We are an independent astronomy and astrophotography-focused publication that conducts objective research to make product recommendations. Due to an a enclosed tube being used, the optics wont need to be cleaned or collimated all the time. Celestron StarSense Explorer Guide For Beginners Read our full affiliate disclosure here. It focuses the image on a single point. The other advantage is that no power source is needed. 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. Thats all from us about Celestron Starsense explorer dx 102az vs 130az. Overall, this is the best option if you value a higher aperture for better views. 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. Celestron Starsense Explorer DX 102AZ Vs 130AZ Way better scope but not comparable mount wise. Celestron StarSense Explorer telescopes are manual, not computerized, but their design gives you many of the advantages of this technology. at Amazon. Its not a bad telescope to have. Should you buy the Celestron StarSense DX 102AZ? If you compare their size, 130az is quite big and heavy. ), Celestron AstroMaster 130EQ Review (A Good Beginner Device!? Buy from scopes' recommended retailer, HighPoint, StarSense Explorer technology helpful in locating targets. Though most other popular telescopes are on months-long backorders, the DX 102 and its cousin, the DX 130AZ, appear to be in stock most of the time, and even when they areon backorder, there have been reports that deliveries are quicker than usual. The alt-azimuth mounting means that you can move the instrument around two axes up and down (altitude) and from side to side (azimuth). We may earn commissions by recommending products on this website. ), Deimos vs Titania (How Are They Different? Your email address will not be published. Its not as good at viewing faint objects in outer space unlike a reflector or a compound device. Anthony Robinson is the owner of Skies & Scopes and has been practicing and writing obsessively about astrophotography and astronomy since 2017. Its focal length is about 650 mm. The main advantage of the 102mm is nothing to adjust (optically). There are some issues with glare and ghosting, and they are slightly inferior in sharpness to a true Plossl design, but both eyepieces are comfortable to use and work well, though they are a bit below what you should be expecting in quality at this price point. The reflector has coatings that only reflect 90% of the light hitting them. Can you take pictures with the Celestron StarSense? You may even see Marss red spot, Saturns rings, or even Jupiters spiral patterns. If you prefer a smaller refractor, then the 102AZ below could work but will almost certainly cost more. The eyepieces provided with the 102az arent so good. collimating. 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. Should I buy a used StarSense Explorer DX 102AZ? On Aliexpress it costs around $418. It has a focal ratio of f/6.5, which means that it has a comparatively short tube for its diameter a situation that provides a wide field of view and bright image with a fairly compact instrument. Winner: The specifications of Celestron dx 130az are more impressive. We're pleased to report that loading and using the software on our Moto G8 phone was easy and quite intuitive. You can even watch faint celestial objects with it. However, reflectors tend to give you more aperture (power) for the same price, with the downside being the bigger size and more cumbersome operation. Before the purchase, be sure to install the StarSense Explorer app on your phone. Youd have to either detach the phone and try not to move the telescope or use two separate phones. 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. Brand new in 2022 are the two new Dobsonians in the range this Starsense Explorer 8-inch Dobsonian, and the 10-inch version covered below. They are completely manual though and do not have the StarSense technology and smartphone interactivity (although you may be able to replicate this with other adapters and apps. StarSense Explorer DX 130AZ vs 102AZ - Cloudy Nights As for other key specifications, dx 102az has a focal ratio of 6.5. The red dot finderscope is decent as are all of the other accessories too. Get the 130. As a result, it sometimes shows chromatic aberration. The Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 130AZ telescope is all about the smartphone app used to align it, though it's a more manual affair than you might expect. The telescope attaches to the mount using a standard dovetail, but as it came out of the box the clamp assembly was twisted through 180 degrees, with the locking screw at the bottom. The downside is that it is heavier and bulkier, so you should think about where you will use it and whether you value power over portability. Is it because of the 4 vanes as well? The StarSense Explorer utilises the oldest telescopic optics out of the 3 main categories currently around called refractor optics. Rather, the mount uses an adapter and the computing power of your smartphone to help you find your way around the sky, which well get to after covering the basics of the telescope(s) itself. The StarSense Explorer DX 102AZ and 130AZ telescopes have slow motion controls for moving the telescope left and right as well as up and down. Patented, award-winning StarSense sky recognition technology uses your smartphone to analyze star patterns overhead and calculate the telescope's position in real-time. StarSense Explorer 10" Dobsonian Telescope | Celestron So, what is so special about the Celestron dx eyepieces? It seems immovable, and many beginners will wonder if they are meant to be forcing this round at all. