So, that really shortens out your options. This is fortunate, as the Quick Start manual ends at this point. So the views become much sharper and clearer. The tripod allows it to extend up to 1.24 metres. It doesnt suffer from chromatic aberration and delivers a much sharper image of the night sky. It seems immovable, and many beginners will wonder if they are meant to be forcing this round at all. Buy from scopes' recommended retailer, HighPoint, StarSense Explorer technology helpful in locating targets. What can you see with Celestron StarSense Explorer? There is an issue though in that if you are using your smartphone attached to the telescope to use the StarSense technology then you wont be able to attach it to the eyepiece to take a photo at the same time. Value $12.60. StarSense Explorer DX 130AZ Smartphone App-Enabled Telescope - Amazon.com As a result, youll get quite an exhilarating image. 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. 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 refractive nature of the optics means collimation wasnt necessary a problem and the starsense app allowed users to get stuck in quite quickly. It has one 25mm Kellner eyepiece with 26x magnification power. Celestron dx 130az has a focal ratio of f/5. How were you able to loosen the tightness in the altitude axis? SKU: CEL-22461. Youd have to either detach the phone and try not to move the telescope or use two separate phones. We're pleased to report that loading and using the software on our Moto G8 phone was easy and quite intuitive. The erect-image diagonal (which is necessary to allow the instrument to focus) introduces very little distortion, only marginally noticeable on a star image using a magnification of 130x. The instructions tell you to turn it, but this is easier said than done. Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 114AZ vs DX 130AZ The bracket fits most phones and will work just fine even if you have a relatively thick case (or even a PopSocket). I consider myself handy and am not too worried about collimating a reflector (but would prefer to not have to do frequently). Thank you for the advice Mike and Tfer. Winner: Between the two telescopes, Celestron Starsense Explorer dx 130az has superior image formation quality. The prowess of the instrument is more suited to beginners than to dedicated observers. 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. The StarSense Explorer DX-102 is limited to brighter objects by the nature of its small aperture. Once done, the handset was able to direct the telescope to any other object in its database, but it needed position encoders on its axes. The finding system is not always spot-on, so you need to be prepared to search for objects around the edge of the field of view. That being said the main difference is only that the Apochromatic is better at focusing wavelengths of light resulting in fewer visual discrepancies occurring when viewing through it. In order of aperture, the Celestron Starsense Explorer DX 102AZ is the second most powerful in the range. The only major complaint was to do with the inaccuracy of the apps tracking ability, especially when users decided to look further out. I have two young kids (between 5-10 years old) and would like to try and get them interested. Faint objects like planetary nebulae or galaxies are off-limit. Your smartphone's camera must be sensitive enough to image the brighter stars on a night setting. They are generally more expensive though. 8-inch dobsonians are often highly recommended as the best telescopes and have been hard to get hold of in recent years due to shortages and supply chain disruptions around the world. Are the Celestron StarSense Explorer good telescopes? 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. Hope this post was helpful to make your choice. There are six different models to suit different budgets and priorities. Both are pretty mediocre, a Dob would probably be a better choice. For this review I tested the DX 102AZ, a 102mm f/6.5 achromatic refractor. Although it's portable and definitely portable it wouldn't be as easy as moving a 102az. 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. This mount is a little on the small side for either optical tube, but it works just fine. All of this requires some user input namely the date and time, the location, and choosing the stars. Trying to decide between these 2 scopes Im finding it difficult. Its StarSense technology links a smartphone to a telescope in a simple, yet robust fashion. 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. Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 102AZ: Full review | Space However, reflectors tend to give you more aperture (power) for the same price, with the downside being the bigger size and more cumbersome operation. Youll need more expensive telescopes from Celestron to take pictures. To connect the Starsense app with your telescope put your smartphone in the Starsense dock. So, what is so special about the Celestron dx eyepieces? Its a good magnification for viewing the Moon, planets, smaller deep-sky objects like globular clusters, and splitting double stars. 