What Is the Nexstar 8SE?
The Celestron NexStar 8SE telescope is a high-end telescope for beginners. This telescope is part of the NexStar series that ranges in size from four inches to eight inches.
The View
The NexStar 8SE telescope creates clear, crisp images and precise details. While theoretical viewing magnification can reach 400x depending on the eyepiece you use, the telescope consistently offers brilliant optics up to 200x magnification with the eight-inch aperture. The eight-inch aperture gathers almost 80 percent more light than the six-inch counterpart, making it noticeably more effective than others in the series.
Using It
The NexStar telescope includes an altazimuth mount. Altazimuth mounts are two-axis mounts that support the telescope and allow it to rotate on a vertical axis and a horizontal axis.
The rotation is key for the product’s motorized go-to tracking system with a three-star alignment. Proper alignment is critical to use the Celestron SkyAlign technology that centers desired objects in your eyepiece and continues to track the object as the earth rotates. Celestron’s NexStar 8SE telescope includes a 40,000-object database.
The objects in the database are automatically located by the go-to motor system to help you quickly locate and learn about the objects without having to be a master astronomer.
Product Specs
The Celestron NexStar 8SE telescope is a Schmidt-Cassegrain style product. Schmidt-Cassegrain telescopes are catadioptric telescopes that use a Cassegrain reflector for the optical path with a Schmidt corrector plate. Using these basic spherical surfaces result in a compact and precise telescope.
The product is mounted on an Altazimuth mount that includes go-to motorized tracking. An eight-inch aperture is the largest aperture in the NexStar line of telescopes and offers an f10 focal ratio. The focal length is 80 inches. The telescope magnifies a maximum of 400x with a 5 mm eyepiece and 300x with a 7 mm eyepiece.
How It Compares
We picked a few similar products to compare in our review:
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Celestron NexStar Evolution 8 EdgeHD StarSense
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SkyWatcher S11120 ProED 100
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Meade Instruments LX90-ACF
- NEXSTAR COMPUTERIZED TELESCOPE: The NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope features Celestron’s iconic orange tube design...
- 8-INCH APERTURE: The eight-inch primary mirror in this Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope for adults and kids to be used...
- FULLY-AUTOMATED GOTO MOUNT: Featuring a database of more than 40,000 celestial objects, the GoTo mount built into our...
Nexstar 8se
Ease of Use
Celestron’s NexStar 8SE telescope is a fully automated product with a go-to motor. The motorized mount allows for automatic telescope rotation. By rotating, the product can find and continuously track objects from a database of over 40,000 objects. This user-friendly technology known as SkyAlign allows new stargazers to locate and learn about heavenly objects with ease.
The product comes with a three-star alignment, but even the newest user with little knowledge of the night sky can align the telescope with any three bright objects.
Design Quality
The Schmidt-Cassegrain design is a favorite among amateur stargazers. The Celestron NexStar telescope uses this classic design and adds modern technology to thrill beginners while faithfully serving even the most experienced observers. With the NexStar 8SE you can view Jupiter’s moons, Neptune’s Triton, Martian ice caps, and much more.
The eight-inch aperture lets in more light than many competitors for crisp views of deep sky objects. The two-axis tripod is sturdy, and a single-fork arm is a favorite among users. The product can break down for travel and be reassembled quickly.
Warranty
The Celestron NexStar 8SE comes with a two-year warranty.
Pros
- Go-to motorization on a sturdy tripod
- SkyAlign technology
- Over 40,000 objects in the database
- Easy setup and takedown
Cons
- Does not include an AC adapter or DC automobile adapter
- WiFi telescope control
- Superior pointing accuracy from horizon to horizon
- Brass worm gears, along with improved motors
Celestron NexStar Evolution 8 EdgeHD StarSense
Another Celestron product, the NexStar Evolution 8 is a step beyond the beginner telescope with more advanced optics and technology. The Evolution 8 is portable and versatile, combining EdgeHD optics with StarSense AutoAlign technology. The Alt-Az mount is also a highly regarded part of the NexStar Evolution package.
The telescope can be controlled through your smart device with the SkyPortal app. The app allows you to control the motorized mount with StarSense AutoAlign technology. The mount can be directed to 10 alignment points for precise accuracy when using StarSense. With a Connect-and-Align option, the telescope instantly aligns to your desired heavenly object. The app also provides educational material and brilliant images for each object.
