The retractable handle and wheels make moving it around way easier than standard carry cases. Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, You can unsubscribe at any time. Multi-layer anti-reflective coatings made from precise layers of MgF2 (magnesium fluoride) and HfO2 (hafnium dioxide). Eyepiece 1 focal length:40 mm (51x) From the dark patches of the lunar mare, to the distinguishable craters of Tycho and Copernicus and the lunar terminator, the optics presented a crisp view with high clarity and resolution. Switching to the 12.5 mm Plssl allowed us to take a closer look at the rugged lunar terrain. There is also a StarPointer Pro finderscope, which employs a red dot technology with a surrounding ring that aids with pinpointing your desired object in the field of view with minimum fuss. If you are looking for an easy way to do a quick adjustment during observations or more specific collimation for imaging, these SCT collimation knobs from Apertura are the perfect solution! Granted, the NexStar Evolution has quite a moderate price tag (RRP $2,262), but according to Celestron it has everything an intermediate astronomer needs when navigating the celestial landscape to track down and gaze upon some tantalizing views, whether it's magnifying the spiral arms of the Pinwheel Galaxy (Messier 101) in Ursa Major (the Great Bear (opens in new tab)) or staying much closer to home to pick out the rings of gas giant Saturn (opens in new tab). AstroZap - 8" SCT Aluminum Dew Shield Cap, SKB - 29" x 18" x 14" iSeries 2918-14 Waterproof Utility Case w/ cubed foam, Celestron - 12mm X-Cel LX Eyepiece - 1.25" - 93424, Celestron - 18mm X-Cel LX Eyepiece - 1.25" - 93425, Celestron - Accessory Kit 1.25" Eyepiece and Filter Kit - 94303, Celestron - 1.25" Skyris 5-Position Filter Wheel, Celestron - T-Adapter for C5,8,9-1/4,11,14 - 93633-A, Celestron - f/6.3 Reducer Corrector - 94175, Celestron - EclipSmart Solar Filter - 8" SCT and EdgeHD, Celestron - Wedge for NexStar Evolution and SE 6/8 - 93665, Celestron - X-Cel LX 2x Barlow Lens - 1.25" - 93529, Celestron - X-Cel LX 3x Barlow Lens - 1.25" - 93428, 4 Aux ports (Hand Control can use any of the Aux ports), Internal 9 6V, 4 5Ah lithium iron phosphate battery (LiFePO4), 2 line x 18 character backlit Liquid Crystal Display, 19 LED backlit buttons, USB 2.0 port for PC connection, SkyAlign, 1-Star Align, 2-Star Align, Auto 2-Star Align, Solar System Align, Quick-Align, Last Alignment, EQ North / EQ South Alignment (EQ align requires an equatorial wedge), Over 40,000 including 220 of the best deep sky and solar system objects, Celestron's Starry Night Special Edition Software | SkyPortal App. Despite being designed for astrophotography, you will still need to add the. Heading over to our winter favourite, we took the time to gaze upon stellar opposites, Rigel and Betelgeuse. Once the tripod is safely in the case, the carry handles and ergonomic shoulder strap make it way easier to carry! Our image of the day, Binoculars deals: The best discounts and savings available, International Space Station: Live updates, Asteroid Bennu is old before its time thanks to the sun, Satellites watch raging wildfire threatening California's Yosemite National Park, Your monthly guide to stargazing & space science, Try a single issue or save on a subscription, Issues delivered straight to your door or device. As users progress in expertise in astro-imaging, Celestron's Pro HD Wedge can be added to facilitate longer exposures for more detailed astrophotos. Before we headed out for a night of observing, the first thing we noted was the telescope's weight, which totals 40.6 lbs. Setting up the new NexStar Evolution is quick and painless with large, ergonomic handles. For long exposures you will need to add the, It has features that tailor it for deep-sky astrophotography and this separates it from the regular 8-inch. Simply connect the device to NexStar Evolutions built-in wireless network, and enjoy viewing the universe with the Celestron mobile app for iOS and Android. 