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 advantage with these models is that the Schmidt-Cassegrain design allows high aperture in a much more compact body. These are very average specs and maybe even subpar when you consider reflector telescopes tend to offer a lot more bang for the buck nevertheless, the specs should be competent for beginners. You can find the Celestron dx 130az on Aliexpress for a relatively cheaper price. Which is Stronger? So, there are issues of ghosting and internal reflection. The good news is you can at least upgrade your Celestron finderscope later. Low powered (25mm) and high powered (10mm) eyepiece. This diagonal is definitely a weak link in the scope optically, and replacing it might be a good idea. 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. 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 eyepieces provided with the 102az arent so good. Its also portable and has a better optical design. However, refractors are traditionally more robust than reflectors, so there is no ideal instrument to suit everyone. Modified vs Unmodified DSLR Astrophotography: The Ultimate Showdown! However, I want to share a great tip with you. Its focal length is about 650 mm. You can even watch faint celestial objects with it. The Moon looks pretty good, while Mercury and Venus show nothing besides their phases. However, its enough to get you started. Thats all from us about Celestron Starsense explorer dx 102az vs 130az. ), Deimos vs Saturn (How Are They Different? The 130 mm (5-inch) aperture is fairly large and will enable great views of planets and deep-sky objects when the night sky conditions are right. How would you rate the StarSense DX6 version (6 inch SCT) compared to a Skymax 127 on GTi mount? This is probably one of the main reasons why youd consider getting the StarSense Explorer especially considering there are other similarly priced systems that offer a lot more bang for the buck (Ill list a few alternatives later). He began his working career with Kodak, back in the days of film, and then spent time observing from the Pic du Midi Observatory in the French Pyrenees. a 6" or even 8" dobsonian ( Links on what to expect in different telescope aperture sizes ). The model I tested is the Explorer DX 102AZ refractor telescope ($400). A poor design, as these screws will quickly get lost. Is it because of the 4 vanes as well? 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. After a career that included making telescopes and editing a photography magazine, he became an author of popular astronomy books including Complete Guide to Stargazing, 101 Things to Spot in the Night Sky and Night Sky Atlas. Space is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Why use such a time-consuming means of attachment? I'm interested in spending perhaps an hour or so every week or two doing astronomy. Since both are beginner-level telescopes, comparison comes to mind. Celestron is one of the most renowned brands making telescopes. Although the Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 102AZ didn't make into our list of the best telescopes (opens in new tab) for 2021, it's still an excellent piece of kit for those just starting out in skywatching, especially those who are hunting for an all-inclusive package that's easy to use and makes navigating the night sky a breeze. Learn how your comment data is processed. Celestron is one of the most reliable telescope manufacturers in the world. But with eight different models, which is right for you? Your 5 year old will not be able to reach the eyepiece of the 130mm without assistance or something to stand on (which usually leads to grabbing for something and the only something in the area is the telescope which you just centered in on the object you want to show). Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 102AZ review: Design. Get the 130. The package comes with two eyepieces, giving two useful magnifications of 26x and 66x, and what is termed an erect-image diagonal. Find out more about how we test and review products. 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. The extra aperture is the main draw of the 130mm. COAST HX4 Dual-Color Utility Beam LED Clip Light. I'd ideally want it to not be too hard for them to reach the eyepiece. In fact, they are as big as a fairly small person, so this isnt an option if you have limited space or want something portable. These are still decent entry level specs and will allow beginner level astronomers to see the following celestial objects provided enough of the StarSenses power is used : The tube isnt too big coming in at around 81 cm whilst the tripod will allow the device to extend to 1.24 meters, which honestly isnt that great. Tower - 3, Oxygen Business Park SEZ, Sector 144, Noida Expressway, Noida, Uttar Pradesh - 201304. Socket wrench + normal wrench should