Ease of Use
The NexStar Evolution offers capabilities for an advanced astronomer while remaining simple enough for an advanced beginner. Using the StarSense AutoAlign technology, viewing Jupiter’s red spot is as easy as entering your destination and allowing the automatic technology to find the object and center it in your eyepiece.
You can also search other galaxies. Users are provided with historical backdrops and interesting information for each object as well as stunning images from an image gallery.
Design Quality
Like the NexStar 8SE, the NexStar Evolution EdgeHD features a Schmidt-Cassegrain design alongside go-to optics. Some differences between the two are found in the Evolution’s more compact design. The optics are also more advanced, and the StarSense AutoAlign is superior to the SkyAlign technology of the 8SE. The Evolution offers coma-free Astro-imaging.
Warranty
This Celestron telescope has a two-year warranty.
Pros
- Portable and versatile
- Combines EdgeHD optics with StarSense AutoAlign technology
- Alt-Az mount is highly regarded
- WiFi ready with the SkyPortal app
Cons
- Software updates can be tricky
- Expensive
SkyWatcher S11120 ProED 100
The Sky-Watcher ProED S11130 is a refracting telescope that uses a lens to form an image. Refracting telescopes are the same concept used in spy glasses. The Sky-Watcher makes use of a doublet apochromatic lens made of extra-low dispersion (ED) glass. The glass also features Metallic High-Transmission Coatings (MHC).\
Sky-Watcher’s ProED S11130 telescope comes with a 120 mm objective lens, a 900 mm focal length with an f7.5 focal ratio, and a light-baffling design. Users enjoy the two-inch Crayford focuser with a 1.25-inch adapter. A 20 mm eyepiece offers 45x magnification, and a 5 mm eyepiece offers 180x. The product also comes with an 8×50 finderscope.
Ease of Use
The SkyWatcher’s optical tube assembly (OTA) is versatile and can make wide-field observations easier than some competitors, but it is intended for a seasoned stargazer. The included focuser is difficult for some users to master.
Design Quality
The SkyWatcher uses a doublet apochromatic lens system. Extra-low dispersion glass is used and coated with a proprietary photon anti-rejection Metallic High-Transmission Coating (MHC). MHC is applied to all air-to-glass optical surfaces. The ED glass, doublet apochromatic lenses, and MHC come together to produce stunning images with no chromatic issues.
Warranty
Sky-Watcher’s ProED S11130 telescope comes with a two-year warranty.
Pros
- Great for wide-field observations
- Proprietary photon anti-rejection Metallic High-Transmission Coatings (MTC)
- Extra-low dispersion (ED) glass
Cons
- The focuser can be difficult for some users to master
Meade Instruments LX90-ACF
The Meade Instruments LX90-ACF is a popular telescope featuring Meade’s Advanced Coma-Free (ACF) optics. Coma is a defect in images that results from off-axis distortion. Rather than a traditional Schmidt-Cassegrain design, the ACF uses a hyperbolic secondary mirror.
In addition to eliminating coma, the Meade system also reduces astigmatism and diffraction spikes. The eight-inch aperture has an f10 optic with a 2000 mm focal length. Ultra-High Transmission Coatings (UHTC) are used to increase brightness and contrast of images.
Meade’s AudioStar technology comes with a 30,000-object database that offers education information and guided tours. The product also comes with High Precision Pointing capability and the Meade SmartDrive with Permanent Periodic Error Correction.
Ease of Use
Users can utilize the Sony GPS receiver to align the telescope. The AudioStar technology makes automatic location and tracking of objects easy and flash updates always keep you ready to go.
Design Quality
The aluminum double-fork mount is adjusts between selected speeds from one to seven degrees per second. The mount and other electronics are powered by eight C-cell batteries that last about 60 hours.
Warranty
The product comes with a one-year warranty.
Pros
- Advanced Coma-Free (ACF) optics
- Ultra-High Transmission Coatings (UHTC) increase brightness and contrast
- 30,000-object database
- Sony GPS receiver aligns the telescope
Cons
- Warranty only covers one year
- Batteries not included
Conclusion
In conclusion, while more expensive telescopes may have more to offer, we looked at the 8SE for what it claims to be: a top-of-the-line beginner’s telescope. We feel sure its ease of use, exceptional optics, and vast library of heavenly objects is sure to please any beginning stargazer and many longtime astronomers.
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