2022 Woodland Hills Camera & Telescope, All Rights Reserved. A 2X Barlow is one of the most popular telescope accessories available because it doubles the magnification of any 1.25 you use with it! It boasts the same tall and sturdy mount and tripod. Connect your device to NexStar Evolutions built-in wireless network, and explore the universe with the Celestron mobile app for iOS and Android. Once aligned, we couldn't wait to test the NextStar Evolution 8's mettle. The Celestron NexStar Evolution 8 is an extremely impressive piece of kit. Its the only fork-mounted telescope in its price range that offers worm gears and greatly improved motors standard. The Celestron 8 EdgeHD was the third most successfully used Celestron telescope, behind only the larger 11-inch and 14-inch models: It has the same sturdy tripod and mount as the model above, as well as the in-built wifi and battery power source. Due to the weight, the NexStar Evolution 8 will be tricky to transport for many, so it is important to take that into account before planning any skywatching trips beyond your own backyard. The single-fork arm is the pride of the instrument, as it can mechanically navigate the night sky with the touch of a button via two perpendicular movements thanks to an alt-azimuth mount, powered by a long-lasting, rechargeable lithium-ion battery. There are also a few other Celestion 8-inch telescope OTAs and packages that are worth comparing to get the full overview. Manual clutches in both Altitude and Azimuth offer greater flexibility to manually point the telescope when powered off. Its one of the most popular telescope bundles in the world as you get an 8-inch telescope tube with a GOTO mount of manageable weight and size at a price that is good value. Also built into the mount is the telescope's very own Wi-Fi network that allows the user to connect and control, the telescope via the Celestron SkyPortal, an app that can be downloaded for free on iOS and Android. For the most high-powered models, please also see our guide to the Best Telescopes you can buy. (18.5 kilograms). We know how to narrow down the products that best fit YOUR needs, rather than push something simply because its easy. With a price that's suited to large budgets, it's a sturdy and reliable instrument that comes with a 24-month warranty (opens in new tab). Please refresh the page and try again. You dont need to know the names of the starsyou can even pick the Moon or bright planetsSkyAlign is the simplest method to align a computerized telescope, providing ease of use for beginners while retaining the accuracy demanded by experienced users.Input the date, time, and current location, (GPS-equipped telescopes obtain all this information automatically) and then point the telescope at any three bright objects. Optical coatings are very thin layers of material that are applied to the glass in a process called vacuum deposition. The physical properties and thickness of each layer in the coating, as well as their orientation with each other and the glass to which they are applied, determine how well they will do their job. The redness of the latter was easily recognisable, and the optical system seemed to have no major issues with chromatic or spherical aberration. There is no need to point the telescope north or to level the optical tube as in previous alignment methods: the initial position of the telescope is irrelevant. Check out the video below! Of course, the 8 Schmidt-Cassegrain optical system offers bright, sharp views with StarBright XLT optical coatingsa great choice for visual observers and budding astroimagers alike. The proprietary SkyAlign alignment procedure is built right into the Celestron mobile app, so youre ready to observe within minutes. Celestron NexStar Evolution Manual (520.92 kB), Celestron NexStar Evolution Addendum (396.09 kB), Telescope Cases, Covers & Dobsonian Shrouds, Skip to the beginning of the images gallery. allows viewers to scan the night sky in real time or display a list of celestial objects currently visible based on the time and location of the scope. New York, High-transmission water white glass is used instead of soda lime glass for the corrector lens. Here is a quick overview of the differences and similarities between the different packages: The Celestion CPC 800 is essentially the next level up from the NexStar Evolution 8 due to the mount. A rechargeable Lithium Ion battery gives you 10 hours of use in the field and with an improved design and smart features like built in handles, and an integrated device USB port the Evolution is the next generation of Schmidt Cassegrain Alt-Azimuth telescopes. It offers many thoughtful design features that combine to provide the best possible experience under the stars.No longer will batteries or external power supply be necessary for a computerized viewing session. Its the only fork-mounted telescope in its price range that offers worm gears and greatly improved motors standard. published 19 August 20. The amount of light gathered affects the