Celestron NexStar 80 SLT Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 80 SLT Computerized Telescope Reviews

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Celestron NexStar 80 SLT Computerized Telescope Feature

• Computerized hand control with 4,000 object database
• SkyAlign allows you to align on any 3 brights celestial objects
• Motorized Altazimuth mount
• f11 focal ratio
• 900mm focal length

Celestron's computerized NexStar 80 SLT offers a significant step up in performance compared to 60mm telescopes. This 80mm telescope has 78% more light gathering power than a 60mm scope, and that means more Lunar and planetary detail, and more stars visible on any given night.

Celestron's new SkyAlign technology is remarkably quick and easy to use. You won't need a GPS receiver or a star chart. In fact, if you can see the moon just choose "Solar System Align", enter the date and time, point the scope at the moon and push the "Align" key. This simple procedure was all I needed to initialize the computerized tracking system and start taking pictures with my Celestron NexImage CCD imager.

The NexStar computer allows the telescope to track quietly and accurately with surprisingly good precision. When I use the three star "SkyAlign" mode to initialize the telescope, the GoTo system consistently places deep space highlights like the Orion Nebula, the Andromeda Galaxy and the Double Cluster in Perseus near the center of the low power eyepiece. The standard equipment 25mm eyepiece (36x magnification) or an optional 32mm plossl (28x) provide nice low power views of these objects. The tracking system also makes it easy to get some delightful high power views of the moon and planets. The included high power 9mm eyepiece gives a magnification of 100x, but I find the views are quite good up to 150x when I use an optional 6mm plossl.

The NexStar 80 SLT is large enough to show good detail on the moon and planets, but it's not large enough to bring out much detail in deep space objects. Globular cluster M13, for instance, looks very comet-like with a glowing core and feathery edges; it simply takes a larger telescope to see M13's individual stars. The other drawbacks to this telescope are its short battery life and a mount that wobbles while focusing at high power. Try setting an external 12 Volt battery like Celestron's Power Tank on the accessory tray; it will power the scope and reduce vibrations at the same time. -Jeff Phillips

Pros:

Easy computerized pointing and tracking

High contrast views of the moon and planets Cons:

Short battery life

Wobbles while focusing at high power

Too small for deep space A step up from the 60mm model, the NexStar 80 SLT Refractor gives images that are bright and crisp. The 80 SLT offers 80% brighter images than the 60mm scope. Like the other models in the SLT Series, the 80 SLT comes with a fully computerized hand control with a database of over 4,000 celestial objects! With its pre-assembled, adjustable steel tripod, the NexStar 80 SLT can be up and ready to use in a matter of minutes. The SkyAlign alignment technology and the included StarPointer Finderscope with a red LED makes aligning a breeze. A wonderful first-time astronomical scope, the 80 SLT can also be used as a great, land-based spotting telescope with optional erect-image diagonal. SkyAlign With Celestron's revolutionary new alignment technology, setting up and using a computerized telescope is faster and easier than ever before! Point the telescope at three bright objects in the sky and the telescope tells YOU what the objects are. You do not need to know the names of the stars - you can even pick the moon or bright planets! SkyAlign is the easiest method to align a computerized telescope, it's perfect for beginners and provides the convenience and accuracy demanded by experienced users. SkyAlign is the only alignment method where you truly do not have to know the night sky - and it's only available from Celestron.

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Mar 16, 2011 18:13:04