Celestron NexStar 6SE Telescope Review

The Celestron’s NexStar series comprises four different models of computerized telescopes, with different apertures that go from 4-inches up to 8-inches. Among these, the Celestron NexStar 6SE computerized telescope is one of the best amateur’s telescope currently available on the market.

With a 6-inch aperture, this scope gathers 44% more light than the 5-inch version, allowing you to capture some incredible images of space and the celestial bodies.

If you’ve been giving the Celestron NexStar 6SE Telescope some thought, or saw it on the shelves of astronomy stores, this is everything you need to know about it before making a decision on whether to buy it or not.

From our point of view, the Celestron NexStar 6SE telescope is one of the best telescopes for beginners and intermediate astronomers. The NexStar 6se is particularly interesting if you want an almost professional computerized mount and tracking software.

Let’s take a look at the specs, pros and cons and overall performance.

What is the Celestron NexStar 6SE Telescope?

The Celestron NexStar 6SE Telescope is a 6-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope, part of Celestron’s NexStar line. The Celestron 6se provides some of the most accurate images you can get with a normal telescope, in just a couple of minutes after taking it out of its box. The scope will come with a variety of accessories to help you in your celestial observation.

Celestron NexStar 6SE Telescope is one of those amazing telescopes that comes fully equipped, and makes everything look nice and easy, even for beginner astronomers. For example, Celestron’s StarPointer finderscope is included in the pack.

Thus, you won’t have to order it separately and wait for days for the piece to arrive. This small, plastic accessory will help you align your telescope, and begin exploring the universe, from the very first day you receive your telescope.

 

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From a technical point of view, this telescope comes with one of the best currently available technology. The software implemented in the telescope’s computerized system has a 40,000 object database. You can access this database for learning more about sky maps work and different celestial bodies.

Besides this software, the Celestron NexStar 6SE Telescope comes with the SkyAlign technology. This technology allows you to easily align your telescope based on any three bright celestial objects.

You can download all the available upgrades from Celestron’s website. In this way, you can keep your telescope up to date, and you can even control your telescope via computer.

The Celestron NexStar 6SE telescope also comes with an additional THE SKY Planetarium software. This astronomical software has a 10,000 object database, printable sky maps, and enhanced images.

For a beginner or even for an intermediate-level astronomer, such a software really makes the difference and shortens the normal learning period.

Pros and Cons to Using the Celestron NexStar 6SE Telescope

PROS:

• Good eyepiece – Celestron NexStar 6SE Telescope is delivered with an amazing 25 mm eyepiece (60x magnification). To increase the optical power of your scope, you will need to purchase some extra eyepieces. For beginners, however, this piece is an amazing asset for the scope, getting the job done.
• Portability – the tube and the tripod are quite light (30lbs). The whole scope will fit perfectly in the back of a normal car.
• The tripod – this steel tripod will give some extra-stability to your scope. Still, whenever the wind starts and you are stargazing outside, you will need to find something to balance it.
• Easy to mount and to use – after you get the scope out of the box, the whole mounting procedure, takes only a couple of minutes.
• The computerized software – the finderscope and the computerized altazimuth mount will take your star tracking to a whole new level. This will feel like a super-professional telescope, for the price of a beginner to intermediate range.

CONS:

• More expensive – If we compare Celestron NexStar 6SE Telescope to a similar Newtonian telescope, this scope will seem a bit expensive. However, given the quality of the telescope’s pieces, and the number of accessories included in the pack, you will understand that this scope has actually quite a good price.
• Batteries – The 8AA batteries that need to be set before starting the telescope, will tend to drain quite fast. Therefore, you will need to find a reliable power source. For outside observation, the Celestron PowerTank (you can buy one from Amazon) will extend your observation period.
• User manual – User manual and instructios are not very clear. You might need help from a tech savvy friend or technical assistance for some of the scope’s advanced functions.

Where to Find the Celestron NexStar 6SE Telescope?

The Celestron NexStar 6 SE Telescope’s listing price on Amazon is somewhere around $700 – $800, with free shipping. Amazon offers discounts, so you may want to keep an eye on their offers.