brightness of the resulting image. For beginners and casual astronomers, we recommend the NexStar or Astro-Fi range of Celestron telescopes. This is a significant advantage as telescopes lacking this tend to eat AA batteries very quickly and is an issue if you want to use it away from an AC power supply. This is the same C8 OTA combined with the AVX equatorial mount. You can even use NexStar Evolutions USB charge port to top off the other devices in your life that need to stay powered on during an observing session. Celestrons signature telescopes reach a new level with the NexStar Evolution! Angle Adjusters, Adaptive Optics & Field De-Rotators, Celestron - NexStar Evolution 8" SCT Telescope - 12091, Skip to the beginning of the images gallery, landmark telescopes reach a new level with the, . The components are also designed to be delicate enough not to scratch the lenses or mar optical coatings. Focal length:80" (2032 mm) Of course, the Schmidt-Cassegrain optical system offers bright, sharp views with StarBright XLT optical coatingsa great choice for visual observers and budding astro-imagers alike.NexStar Evolution includes a StarPointer finderscope, two 1.25 Plossl eyepieces (13mm and 40mm), a 1.25 star diagonal, AC adapter, and NexStar+ hand control (not necessary when using the mobile ap). Once weve done that, we ensure you understand WHY were recommending the product by teaching you the concepts behind the product and in the process, we demystify all the terminology. Protect the optics and electronics of the 8 Evolution by storing the OTA & drive base in this padded carry case from Celestron. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. By In less than 30 minutes, the telescope was assembled, running and ready for alignment. Our knowledge is only surpassed by our passion for this wonderful hobby we all love so much. Copyright 2017-2022 Skies & Scopes | All Rights Reserved | As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. It's a worthy investment for those who are veterans of viewing the night sky but not so much for those who are just dipping their toe into skywatching. All come with a computerized/GOTO alt-az mount that uses Celestrons SkyAlign Technology to allow you to locate over 40,000 astronomical objects with a hand controller. However, it boasts a much sturdier mount and also features in-built WIFI so that it can be controlled by an app on your phone rather than the hand controller without having to buy any extra components. The 8 NexStar Evolution includes the OTA, single fork arm mount and tripod, accessory tray, hand controller, 40 mm and 13 mm eyepieces, red dot finderscope, visual back, star diagonal, and a 4-plug AC adapter. We Just Dropped Prices On Used Gear By Another 10%! Now lets look at each of the models individually. An impressive piece of kit, the Celestron NexStar Evolution 8's optical system ranks as one of the best we've ever had the pleasure of looking at the universe through. Reflectivity is fairly flat across the spectrum, optimizing it for both imaging and visual observing. As you progress in the hobby of astronomical imaging, you can add the Celestron Pro HD Wedge to achieve longer exposures for more detailed astrophotos. The mount is less sturdy than that coming with the other two telescopes, having just half the payload capacity. Add Apertura Universal Tripod Case - UTC to your order? The 8 HD also comes with StarSense technology that polar aligns automatically. Aperture:8" (203.2 mm) Although it weighs less, it lacks handles that make the other OTAs easier to carry, and the maximum tripod height is shorter. For astronomers interested in astro-imaging, the Celestron NexStar Evolution 8" Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope is an excellent, affordable way to get started. By entering your email address you agree to receive emails from Skies &Scopes. However, with a combined astronomy experience of over 115 years (117 to be exact), our team of telescope and astrophotography experts, a.k.a. However, it is an imaging-only telescope and cannot be used for visual observing, only astrophotography. Unique enhanced multi-layer mirror coatings made from precise layers of aluminum, SiO2 (quartz), TiO2 (titanium dioxide), and Si02 (silicon dioxide). Theres never any pressure to buy, and you can rest assured that your recommendation is personalized for you rather than motivated by financial gain. Heres why you can trust us. Join our Space Forums to keep talking space on the latest missions, night sky and more! We decided