Features

• Multicoated for enhanced contrast
• Threaded to accept Celestron colored eyepiece filters
• Eye relief of 22mm
• Apparent field of 52 degrees

Amazon.com Product Description

The Celestron NexStar 80 HC is a compact refractor telescope, weighingonly 11 pounds. Its preassembled, adjustable aluminum tripod and quick-releasecoupling knob, plus its light weight, make the NexStar 80 the most portable ofthe NexStar series. It has a wide field explorer, with a 3.25-degree field ofview, that is capable of capturing the largest deep-sky objects. The wide fieldof view is also ideal for scanning large areas of the sky and for superbterrestrial viewing.

This model comes complete with a directional handcontroller. The controller gives you instant access to all of the NexStar 80'sfunctions with common sense menu descriptions. It also contains information,including location, on over 4,000 objects. Simply tell the hand control thedate, location, and position of north. Then watch as the NexStar 80 virtuallyaligns itself, then selects and goes to the best objects in the sky.

Even thebeginning astronomer can understand its variety of features with only a fewobserving sessions. Besides its motorized hand controller, the NexStar 80 iscomputer compatible. Hook it up to a laptop, load the GuideStar software or TheSky Level 1 CD-ROM, and make your viewing experience easier and more enjoyable.You also have the option of adding the convenience of the GT series computerizedGO TO hand control later. ... Read more

Features

• Refractor lens
• 2 eyepieces (16x and 40x)
• Directional hand control
• 80mm primary aperture
• Computer compatible

Reviews (1)

WOW! This telescope is truly amazing!
I just purchased this telescope from Amazon last week. With all of the rain (Ugh!) I had my first opportunity to try it out last night ...

WOW! I was amazed at how easy and FUN this little baby is to use. Now, I did my homework first. I spent hours on eBay, the astronomy sites, and I had the whole scoop. I had a cheap 2" reflector as a kid, and I remember vividly how IMPOSSIBLE it was to see anything other than the moon ... so now that I have kids of my own, I wanted to get something that would give us all more enjoyment than frustration, and the Celestron Nexstar 80HC does the trick!

Especially for the novices and amateurs in the crowd, this is a GREAT option. It is extremely easy to set-up and use, has great instructions, comes with some VERY useful PC software, and is affordable to boot!

For starters, ALL of the expert advice said to avoid those "department store" models like the plague! Celestron is a VERY respected brand name for serious amateurs, and their optics have a great reputation. I know a bit about lenses (having a photography degree) and I am impressed with this scope.

Second, the included parts and accessories give you EVERYTHING you need to get started. The tripod is nice and sturdy, all of the components seem well-made, and set-up is a breeze. Inside of thirty minutes you can be outside star-hopping!

I strongly considered getting one of those computer-controlled "Go-To" scopes (like the big brother of this model) with the automatic hand controls. But they cost considerably more money - and then I found that this model can be linked to your PC to provide EXACTLY the same functionality! The INCLUDED motorized mount and hand control make finding and tracking objects easy as pie, and the "Red-Dot" finder scope is pure genius. Using just your naked eye (I didn't even take off my glases!) you simply move the scope using the hand control until the little red LED light is super-imposed over the object (star, planet, etc) you want to view. BINGO! That object will be right inside the viewfinder. The brightness of the LED can even be adjusted to match fainter stars & planets.

As if that all weren't enough, this package came with TWO software products, the "Guidestar" software, which allows you to connect the telescope to your PC for fully automated control (the connector cable IS included!) and also Celestron's "The Sky" software which is like your "Atlas" to the heavens. I have been playing with it for three nights in a row ... you can set the software for your specific location and time (it can use the PC's internal clock) and then it will show you what is in your sky at ANY time of the day or night. A special mode called "Daytime Viewing" will show you a "real" view of the sky, as opposed to the traditional "star-charts" which can be somewhat confusing, especially for novices.

The first night, I popped the CD-ROM in, installed "The Sky" software, and inside of five minutes I was panning around a miniature replica of the stars & planets outside my window. I turned out the lights, and set the software to "Night Vision" mode (so as to allow my eyes to adjust to the dark) and picked out a few bright stars on the screen, noting approximately where they should be in the sky. I walked outside, looked up, and there it was ... I had found the star "Vega" ... and it only took me about five minutes. Just click on ANY object on the screen and it gives you all of the information you could want, name, location, rising/setting time, brightness (magnitude) and much more.

