So, there are issues of ghosting and internal reflection. But Celestron dx 130az does since they are exposed to dirt. Mainly interested in the mount and optical tube. For Celestron dx 102az the former type is used and also they are low in quality. However, there are some key differences between them. 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. Skies & Scopes 2023. Thanks. The Celestron Starsense DX 6 is exactly the same as the DX5 above but has a larger 6-inch aperture instead. The good news is you can at least upgrade your Celestron finderscope later. The camera views the sky through a mirror, enabling you to view the phones screen at a convenient angle. The Moon looks pretty good, while Mercury and Venus show nothing besides their phases. 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. Socket wrench + normal wrench should do the trick if I recall correctly. Confusingly, the instructions then refer to the knob at the bottom of the clamp! Finally, there is a standard red-dot finder to help in pointing the telescope at objects. Youll be able to see Andromeda and other galaxies. 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. 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. Tower - 3, Oxygen Business Park SEZ, Sector 144, Noida Expressway, Noida, Uttar Pradesh - 201304. Includes Free. View Map. The body of the eyepieces is fully built on plastic. I'll be observing from my front/backyard, which is in a location with a Bortle scale of 4 (rural/suburban transition). Before the main discussion, lets see the fundamental difference between both telescopes. Anthony Robinson is the owner of Skies & Scopes and has been practicing and writing obsessively about astrophotography and astronomy since 2017. We also share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising and analytics partners. 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Youd have to either detach the phone and try not to move the telescope or use two separate phones. 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 tube itself is around 81 cm long. This telescope is full of design flaws. Hope this post was helpful to make your choice. This means that it is larger and heavier. You need to consider where you will use and store it. 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 8 Dobsonian, Celestron Starsense Explorer 10 Dobsonian. ), Why Is Jupiter Denser Than Saturn? a 6" or even 8" dobsonian ( Links on what to expect in different telescope aperture sizes ). But you can certainly have better ones with that budget. As for other key specifications, dx 102az has a focal ratio of 6.5. This model and the 102 AZ are refractors. Some of the Celestron Astromaster telescopes use similar OTAs (telescope tubes) and similar AZ mounts. (14) notify when in stock. StarPointer red dot finderscope, perfect for using the telescope during the day or without the StarSense Explorer app. Celestron is one of the most reliable telescope manufacturers in the world. I consider myself handy and am not too worried about collimating a reflector (but would prefer to not have to do frequently). Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Any additional thoughts you have to sesparate the two? 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. The model I tested is the Explorer DX 102AZ refractor telescope ($400). 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. It has a focal ratio of f/6.5, which means that it has a . Just about light enough for car travel and capable of really sharp image quality it's nevertheless a poor choice for astrophotographers. It has one 25mm Kellner eyepiece with 26x magnification power. 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. Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. 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. You can upgrade your telescope set up later with some Barlow and Plossl eyepieces. On your phones screen, youll see the current position of your telescope. The plate-solving is only done when you first mount your phone or when you move the telescope a significant amount. A tabletop telescope is the best choice at this price range. Four are reflector telescope types and two are refractor telescopes. But youll find the images quite sharp. Although it's portable and definitely portable it wouldn't be as easy as moving a 102az. Any advice would help. Generally, refractors are less bulky and easier to operate. I realized that it was very important for me that it the telescope be kid friendly. 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. The 114AZ and 130AZ are reflectors (as well as the two dobsonians). The accessory tray is a nice, sturdy affair and an actual tray rather than the silly eyepiece rack supplied with many scopes. Newly added to the range in 2022 are this two Schmidt-Cassegrain (SCT) models the DX5 and the DX6 (below). Its a good magnification for viewing the Moon, planets, smaller deep-sky objects like globular clusters, and splitting double stars. Since both are beginner-level telescopes, comparison comes to mind. Unlike Celestrons other computer-assisted offerings, the StarSense Explorer telescopes have no motors. The StarSense Explorer DX 102 includes two 1.25 eyepieces: a 25mm Super Konig providing 26x and a 10mm Konig providing 65x. It has a memory card but it cant help you to take pictures. 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! A poor design, as these screws will quickly get lost. Just recently purchased DX130. This means they have the advantages of GOTO technology and are smaller telescopes in terms of physical size. Saturns ring or Jupiters clouds can be seen clearly with more colours. This diagonal is definitely a weak link in the scope optically, and replacing it might be a good idea. If you compare their size, 130az is quite big and heavy. 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. 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. Improved focal ratio for better photography, Less cumbersome than the larger models below, Less power (aperture) than the two reflector options below, More aperture and better views with 4.5 inch aperture, One of the cheaper options alongside the 80AZ model, Larger, heavier, more cumbersome, and less portable than the refractors above, Large aperture for the best views of objects in the night sky, Larger, heavier, more cumbersome, and less portable than the other models. 