nexstar 8SE

[IceDropFromMars (Rogert)]

just wondering wht peoples thoughts are on the celestron nexstar 8SE

[mozzie (Peter)]

nice scope my mate has the 6"version and has no problems using it there software is the same in all versions easy setup and align dont be discuraged by the single arm they are quite strong and steady he also has the cpc series have a look at that 8" scope
mozzie

[Moon (James)]

It's easy to use and a great way to get started. The hand controller is well designed and easy to use, and it's not to hard to hook it up to a laptop and drive it from there if you like. 8 inches is a good size for an SCT and the views are corresponding good. It's easy to pick up the whole thing (OTA, mount etc) and carry it to wherever you want it. I even carry it fully assembled up and down stairs, even though I know I probably shouldn't. Alignment takes about 5 minutes I would guess.
There are some limitation to be aware of. The single fork arm is a bit shaky when you touch the scope, even when focusing. You just have to wait until it settles down. This can be a really issue if your trying to let the kids have a look.
If you want to do some astrophotography, the mount isn't up to the task - you'll need to remount the optical tube onto a better mount.
The supplied eyepiece, diagonal and visual back are all 1.25 inch. Decide if you want to upgrade to 2 inch before you start buying more eyepieces!
It can run on AA batteries, but it's best to find yourself a good 12V power supply.
Finally the prices in Australia IMHO are over the top - look out for a second hand one perhaps?

[Robert9 (Robert)]

I'll second all the above, although I only have the 6", although with the 6" the arm seems quite stable and secure. Excellent unit for taking away with the caravan. AA batteries will last about 1 nights viewing or possibly 2, depending on how much slewing. I run mine very happily off a 17Ahr capacity jump start.
Robert

[Gallifreyboy]

I have the 6se and it is a great system for viewing. The goto is easy, tracking is good and reliable and it is really very light for transport, easy to assemble etc. The kids love it. My problems started when I bought a canon 1000D and wanted to do some astrophotography. For anything other than the moon (bright with short exposure) it is not up it. I am just embarking on the upgrade to an EQ6 pro and 10" Newt, it may all be downhill from there. (I thought the camera was a bargain, its now costing me a fortune)
If you just want an easy to use, portable visual only unit it is recommended, also shop around, the advertised prices will move, I saved $500 off the 6se in december.

[TJD (Trevor)]

Originally Posted by Gallifreyboy

I have the 6se and it is a great system for viewing. The goto is easy, tracking is good and reliable and it is really very light for transport, easy to assemble etc. The kids love it. My problems started when I bought a canon 1000D and wanted to do some astrophotography. For anything other than the moon (bright with short exposure) it is not up it. I am just embarking on the upgrade to an EQ6 pro and 10" Newt, it may all be downhill from there. (I thought the camera was a bargain, its now costing me a fortune)
If you just want an easy to use, portable visual only unit it is recommended, also shop around, the advertised prices will move, I saved $500 off the 6se in december.

Originally Posted by Robert9

I'll second all the above, although I only have the 6", although with the 6" the arm seems quite stable and secure. Excellent unit for taking away with the caravan. AA batteries will last about 1 nights viewing or possibly 2, depending on how much slewing. I run mine very happily off a 17Ahr capacity jump start.
Robert

Originally Posted by Moon

It's easy to use and a great way to get started. The hand controller is well designed and easy to use, and it's not to hard to hook it up to a laptop and drive it from there if you like. 8 inches is a good size for an SCT and the views are corresponding good. It's easy to pick up the whole thing (OTA, mount etc) and carry it to wherever you want it. I even carry it fully assembled up and down stairs, even though I know I probably shouldn't. Alignment takes about 5 minutes I would guess.
There are some limitation to be aware of. The single fork arm is a bit shaky when you touch the scope, even when focusing. You just have to wait until it settles down. This can be a really issue if your trying to let the kids have a look.
If you want to do some astrophotography, the mount isn't up to the task - you'll need to remount the optical tube onto a better mount.
The supplied eyepiece, diagonal and visual back are all 1.25 inch. Decide if you want to upgrade to 2 inch before you start buying more eyepieces!
It can run on AA batteries, but it's best to find yourself a good 12V power supply.
Finally the prices in Australia IMHO are over the top - look out for a second hand one perhaps?

Originally Posted by mozzie

nice scope my mate has the 6"version and has no problems using it there software is the same in all versions easy setup and align dont be discuraged by the single arm they are quite strong and steady he also has the cpc series have a look at that 8" scope
mozzie

Originally Posted by IceDropFromMars

just wondering wht peoples thoughts are on the celestron nexstar 8SE

amzing scope yes the 8"is on a 6" witch is proble limited the 8 inches perfomance but great to use i mean im not that smart with computes but it is so easy to use yet so complex if you realy want i can email you the instruction and fetures
every thing you can think of it has it eg


the g1000 in planes
the new piant brush in art
the black hair in amunst the grey ones
the star of a solar system
the high teck bullet of a gun
the top fuel draggstar
the key to life
the hot choclate on a freezing night
the sct of astronomy
the 6se of astronomy

i save 1500 (if there now worth $3000 like at the australian geographic shop in cairns centrel) when i got mine in october in brisbane

[Baddad (Marty)]

Originally Posted by IceDropFromMars

just wondering wht peoples thoughts are on the celestron nexstar 8SE

Hey IceDropFromMars,

I have one. 8se, It is a good scope. I am intending to purchase an EQ6 Pro mount for it.