But the BEST part is, after I brought the telescope outside (I was too psyched to stop at this point) it took me less than five more minutes to have Vega in my eyepiece, gazing at my first star, flickering like a frosty diamond. After that, I browsed around to the moon and a few other objects. It really was AMAZINGLY easy. See an object in the sky, push the motor buttons to move the red dot into place, and turn the focusing knob ... that's about all there was to it.

Now, I am NOT an "astronomer", and I don't pretend that this review will impress the elitists in the crowd, but for us amateurs, you couldn't ASK for a telescope that is easier or more fun to use!... I'm telling you, don't waste your time with anything from the "Nature" stores at the mall, or the not-to-be-named "24-hr major one-stop retailer" down the street. Grab the Nexstar 80HC, and you will be waltzing through the stars on your very first night. ... Read more

Features

• Includes -Celestron Vista Pix 8x22 VGA Binocular / Digital Camera, USB Cable, VistaPix Photo Manager Software on CD, User Guide.
• 8x22 = 8 times magnification with a 22mm objective
• Excellent for theater, stadium, and general use
• Compact size
• Digital camera mode captures images at 640x480 VGA resolution into the Vistapix internal memory

Amazon.com Product Description

Celestron likes to say, "the only simple thing about NexStar is its operation," and we have to agree. The sophisticated NexStar 114 GT is quite easy to assemble, even for a complete novice. Once you put the scope together and mount it on the sturdy aluminum tripod (also included), simply take the hand control with illuminated dual 16-character LCD display, and dial in the date, location, and position of north. Using its quiet, high-precision servo motor, the NexStar automatically aligns itself with the night sky.

Reflectors     This is a reflector telescope. Reflectors (also known as Newtonian reflectors or catoptrics) capture light with a mirror at the bottom of a tube, which sends the image to the eyepiece at the top of the tube.    First-time telescope users sometimes have difficulty with the idea of looking through the side of a telescope, but the big draw for reflectors is that they are by far the cheapest to manufacture--and thus offer the best value--of all telescope types. They also generally have zero chromatic aberration.     Read more about different telescope designs in our buying guide

From there it is a breeze to select what you want to see using the computerized hand control, which features automatic slewing to over 4,000 celestial objects, as well as manual high-speed slewing and fine-centering at the touch of a button. Even a beginner can master this telescope within just a few observing sessions. Also provided: a Star Pointer finderscope designed to help you point the telescope while scanning the sky with both eyes, the Sky Level I CD-ROM with a database of 10,000 celestial objects, and a sturdy, adjustable aluminum tripod with an accessory tray.

Featuring a 114mm (4.5-inch) diameter Newtonian reflector with a focal length of 1,000mm (focal ratio of f/9), this telescope affords approximately 265 times the light-gathering power of the naked eye. And, with the two eyepieces (25mm and 10mm) included here, it offers maximum magnifications of 40x and 100x, making it capable of revealing fine detail within galaxies and nebulae. The NexStar 114 Newtonian reflector has 265 times the light gathering power of the average human eye, revealing fine detail within galaxies and nebulae. This compact design brings objects into view with a 114mm aperture, 1000mm focal length capable of achieving magnifications of 40x and 100x with the included eyepieces.

Its large 4.5" diameter outshines smaller scopes. Polar caps on Mars become visible along with the cloud belts on Jupiter. The rings of Saturn are also clearly visible. Perhaps most exciting is the sheer variety of deep sky objects (stars, clusters, nebulae). Because of their optical design, reflectors are best suited for astronomical use.

Specifications summarized:

• 114mm (4.5") diameter Newtonian Reflector
• Focal Length of 1000mm
• Focal Ratio of f/9
• Weight: 15.5 Lbs.

• 25mm (40x) and 10mm (100x) 1.25" SMA Eyepieces
• Star Pointer Finderscope
• The Sky Level I CD-ROM
• Sturdy, Adjustable Aluminum Tripod with Accessory Tray
• GT models come with the complete Go-To computer hand control

Moon viewing 101
The moon is often one of the first celestial objects a beginner will look at through his or her telescope. Here are a couple hints for you once you get your hands on your new NexStar 114.