do the trick if I recall correctly. New tabletop game 'Death in Space' lets you mine for precious gems in the ravaged Tenebris system. Its a simple, aluminum-legged alt-azimuth mount with slow-motion controls on both axes. India | GlobalLogic Heavy and large. Heres how it works. Free shipping. If youre interested in other refractor systems, maybe due to the slightly inferior light gathering abilities of the 102AZ, this list may be helpful. StarSense Explorer DX 130AZ vs 102AZ - Cloudy Nights Should I buy a used StarSense Explorer DX 102AZ? Now since the Dobsonian does not have an app how difficult does it become to locate objects ? Which is stark opposite to Celestron dx 130az. StarSense Explorer DX 130AZ StarSense Explorer DX 102AZ ; Optical Design : Newtonian Reflector : Refractor : Aperture : 130mm (5.12") 102mm (4") Focal Length : 650mm (25.6") Testing out the StarSense Explorer DX 130AZ at our HQ in a brightly lit industrial section of light-polluted Torrance, CA. Also, you look into an eyepiece on the side, rather than at the bottom. Nevertheless, the purpose for this software is to provide convenience for beginner level astronomers so, Ill explain how it works here. 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. Buy Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 102AZ 102mm f/6.5 AZ Refractor Telescope featuring Use Smartphone App for Star Navigation, Follow Directions to Find Great Objects, Advanced Precise Alignment Algorithm, 102mm f/6.5 Refractor Optical Tube, Single Fork-Arm Manual Alt-Azimuth Mount, Dual Axis Slow-Motion Control Arms, Includes 26x & 66x 1.25" Eyepieces, 90 Erect-Image Diagonal, Adjustable . For example, if Saturn or the Andromeda galaxy are above you that night, you can select them on the app and then follow the arrows on the app to point the telescope at them. Some drawbacks do become evident. Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 102. View Map. And the Celestron Starsense Explorer dx 130az has a 10mm Kellner eyepiece with 65x magnification power. (Explained!). Join us in this discussion to learn more. The StarSense Explorer DX 130AZ is a Newtonian reflector telescope with a 5.1-inch aperture. All the telescopes from Celestron Edge HD and Schmidt-Cassegrain are compatible with the Starsense app. Also can you recommend some good telescopes which are available for $400 price range or less.I really dont want to spend more as I dont know if my son will want to pursue this in the future. Unlike Celestrons other computer-assisted offerings, the StarSense Explorer telescopes have no motors. So, it doesnt require collimation or cleaning. A tabletop telescope is the best choice at this price range. Refractor devices can also double as a spotting scope of sort and the 102AZ is no exception. 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. It has an aperture of 114 mm (4.5 inches). 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. Here lately though, it has not been able to track location. The Celestron NexStar telescope range are all full computerized compound / catadioptric telescopes. Celestrons main explanation is that many beginners would buy the bracket and attempt to fit it onto substandard telescopes (or simply do it improperly) and become frustrated. These views will be much brighter and clearer with the larger aperture models. 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. The 130 is better but still pretty small for that price. Compare Celestron StarSense Explorer vs Celestron DX 102AZ vs Celestron 130 StarSense Explorer LT 114AZ Newtonian. In short, this is a brilliant telescope for viewing the night sky. Skies & Scopes 2023. Overall, if you have the budget then it makes sense to get the higher aperture DX6 over the DX5 as it will provide better views. . COAST HX4 Dual-Color Utility Beam LED Clip Light. Overall, this is a good option if you only have the budget for one of the cheaper telescopes and want more power. Users of the Explorer have found it to be a very capable device and quite easy to set up. Here we focus on becoming a knowledge hub for astronomy and astrophotography enthusiasts. Which Celestron StarSense telescope is best? The 8-inch aperture is huge and will provide few limitations to what you can see. 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. ), Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 130AZ Review (Is The StarSense Software Worth The Price? Now that we know a little bit about the two telescopes lets take a look at this graph for a more comprehensive view: Both the Celestron telescopes are good choices in their respective categories. $449.95. 