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 . Get the 130. You wont be taking this on trips. So, the technology in essence uses your phone to take occasional snapshots of the night sky to locate objects however, as phones cant really sustain battery for long periods whilst taking images, the snapshots arent taken all the time. Stargazinghelp.com is a knowledge hub for professional and amateur astronomy and astrophotography enthusiasts. These views will be much brighter and clearer with the larger aperture models. 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. 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. 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. 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. A large 10" parabolic primary mirror with XLT coatings helps you make the most of StarSense technology. Quantitative measurements of how the telescope performs in various performance categories: An amateur astronomer and telescope maker from Connecticut who has been featured on TIME Magazine, National Geographic, Sky & Telescope, La Vanguardia, and The Guardian. The Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 102AZ makes use of slow-motion controls for fine-tuned tracking. Can you describe how you were able to loosen? ), Deimos vs Saturn (How Are They Different? 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. Dx 102azs optical design also has chromatic aberration issues. Have you tried this model and would you recommend it? 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. 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. Best regards, 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. However, I want to share a great tip with you. What about the Skywatcher skymax 102, 127 AZ GTI WIFI telescope? Which is better than the image youll see from normal reflector optics. Celestrons 1.25 prism is pretty good; a dielectric unit like Aperturas improves performance and wont scratch your eyepieces thanks to the equipped compression ring adapter. Buy from scopes' recommended retailer, HighPoint, StarSense Explorer technology helpful in locating targets. Join our Space Forums to keep talking space on the latest missions, night sky and more! +91-120-406-2000. 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. Here we focus on becoming a knowledge hub for astronomy and astrophotography enthusiasts. As for other key specifications, dx 102az has a focal ratio of 6.5. Therefore this makes for a real (relative) bargain and a great option. It doesnt have issues like chromatic aberration like the dx 102az. Deep-sky objects are a little less exciting. It's good environment company employees also good respect Great place to work in dxc technology. 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. Your smartphone's camera must be sensitive enough to image the brighter stars on a night setting. One major source of problems is the mirror that is crucial to finding objects. For further details on these telescopes, you can also check outCelestrons website. For the 102 Ill need to likely buy a star diagonal, while for the 130 Ill need to buy a Cheshire or laser collimator so still a tie. 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. 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. The extra ingredient over a standard manual mounting is the attachment for a smartphone, directly fixed to the central assembly. we can explore many things and possible to learn new skills. The Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 102AZ is an achromatic refractor, with a 102 mm doublet lens composed of two different types of glass. On Aliexpress it costs around $418. Space is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. It seems only Celestron telescopes are available in our country. The StarSense Explorer DX 130AZ is a Newtonian reflector telescope with a 5.1-inch aperture. For this review I tested the DX 102AZ, a 102mm f/6.5 achromatic refractor. Winner: For this round, the Celestron Starsense Explorer dx 130az is the winner. ), Celestron Omni XLT 102 Review (Worth It Or Overpriced!? 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 I already have eye pieces. Overall The StarSense Explorer 102AZ is very competent refractor telescope, thats potable, easy to set up, has solid optics and decent enough in box accessories for 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. Overall, this is the most entry-level of the four telescopes in this range. Can you explain how they are still about equal in light gathering? This means we may make a commission if you purchase an item using one of our links*. However, the system has a few notable limitations that could curtail observing sessions. So, which one is better between Celestron Starsense explorer dx 102az vs 130az? We recommend High Point Scientific (#1 US retailer) for finding thecurrent retail price and purchasing/backordering. 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. Thats all from us about Celestron Starsense explorer dx 102az vs 130az. I understand because they have the same focal length they give the same views in any given eyepiece, but using the area of a circle (pi x radius squared) 102 = 8171, and 130 = 13273. But with eight different models, which is right for you? Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). Required fields are marked *. Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 130AZ Newtonian Reflector Telescope. Also note, that the same telescope is also being sold as the Popular Science StarSense Explorer DX 5. 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 eyepieces provided with the 102az arent so good. The StarSense Explorer DX mount is nothing more than a repainted Omni XLT AZ or AZ3 mount with a bracket for the StarSense Explorer device. Uranus and Neptune are barely more than star-like dots, with blue disks barely bigger than the resolving limit of the telescope itself. Celestron dx 102az weighs around 6.4 kg. You may even see Marss red spot, Saturns rings, or even Jupiters spiral patterns. The StarSense Explorer utilises the oldest telescopic optics out of the 3 main categories currently around called refractor optics. Also, you look into an eyepiece on the side, rather than at the bottom. Its focal length is 660 mm. 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. There are six different models to suit different budgets and priorities. Boasting a whopping 10-inch aperture, the Celestron Starsense Explorer 10 Dobsonian is a beast of a telescope. There is a great deal on a Celestron 102 DX at Amazon for $359, only 50 dollars more than the Popular . 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. 