Often, it is tempting to look at the Moon when it is full. At this time, the face we see is fully illuminated and its light can be overpowering. In addition, little or no contrast can be seen during this phase. One of the best times to observe the Moon is during its partial phases (around the time of first or third quarter). Long shadows reveal a great amount of detail on the lunar surface. At low power you will be able to see most of the lunar disk at one time. The optional Reducer/Corrector lens allows for breath-taking views of the entire lunar disk when used with a low power eyepiece. Change to higher power (magnification) to focus in on a smaller area. Choose the lunar tracking rate from the NexStar's MENU tracking rate options to keep the moon centered in the eyepiece even at high magnifications.

Observing the Planets
Other fascinating targets include the five naked-eye planets. You can see Venus go through its lunar-like phases. Mars can reveal a host of surface detail and one, if not both, of its polar caps. You will be able to see the cloud belts of Jupiter and the great Red Spot (if it is visible at the time you are observing). In addition, you will also be able to see the moons of Jupiter as they orbit the giant planet. Saturn, with its beautiful rings, is easily visible at moderate power. Remember that atmospheric conditions are usually the limiting factor on how much planetary detail will be visible. So avoid observing the planets when they are low on the horizon or when they are directly over a source of radiating heat, such as a rooftop or chimney.

The Nuts and Bolts of the NexStar 114 GT

Lens Cover Optical Tube Fork Arm Tripod Accessory Tray w/ hand control holder Hand Control Collimation Adjustment Knobs Tube Ring Eyepiece Star Pointer Finderscope

... Read more

Features

• Star Pointer finderscope
• 25mm (40x) and 10mm (100x) 1.25-inch SMA eyepieces
• 114mm (4.5-inch) diameter Newtonian reflector
• Adjustable aluminum tripod
• Complete go-to computer hand control

Reviews (15)

Excellent deal for power star observation
A while ago I purchased the Nexstar 114GT. I was impressed at the amount of features that came with the telescope. Celestial objects catalogs, alignment options, tracking, ability to connect with a PC, tour, etc...

The tripod is of fair quality. It is stable and light. The 'deluxe' tray would be better if it had holes for eyepieces. The finder is basic as well. Easy to tune and operate. I am considering upgrading to something better at some point.

By contrast, the tube is made of higher quality, and the optics are good. The 2 eyepieces that comes with the telescope are of entry level, but will provide a very good and clear picture. I was very satisfied with what I was able to see, as well as the quality. Mounting the tube on the arm, and the arm on the tripod is a snap.

The hand control is ok. Once you understand your way around the menus there's a lot you can do. The auto-align works well, and tracking too. I recommend going on the web, there's a site dedicated to the 114GT packed with very useful tips to get the most of this telescope. Perusing the manual, no so user friendly, a few times will also help in operating the telescope and get some good results.

Now, about customer service; and this is going to contrast from a previous reviewer's review. After some time, the azimuth drive started to show signs of weakness: it wasn't as fast as usual. It thought the telescope did not get mounted properly and I opened the holding arm to see if I could do something. I was able to tighten some of the clutches as they were loose. But a while after that the motor ended up dying. Opened the arm again, tested the drive and came to the conclusion that I had to change it. Having opened the arm several times and messed around with the inner mechanics I thought that Celestron would just cancel the warranty and have me pay for the reparation.

Anywasy, I called Celestron's customer service and explained my problem. They gave me a Return Authorization number, and I sent them the arm along with the hand control. About a week later, the arm came back with a brand new motor and power connector. In addition they had adjusted the clutches and tested everything. And this cost me a grand total of $0. Thumbs up!

A good value for the money.
This is my first telescope, although I've viewed the night sky with far more expensive scopes. I'm impressed with the capabilities and value (I paid far less than retail at Costco).

I have not had the problem with the scope bumping into the base. However I do think the az/el drive system could be driven a bit better. On the highest rate - 9 - it seems to start up rather jerky, neccessitating a switch to a lower rate for short movements.

The only problem I've had is with the various types of alignment. It's hard to use a magnetic compass near the scope, for the quick alignment procedure. I would attribute this to my lack of experience with the equipment, but it makes it hard to track Mars properly.

This Product is Great!!!
When I first bought this product it was when Mars came really close to earth and this was the first time in 72,000 years. I read the News on the Internet so I chose which item to buy and came across this item. It was a good choice and well designed. The ONLY problem is putting it back in the box but that wasn't too much trouble. This device moves by itself and pinpoints the exact dirrection of the stars. I enjoyed seeing the moon alot and learned new stars. This item also come with a PC CD where I can check out any new stars, comets, meteors ect. I also whent to telescopesforless.com and bought a new eye piece. Clestron.com is the best web site for seeing what's new. I never experience a telescope like this one. For More info email me at juan13@sbcglobal.net.

