Celestron StarSense Explorer 8-inch Dobsonian Telescope

The Celestron StarSense Explorer 8-inch Dobsonian telescope is a hugely impressive telescope. Although were sure beginners could get used to it, its primarily aimed at intermediate users after a good quality, good value Dobsonian telescope and who have the confidence to manually aim it. As such its a great telescope for learning about the night sky, too. However, its not lightweight. Although there are some excellent handles to carry the tube and the base separately — and its easy enough to swivel and pivot once in place — a telescope this size requires some careful consideration. However, if you have the space it comes highly recommended and should give you many years of incredible deep-sky views.Full review at Space.com ... MoreThe Celestron StarSense Explorer 8-inch Dobsonian telescope is a hugely impressive telescope. Although were sure beginners could get used to it, its primarily aimed at intermediate users after a good quality, good value Dobsonian telescope and who have the confidence to manually aim it. As such its a great telescope for learning about the night sky, too. However, its not lightweight. Although there are some excellent handles to carry the tube and the base separately — and its easy enough to swivel and pivot once in place — a telescope this size requires some careful consideration. However, if you have the space it comes highly recommended and should give you many years of incredible deep-sky views.Full review at Space.com here....https://www.space.com/celestron-starsense-explorer-8-inch-dobsonian-telescope-review

Awesome scope love it!!

I bought this scope as an upgrade to my etx 90. I felt I needed a bigger scope for deep sky objects. I have only had this scope out about four or five times and it is awesome jumping from a 3.5 in to an 8-in scope let me tell you.! I was worried about not having tracking but it's a different type of experience it's a freedom that you don't get with a scope that has tracking . I like the fact that you just kind of grab it and look at something you don't have to push any buttons you don't have to program anything you don't even have to use the starsense, if you see something in the sky you want to check out grab it and move it over there. My skies are not very dark around here but I was still able to make out m13 more of a smudge due to light polluted skies but it was ... MoreI bought this scope as an upgrade to my etx 90. I felt I needed a bigger scope for deep sky objects. I have only had this scope out about four or five times and it is awesome jumping from a 3.5 in to an 8-in scope let me tell you.! I was worried about not having tracking but it's a different type of experience it's a freedom that you don't get with a scope that has tracking . I like the fact that you just kind of grab it and look at something you don't have to push any buttons you don't have to program anything you don't even have to use the starsense, if you see something in the sky you want to check out grab it and move it over there. My skies are not very dark around here but I was still able to make out m13 more of a smudge due to light polluted skies but it was still cool, Andromeda Galaxy looked real good and of course the moon Saturn and Jupiter looked amazing, I needed a filter for the moon, it way too bright. The scope is not very hheav to move especially if you separate the base carrying them out one at a time is fine. I like the knobs to adjust the tension you can get it just right. The starsense works good it's accurate to the point where it will put the object in or near the field of view of a 24 mm eyepiece but I think I need to align it better. We did try a little astrophotography using a Sony crop sensor camera in the 2-in section of the focuser ( we did not have enough focus adjustment using the 1.25 adaptor) and we took a real nice picture of Saturn. If you are on the fence go for it you will not be disappointed

Fantastic 8? Dobsonian Telescope with plate solving push-to-software

The base came in a day before the optical tube assembly and was very easy to build. All tools were included and there were ample parts with spare screws. This worked out well because when the OTA arrived via UPS, I had it on the base within 10-minutes and the entire evening to view!The red dot finder scope slipped in easily and I sighted Jupiter using it. Without adjustment Jupiter was just outside of my field of view using my SVBONY 2? 70-degree 26mm lens. After fine tuning the red dot finder, I centered Jupiter again and attached the StarSense cell phone holder. I already had StarSense Ap installed from my Newtonian scope so I slipped it into the holder and did the plate solving alignment. From that point forward, I had no need for the finder scope. The accuracy ... MoreThe base came in a day before the optical tube assembly and was very easy to build. All tools were included and there were ample parts with spare screws. This worked out well because when the OTA arrived via UPS, I had it on the base within 10-minutes and the entire evening to view!The red dot finder scope slipped in easily and I sighted Jupiter using it. Without adjustment Jupiter was just outside of my field of view using my SVBONY 2? 70-degree 26mm lens. After fine tuning the red dot finder, I centered Jupiter again and attached the StarSense cell phone holder. I already had StarSense Ap installed from my Newtonian scope so I slipped it into the holder and did the plate solving alignment. From that point forward, I had no need for the finder scope. The accuracy of the application was surprisingly accurate.The optical quality of this telescope is nothing short of outstanding! With my SVBONY 8mm to 24mm zoom lens near 10mm, I was able to view 6-rings of Jupiter and Saturn was spectacular. I was able to view most of the Messier objects on the StarSense Nightly challenge quickly. What amazed me most was that in my driveway with streetlights not far off, the faint star fields between lower magnitude objects were numerous and breathtaking. Best first night with a new telescope ever!!Cons? like most Dobs, having to bend down to look into the eye piece caused me to come in much sooner than I wished to. I am planning to rest my back and go back out later when Mars is over the house. I wish they would come up with an optional ?tall base? for those of. Us nearing 70 with backs that are not cooperative.I also wish that the teflon strips on between the base plates were a little wider. There are three 1? strips to offset the friction for left - right movements.

John's review of Celestron StarSense Explorer 8-inch Dobsonian Telescope

Pros: Easy to operate.Cons: Mounting instructions for various telescopes.

The BEST

An 8" Dobsonian AND Celestron StarSense!! This deserves more than 5 stars, you really can't ask for anything better than this. As a beginner, the Starsense app makes quick, easy work of navigating the night sky. I feel like it would've taken me years to learn the sky and how to read star maps in order to see what I've seen with this scope/starsense combo, all in a matter of just a few nights. Not only is a dobsonian scope so highly desirable for their exceptional performance and low price, but with the addition of the starsense app, you get literal point and shoot directions. PLUS the app tells you a variety of information about every target, so you get to learn along the way which is really cool. With this 8" scope I can CLEARLY see the entire Andromeda galaxy and ... MoreAn 8" Dobsonian AND Celestron StarSense!! This deserves more than 5 stars, you really can't ask for anything better than this. As a beginner, the Starsense app makes quick, easy work of navigating the night sky. I feel like it would've taken me years to learn the sky and how to read star maps in order to see what I've seen with this scope/starsense combo, all in a matter of just a few nights. Not only is a dobsonian scope so highly desirable for their exceptional performance and low price, but with the addition of the starsense app, you get literal point and shoot directions. PLUS the app tells you a variety of information about every target, so you get to learn along the way which is really cool. With this 8" scope I can CLEARLY see the entire Andromeda galaxy and the other 2 galaxies above and below it. I would have NO idea where to look without the starsense. And for planetary viewing, the image sharpness is 2nd to none. Saturn & Jupiter are just jaw dropping to look at. The focuser is really nice to use and doesn't shake the entire scope when you adjust it like some cheaper tripod mounted scopes. There are carry handles on the optical tube and the base platform which make moving it extremely easy. Each piece only weighs about 20lbs individually so it's no big deal to move at all. I believe everyone should have a Dobsonian scope in their arsenal, and now that Celestron has released one with their starsense technology, this should be a no brainer go to scope for all. The scope comes with a 25mm plossl eye piece which is decent but has a narrow FOV. I also have a 15mm, 10mm, & 5mm (all by Celestron) with better FOV that really help make things pop. And Yes there are mixed reviews about Starsense, I have nothing bad to say about it. But there is literally no other technology like it, and to me, it's a game changer having that convenience and knowledge at your fingertips. Very much well worth it.