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. StarSense Explorer DX 102AZ Refractor. The eyepiece for the 102mm will be better positioned for the little one. This is necessary when aligning the telescope, as you need to point it at a recognizable object at the start of observing. You can find the Celestron dx 130az on Amazon which costs around $450. Trusted Celestron Schmidt-Cassegrain design, Small and compact for the power it provides, More expensive than other models like the Dobsonians that provide a better price-to-aperture ratio, but are also significantly larger, Smaller size and greater portability for the, If you have the space and plan to mostly use at home then the, If you have the budget but value something lighter and more portable, then the, If you want the cheaper option and have the space then the, If you want the cheaper option but prefer something lighter and more portable, then the, If you have the budget and space (and dont care about portability) then the. The Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 102AZ makes use of slow-motion controls for fine-tuned tracking. Even heavier and larger. The StarSense app displays the cameras view of the night sky, using a time exposure if necessary so it may take some seconds to appear or refresh. Compare Celestron StarSense Explorer vs Celestron NexStar 130 SLT vs Sony A7III vs A7RIII Astrophotography: Which One to Shoot Infinity! Read why we prefer High Point Scientific to Amazon. 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. 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 114AZ and 130AZ are reflectors (as well as the two dobsonians). Their Starsense explorer has been quite popular among stargazing beginners. This means we may be compensated if you click links on this page at no extra cost to you. The extra ingredient over a standard manual mounting is the attachment for a smartphone, directly fixed to the central assembly. 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. Jupiter, Venus, Saturn and Mars should look pretty great through the scope and fairly easy to locate. The Celestron StarSense Explorer comes in six different models. Uranus and Neptune are barely more than star-like dots, with blue disks barely bigger than the resolving limit of the telescope itself. StarSense Explorer DX 102AZ Smartphone App-Enabled Refractor Telescope. The length of the tube is around 63.5 cm. The software constantly checks the alignment of the instrument and complains if it cant see the sky, so snapping on the cover in between observations is not easy or ideal. It has a focal ratio of f/6.5, which means that it has a . Type of Electronics: Manual - Smartphone with StarSense Explorer App Assisted. Celestrons specs say 11% obstruction by area, so the 130 loses 1460 of area = 11813, still bigger than the 102. Join our Space Forums to keep talking space on the latest missions, night sky and more! The alt-azimuth mounting means that you can move the instrument around two axes up and down (altitude) and from side to side (azimuth). Includes Free. Are Celestron StarSense Explorer telescopes computerized / GOTO? Because all these mountings use a standard Vixen-type or CG-5 dovetail attachment, you can attach any other instrument that uses the same dovetail, taking into account the load capacity of the mounting. Unwary users are likely to try polishing it with glass cleaner or even abrasive solutions. ), Deimos vs Europa (How Are They Different? This is exactly the same model from Celestron just being sold with different marketing and so is worth comparing the prices to find the best deal. See our overview of all the different Celestron NexStar models. $479.95. Rating: 9/10. The StarSense app also lists 5-inch and 6-inch Schmidt-Cassegrains . Read our full affiliate disclosure here. The amount of celestial objects StarSense Explorer picked up under these conditions was truly amazing.Image by @wellreadnaturalist pic.twitter.com/QaPUPss0qM. Celestron dx 102az has an aperture of 102 mm as the name says. Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 102 AZ Review (Refractor) Its not as good at viewing faint objects in outer space unlike a reflector or a compound device. (Image credit: Celestron) The Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 130AZ is a 130-mm (5.1-inch) Newtonian reflector. Between Celestron Starsense dx 102az and 130az, Celestron dx 130az is better. 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. Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, UNLEASH THE POWER OF YOUR SMARTPHONE: Let your iPhone or Android phone take you on a guided tour of the night skyno telescope experience required. This StarSense Explorer DX 102 review was written in January 2020, when the scope was first released for $399. Have you tried this model and would you recommend it? document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Stargazing Help came into existence when some young minds got mesmerized by outer space while camping. You wont be taking this on trips. Our Verdict: The Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 102 AZ telescope is a beginner's ultimate telescope. However, the system has a few notable limitations that could curtail observing sessions. Amazon.com: Customer reviews: StarSense Explorer DX 130AZ Smartphone The Astro-Fi cant be used manually but is more capable overall. Winner: Even for this round the clear winner is