This should read zero stars for their poor customer service
First, let me say that the telescope is OK, it's actually pretty nice for a basic beginners scope. You can see the rings of Saturn fairly well. The drive system is a little shaky, so if you go over a 166X magnification (optional 6mm eyepiece) you need to shut off the tracking to get a good view. But for the money I could live with that. That said, let me tell you about their disappointing customer service. I bought a bunch of Celestron accessories, hard carrying case, a tripod case, a case of eyepieces and filters, and a solar filter to look at the Sun, I spent a little extra money, All Celestron stuff. The second time I used the telescope I hit it on a doorknob and put a little dent in it. Stupid me, it was all my fault. It still works fine, but my poor brand new telescope has a dent in it about the size of a quarter and that sucks. I wanted to fix it, it all disassembles to the bare sheet metal tube in about 10 minutes or so, I tried to work the dent out, but it's still there. I put it all back together, it still works fine. I thought I would order a new tube no problem. WRONG!!!!!.
I contacted the Celestron website and told them that I dented it and wanted to purchase a replacement tube. Their response was that they would not just sell me the part, I had to send the telescope back to them and they would replace it for me. Now, I didn't pay quite as much as it is listed on this site, but to send it back and get it fixed would have cost me with shipping 63% of the cost of a brand new unit complete in the box with the tripod and control panel, servo drive and everything. 63%!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You do the math! In the real world this thin painted steel tube is maybe worth $20.00, it does have 20 prepunched holes in it and is painted flat black on the inside. I would have even probably paid $50.00 for it because then I wouldn't have had to look at this little dent every time I used my telescope forever.
Since their email response was a little frustrating, I thought I should call Celestron and talk to someone with some common sense and they'll realize that it's not reasonable to make me pay 63% of the price of a new complete package for this piece of sheet metal. I talked to the customer service manager and explained the situation and asked that they sell me a new tube and I'll assemble it myself, I would gladly purchase a collimation tool also so I could make sure the mirrors were alligned properly. That didn't seem like an outrageous request.
I was very nice to the gentleman (I wish I could remember his name, I'd post it here). He said they couldn't sell me the part "because it was fragile and they couldn't guarantee that it wouldn't get damaged in shipment". As God is my witness, that was the Customer Service Manager's excuse. Evidently it's OK for me to ship the telescope both ways, but they can't package the bare tube and ship it to me without damage. At that point I asked him specifically if he was refusing to sell me the tube unless they installed it, and he said "Yes". I told him I will never do business with them again, and I won't. I can guarantee you my next telescope will not be a Celestron. I own a small business myself, and deal with the retail public every day. If one of my employees provided this poor of service to one of my customers I would fire them. Their customer service is absolutely unacceptable in my opinion, and if you agree I ask you not to buy any of their equipment. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions at todd_d_glenn@yahoo.com . Feel free to contact Celestron if you feel that their policy is unreasonable at support@celestron.com . If you read this whole thing and finally got to this sentence, thanks for your time.

Wonderful Telescope for the money
I recently purchased the Celestron NexStar 114GT in preparation for a college astronomy course and I am sure glad I did! I am still learning how to use it, but so far it is exceeding my expectations. The fact that I can control the scope with the handheld control or my laptop computer is a real plus. If you plan to use your laptop computer with this scope, you will need to purchase an inexpensive serial cable compatible with the NexStar. With this cable you can hook up to the telescope hand control using your serial port or USB port (using a converter, that's what I do)

I also found an Internet site for people who own any Celestron NexStar telescope. This site is wonderful! It is full of so much information (www.nexstarsite.com) On this site are things like tips for viewing, controller the scope with your PC, updated NexStar Observer List software, and information regarding accessories (including the serial cable above)...plus so much more!

