Celestron NexStar 80 SLT Computerized Telescope

Celestron's new SkyAlign technology is remarkably quick and easy to use. You won't need a GPS receiver or a star chart. In fact, if you can see the moon just choose "Solar System Align", enter the date and time, point the scope at the moon and push the "Align" key. This simple procedure was all I needed to initialize the computerized tracking system and start taking pictures with my Celestron NexImage CCD imager.

The NexStar computer allows the telescope to track quietly and accurately with surprisingly good precision. When I use the three star "SkyAlign" mode to initialize the telescope, the GoTo system consistently places deep space highlights like the Orion Nebula, the Andromeda Galaxy and the Double Cluster in Perseus near the center of the low power eyepiece. The standard equipment 25mm eyepiece (36x magnification) or an optional 32mm plossl (28x) provide nice low power views of these objects. The tracking system also makes it easy to get some delightful high power views of the moon and planets. The included high power 9mm eyepiece gives a magnification of 100x, but I find the views are quite good up to 150x when I use an optional 6mm plossl.

The NexStar 80 SLT is large enough to show good detail on the moon and planets, but it's not large enough to bring out much detail in deep space objects. Globular cluster M13, for instance, looks very comet-like with a glowing core and feathery edges; it simply takes a larger telescope to see M13's individual stars. The other drawbacks to this telescope are its short battery life and a mount that wobbles while focusing at high power. Try setting an external 12 Volt battery like Celestron's Power Tank on the accessory tray; it will power the scope and reduce vibrations at the same time. -Jeff Phillips

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