Its not as good at viewing faint objects in outer space unlike a reflector or a compound device. The StarSense has an Aperture of 102mm, a focal length of 650mm resulting in a focal ratio of just under f/6.5. The good news is you can at least upgrade your Celestron finderscope later. But it can suffer from spherical aberration. So, as you can see both telescopes have their strong and weak points. Uranus and Neptune might barely be viewable at the max magnification that the Infinity 102AZ can handle. The Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 114AZ is different from the models above in that it is a reflector telescope. There are some other manuals as well as computerized scopes in the DX 102 AZs price range that you might want to take a look at: A new star diagonal is probably the #1 thing you can do to improve the StarSense Explorer DX 102s performance. Robin Scagell is a lifelong astronomer. One major source of problems is the mirror that is crucial to finding objects. So, what is so special about the Celestron dx eyepieces? Heres how it works. The advantage with these models is that the Schmidt-Cassegrain design allows high aperture in a much more compact body. https://www.NexStarSite.com. Celestron StarSense Explorer DX100AZ vs. DX 102AZ - posted in Refractors : There is about a $100 difference in these two packages, but there is only 2 mm difference in the aperture. Hence Celestron dx 130 wins again this round. The Celestron StarSense Explorer comes in six different models. The body of the eyepieces is fully built on plastic. The images will generally be sharper because misalignment isnt very common, Refractor based devices tend to be more expensive than their similarly powered reflector counterparts (A 4 inch reflector may only set you back $100 one example being the. Its a simple, aluminum-legged alt-azimuth mount with slow-motion controls on both axes. Astrophotography with Nikon D3200: Can It Be Better? 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. 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. I had what seemed to be a related question, which has come up somewhat in that main thread: whether to purchase the DX 130AZ vs 102AZ? Celestron dx 102az on the other hand is not really worth the price. What about the Skywatcher skymax 102, 127 AZ GTI WIFI telescope? Get the StarSense Explorer; it has better accessories and is easier to use, Ive had my 130 for so long. 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. Like dx 102az, dx 130az also comes with two 1.25 eyepieces. . Overall, this is the most entry-level of the four telescopes in this range. Youll need more expensive telescopes from Celestron to take pictures. Celestrons StarSense Explorer line of telescopes are some of the newest, and arguably most innovative telescopes on the market, and the newest effort of Celestron to make using a telescope as easy as possible. It has all the same pros and cons as the 8-inch model above, except that they are even more extreme even higher power and viewing capacity, but also even heavier and bigger. Anthony Robinson is the owner of Skies & Scopes and has been practicing and writing obsessively about astrophotography and astronomy since 2017. Sony A7III vs A7RIII Astrophotography: Which One to Shoot Infinity! ), Celestron Omni XLT 102 Review (Worth It Or Overpriced!? Get to know more about us here. New York, This is necessary when aligning the telescope, as you need to point it at a recognizable object at the start of observing. The StarSense Explorer DX 130AZ is a Newtonian reflector telescope with a 5.1-inch aperture. Includes Free. Nevertheless, the purpose for this software is to provide convenience for beginner level astronomers so, Ill explain how it works here. This refers to the telescopes build and shape. Get the 130. The diagonal provided by Celestron uses a roof prism rather than a simple mirror, giving a non-reversed image so you can use the instrument by day as well as by night. Theres a hex nut inside the dovetail clamp; a socket wrench will do the job. To connect the Starsense app with your telescope put your smartphone in the Starsense dock. The 80mm/3-inch aperture is the smallest of the range and will limit the brightness and clarity with which you can view night sky objects. $449.95. This would be my first telescope and looking for Push To feature to help my 9 year old and me get into exploring the skies. RECOMMENDED BUY FOR THE STARSENSE TECHNOLOGY. The camera views the sky through a mirror, enabling you to view the phones screen at a convenient angle. The eyepieces are supplied with tight plastic covers and how many beginners will try to twist these off, rather than prise them off? Four are reflector telescope types and two are refractor telescopes. All you need to do is install the app, enter the unlock code that came with your telescope, and dock the phone to your telescope. In terms of magnification that's a significant step-up from the 'toy' telescopes that dominate . The coating inside is of low quality. The Celestron Omni XLT 150 is available here but is priced way above my budget. a 6" or even 8" dobsonian ( Links on what to expect in different telescope aperture sizes ). 