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. -cam, Zane great review as always thanks. I'd ideally want it to not be too hard for them to reach the eyepiece. The Celestron NexStar telescope range are all full computerized compound / catadioptric telescopes. Thank you for the advice Mike and Tfer. The details will be a lot better than dx 102az. What Do The Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 102AZs Specifications Mean? The StarSense Explorer DX 102 is a nice telescope, but a fully computerized instrument or a manual scope with more aperture might be a better pick. This mount is a little on the small side for either optical tube, but it works just fine. Conclusion: Which Celestron StarSense Explorer is best for you? As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This is the best measurement of a telescope's capacity to provide good views. 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. Way better scope but not comparable mount wise. The refractive nature of the optics means collimation wasnt necessary a problem and the starsense app allowed users to get stuck in quite quickly. This free guidetells youwhat gear you need to get started photographing the Milky Way, Planets, or Deep Sky Objects. The StarSense Explorer DX-102 is limited to brighter objects by the nature of its small aperture. The eyepieces supplied, although in lightweight plastic barrels, are of good optical quality. Even heavier and larger. 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. You Pay: $559.00. 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 . Small planets will be visible so are faint objects like clusters and nebulae. The Celestron StarSense Explorer comes in six different models. After much debate, we finally know everything that there is to know regarding the two telescopes. 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. 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. Is it because of the 4 vanes as well? HIGH-QUALITY 102MM REFRACTOR: Fully coated glass optics provide bright, sharp, clear views of craters on the Moon, Jupiter, Saturn, Mars, and deep sky objects like the Orion Nebula, Andromeda Galaxy, and Pleiades Open Star Cluster. 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. With Celestron dx 130az you will get about 200x magnification. ), Deimos vs Europa (How Are They Different? The 8-inch aperture is huge and will provide few limitations to what you can see. 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 mount's not even ideal. How would you rate the StarSense DX6 version (6 inch SCT) compared to a Skymax 127 on GTi mount? So, if you want a telescope that can form clearer images, go for the Celestron Starsense Explorer dx 130az. But theyre easily carryable and kid-friendly. 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. NY 10036. 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. Their Starsense explorer has been quite popular among stargazing beginners. So, ultraviolet rays or certain types of light wont be visible on it. ), Neutron Star vs Nova (How Are They Different? Rating: 9/10. Refractor optics are also categorised into two types. All the following stages are accomplished using the StarSense app that you need to unlock using a code supplied with your instrument, which will work with up to five devices. 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. It shares many of the characteristics of the other refractor in the range above in that it is smaller, lighter, and less cumbersome to operate, but it is more powerful with the larger aperture and you will be able to see more through it. For purchasing this telescope, we highly recommend HighPointScientific, the largest telescope retailer in the United States. 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. Optical Design: Newtonian Reflector. Its also portable and has a better optical design. Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, ), Deimos vs Titania (How Are They Different? We are an independent astronomy and astrophotography-focused publication that conducts objective research to make product recommendations. Which is Stronger? Open star clusters look great and benefit from the 102AZs wide field of view, but globular star clusters are little more than fuzzy balls. StarSense Explorer DX 102AZ Refractor. Thanks so much in advance. And if you have a news tip, correction or comment, let us know at: community@space.com. StarSense Explorer DX 130AZ StarSense Explorer DX 102AZ ; Optical Design : Newtonian Reflector : Refractor : Aperture : 130mm (5.12") 102mm (4") Focal Length : 650mm (25.6") Trying to decide between these 2 scopes Im finding it difficult. Astrophotography with Nikon D3200: Can It Be Better? Once set up, you need to align the red-dot finder with the main instrument by day. Does the difference between this and the Meade infinity 102 justify the $170 increase? 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. They take care of employees and no work pressure and fun at work. In instructions intended for raw beginners, points such as this are vital. at Amazon. As noted above, the 102 in the name refers to the telescope's aperture of 102mm (4-inch). Which eyepieces would you suggest to replace those less-than-ideal ones that come with the Stars Sense 130? The pros of the lens included within the StarSense include the following : Overall, even though the optics within this telescope arent necessarily the most accurate when it comes to colours, it will still provide a solid experience for most. There's also the Explorer DX 130AZ . Its StarSense technology links a smartphone to a telescope in a simple, yet robust fashion. No, a dedicated short focal length eyepiece is better. The 80 mm model is the smallest with the weakest viewing capacity, and the 254 mm model is the largest with the best. This StarSense Explorer DX 102 review was written in January 2020, when the scope was first released for $399. This is generally only used to locate a singular celestial object. Amazon.com : Celestron - StarSense Explorer DX 102AZ Smartphone App-Enabled Telescope - Works with StarSense App to Help You Find Stars, Planets & More . Youre at the right place. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. ), Deimos vs Uranus (How Are They Different? The Celestron Starsense explorer dx 102az telescope uses one of the oldest types of telescope optics. It also avoids the confusion of viewing the moons features or star fields back to front. Nevertheless, the purpose for this software is to provide convenience for beginner level astronomers so, Ill explain how it works here. For $399 you can get a much more capable telescope with a larger aperture, e.g. Free shipping. Zane thoughts on StarSense Explorer DX130 vs Astro-Fi 130? Why use such a time-consuming means of attachment?
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