Bottom line...the Celestron NexStar 114GT is an excellent value for the beginner or intermediate observer. I highly recommend it. ... Read more

Features

• Multicoated for enhanced contrast
• Threaded to accept Celestron colored eyepiece filters
• Eye relief of 5mm
• Apparent field of 52 degrees

Reviews (1)

amazing for some, not so great for others
This eyepiece does a fantastic job of magnifying images. It will give great, high-magnified views of the moon and of planets. The only drawback is that someone with glasses or with a low focal length telescope. The very small focal length of the eyepiece will make it very challenging for eyeglass wearers to take in the whole field of view. I would recommend a Barlow lens or an eyepiece with a larger focal length. Someone with a low focal length telescope may find that on most nights the magnification is too high for the atmospheric conditions and the image will suffer. This eyepiece is an excellent way to get more magnification but make sure it is right for you. ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

The Nexstar 5i is the newest version of Celestron's legendary five inch Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope. It is compact, easy to transport, and easy to use. The five-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain optics are sharp enough to bring out pleasing detail on the Moon, on the planets, and on star clusters and galaxies, yet the optical tube is less than twelve inches long. It's small enough to carry outside, even when all set up and ready to go, small enough to take on camping trips, and easy to transport to public star parties. This telescope package does not include the tripod or the computerized hand control; although you can set up the telescope on a sturdy surface and observe bright objects this way, realistically you'll want the computer control.

The NextStar handset is your user-friendly guide to more than 40,000 celestial objects.

What can I see with the Nexstar 5i? Using an optionalUltima 7.5mm eyepiece for a magnification of 166X, on a good night I can see the Cassini division in Saturn's rings, the famous Great Red Spot on Jupiter (it's actually tan this year), and the polar cap and dark surface markings on Mars. From a dark viewing site in the country, I've been able to find all the Messier galaxies. When I look at M86 in the Virgo galaxy cluster with the included 25mm plossl (50X), for example, I can see five galaxies at once, including M84 and three fainter NGC galaxies. When I look at brighter globular clusters like M13 and M22 with a 12.5mm plossl (100X) I can resolve many individual stars.

Adding the optional computerized hand control will turn the Nexstar 5i into an easy to use automated system. The Nexstar 5i is much easier to use than earlier generations of computerized telescopes. You can choose from four different alignment modes, from the traditional two star alignment to the latest GPS aided automatic setup using the optional CN-16 GPS module. The "quick align" feature is perfect for those nights that I just want a quick look at the planets, and the GPS alignment works so well I've been able to find and observe Venus in broad daylight!

The biggest drawback to the Nexstar 5i is the short life of AA batteries. I've been able to avoid computer crashes caused by low batteries by using Celestron's car battery adapter with a rechargeable jump-start power pack. Like all Schmidt-Cassegrain telescopes, dew forms easily on the front corrector lens, but Orion's # 4209 Flexishield dew cap works well to prevent problems with fog on the lens. --Jeff Phillips

Pros:

• Proven optical performance of Celestron's five inch SCT.
• Small enough to keep set up ready to go.
• The optional Nexstar computer is easy to use.

• Short battery life.

Features

• 127mm (5-inch) diameter Schmidt-Cassegrain refractor
• Compass calibration, enabling you to point to true north more accurately
• Manually slew across the sky in seconds or track a star equatorially
• Electronic controls allows you to move the telescope at six different rates
• Auxiliary Port for optional accessories, including GPS module

Features

• Adjustable illuminator with an illuminator with an Abbe 1.25 condenser, iris diaphragm, filters, and holder
• Built-in mechanical stage is 123mm x 153mm and has a movement range of 70mm x 40mm
• Unit has a binocular head 45-degree inclined, 360-degree rotatable and interpupillary distance of 55mm-75mm
• Four suplied achromatic objectives 4x, 10x, 40, 100xr (oil)
• 10x and 15x eyepieces

Reviews (2)

NOT A DESIGN ERROR
This is in response to the post that there was an error with the 100x on the microscope. It's not that it's an error, but when you do magnifications at that level you have to do what's called oil immersion with the slides. This enables the lense to get close without being scratched. The instruction manual should say that. I promise I'm not making this up. I'm a biochem major with plenty of experience:-)

Possible Design Error
While checking this microscope it worked great until I got to the
100X objective. It cannot be focused at 100X. The objective hits
the slide on the stage and needs more travel distance to focus.
I placed a piece of transparant tape, with pen writings on it,
and the objective hits the tape and goes a little farther before
it focuses. Obviously, this is unacceptable! I called the
manufactor and they were unable to give me an explanation.
I hope this is just a defective unit and not a design defect.
I am returning the microscope and exchanging it for another
one. If it works then I will give it the highest grade possible. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

The Celestron Nexstar 8 is built around ease of use. The 8-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain optics offer images twice as bright as a 5-inch telescope, and feature Starbright multicoating. The auto-align feature accesses a database of 18,000 objects, and there's even a tour function that seeks out various regularly occurring astronomical events, depending on the month.

