Celestron – NexStar 6SE Computerized Telescope
Manufacturer: Celestron
Optics: Schmidt-Cassegrain
Mount: Altazimuth
without accessories (as of the time of this review)
The Company
Celestron, based in Torrance, California, has a long history of making quality, affordable telescopes for beginners as well as intermediate and advanced users. The company is known for its innovative designs and technologically advanced equipment at affordable prices.
Celestron NexStar 6SE Telescope
The Celestron NexStar 6SE Telescope is no exception. This telescope, with its recognizable orange tube OTA (optical tube assembly), is a powerful and reliable telescope designed for both amateur and intermediate astronomers. With its 6-inch aperture and advanced GoTo computerized tracking system, the NexStar 6SE provides crisp and clear views of the night sky. Out of the box, it is suited only for visual use. For photography, it would require the OTA to be attached to an equatorial mount.
Ease of Use
One of the most frustrating things for beginners with inexpensive telescopes is that, without tracking, it is hard finding objects and keeping them centered in the eyepiece. This causes a lot of people to just give up after a few sessions. This is why I always recommend spending a little more for automatic tracking, either with or without computer control.
Potential beginner frustration is overcome by the NexStar 6SE with its computerized tracking system. With the included hand controller, the user can select a celestial object they wish to view out of a database of over 40,000 catalogued objects, and the telescope will automatically locate and track it, making it easier for beginners to get started with stargazing. Point at 3 known bright objects, let the system know they are centered, and the intelligent system will know where everything else is in the sky. The system is also very accurate, which means you spend more time observing objects and less time searching for them.
The Mount
The telescope is mounted on a fork arm, which allows free movement throughout the sky.
Features
The telescope comes with a sturdy tripod that is easy to set up and adjust. Additionally, the lightweight and compact design of the NexStar 6SE makes it easy to transport to different locations. The whole unit weighs only 28 lbs. Whether you’re observing from your backyard or traveling to a dark-sky site, this telescope is a great option.
The NexStar 6SE is also compatible with a wide range of accessories, including eyepieces and filters, which can help enhance the viewing experience. The telescope’s Schmidt-Cassegrain design provides a high level of versatility, allowing for both deep-space and planetary observations. Its long focal length of 1500mm makes it particularly suitable for viewing objects that require a lot of magnification, like planets and small galaxies or nebulae.
Specs
- Aperture: 6” (150mm)
- Focal length: 59” (1500mm)
- Focal ratio: f/10
- GPS: no
- USB port: yes
- Weight
- OTA: 8 lbs. (3.6 kg)
- Mount: 11 lbs. (5 kg)
- Tripod: 9 lbs (4.1 kg)
- Total: 28 lbs (12.7 kg)
- Eyepiece compatibility: 1.25 inch
- Power supply: 8-AA batteries of 12v A/C adapter (not included)
- Warranty: 2 years
- Accessory weight capacity: 12 lbs (5.44kg)
What’s Included
- Optical tube
- Single Fork Arm Mount and Tripod
- Accessory Tray, which makes swapping out eyepieces easy
- Star Pointer Finderscope
- NexStar+ Hand Control
- 25mm eyepiece
- 1.25” Star Diagonal
Pros
- Affordable
- Built in pointing capability, eliminating need for hunting objects
- Lightweight, making transporting to dark sky sites easy
- Good for a wide variety of astronomical objects
- Terrestrial viewing is possible
- Tripod included
- Celestron is known for producing high quality equipment
- The 6″ aperture is big enough to view dim objects without being too heavy
- Long(ish) focal length results in good magnification without additional lenses
Cons
- Modification necessary for photography
- The 1.25” eyepieces don’t offer as large a field of view as 2” eyepieces
- A/C adapter not included
Conclusion
Overall, the Celestron NexStar 6SE Telescope is a great investment for anyone interested in astronomy. Its computerized tracking system, compact design, and compatibility with accessories make it an excellent choice for both beginners and intermediate astronomers.