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The Celestron dx 102 uses about 240x magnification power. 4mm Eyepiece vs 20mm Eyepiece! *This post may contain affiliate links. The Celestron Omni XLT 150 is available here but is priced way above my budget. ), Deimos vs Saturn (How Are They Different? When the bullseye turns green, its ready to view in the telescopes eyepiece. View Map. The Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 102AZ is an achromatic refractor, with a 102 mm doublet lens composed of two different types of glass. Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 102AZ Specs, The Eyepieces of the StarSense Explorer DX Series. Its a simple, aluminum-legged alt-azimuth mount with slow-motion controls on both axes. A large 10" parabolic primary mirror with XLT coatings helps you make the most of StarSense technology. 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. Celestron - StarSense Explorer DX 102AZ Smartphone App-Enabled Telescope - Works with StarSense App to Help You Find Stars, Planets & More - 102mm Refractor - iPhone/Android Compatible 4.3 out of 5 stars 274 Its focal length is about 650 mm. Celestron StarSense Explorer vs Celestron AstroMaster Telescopes: How do they compare? Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 130AZ 130mm f/5 AZ Reflector Telescope (24) Price View Cart. This telescope is full of design flaws. He has made numerous TV appearances explaining astronomy news stories, and lectures aboard cruise ships. Unlike household mirrors, its reflective coating is on the front surface rather than the back, so regularly wiping it clear could result in damage to the coating. Not only does it have great focal specs for exploring the night sky and perhaps getting in an astro image or two, it has StarSense tech that helps a learner locate and view objects that would otherwise be difficult for a beginner to find. 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. Faint objects like planetary nebulae or galaxies are off-limit. Which is better than the image youll see from normal reflector optics. Stargazinghelp.com is a knowledge hub for professional and amateur astronomy and astrophotography enthusiasts. Celestron is one of the most reliable telescope manufacturers in the world. The downside to large dobsonians like this is the size they are heavy and large. Mainly interested in the mount and optical tube. 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. A poor design, as these screws will quickly get lost. Your email address will not be published. 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. Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 102AZ 102mm f/6.5 AZ 22460 B&H In fact, you do need to apply a lot of force to twist it. ==>Click Here To Check TheCelestron StarSense Explorer DX 102AZsPricing On Amazon! But it can suffer from spherical aberration. Zane, thanks for the great review, it helped convince me to buy a StarSense 102! This model and the 102 AZ are refractors. EASY TO SET UP AND USE: Manual altazimuth mount with smooth, dual-axis slow-motion controls makes it easy to follow the on-screen arrows to your desired target. I have two young kids (between 5-10 years old) and would like to try and get them interested. Learn more about our story and the team behind the scene. Review: Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 102AZ Youll be able to see Andromeda and other galaxies. In terms of which one is right for you, there are two key things to look at it price and size: The fact that the price difference is fairly large actually helps narrow it down as, if you know your budget, you just need to pick what matters to you most: Please let us know if you have any questions by leaving a comment below. Does the difference between this and the Meade infinity 102 justify the $170 increase? (Image credit: Celestron) The Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 130AZ is a 130-mm (5.1-inch) Newtonian reflector. Celestron StarSense Explorer: 8 Models Compared (2023) Finally, there is a standard red-dot finder to help in pointing the telescope at objects. For Celestron dx 102az the former type is used and also they are low in quality. Winner: For this round, the Celestron Starsense Explorer dx 130az is the winner. In this article, we provide an overview of the differences between these telescopes so that you can understand the pros and cons of each. My alt adjust is pretty over tight as well. This mount is a little on the small side for either optical tube, but it works just fine. What these StarSense Explorer telescopes do is attach your smartphone then, using the app, scan the night sky above you, tell you what you can see on that particular night, and then guide you to it. These reasons may make it the best option for kids. I already have eye pieces. But theyre easily carryable and kid-friendly. I recently purchased the 130mm version for a great price. Thats why with cx 102az you wont be able to see faint objects. Join us in this discussion to learn more. 