Celestron NexStar 8 SE Telescope
by Celestron
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List Price: Our Price: $1,199.00 You Save: $894.95 (43%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-3 weeks Buy Used: from $983.84 (click here) Category: Digital Camera See more product details |
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Celestron NexStar 8 SE Telescope
Customer Review: Shame on Celestron
Summary: 1 Stars
I got my telescope, I was very excited, I plugged new batteries on the mount and turned on. The screen started to say: Initializing... and then: "No Response 16" message. At the first I thought it was something I haven't done well, I turned off and verified that all was well connected, but the message continued to appear. I was very disappointed, then I looked in internet for this message, many people seemed to have the same problem. Some people even explain some solutions opening the telescope arm and playing with the cables inside (something I didn't want to do because my telescope was normally under guaranty and It was just out from the box) Then I contacted the site where I bought it (BHPhoto...) (I live in France, I have payed almost 200 dollars for transport) But they told me that I had to solve that with the constructor, they literally told me that that wasn't their problem. (I have never bought anything more from them; Amazon is the only trustable site on internet). Then contacted the Celestron customer support, they told me that I needed to have an USA address to be able to claim for the guaranty (Impossible to me). I then asked them that if could propose me another solution, they told me that they could not do anything. I even asked them to buy a new circuit and replace it by myself. They told me they don't sell separated parts or replacements, their responses where very short and without any real interest in my problem. So I found myself with a "super" telescope tube without being able to use it. I decided to open the arm circuit, and then I was shocked!!! All parts inside seems as these Chinese bad game assemblies with very bad quality components. I unplugged some wires and plugged again, then I turned on the telescope, and miracle!! It worked, I was very enthusiast again, I closed the arm box again (many screws) It worked some time and 2 days after the same problem. I have found a solution for now, I keep the telescope arm open (all the cables are visible) and when I have the error I unplug and plug some cables (random) and then it works again. My advice: don't buy this telescope or any other from Celestron, even if there are some goods critics on lens, they don't deserve your trust. I completely agree with the comment. I have spent a lot of hours trying to solve problems instead of looking at the stars. Now I am thinking on buying a new mount (750 dollars) it seems that the iOptron Minitower fit my needs. It is a pity that I will have to throw the entire tripod and mount: all is conceived to work together.Customer Review: A bit disappointing. Caveat emptor.
Summary: 1 Stars
This whole package is disappointing. I got it for Christmas and while I can get it out and see some stuff the features of the telescope simply don't work. The automated, computerized system gets you pointed in the general direction of what you're looking for but can't actually find it. And, once you've gone through the alignment procedure and tried to find something (which it can't quite do) the <Arrow> keys on the control pad don't work. So, you end up shutting it off and restarting it just so you can move it around and try to see something. The computer doesn't work. Simple as that.
I also called Celestron's Technical Support and was less than impressed. The guy didn't even seem familiar with the operation of the unit and then just told me that "I wasn't using it right". Sorry, dude, but I was.
Lastly, the software bundled with it isn't that hot either. It's a neat idea, but it won't take the time from your computer and seems determined to insert some other time (in my case I live in the US central time zone and the software insists on using Pacific time), even though I check and tweak the computer "Date and Time" settings and hit the <Use Computer Time> button. I've had to delete and reinstall the program three times. No joy.
As a telescope I think it works reasonably well, but all the money for the computerized mount and the software is wasted. Personally I'd probably get something else if I were you.
Good luck.