The Nexstar 8 offers nine different slew speeds, an RS-232 serial port for connection to a PC, computer hand control, a focal ratio of f10, and a focal length of 2032mm. ... Read more

Features

• Focal length of 2032mm
• 203mm (8-inch) diameter Schmidt-Cassegrain refractor
• Observe immediately with the computerized auto align feature
• Automatic slewing to over 18,000 celestial objects
• Common sense menu descriptions

Reviews (10)

GoTo Technology for Viewing not Star Hopping
This telescope is great for viewing those planets, stars, deep sky objects, the sun(with a solar filter), and the moon. No more star hopping with this scope. Just enter the appropriate numbers in the handcontroller for the Messier, NGC, and Caldwell Catalogs,as well as, the Planets, selected stars and double stars, select Enter on the handcontroller and it slews to the object selected. You can also enter Right Ascension and Declination coordinates for your favorite objects and save them.
The Celestron instructions are clear but not exactly accurate. To get the best instructions, go to the Yahoo Groups and join the "nextstar" group for complete and accurate instructions for the initial setup and operation for this scope. These guys have most of the answers about the NextStar telescopes. Dark Skies!

I love this scope
This telescope is wonderful. I love the goto - it's very easy to align and put the target in the FOV w/o fail.

My rational for getting the goto was to maximize my viewing times in the evening since I don't get much time to do so. For this it works very well. I spend much less time looking for objects and more time looking at them.

Jupiter, Saturn look great - good detail. I live in light polluted area (don't we all) but detail still looked good.

Haven't had a good dark night yet with it (moon has been out every night I've had it so far) - but could still see Andromeda galaxy (albeit faintly) and Orion nebula (not so faintly!) with it. This is literally on my driveway with mercury vapor lights in the street about 30 yds away (I could read my star maps by them).

Needless to say - detail on the moon is breathtaking.

Be sure to get more than the supplied 40mm eyepiece. I got a 25mm, 10mm, and a barlow with it and that seemed to provide a good variety for magnification.

Great !!
It is a really spectacular telescope!!
After having spent about 20 minutes to achieve a precise collimation, the images are almost perfect.
The location of celestial objects is very good.
I recommend an ocular of 35 mm and a Ultima barlow.

If You Can Afford The N8GPS Get It
I bought this scope as a gift for my Mom. She caught the backyard astronomy bug after looking through my Nexstar 11 GPS a few times. I wanted to get her a scope that was easy to use and fairly lightweight, but with more than a 5" appature so that she'd actually be able to see details on deep sky objects as opposed to blurs.

This scope delivers and is a great value for the money. However, it's goto accuracy - - while beating the competition at the same price point - - is not nearly as good as the accuracy of Celestron's higher end telescopes. There is a $500-1000 price difference between this scope and the N8GPS model, but I think the more expensive scope is actually a better value. This scope is really a terrific instrument, but if the extra money is not an issue I think most enthusiasts would be happier with the Nexstar 8 GPS (the one that looks like the N11GPS - with the carbon tube). It's got better gears, a sturdier mount, dual fork arms, and simply performs to perfection every time.

Great telescope, but get the new one instead.
GPS makes the next generation so much easier to align. Pass on the Nexstar 8 and look at the Nexstar 8i (with GPS add on) or Nexstar 8 GPS. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

The compact design of the Celestron Nexstar 114 HC Telescope achieves magnification levels of 40x and 100x with only a 114-millimeter aperture and a focal length of 1,000mm. Its large, 4.5-inch tube diameter lets you observe the polar caps of Mars, the cloud belts of Jupiter, and Saturn's rings. The 114HC telescope has 265 times the light-gathering capabilities of the human eye, bringing a wide variety of deep sky objects, including stars, galaxies, and nebulae, into your back yard. This model comes with a directional hand control, giving you the option of controlling the telescope's movements automatically. The optical design of a reflector telescope such as the NexStar 114HC makes it ideally suited for astronomical observations. ... Read more

