic heritage of the original orange tube telescopes with the latest state-of-the-art featuresStarBright XLT high transmission coatings come standardCelestron's unique patented single fork arm with integral hand control design provides a rigid and smooth operating structure for the optical tubeStar diagonal provides more comfortable viewing position when observing objects that are high in the skyProven NexStar computer control technologySkyAlign allows you to align on any three bright celestial objects, making for a fast and easy alignment processIncludes:Quick release fork arm mount, optical tube and accessory tray for no-tool setupStarPointer finderscope to help with alignment and accurately locating objectsSturdy computerized altazimuth mountInternal battery compartment to prevent cord wrap during useUltra sturdy steel tripod with accessory tray40,000 object database with 200 user-definable objects and expanded information on over 200 objectsFlash upgradeable hand control software and motor control units for downloading product updates over the InternetAutoguider port for long exposure astrophotographyDC Servo motors with encoders on both axesCustom databaAmazon.com Review Celestron's Nexstar 8 SE telescope combines excellent optics and computerized "GoTo" tracking in a package that's light, portable and affordable. The legendary performance of Celestron's orange tube C8 telescope has been updated with high performance Starbright XLT coatings, and the single arm Nexstar mount now includes Celestron's easy to use "SkyAlign" technology.
 |
The Nexstar 8 SE upholds Celestron's reputation for quality optics. When I use an 11mm Plossl eyepiece (almost 200x magnification) for example, I can easily see the Cassini Division in Saturn's rings. When I look at Jupiter, the pale orange color of Jupiter's famous Great Red Spot is visible, and I've even been able to identify the polar caps and spot dust storms on the planet Mars. A 20mm Plossl eyepiece (about 100x magnification) is a good choice for viewing galaxies and star clusters. When I look at globular cluster M13 in the constellation Hercules the high contrast XLT optics show me a glowing snowflake made of hundreds of tiny pin-point stars! And a low power 32mm Plossl eyepiece is a good choice for views of larger deep space highlights like the Andromeda Galaxy and the Orion Nebula.
 |
(See larger image.) |
Celestron's patented "SkyAlign" system makes the Nexstar 8 SE very easy to use. I just pick the nearest town from the built-in list, enter the date and time, and point the telescope at three bright stars. I don't need a star chart because "SkyAlign" identifies the stars for me. When I just want a quick look at the moon or a planet, I like to use the "Solar System Align" option. After entering the date and time, I just point the telescope at the moon and press the "Align" key. That's all it takes, the computer takes over and the telescope begins tracking quietly and accurately. At star parties I often have my Nexstar up and running while older computerized telescopes are still waiting for their alignment stars to appear in the twilight.
The Nexstar 8 SE comes with a simple red-dot finder scope and a basic 25mm eyepiece. You'll want to add a few good eyepieces to take full advantage of the Nexstar 8 SE's excellent optics. At the very least get Celestron's bargain priced Accessory Kit which includes high and low power plossl eyepieces, or treat yourself to some top rated Tele Vue eyepieces. At twenty-four pounds total weight, the Nexstar 8 SE is unusually light and portable for an eight-inch telescope. The drawback of course is that some people will find it too light. Like other Schmidt Cassegrain (SCT) telescopes there are plenty of optional accessories to upgrade this telescope with, such as heavy duty tripods and an optical finder scope. If you want to try astro-photography, however, check out Celestron's CPC 800 Telescope which features a heavy duty mount and tripod and an 8x50 optical finder scope right out of the box. --Jeff Phillips
Pros:
- Excellent optics
- Easy computerized GoTo tracking
- Light, portable and affordable
- Plastic accessories
- Short battery life
- Too light for astro-photography
Telescopes
Digital Cameras and Photo Categories
Bestsellers in Telescopes
Meade 25mm Modified Achromatic Eyepiece (1.25" O.D.)Meade; Digital Camera
Price in other shops:
Celestron Wedge f/ NexStar ® 5/ 8Celestron; Digital Camera
Celestron Nexstar 8i Computerized Go-To Telescope KitCelestron; Digital Camera
Price in other shops:
Celestron Car Battery Adapter for All Nexstar TelescopesCelestron; Digital Camera
Best price: $12.99
Price in other shops:
Celestron Nexstar 8GPS Telescope (Telescope only)Celestron; Digital Camera
Price in other shops:
Tasco Starguide Computerized 114mm TelescopeTasco; Digital Camera
Price in other shops:
Celestron Nexstar 8 Telescope (Telescope Only)Celestron; Digital Camera
Price in other shops:
Bushnell 3" Northstar Reflector Telescope w/ Automated Tracking SystemBushnell; Digital Camera
Celestron Firstscope 60EQ 60mm Refractor TelescopeCelestron; Digital Camera
Price in other shops:
Meade 497 Autostar Computer Controller for ETX TelescopesMeade; Digital Camera
Price in other shops:
Similar digital cameras and accessories
Opteka T-Mount Adapter for Canon EOS 60D, 50D, 40D, 30D, 20D, 7D, 5D, 1D, Rebel T3i, T3, T2i, T1i, XS, XSi, XTi and XT Digital SLR CamerasOpteka; Digital Camera
Best price: $13.95
Celestron 94009 Lens Shade For C8 C6 C8Celestron; Digital Camera
Best price: $22.85
Price in other shops:
Celestron Car Battery Adapter for All Nexstar TelescopesCelestron; Digital Camera
Best price: $12.99
Price in other shops:
Celestron 93230 8 to 24mm 1.25 Zoom EyepieceCelestron; Digital Camera
Best price: $53.95
Price in other shops:
Celestron 93969 SkySync / GPS Accessory (For all Computerized Telescopes)Celestron; Digital Camera
Best price: $189.00
Price in other shops:
Celestron 93625 Universal 1.25-inch Camera T-AdapterCelestron; Digital Camera
Best price: $20.95
Price in other shops:
Celestron Vibration Suppression PadsCelestron; Digital Camera
Best price: $34.95
Price in other shops:
Celestron Power TankCelestron; Digital Camera
Best price: $54.95
Price in other shops:
Celestron Accessory KitCelestron; Digital Camera
Best price: $125.00
Price in other shops:
Celestron 18778 AC Adapter for Computerized TelescopesCelestron; Digital Camera
Best price: $17.89
Price in other shops: