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Celestron Nexstar 102 Slt Computerized Telescope Review – Good Telescopes

Embarking on an all-night stargazing adventure will become a memorable experience with the Celestron Nexstar 102 Slt computerized telescope. The Nexstar series from Celestron has been specifically designed to grant users the ultimate stargazing experience.

Being much more powerful than the 80 mm models, the Celestron Nexstar 102 Slt computerized telescope can gather up to 60 percent more light than any conventional refractor telescopes on the market.

Keep in mind that the Nexstar 102 Slt model is not a telescope for beginners, meaning that you’ll have to know a little about telescope to make it work. Luckily, we are here to teach you everything there is to know about this amazing piece, which produces crisp and crystal-clear images.

In addition to our product description and specification sections, we will also include a mounting section, in which we will teach you how to mount and calibrate the telescope.

Celestron NexStar 102 SLT Computerized Telescope

Click here to see more pictures on Amazon.

Celestron Nexstar 102 Slt Computerized Telescope – Product Description

The Celestron Nexstar 102 Slt Computer telescope has a refractor-type optical design, which means high magnification power and wide field of view. The optical tube has a 102 mm aperture, with a total focal length of 660 mm and a 6.47 focal ratio.

Thanks to the wide-angle lens, the telescope ensures a 1.7 degrees’ field of view. This means that you will be able to observe the fine details of the Moon’s surface, Jupiter’s ring, and even fast-moving deep-sky objects.

The Celestron Nexstar 102 Slt Computer Telescope sits on top of a motorized altazimuth mount, which will greatly increase your tracking precision, thanks to hand-held remote control. The telescope’s kit includes two eyepieces: a 25 mm eyepiece and 9 mm eyepiece, which have a combined maximum magnification factor of 73x.

This telescope is perfect for both celestial and terrestrial observations, and thanks to the improved multi-coated optics, the telescope gathers light more efficiently than other refractor scopes.

Some other Specs and Features:

  • Weight (assembled): 6.35 kilograms;
  • Finderscope type: Starpointer;
  • Magnification Factor of Eyepiece one: 26.4x;
  • Magnification Factor of Eyepiece two:73.33x;
  • Star Diagonal: 1.25;
  • Highest Theoretical and Useful Magnification Factor:240x;
  • Stellar Magnitude: 12.5
  • Resolving power: 1.14 arcs/second;
  • Angular FOV: 1.7-Degrees;
  • Software: Sky Level 1 NexStar Observers List;
  • Tripod Material: Stainless Steel.

Celestron NexStar 102 SLT Computerized Telescope

What’s in the Box?

Here’s what you’ll find in the box once you purchase the Celestron Nexstar 102 Slt Computerized Telescope:

  • Celestron Nexstar 102 SLT 102 mm refractor telescope kit;
  • Two eyepieces: one 9 mm eyepiece and one 25 mm eyepiece;
  • Starpointer finderscope;
  • Nexstar hand controller;
  • “The Sky” Level 1 CD;
  • Tripod;
  • Accessory Tray;
  • One-year warranty certificate.

Additional Accessories for the Nexstar 102 Slt 102 Computerized Telescope

  • PowerTank, 12V Power Supply – useful for charging your gadgets  the go;
  • AC Adapter Replacement;
  • Car Battery Adapter;
  • Universal 1.25-inch T-Adapter for SLR/DSLR cameras;
  • SkyPortal Wi-Fi Module;
  • StarSense AutoAlign;
  • SkySync GPS Accessory;
  • Vibration Suppression Pads;
  • Celestron Accessory;
  • Celestron 93402 T-Ring for Nikon;
  • Celestron Erect Image Prism for Refractor and Schmidt-Cassegrain;
  • Celestron Nexstar RS 232 PC interface cable;
  • Celestron 93588 Astro Night Vision Flashlight.

Pros:

  • No-tool set up;
  • Easy to track fast-moving objects by using the motorized mount;
  • Location set-up;
  • Automatic calibration using a 3-reference point system;
  • High-quality optics;
  • High magnification power;
  • Can be hooked up to a computer for increased precision;

Celestron NexStar 102 SLT Computerized Telescope Celestron NexStar 102 SLT Computerized Telescope Celestron NexStar 102 SLT Computerized Telescope

(Click image to see more pictures on Amazon)

Cons:

  • It’s too heavy;
  • Hard to align using the computer;
  • Controller may develop a BOOTLOADER error;
  • Pricy;
  • Mount is wobbly.