Features

• 265 times the light-gathering capabilities of the human eye
• Comes with directional hand control
• 25mm (40x) and 10mm (100x) SMA eyepieces
• Focal length of 1,000mm
• Adjustable aluminum tripod with accessory tray included

Reviews (1)

Nexstar 114HC
This is a great Telescope for the dollar spent. The optics of it are plenty powerfull for a amateur astrologist. I also like the ability of this telescope to sync up with my laptop using the OPTIONAL rs232 cable. I do not regret this purchase, but if I could do it all over again I would have gone with the 114GT simply because of nexstar being built into the telescope. It is not always convenient to have you laptop while camping, or out in the middle of no-where. ... Read more

Features

• 10x eyepiece
• Achromatic objective of 20x for a 200x power view
• All metal and has a plain stage with clips
• 42mm plano-convex mirror for adjustable lighting
• Smooth rack and pinion focuser

Amazon.com Product Description

The Regal LS series gives you all the optical performance of a high-quality Porro prism binocular in a lightweight, compact roof-prism design. These 8 x 42 Regal LS series binoculars feature a field view of 6.5 feet, eye relief of 20mm, near focus of 6 feet, and a weight of 25 ounces.

Fully multicoated optics make the details come alive with bright, true colors. These waterproof binoculars stand up well in all weather conditions. Their rubber-covered bodies are rugged in design with large center-focus wheel for smooth, easy adjustment. Eyeglass wearers will appreciate the twist up (and down) eyecup feature.

Other features include:

• Smooth, click-stop style of diopter adjustment
• Large center focus wheel for ease of focusing
• Included deluxe soft case
• Included padded cloth neck strap

Features

• 8x magnification
• Lightweight, compact roof prism design
• Multicoated optics make the details come alive with bright colors
• Twist up (and down) eyecup feature for eyeglass wearers
• Includes deluxe soft case and padded neck strap

Amazon.com Product Description

The Regal LS series gives you all the optical performance of a high-quality Porro prism binocular in a lightweight, compact roof-prism design. These 10 x 42 Regal LS series binoculars feature a field view of 6.0 feet, eye relief of 16mm, near focus of 6 feet, and a weight of 25 ounces.

Fully multicoated optics make the details come alive with bright, true colors. These waterproof binoculars stand up well in all weather conditions. Their rubber-covered bodies are rugged in design with large center-focus wheel for smooth, easy adjustment. Eyeglass wearers will appreciate the twist up (and down) eyecup feature.

Other features include:

• Smooth, click-stop style of diopter adjustment
• Large center-focus wheel for ease of focusing
• Included deluxe soft case
• Included padded cloth neck strap

Features

• 10x magnification
• Lightweight, compact roof prism design
• Multicoated optics make the details come alive with bright colors
• Twist up (and down) eyecup feature for eyeglass wearers
• Includes deluxe soft case and padded neck strap

Amazon.com Product Description

Celestron likes to say, "the only simple thing about NexStar is its operation," and we have to agree. The sophisticated NexStar 114 GT is quite easy to assemble, even for a complete novice. Once you put the scope together and mount it on the sturdy aluminum tripod (also included), simply take the hand control with illuminated dual 16-character LCD display, and dial in the date, location, and position of north. Using its quiet, high-precision servo motor, the NexStar automatically aligns itself with the night sky.

Reflectors     This is a reflector telescope. Reflectors (also known as Newtonian reflectors or catoptrics) capture light with a mirror at the bottom of a tube, which sends the image to the eyepiece at the top of the tube.    First-time telescope users sometimes have difficulty with the idea of looking through the side of a telescope, but the big draw for reflectors is that they are by far the cheapest to manufacture--and thus offer the best value--of all telescope types. They also generally have zero chromatic aberration.     Read more about different telescope designs in our buying guide

From there it is a breeze to select what you want to see using the computerized hand control, which features automatic slewing to over 4,000 celestial objects, as well as manual high-speed slewing and fine-centering at the touch of a button. Even a beginner can master this telescope within just a few observing sessions. Also provided: a Star Pointer finderscope designed to help you point the telescope while scanning the sky with both eyes, the Sky Level I CD-ROM with a database of 10,000 celestial objects, and a sturdy, adjustable aluminum tripod with an accessory tray.

