The best telescope is the one used often to enjoy the beauty and intrigue of the night sky. For those searching for telescopes for astronomy beginners that are infused with the latest computer technology, Celestron’s NexStar 8SE Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope fits the bill perfectly. The NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope features Celestron’s iconic “orange tube” design and updated technology with the latest features for amazing stargazing for beginners and experienced observers. Celestron’s signature telescope combines advanced features and excellent optics in one easy-to-use system, the NexStar 8SE. It’s the perfect choice for your first serious telescope, offering striking views at an economical price. The eight-inch primary mirror in this computerized telescope packs enough light-gathering ability to observe the best that our Solar System has to offer, from Saturn’s rings to the cloud bands on Jupiter and geographic features on the surface of the Moon. When it comes to deep sky objects, take your 8SE to a dark-sky site and you’ll see hundreds of pinpoint stars in the Hercules Globular Cluster, the spiral arms of the Whirlpool Galaxy, and more. Featuring a database of more than 40,000 celestial objects, the 8SE’s GoTo mount automatically locates and tracks objects for you. You can also take a Sky Tour and let your telescope show you the best objects currently visible. The single fork arm design and sturdy steel tripod all assemble and break down from separate components for easy transportation. SkyAlign technology gets your telescope aligned and ready to observe in minutes. Even if you’re unfamiliar with the night sky, you can easily align your telescope on any 3 bright objects. The NexStar 8SE is a telescope that will grow with you as you advance in the hobby of astronomy. It’s compatible with all the high-tech accessories advanced users love. Provide GPS coordinates to your telescope with SkySync, or add automatic alignment functionality with StarSense AutoAlign. Buy with confidence from the world’s #1 telescope brand, based in California since 1960. You’ll also receive a two-year warranty and unlimited access to technical support from our team of US-based experts.
Nexstar 8 SE telescope combines excellent optics and computerized “GoTo” tracking in a package that’s light, portable and affordable. The legendary performance of Celestron’s orange tube C8 telescope has been updated with high performance Starbright XLT coatings, and the single arm Nexstar mount now includes Celestron’s easy to use “SkyAlign” technology.
The Nexstar 8 SE upholds Celestron’s reputation for quality optics. When I use an 11mm Plossl eyepiece (almost 200x magnification) for example, I can easily see the Cassini Division in Saturn’s rings. When I look at Jupiter, the pale orange color of Jupiter’s famous Great Red Spot is visible, and I’ve even been able to identify the polar caps and spot dust storms on the planet Mars. A 20mm Plossl eyepiece (about 100x magnification) is a good choice for viewing galaxies and star clusters. When I look at globular cluster M13 in the constellation Hercules the high contrast XLT optics show me a glowing snowflake made of hundreds of tiny pin-point stars! And a low power 32mm Plossl eyepiece is a good choice for views of larger deep space highlights like the Andromeda Galaxy and the Orion Nebula.
Celestron’s patented “SkyAlign” system makes the Nexstar 8 SE very easy to use. I just pick the nearest town from the built-in list, enter the date and time, and point the telescope at three bright stars. I don’t need a star chart because “SkyAlign” identifies the stars for me. When I just want a quick look at the moon or a planet, I like to use the “Solar System Align” option. After entering the date and time, I just point the telescope at the moon and press the “Align” key. That’s all it takes, the computer takes over and the telescope begins tracking quietly and accurately. At star parties I often have my Nexstar up and running while older computerized telescopes are still waiting for their alignment stars to appear in the twilight.
The Nexstar 8 SE comes with a simple red-dot finder scope and a basic 25mm eyepiece. You’ll want to add a few good eyepieces to take full advantage of the Nexstar 8 SE’s excellent optics. At the very least get Celestron’s bargain priced Accessory Kit which includes high and low power plossl eyepieces, or treat yourself to some top rated Tele Vue eyepieces. At twenty-four pounds total weight, the Nexstar 8 SE is unusually light and portable for an eight-inch telescope. The drawback of course is that some people will find it too light. Like other Schmidt Cassegrain (SCT) telescopes there are plenty of optional accessories to upgrade this telescope with, such as heavy duty tripods and an optical finder scope. If you want to try astro-photography, however, check out Celestron’s CPC 800 Telescope which features a heavy duty mount and tripod and an 8×50 optical finder scope right out of the box. —Jeff Phillips
Pros:
- Excellent optics
- Easy computerized GoTo tracking
- Light, portable and affordable
Cons:
- Plastic accessories
- Short battery life
- Too light for astro-photography
Labeled as “Like New”. Has huge dent in the tube and the tripod does not lock in position. The battery cover was speared by a locating lug and has a round hole in it now. Definitely not “Like New”.
Quality amateur telescope. I upgraded from a 6” Orion reflector and the optics of the Celestron are far superior.
This is the worst purchase I ever made. Disappointed me on the get go and I bought every upgrade it had and still could not use it like it says it’s good for. Hoped to take some good pictures, but haven’t even been able to track and take a good time lapse shot. Don’t buy this scope. It’s hard to use and does not deliver what it claims
This review is from the perspective of someone who is focusing on Electronically Assisted Astronomy (EAA). At the time of this review I have used this scope and accessories for 2.5 months. Pros: The optical tube and mount are well made. The assembly instructions were good. At times is useful for finding objects. Cons: For EAA the tracking is poor/bad. The CPWI software is unstable especially when used with the Celestron Star Sense Autoguider (Tried this on 4 different Windows 10/11 computers). The Celestron help desk I rate as poor for this type of problem. Example: I initially set the scope to stop it from wrapping the cords. After a firmware update, CPWI wrapped the cords during an auto-alignment (using Celestron’s SSAG) and broke the power cord connector (w/in a month of buying the scope). I opened a ticket with Celestron. Their help desk asked for pictures which I then sent. Their next response said the ticket was closed (?) and then responded with a link for me to order a new part (which is still out of stock) w/out offering to send a new part. In Googling this problem someone mentioned that the Celestron firmware update can turn the wrapping feature off, so that makes this problem not due to anything I did (the scope was auto-aligning when it broke). I have dealt with their help desk on another problem and again mark them as bad. I don’t want to totally trash this product/company, but my rating reflects my experience with this product and company at this time. For anyone who is seriously considering getting into EAA, please do more research than I did. Your money will better spent in the end than mine has with this product line.
Total garbage. The telescope shipped with incomplete parts. Seller wants me to keep a telescope (and partially refund me a paltry 145) when the telescope cannot be used!!! For being the top rated telescope Celestron absolutely sucks at customer service and fails to be responsive for their lack of quality control.Do not by anyway buy this telescope or any telescope from them.