The single arm mount is prone to vibration. Not solid enough.
Is good to be able to take it anywhere. Transportable and light.
Put a camera on it? Bad.
The mount was designed for the Northern Hemisphere. It works in the South but not as well. I won't go into involved details here.

The tube is very good. I like my setup and will like it even more with the EQ6.

I will however say that to set it up quickly in a new location, just for observing, excellent.

Cheers Marty

[Robert9 (Robert)]

Originally Posted by Baddad

Hey IceDropFromMars,

The mount was designed for the Northern Hemisphere. It works in the South but not as well. I won't go into involved details here.


Cheers Marty

Hi Marty,
I guess you're referring to the cord-wrap feature. This is easily reset for the southern hemisphere. Only annoyance is that you must do this every time you switch on. I have asked Celestron whether the option can be stored in local memory. They are suggesting it to their engineers as a possible future firmware update.
Robert

[TJD (Trevor)]

Originally Posted by Robert9

Hi Marty,
I guess you're referring to the cord-wrap feature. This is easily reset for the southern hemisphere. Only annoyance is that you must do this every time you switch on. I have asked Celestron whether the option can be stored in local memory. They are suggesting it to their engineers as a possible future firmware update.
Robert

what does cord wrap do can you tell me every thing about it eg cord wrap side real ect

[Robert9 (Robert)]

Originally Posted by TJD

what does cord wrap do can you tell me every thing about it eg cord wrap side real ect

Cord wrap is a feature which lets you select a direction past which the telescope will not slew eg due south. So if you are viewing in the south west and then want to see something in the south east, the scope will go to the new location the long way around, ie passing through north rather than south. This prevents the scope from tying the power cord round and round the tripod. On the Nexstar (and probably other scopes) the no-crossover line can be set anywhere. By default, the Nexstar has due north as the no-cross line. But this is readily changed as desired. The only annoyance is that it needs to be reset to your preferred direction every time you turn on the scope.
Robert

[stephenb (Stephen)]

Hi Roger,

I have read many good reports about the Celestron SE series, like all the previous owners and you will find many more on the Cloudy Nights Forum where the overseas market is larger.

Three main points:

Despite what many will tell and show you, they are not really suited for imaging, although some people can get some results from. This scope is predominantly for visual use and by all reports they track extremely well.

Also, when there is no power to the scope, you cannot move the telescope manually (i.e no clutch), so power is a must.

They are extremely portable and light - the advantage is that the OTA removes from the single fork for transporting. This also give you the advantage of mounting OTA onto an EQ mount such as a Skywatcher EQ-series for imaging. This effectively gives you more flexability: a visual, portable "grab and go" telescope in its original setup (OTS, fork and mount), or an imaging scope by easily mounting the OTA on an EQ mount. Many people I have read about have this arrangement.

There is a vast amount of information out there beyond these shores, as Australia is a very limited market for them, but you will find enough support from users in Australia to assist you.

Also look at these links:

http://www.cloudynights.com/ubbthrea.../Board/nexstar

http://www.cloudynights.com/ubbthrea.../o/o/fpart/all

I am still so close to a decision between a 8SE and a Meade LX90 8".

good luck.

I hope all this helps.

[Baddad (Marty)]

Hey All,

The biggest advantage with the 8SE is that its easily transportable. I like its flexability. To set up quickly and it is a quality scope.

The mount is light and tracking is good. The trade off is that its prone to vibration. Even a slight touch of a finger shakes the image. Certainly not for photographic work. Also limited space between the eyepiece and the mount when adjusted to near zenith, means not much can be added.

However I am considering an EQ6 mount for that later. It overcomes all the failings of the single arm mount.


A quality and versatile scope it certainly is with its limitations.

Cheers Marty

[TJD (Trevor)]

Originally Posted by robert9

cord wrap is a feature which lets you select a direction past which the telescope will not slew eg due south. So if you are viewing in the south west and then want to see something in the south east, the scope will go to the new location the long way around, ie passing through north rather than south. This prevents the scope from tying the power cord round and round the tripod. On the nexstar (and probably other scopes) the no-crossover line can be set anywhere. By default, the nexstar has due north as the no-cross line. But this is readily changed as desired. The only annoyance is that it needs to be reset to your preferred direction every time you turn on the scope.
Robert

thanks robert ive been wondering what that does is

anti cordwrap the same or is it different