Featuring a 114mm (4.5-inch) diameter Newtonian reflector with a focal length of 1,000mm (focal ratio of f/9), this telescope affords approximately 265 times the light-gathering power of the naked eye. And, with the two eyepieces (25mm and 10mm) included here, it offers maximum magnifications of 40x and 100x, making it capable of revealing fine detail within galaxies and nebulae. The NexStar 114 Newtonian reflector has 265 times the light gathering power of the average human eye, revealing fine detail within galaxies and nebulae. This compact design brings objects into view with a 114mm aperture, 1000mm focal length capable of achieving magnifications of 40x and 100x with the included eyepieces.

Its large 4.5" diameter outshines smaller scopes. Polar caps on Mars become visible along with the cloud belts on Jupiter. The rings of Saturn are also clearly visible. Perhaps most exciting is the sheer variety of deep sky objects (stars, clusters, nebulae). Because of their optical design, reflectors are best suited for astronomical use.

Specifications summarized:

• 114mm (4.5") diameter Newtonian Reflector
• Focal Length of 1000mm
• Focal Ratio of f/9
• Weight: 15.5 Lbs.

• 25mm (40x) and 10mm (100x) 1.25" SMA Eyepieces
• Star Pointer Finderscope
• The Sky Level I CD-ROM
• Sturdy, Adjustable Aluminum Tripod with Accessory Tray
• GT models come with the complete Go-To computer hand control

Moon viewing 101
The moon is often one of the first celestial objects a beginner will look at through his or her telescope. Here are a couple hints for you once you get your hands on your new NexStar 114.

Often, it is tempting to look at the Moon when it is full. At this time, the face we see is fully illuminated and its light can be overpowering. In addition, little or no contrast can be seen during this phase. One of the best times to observe the Moon is during its partial phases (around the time of first or third quarter). Long shadows reveal a great amount of detail on the lunar surface. At low power you will be able to see most of the lunar disk at one time. The optional Reducer/Corrector lens allows for breath-taking views of the entire lunar disk when used with a low power eyepiece. Change to higher power (magnification) to focus in on a smaller area. Choose the lunar tracking rate from the NexStar's MENU tracking rate options to keep the moon centered in the eyepiece even at high magnifications.

Observing the Planets
Other fascinating targets include the five naked-eye planets. You can see Venus go through its lunar-like phases. Mars can reveal a host of surface detail and one, if not both, of its polar caps. You will be able to see the cloud belts of Jupiter and the great Red Spot (if it is visible at the time you are observing). In addition, you will also be able to see the moons of Jupiter as they orbit the giant planet. Saturn, with its beautiful rings, is easily visible at moderate power. Remember that atmospheric conditions are usually the limiting factor on how much planetary detail will be visible. So avoid observing the planets when they are low on the horizon or when they are directly over a source of radiating heat, such as a rooftop or chimney.

The Nuts and Bolts of the NexStar 114 GT

Lens Cover Optical Tube Fork Arm Tripod Accessory Tray w/ hand control holder Hand Control Collimation Adjustment Knobs Tube Ring Eyepiece Star Pointer Finderscope

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Features

• Star Pointer finderscope
• 25mm (40x) and 10mm (100x) 1.25-inch SMA eyepieces
• 114mm (4.5-inch) diameter Newtonian reflector
• Adjustable aluminum tripod
• Complete go-to computer hand control

Amazon.com Product Description

The Regal LS series gives you all the optical performance of a high-quality Porro prism binocular in a lightweight, compact roof-prism design. These 10 x 50 Regal LS series binoculars feature a field view of 5.0 feet, eye relief of 20mm, near focus of 6 feet, and a weight of 29 ounces.

Fully multicoated optics make the details come alive with bright, true colors. These waterproof binoculars stand up well in all weather conditions. Their rubber-covered bodies are rugged in design with large center-focus wheel for smooth, easy adjustment. Eyeglass wearers will appreciate the twist up (and down) eyecup feature.

Other features include:

• Smooth, click-stop style of diopter adjustment
• Large center-focus wheel for ease of focusing
• Included deluxe soft case
• Included padded cloth neck strap

Features

• 10x magnification
• Lightweight, compact roof prism design
• Multicoated optics make the details come alive with bright colors
• Twist up (and down) eyecup feature for eyeglass wearers
• Includes deluxe soft case and padded neck strap

Features

• Newtonian reflector telescope gives fully color-corrected view for astronomical use
• 4-degree per second slew speed
• Computerized hand controller with 4,000-plus object database
• Magnification: 306x
• Objective lens: 130mm