Customer Reviews

According to the customer review section on Amazon.com, the Celestron Nexstar 102 Slt Computerized Telescope is a pretty decent purchase, receiving a 3.9-star rating. However, upon reviewing all the comment section, you’ll discover that not many users have enjoyed this purchase.

Many users have had trouble aligning this telescope using the remote control. Moreover, the customers mentioned that the manual included in the package did not thoroughly explain how to calibrate the telescope.

Other users complained about Celestron’s limited technical support, shipping problems, and software issues that rendered the telescope useless.

How to Set up and Align Your Telescope

As we’ve mentioned above, the Celestron Nexstar 102 Slt Computerized Telescope is a sophisticated piece of equipment. However, setting it up can take forever. To help you get you started on your first stargazing adventure, here’s what you’ll need to do to set up and calibrate your telescope:

Assembling the Telescope:

  1. Remove all the components for the box. Be very careful when handling the optical tube, as it can break quite easily.
  2. After taking the component out of the box, take the tripod and flip it over.
  3. Extend the legs of the tripod to full, and secure them in place using the plastic screws.
  4. Flip it over again and attach the plastic accessory. Don’t force it in place.
  5. Take the mount and place it on top the tripod.
  6. Secure the mount by tightening the mounting nut.
  7. Take out the battery cover and insert the 8 AA batteries included in the pack.
  8. Put the battery lid back.
  9. Take the optical tube dovetail and place it in the fork arm.
  10. Tighten the quick-release knob.
  11. Take the star diagonal from the box, and insert it into the back of the optical tube. Use the three knobs to secure it in place.
  12. Insert your choice eyepiece.
  13. Remove the lens’s cover.
  14. Insert the Finder scope and secure it in place using the knobs.
  15. Plug in the hand controller in the mount and turn in on using the left power switch.
  16. Turn on the finder scope.

Celestron NexStar 102 SLT Computerized Telescope

(Click image to see more pictures on Amazon)

Aligning the telescope:

  1. Press the “ENTER” key to begin alignment.
  2. Press “ENTER” once more to select the “SkyAlign” feature.
  3. Use the “6” (Up) and “9” (Down) buttons to set your time and date. The date and time will not be kept if you turn off the telescope. Press the “UNDO” key if you made any mistakes.
  4. Press the “ENTER” key again to select your location by the city.
  5. Use “6” and “9” keys to select your country, then press the “ENTER” key to select your city.
  6. Again use the “6” and “9” keys to select the city and press “ENTER” afterward.
  7. Set the time by using the “6” and “9” keys. Press “ENTER” to confirm.
  8. Select “AM” or “PM” and press “ENTER” to confirm your choice.
  9. Choose between “Standard Time” or “Daylight Saving” and press “ENTER”.
  10. Select your Time Zone and press “ENTER”.
  11. Set the date by using the “6” and “9” key and then press “ENTER” to confirm your choice.
  12. Your Screen will then display the following message: “SkyAlign: Use the following screen to select three bright stars.” Press “ENTER” to begin telescope alignment.
  13. “Center Object 1” – Using the directional keys on your control (the buttons marked by arrows), move the telescope in the direction of a bright object and try to center it in your Finderscope.
  14. After centering the object, press “ENTER” to confirm your choice.
  15. “Align Object 1” – Use the directional key to center the first bright object in your eyepiece. You can use the up and right directional key to finalize the procedure. Press “ENTER” to confirm your Choice.
  16. Repeat steps 13 to 15 for “Center Object 2,” “Align Object 2,” “Center Object 3” and “Align Object 3,”
  17. After completing these steps, the screen will display the following message: “SkyAlign – Please Wait”. The process may take several minutes to complete.
  18. You will receive the following message: “Match Confirmed: Hit ENTER to ”
  19. If all procedures were performed correctly, then the screen will display this message: “Align Success – Star Pointer Off”.
  20. Turn off the Star Pointer save battery power.
  21. Enjoy!

Where to Buy It

Probably the best place from where you can buy this telescope is Amazon.com. Right now, you can get the Celestron Nexstar 102 Slt Computerized Telescope for $372, and Amazon will even throw in free shipping.

 

Our Verdict

The Celestron Nexstar 102 Slt Computerized Telescope is a great piece of equipment as far as refractor telescopes go. It might be a little hard to set up and to align, but its sheer power and increased precision far outweigh any issues. Being great for terrestrial as well as celestial observations, the Celestron Nexstar 102 Slt computerized telescope is no doubt any astronomer’s dream. Click here to purchase the Celestron Nexstar 102 Slt Computerized Telescope and start exploring today!

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