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. If you compare their size, 130az is quite big and heavy. Today's best Celestron StarSense DX 102AZ deals, We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices, Today's best Celestron 31145 NexStar 130 SLT Series Newtonian Reflector Telescope deals, Today's best Celestron NexStar 102SLT Computerized Telescope deals. Therefore this makes for a real (relative) bargain and a great option. SKU: CEL-22461. You can see a quick summary below, or read on for further detail: *This website makes money through affiliate commissions. So, there are issues of ghosting and internal reflection. 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. There are six different models to suit different budgets and priorities. Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. However, I want to share a great tip with you. Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 102AZ review: Design. You wont be taking this on trips. Saturns ring or Jupiters clouds can be seen clearly with more colours. This means they have the advantages of GOTO technology and are smaller telescopes in terms of physical size. The pricing of this instrument is not significantly less than that of the Celestron NexStar 102 SLT the same instrument on a fully motorized mount, which has the great advantage of tracking objects for you. Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 130AZ telescope review 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). You need to consider where you will use it and store it. Modified vs Unmodified DSLR Astrophotography: The Ultimate Showdown! 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. ), but techy enough to use either. StarSense Explorer Smartphone App-Enabled Telescopes | Celestron 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. This telescope was a huge investment for Someone like myself. Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 102AZ Reviewed: Partially Recommended It seems only Celestron telescopes are available in our country. The clutch that holds the telescope in altitude, on the test model anyway, is fierce, so to move it you need to grasp the tripod firmly with one hand and wrench the tube up or down with the other as per the instructions. And if you have a news tip, correction or comment, let us know at: community@space.com. But they take more time to set on the mount than dx 102az usually takes. The Moon looks pretty good, while Mercury and Venus show nothing besides their phases. Is LT127 a better choice? This is not to be confused with smartphone attachments that simply enable you to take photos of bright objects through the eyepiece, as found on some other beginners instruments. 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. 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. Every slow-motion control I've ever seen attaches to the mount using visible small thumb screws. This is the best measurement of a telescope's capacity to provide good views. Boosting the magnification using a Celestron 2x Barlow lens revealed false color in lunar and planetary images, so this is not an ideal high-power or planetary instrument. Are Celestron StarSense Explorer telescopes computerized / GOTO? Overall, while it would not always be our first choice, the Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 102 is definitely one of my favorite beginner scopes in its price range. What you can see will improve according to the size of the aperture. Which eyepieces would you suggest to replace those less-than-ideal ones that come with the Stars Sense 130? The altitude slow motion is equally stiff to turn, while the azimuth control had an annoying backlash. Confusingly, the instructions then refer to the knob at the bottom of the clamp! 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 . 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. But with dx 130az you can. The Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 102AZ makes use of slow-motion controls for fine-tuned tracking. What about the Skywatcher skymax 102, 127 AZ GTI WIFI telescope? Bear in mind that not all smartphones will work, so remember to check your model against a list on the Celestron website before taking the plunge. How were you able to loosen the tightness in the altitude axis? A pair of flexible slow-motion cables are included for making fine adjustments, though the backlash from them can be annoying when using high magnifications, and its not as intuitive as a simple Dobsonian mount, for instance.
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