to utilize the StarSense AutoAlign camera, as it was a clear night at our location in a dark-sky reserve. We recommend purchasing a moon filter to pare down any dazzling brightness and to improve contrast for picking out detail. (18.5 kg) That is a nice choice of magnifications for observing a wide range of objects! There was a problem. Manual clutches in both Altitude and Azimuth offer greater flexibility to manually point the telescope when powered off. At the time of the review, using the technology was a new experience to us, but it was straightforward and didnt take longer than your average, manual alignment. Space is supported by its audience. However, if you are looking to improve your images, you should purchase the Wedge for the NexStar Evolution, which enables long-exposure photography. Water white glass transmits about 90.5% without anti-reflective coatings; thats 3.5% better transmission than uncoated soda lime glass. Rowe-Ackermann Schmidt Astrograph (RASA) 8, It has a removable secondary mirror that allows a camera to be attached directly to the front and improves the focal ratio from F/10 to F/2 (Celestion call this, In contrast, the mount and tripod that comes with the, Price can very and fluctuate according to availability but in general the. ), Total Weight without Counterweights (lb.). The 8-inch OTA combined with the sturdy mount make this a visual astronomy powerhouse. Today's best CELESTRON NEXSTAR EVOLUTION 8 CATADIOPTRIC TELESCOPE deals, We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices, Pictures from space! Store up to 7 eyepieces in 2 accessory trays, one with an adjustable red LED illuminator. Unfortunately, there are sources of light loss at each optical surface and within each lens. Eyepiece 2 focal length:13 mm (156x) The Deluxe/HD version of the CPC 800 is a combination of the 8 EdgeHD OTA with the dual form arm mount from the CPC 800 above. Please let us know if you have any comments or questions below. Even with the star-forming region's large size, the Plssl could accommodate the majority of the nebula. Setting up your NexStar Evolution is quick and painless with large, ergonomic handles. The Celestron NexStar Evolution 8 can be pushed to its useful magnification of 480x without suffering the consequences of poor, blurred images. A dew shield also prevents stray light from bouncing off your optics and reducing contrast. *This website makes money through affiliate commissions. Subscribers get 13 issues per year! Adding a wedge also lets you use an autoguider, should you choose to do so. You can also see here a broader overview of all Celestron NexStar models and you can find more articles like this in our astronomy hub. Since the function of a mirror is to collect light by way of reflection, Celestron uses only highly-reflective metallic coatings on these optical elements. In essence, there are three types of 8-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain OTA offered by Celestion: All can be bought as packages with different mounts or as standalone OTAs where you buy the mount separately (if you want to compare the best mounts, see our article on the Best Mounts for Astrophotography.). However the mounts are different: These mounts are all alt-azimuth, which is best for visual observing but not astrophotography. This comprehensive cleaning kit from Apertura has all you need to make sure your SCT optics are clear and able to deliver top performances. Point the telescope at three bright objects in the sky, and the telescope tells you what the objects are. Operation of its WiFi technology is seamless, while the computerized GoTo mount boasts exceedingly high performance. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. SUPERIOR STARBRIGHT XLT OPTICAL COATINGS. Read our full analysis of all the differences and similarities below. The purpose of a telescope is to collect as much light as possible. Wrap this flexible dew shield snuggly around the end of your 8 OTA telescope to delay the formation of dew on your telescope's corrector plate. Included with the optical tube assembly (OTA) is a robust, stainless steel tripod, which supports the set up with ease. It offers many thoughtful design features that combine to provide you the best possible experience out under the stars. Sign up for savings and product announcements. Apertura Optics & Sensor Cleaning Kit - 20 Piece - Celestron Hard Rolling Case for 8/9.25/11 SCT or E Astrozap Flexible Dew Shield with Side Bar Notch f Celestron 1.25" Ultra High Contrast (UHC) Lig Celestron