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. Trying to decide between these 2 scopes Im finding it difficult. 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. My guess is that it is the wind. The details will be a lot better than dx 102az. But theyre easily carryable and kid-friendly. Due to an a enclosed tube being used, the optics wont need to be cleaned or collimated all the time. 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. Conclusion: Which Celestron StarSense Explorer is best for you? 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. Thats why with cx 102az you wont be able to see faint objects. Learn more about our story and the team behind the scene. But it can suffer from spherical aberration. So undoubtedly, Celestron dx 130az is the winner. Zane thoughts on StarSense Explorer DX130 vs Astro-Fi 130? The StarSense app also lists 5-inch and 6-inch Schmidt-Cassegrains . Each is different but they all feature the StarSense Explorer technology that provides a great halfway point between computerized (GOTO) telescopes and manual ones (see FAQs below if you want more information on GOTO telescopes). I realized that it was very important for me that it the telescope be kid friendly. One 10mm Kellner and one 25mm Kellner eyepiece. But its only limited to brighter objects in the night sky. However, reflectors tend to give you more aperture (power) for the same price, with the downside being the bigger size and more cumbersome operation. Thanks Zane; Ill take a look at Dob reviews. In terms of magnification that's a significant step-up from the 'toy' telescopes that dominate . 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. Sony A7III vs A7RIII Astrophotography: Which One to Shoot Infinity! The StarSense has an Aperture of 102mm, a focal length of 650mm resulting in a focal ratio of just under f/6.5. The Starsense app will work with most of the telescopes that have computerised mounts. If you prefer a smaller refractor, then the 102AZ below could work but will almost certainly cost more. The Celestron dx 102 uses about 240x magnification power. Thankfully, even with 1.25 eyepieces, you can squeeze out a field of view of about 2.5 degrees with a 32mm Plossl or similar, so this should not be of huge concern to a beginner. There is no reason at all to get the StarSense Explorer LT 114AZ. Also, you look into an eyepiece on the side, rather than at the bottom. Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps. Celestron dx 102az has an aperture of 102 mm as the name says. In order of aperture, the Celestron Starsense Explorer DX 102AZ is the second most powerful in the range. Which is Stronger? 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. (Assume eyepieces are upgrade on either scope of course). When you unbox your new StarSense Explorer DX, you'll find: 130mm Newtonian reflector optical tube. STARSENSE EXPLORER APP: The app generates a list of the best objects to view based on your exact time & location. In essence, what it does is take a snapshot of the sky and use computer algorithms and star maps to figure out where it is pointing. The 114AZ and 130AZ are reflectors (as well as the two dobsonians). Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, View planets, brighter nebulae, galaxies, and star clusters from the city PLUS fainter, deep sky objects from darker sites. And the Celestron Starsense Explorer dx 130az has a 10mm Kellner eyepiece with 65x magnification power. You need to consider where you will use and store it. The accessory tray that sits in the middle of the tripod legs, however, needs to be attached by fiddly little thumb screws that are already in place but the wrong way round in their holes! DXC Technology Employee Reviews in Bengaluru, Karnataka - Indeed how do they compare? I would recommend it though. Celestron StarSense Explorer Amazon.com : Celestron - StarSense Explorer DX 102AZ Smartphone App-Enabled Telescope - Works with StarSense App to Help You Find Stars, Planets & More . 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. For use as a grab and go/ compliment for my 8in dob. This StarSense Explorer DX 102 review was written in January 2020, when the scope was first released for $399. Socket wrench + normal wrench should do the trick if I recall correctly. 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. ), but techy enough to use either. It has an aperture of 114 mm (4.5 inches). The eyepieces are supplied with tight plastic covers and how many beginners will try to twist these off, rather than prise them off? For a summary of the entire discussion take a look at this table: Between these two Newtonian and refractor telescopes Celestron dx 130az is a better option. These reasons may make it the best option for kids. Your email address will not be published. collimating. 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 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 Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 102AZ is an achromatic refractor, with a 102 mm doublet lens composed of two different types of glass. How does the StarSense Explorer 102 compare with the CELESTRON ASTRO FI 102 MM WI-FI MAKSUTOV CASSEGRAIN? The tripod allows it to extend up to 1.24 metres. Mike Swanson 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. Thats all from us about Celestron Starsense explorer dx 102az vs 130az. 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. My alt adjust is pretty over tight as well. Celestron StarSense Explorer vs Celestron AstroMaster Telescopes: How do they compare? . But youll find the images quite sharp. 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. Within seconds, you are on target and the cross wires turn green. Once set up, you need to align the red-dot finder with the main instrument by day. StarSense Explorer 10" Dobsonian Telescope | Celestron Here lately though, it has not been able to track location. Compare Celestron StarSense Explorer vs Celestron NexStar 130 SLT vs 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. 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. 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. Also I dont speak for Celestron and to prove so I will say the eye pieces are complete trash and it should come with a collimating tool. Celestron StarSense Explorer Guide For Beginners Buy from scopes' recommended retailer, HighPoint, StarSense Explorer technology helpful in locating targets. Would a barlow lens be a good addition to this setup? So, which one is better between Celestron Starsense explorer dx 102az vs 130az? document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Our team of experts has reviewed and ranked 180+ telescopes based on price and quality. The 80 mm model is the smallest with the weakest viewing capacity, and the 254 mm model is the largest with the best. Reading through the specs, I cant see the difference. Telescope Aperture: 130mm (5.12") Focal Ratio: f/5. Its focal length is about 650 mm. Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 102AZ Reviewed: Partially Recommended 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. Though you won't have the activation code, it will open and test your phone for compatibility. There's also the Explorer DX 130AZ . Once chosen, you see a set of arrows on the screen that tells you which way to move the telescope to get to that object. Overall, this is the best option if you value a higher aperture for better views. Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 102AZ review: First light and functionality. The bracket fits most phones and will work just fine even if you have a relatively thick case (or even a PopSocket). Celestron Astro Fi 130mm f/5 Reflector Telescope. Why you can trust Space.com (Explained!). Is LT127 a better choice? I love the starsense suggestions and how many things you can see in a short session. All these instruments are standard members of the Celestron range and are available in other mounting packages. It is the most portable (being the lightest) and is generally the cheapest. So whether you buy this model or opt for the full Go To version, or indeed the NexStar 130 mm SLT reflector, is a decision that you will have to make depending on your observing interests. Its not as good at viewing faint objects in outer space unlike a reflector or a compound device. The StarSense Explorer utilises the oldest telescopic optics out of the 3 main categories currently around called refractor optics. Since both are beginner-level telescopes, comparison comes to mind. 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. Any advice would help. Here we focus on becoming a knowledge hub for astronomy and astrophotography enthusiasts. 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. 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. You need to consider where you will use it and store it. In addition, the faster focal ratio of F/6.5 will also make it better at taking astrophotography images. One is achromatic and another is apochromatic. Winner: Even for this round the clear winner is Celestron Starsense Explorer dx 130az. Mars dark spots can be seen, although barely, when the planet is close to Earth, while its polar ice caps are a little more obvious. I went ahead and ordered the 102mm. Which Celestron StarSense telescope is best? I'll be observing from my front/backyard, which is in a location with a Bortle scale of 4 (rural/suburban transition). 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. StarSense Explorer DX 102AZ Refractor. 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. $469.95. You can find the Celestron dx 130az on Amazon which costs around $450. Just about light enough for car travel and capable of really sharp image quality it's nevertheless a poor choice for astrophotographers. The method of alignment is to aim the telescope at a chosen object which is where the red-dot finder comes in handy and then move the red crosswires on the app to the same object shown on the phone view. COAST HX4 Dual-Color Utility Beam LED Clip Light. Deep-sky objects are a little less exciting. The main advantage of the 102mm is nothing to adjust (optically). The length of the tube is around 63.5 cm. In this article, we provide an overview of the differences between these telescopes so that you can understand the pros and cons of each. Find out more about how we test and review products. 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. It has a larger aperture than dx 102az. Join us in this discussion to learn more. The 5 reflector seems like a solid scope. 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. In order of aperture, the Celestron Starsense Explorer DX 102AZ is the second most powerful in the range. The mid level focal ratio is good as itll decrease the amount of chromatic aberration that can be seen, and the aperture means the max theoretical magnification of the device will be around 200x although real world usage will be around 10 20% lower. The optical quality is good for a telescope of this type, but for planetary observing a different instrument would be preferable, such as the 130 mm reflector in the same range. 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?! 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. Out of the three types it is identified as having refractor-type optics. Why use such a time-consuming means of attachment? Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 114AZ Review: Don't Fall Into The Trap. However, due to how simple and easy it is to use as result of the app, its not a bad comprise despite being less accurate. This is the simplest form of mounting and is particularly suitable for a beginners instrument. Pentax K-70 Astrophotography: The Ultimate Camera on a Budget! I'd ideally want it to not be too hard for them to reach the eyepiece. I find it exciting to hear that the StarSense explorer seems to make it quite easy and fast to explore the sky. Its focal length is 660 mm. A 2 diagonal and eyepieces would allow for a wider field of view, but are expensive and would make the scope unable to properly balance on its mount, as well as straining the lightweight mount and tripod. It's siblings, though, 80AZ , 102AZ, and 130AZ, are much . This telescope was a huge investment for Someone like myself. 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. This is generally only used to locate a singular celestial object. But it needs collimation from time to time since the alignment gets messed up often. Im very new to Astromony and have a chance to get a Celestron C102-HD. The downside to large dobsonians like this is the size they are heavy and large. Nevertheless, the purpose for this software is to provide convenience for beginner level astronomers so, Ill explain how it works here. 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 Many people have asked on astronomy forums and contacted Celestron themselves, asking why the bracket and code cannot be sold as a stand-alone item. So, if you want a telescope that can form clearer images, go for the Celestron Starsense Explorer dx 130az. Read our full affiliate disclosure here. 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 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. 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. We may earn commissions by recommending products on this website. DXC Technology | India These views will be much brighter and clearer with the larger aperture models. Celestron dx 102az weighs around 6.4 kg. Stargazinghelp.com is a knowledge hub for professional and amateur astronomy and astrophotography enthusiasts. Uranus and Neptune might barely be viewable at the max magnification that the Infinity 102AZ can handle. Its focal length is 660 mm. The DX 102s optical tube is a 102mm f/6.5 refractor with a focal length of 650mm, the same as used on many other Celestron telescope/mount packages like the Omni 102 AZ and NexStar 102SLT. StarPointer red dot finderscope, perfect for using the telescope during the day or without the StarSense Explorer app. I dont intend on using the phone attatchment, but will probably upgrade the diagonal and finder scope on either. Finally, the Celestron Starsense Explorer DX 130AZ model is bigger in terms of both physical bulk and aperture. 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. ), Celestron Nexstar 4SE Review (Worth The Price Or Too, Celestron PowerSeeker 70EQ Review (Worth A Buy Or. In this review Ill cover the pros, cons and the 102AZs features to ultimately help you decide on whether the system is worth investing in or a beginner level device that you should skip out on. Is that telescope comparable to this model? So, it doesnt require collimation or cleaning. 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. This means we may make a commission if you purchase an item using one of our links*. 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 130AZ | Celestron Same focal length. 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. If you compare their size, 130az is quite big and heavy.