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. Hope this post was helpful to make your choice. No, your phone cant take pictures while using the Starsense app. Thank you in advance! The final step is to remove the cap from the mirror on the StarSense dock again, courageously pulling off with some effort and fitting your smartphone into the spring-loaded slider. It's good environment company employees also good respect Great place to work in dxc technology. (14) notify when in stock. Here lately though, it has not been able to track location. All of this requires some user input namely the date and time, the location, and choosing the stars. For use as a grab and go/ compliment for my 8in dob. In instructions intended for raw beginners, points such as this are vital. My guess is that it is the wind. Celestron dx 130az has a focal ratio of f/5. I dont intend on using the phone attatchment, but will probably upgrade the diagonal and finder scope on either. To completely overcome false color you need a considerably more expensive apochromatic refractor or a reflector. Buy from scopes' recommended retailer, HighPoint, StarSense Explorer technology helpful in locating targets. 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. Now since the Dobsonian does not have an app how difficult does it become to locate objects ? will also probably upgrade in 5 years or so. They wont find things automatically for you, but they will search for what you can see and guide you to look at whatever planet or object you want to look at. 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. Which Celestron StarSense telescope is best? I had what seemed to be a related question, which has come up somewhat in that main thread: whether to purchase the DX . But Celestron dx 130az does since they are exposed to dirt. How about Starsense Explorer DX130 compared to Astromaster 130EQ? 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. Add to Wish List Item in Wish List . 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. It seems immovable, and many beginners will wonder if they are meant to be forcing this round at all. 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. So undoubtedly, Celestron dx 130az is the winner. The StarSense Explorer DX-102 is limited to brighter objects by the nature of its small aperture. The mirror can become dewed up within minutes on some nights often the clearest. It has a memory card but it cant help you to take pictures. I would avoid both. 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). Youll be able to see Andromeda and other galaxies. 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 post may contain affiliate links. 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. However, its enough to get you started. Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 102AZ review: Design. Can you take pictures with the Celestron StarSense? When you unbox your new StarSense Explorer DX, you'll find: 130mm Newtonian reflector optical tube. The Celestron NexStar telescope range are all full computerized compound / catadioptric telescopes. Tower - 3, Oxygen Business Park SEZ, Sector 144, Noida Expressway, Noida, Uttar Pradesh - 201304. 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. I understand because they have the same focal length they give the same views in any given eyepiece, but using the area of a circle (pi x radius squared) 102 = 8171, and 130 = 13273. The Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 102AZ makes use of slow-motion controls for fine-tuned tracking. This means we may be compensated if you click links on this page at no extra cost to you. 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. However, refractors are traditionally more robust than reflectors, so there is no ideal instrument to suit everyone. Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 102AZ Specs, The Eyepieces of the StarSense Explorer DX Series. Its focal length is 660 mm. Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. The mount's not even ideal. Mike Swanson . Celestrons 1.25 prism is pretty good; a dielectric unit like Aperturas improves performance and wont scratch your eyepieces thanks to the equipped compression ring adapter. Finally, there is a standard red-dot finder to help in pointing the telescope at objects. 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. Both are pretty mediocre, a Dob would probably be a better choice. In all my research the 8 Dobsonian seems to be a good beginner 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. The eyepieces provided with the 102az arent so good. For $399 you can get a much more capable telescope with a larger aperture, e.g. All the telescopes from Celestron Edge HD and Schmidt-Cassegrain are compatible with the Starsense app. This is more powerful than the models above and will provide better views.