Celestron Starsense Explorer dx 130az. There are eight different Celestron StarSense Explorer telescopes which we cover in more detail below. StarSense Explorer DX 130AZ | Celestron 10.7 Arcsec-(Rayleigh)0.89 Arcsec-(Dawes), 1.37 Arcsec-(Rayleigh)1.14 Arcsec-(Dawes), Has more magnification power and forms better views, Less expensive but doesnt provide enough features considering the price. So, which one is better between Celestron Starsense explorer dx 102az vs 130az? Before the main discussion, lets see the fundamental difference between both telescopes. Celestron Starsense Explorer 8 Dobsonian, Celestron Starsense Explorer 10 Dobsonian. ), Neutron Star vs Nova (How Are They Different? I am trying to get my 9 Year old interested in this and the only reason why I was considering the 130 was because of the Star sense app which makes it super easy to find deep space objects and galaxies. If you prefer a smaller refractor, then the 102AZ below could work but will almost certainly cost more. Finally, there is a standard red-dot finder to help in pointing the telescope at objects. The accessory tray that sits in the middle of the tripod legs needs to be attached by fiddly thumb screws that are already in place. For use as a grab and go/ compliment for my 8in dob. Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 130AZ Review (Is The, Orion EON 115ED Triplet Review (Photography Device Worth, Celestron Omni XLT 120 Review (Is It Worth The Price?! A star diagonal is standard with astronomical refractors and reflects the beam from the focuser through 90 degrees to allow a much easier observing position than crouching on the ground looking up through the tube, but usually, it has the drawback of reversing the image as in an ordinary mirror. The tube itself is around 81 cm long. Uranus and Neptune might barely be viewable at the max magnification that the Infinity 102AZ can handle. Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 130AZ: Full review | Space Celestron dx 102az comes with two 1.25 eyepieces. Thanks to your phones limited battery life and computing power, the StarSense Explorer technology obviously cant take a new picture of the sky every time you move the telescope. The aperture is almost the same, but the eyepiece magnification that comes with LT127 are better (50x, 100x and 2x barlow lense), Ps: I dont have much choice except celestron, since only this brand is available in my country, The 127 is junk and magnification is not what matters most. Refractor optics can be further broken down into achromatic and apochromatic, where the former and lesser quality of the 2 is used within the StarSense Explorer. Celestron Starsense explorer dx 130az uses Newtonian reflector type optics. Anthony Robinson is the owner of Skies & Scopes and has been practicing and writing obsessively about astrophotography and astronomy since 2017. Avoid! Not portable. Galaxies, nebulaes, star clusters and large parts of the messier should be viewable although there may be issues showing accurate colours with some stars. Like dx 102az, dx 130az also comes with two 1.25 eyepieces. With the StarSense Explorer line of instruments, Celestrons magic solution has been to link these to a telescope, getting rid of the need for the costly handset, the user input, and the encoders. 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. ), Celestron AstroMaster 130EQ Review (A Good Beginner Device!? Can you describe how you were able to loosen? This is more powerful than the models above and will provide better views. In that regard you cant completely be reliant on the app, which may or may not be reasonably accurate considering the quality of your phones camera nevertheless, this shouldnt be a deal breaker if you were to decide on this telescope. Deep-sky objects are a little less exciting. Telescope Mount Type: Alt-Azimuth. This telescope was a huge investment for Someone like myself. Senior Software Developer (Former Employee) - Bangalore, Karnataka - April 23, 2023. Now, when talking about accessories its important to discuss the eyepieces. Stargazinghelp.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon.com. Before the purchase, be sure to install the StarSense Explorer app on your phone. DXC Technology Employee Reviews in Bengaluru, Karnataka - Indeed On Aliexpress it costs around $418. Thanks so much in advance. Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps. 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. I realized that it was very important for me that it the telescope be kid friendly. It has more magnification power than dx 102az. I'm aware the reflector has a larger aperture (though the secondary mirror erodes this advantage a little?) 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. This is much less precise than a real GoTo system with tracking but much simpler, easier, and more reliable than a motorized telescope. It is the most portable (being the lightest) and is generally the cheapest.

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