Equatorial Wedge for NexStar Evolution a Celestron NexStar Evolution 8 Telescope Essential Celestron NexStar Evolution 8 Telescope Bundle - 1 Internal 9 6V, 4 5Ah lithium iron phosphate battery (LiFePO4), Control your NexStar Evolution telescope wirelessly from your iOS or Android smartphone or tablet! Stating that were the best can seem a bit like a catch. The first object on our checklist was the biggest, brightest and most obvious object visible to the naked eye the moon (opens in new tab). Look, we get it. For the first time ever on a consumer telescope, NexStar Evolution includes its own built-in lithium-ion battery so that you will be able to enjoy stargazing marathons of up to 10 hours on a single charge! Manual clutches in both altitude and azimuth offer greater flexibility to manually point the telescope when powered off. This item is in stock and typically ships in 1 day or less. Related: Best telescopes (opens in new tab), Optical design:Schmidt-Cassegrain After all, we would be nothing without you and we For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. This light pollution reduction (LPR) filter threads onto any 1.25" eyepiece or Barlow. The Celestron NexStar 8SE is the largest in the SE range (which also features, 6-inch, 5-inch, and 4-inch versions). For the first time ever on a consumer telescope, Celestron's NexStar Evolution 8" includes its own. Curious to learn more about the NexStar Evolution series? Use the free, This model of the NexStar Evolution includes a portable 8 Schmidt-Cassegrain optical tube with StarBright XLT optical coatings and Fastar compatibility, The computerized Evolution GoTo mount includes high-performance worm gears and motors for improved tracking accuracy, along with reduced gear backlash, Included rechargeable lithium-ion battery provides enough power for 10 hours of continuous observing, The Celestron NexStar Evolution has an improved industrial design, with manual clutches and integrated carry handles, plus the added convenience of two accessory trays and a USB charge port for your smart device, Finderscope: Starpointer (Includes 3V CR2032 lithium button battery), Power Requirements: Internal Battery Included, Secondary Mirror Obstruction: 2.5 in (64 mm), Secondary Mirror Obstruction by Diameter: 36%, Secondary Mirror Obstruction by Area: 9.77%, Tracking Rates: Sidereal, Solar and Lunar, Alignment Procedures: SkyAlign, 3-Star Align, Solar System Align, Communication Ports: 1 hand control and 3 aux ports, App Database: Over 120,000 including 220 of the best deep sky and solar system objects, Celestron 8" f/10 Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope, Single Fork Arm NexStar Evolution Computerized Alt-Azimuth Mount, Adjustable 1.25" Steel Tripod with Accessory Tray. Forget about batteries or an external power supply. Of these three great 8-inch Celestron telescope packages what are the differences and which is right for you? Gemma Lavender Enter your emailto receive the latestastrophotography guides and updates. It lacks some of the astrophotography advantages of the 8HD model below, but for visual astronomy they are essentially like for like. Using these collimation knobs will improve your imaging or observation experience because you will no longer have to worry about bothersome adjustments using the factory-supplied Phillips screws. As this mount is motorized, and is capable of tracking a celestial object as it moves across the sky, it's a must-try for some serious astrophotography. JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. Get breaking space news and the latest updates on rocket launches, skywatching events and more! Anything less and a message will pop up on the hand control that says, "Too Few Stars". The purpose of a telescope is to collect as much light as possible. You will receive a verification email shortly. Continuing our tour of the constellation, we tested the optical system on the more-diffuse Orion Nebula (Messier 42), which required reverting back to the 40 mm eyepiece. Operation of its WiFi technology is seamless, while the computerized GoTo mount boasts exceedingly high performance. Celestron's proprietary SkyAlign alignment procedure is built into the Celestron mobile app, so users are ready to observe within minutes. Use the planetarium interface to view the night sky in real time or display a list of celestial objects currently visible based on your time and location. Its the only fork-mounted telescope in its price range that offers worm gears, along with improved motors.