Computerized (GoTo) Telescopes, and the App-Guided Alternative
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"Computerized" covers two quite different ideas. Some scopes move themselves; others just tell you where to move them. Here's the difference, with specs from Celestron's pages and the listings. We haven't tested these.
Motorized GoTo vs app-guided
- GoTo: Celestron's glossary says these "automatically point" at the objects you choose "and track them as they appear to move across the sky." They need power and a short alignment.
- App-guided (StarSense Explorer): manual mounts. The phone app recognizes the star pattern overhead, then on-screen arrows guide you until "the bullseye turns green," per the listing. No motors, no tracking.
Celestron NexStar 6SE and 8SE
Both are Schmidt-Cassegrains on a single fork arm GoTo mount with the NexStar+ hand control. Per Celestron's spec pages:
| NexStar 6SE | NexStar 8SE | |
|---|---|---|
| Aperture | 150 mm (5.91 in.) | 203.2 mm (8 in.) |
| Focal length / ratio | 1500 mm, f/10 | 2032 mm, f/10 |
| Included eyepiece | 25 mm (60x) | 25 mm (81x) |
| Highest useful magnification | 354x | 480x |
| Total kit weight | 28 lb | 32 lb |
Alignment uses SkyAlign: center any three bright stars or planets, even if you don't know their names, per the listing. More in NexStar 6SE vs 8SE.
Celestron NexStar 6SE
- 6 in. Schmidt-Cassegrain optics, per the listing
- Computerized GoTo mount with NexStar+ hand control; 40,000+ object database
- SkyAlign alignment
- 2-year US warranty
Celestron NexStar 8SE
- 8 in. Schmidt-Cassegrain optics, per the listing
- Computerized GoTo mount with NexStar+ hand control; 40,000+ object database
- SkyAlign: center any three bright objects to align
- 2-year US warranty
Plan for power
GoTo mounts need batteries or an external supply. Celestron's PowerTank Lithium has a 12V connection that the listing says works with all current Celestron computerized telescopes.
Celestron PowerTank Lithium
- 12V output for Celestron computerized telescopes, per the listing
- LiFePO4 chemistry; rated for up to 2,000 charge cycles
- Two USB ports; red/white LED flashlight
Sky-Watcher Virtuoso GTi 130P and 150P
Collapsible tabletop Dobsonians with built-in Wi-Fi GoTo through the SynScan Pro app. Sky-Watcher's "Freedom Find" dual encoders let you move the tube by hand without losing alignment, per the listing.
Sky-Watcher Virtuoso GTi 130P
- 130 mm f/5, 650 mm focal length, per the listing
- Collapsible tabletop GoTo Dobsonian
- Wi-Fi GoTo via SynScan Pro app
- Freedom Find: move by hand without losing alignment
Sky-Watcher Virtuoso GTi 150P
- 150 mm f/5, 750 mm focal length, per the listing
- Collapsible tabletop GoTo Dobsonian
- Wi-Fi GoTo via SynScan Pro app
- Freedom Find dual encoders
App-guided: StarSense Explorer
No motors, so nothing to charge except your phone. The DX 130AZ (130 mm, 18 lb kit, per Celestron) and LT 114AZ (114 mm, 10.4 lb) are two options, and there's an 8 inch Dob version too.
Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 130AZ
- 130 mm (5 in.) Newtonian reflector, per the listing
- Phone dock + StarSense app points you to targets with on-screen arrows
- Manual alt-azimuth mount with dual-axis slow-motion controls
- 2-year US warranty
Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 102AZ
- 102 mm (4 in.) refractor, per the listing
- Phone dock + StarSense app
- Manual alt-azimuth mount with dual-axis slow-motion controls
Celestron StarSense Explorer 8 in. Dobsonian
- 203 mm (8 in.) Newtonian reflector, per the listing
- Manual alt-azimuth Dobsonian base
- Phone dock + StarSense app
Or skip the eyepiece entirely
Smart telescopes like the Seestar and DWARF 3 point, track and take the picture for you, shown on your phone. See smart telescopes.
FAQ
What does GoTo mean?
The scope points itself at targets and tracks them.
How do you align a NexStar SE?
SkyAlign: center three bright objects.
Is StarSense GoTo?
No, it's app-guided with a manual mount.