If you don’t have the necessary money for the Celestron NexStar 6SE Telescope, you can always go for a second-hand telescope. Know, however, that this option has its risks. Telescopes are rather fragile pieces, so it may be a good idea to wait a bit more and purchase the brand new scope.

Telescope Performance

The Celestron Nexstar 6se Telescope has really powerful optics that will allow you to clearly see nebulas and star clusters even on a polluted sky. The Nexstar 6se combines the classical features of the orange tube telescopes, with the latest StarBright XLT.

Thus, you will be able to accurately locate objects, such as the Saturn rings, or the Swan Nebula. The scope comes with printable sky maps, 75 enhanced images, and a 10,000 object database. These are great resources for those eager to learn.

As the NexStar 6se is portable, user-friendly, and powerful, it is the perfect scope for camping in the summer. In terms of astrophotography, the scope has some limitations.

Extra Info:

Maintenance Advice

The cleaning procedure for Celestron NexStar 6SE Telescope is similar to the one used for classical Newtonian telescopes. Whenever it comes to telescopes, and to Schmidt-Cassegrain telescopes, in particular, you should take great care of the telescope’s optics. Note that you should clean a telescope’s optics only when necessary, more precisely when the dust covers them.

Whenever dust covers the optics, you must try to remove it with a specialized brush (made of camel’s hair), or with pressurized air.

When cleaning the lens is imperative, apply optical cleaning solution on a soft piece of white lint-free cloth, and remove any debris that remained after brushing. You should start removing the dust from the center of the Celestron NexStar 6SE telescope to the outer regions.

We know that the first impulse would be to rub in circles. Please don’t do it, as this will harm the lens and the mirror.

You can reduce the need to clean the scope, by applying the lens covers as soon as you stop using the telescope, and by storing your scope in a dust-free place.

Celestron NexStar 6SE Computerized telescope will need to be collimated. We are not saying that you should collimate it as soon as you get it out of the package, as the scopes usually come collimated. However, whenever optical errors appear, you will have to do it.

You can find all the information about collimation in the scope’s manual. The internet also offers some great resources, such as videos and tutorials, which will help you understanding how to do the collimation for the first time.

Telescope Accessories

This telescope comes with almost all the accessories that you need for your celestial adventure. In the scope’s box, you will find the Optical Tube Assembly, together with a single eyepiece (E-Lux 25.0mm, 60x magnification), a StarPointer Finderscope and the Computerized Altazimuth Mount with Handset, as well as the NexRemote Control Software CD.

Besides these key features, the Celestron NexStar 6SE telescope will also have a resistant steel tripod. This tripod is equipped with an accessory tray, specially designed for your eyepieces.

The Sky CD-ROM Software for Windows, which is also included in the pack, will help you locate all the celestial bodies you want. Also, your scope comes with the RS-232 to Serial Port Cable for GPS 16 Accessory.

This is specially designed to connect your scope to your computer, and to download updates from Celestron’s websites, whenever necessary.

Having a computerized telescope is both a blessing and a hassle. Every time you want to start your observation, you must first introduce data such as the time, the date, and the location.

You can start watching the celestial bodies only and after doing that. To avoid this hassle, you should purchase a GPS 16 Accessory.

This small and durable piece will shorten the time spent on mounting the scope, allowing you to have more time for stargazing.

Warranty and Guarantee Information

Almost all Celestron’s telescopes come with a 2 year warranty. The Celestron NexStar 6SE Telescope makes no exception. If, for any reasons, the product does not function properly, do not try to repair it by yourself. If you do so,  you will lose the warranty.

Before sending your scope to the producer, you may want to remember that the warranty won’t cover a product that has been modified, abused in all manner, mishandled or had unauthorized repairs. For more details and information on this model, check out the Celestron’s website.

Our Recommendation

Bottom line, this is one of the best products currently available on the market. All the software and the optical accessories make the Celestron NexStar 6SE computerized telescope a great asset for all astronomy enthusiasts. We highly recommend it especially for beginners and intermediate-level astronomers.

If you are interested in other great computerized telescopes, check also our Celestron NexStar 8 SE Review.

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