NexStar SE Range

Celestron's NexStar SE range is a real success story. The company have come up with a functional and elegant design at a price that represents excellent value for money. Easy alignment with simple controls to find and track many thousands of objects automatically make it ideal for beginners as well as serious observers.

The NexStar 4 SE uses Maksutov-Cassegrain optics making it particularly suitable for planets but it works well on deep-sky objects as well. This 4-inch telescope offers good views of a wide range of objects inculding many examples of all the different types such as planets, star clusters, binary stars, nebulae and galaxies. If your budget won't run to its bigger brothers, choose the NexStar 4 SE; you won't be disappointed.

The NexStar 5 SE uses the same mount and tripod as the NexStar 4 SE but offers a larger aperture and Schmidt-Cassegrain optics. This makes it more suitable for deep-sky work. It has the same interface at the focal plane as Celestron's larger Schmidt-Cassegrain telescopes so it will accept the same accessories. If you want to save a little weight and a little money over the NexStar 6 SE then choose the NexStar 5 SE.

The NexStar 6 SE is our favourite and our best seller, possibly because our staff are so enthusiastic about it themselves. For a little extra cost you get an appreciable increase in light-gathering power. Although the tripod doesn't come with an option for equatorial mounting, it is sturdier and an optional wedge is available. In our opinion this is the best of a very good bunch of telescopes.

The NexStar 8 SE is the largest in the range and offers a large aperture in a package that is easy for an average person to handle on their own. It is excellent for visual use but if you want to do serious astrophotography we recommend the CPC 800 or CGE 800.

The tubes of all four models are mounted on dove-tail plates so can be removed easily and replaced with another tube such as a short-tube refractor, giving a wide-field option which is especially good for deep-sky imaging.

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NexStar 4 (XLT) SE Ref: DH-11049

CELESTRON 11049

Featuring high-quality Maksutov-Cassegrain optics, the NexStar 4 SE is an ideal telescope for observing and photographing the wonders of space. With a total weight of 21 lbs including the tripod, the ultra portable 4 SE features a precision optical system with 1,325 mm focal length (f/13) and is the first Maksutov system ever to feature Celestron's premium StarBright XLT coatings.

The 4 SE includes a camera control feature that allows you to remotely take a series of timed exposures using your digital SLR camera. Additional features such as a Flip Mirror, Straight-Through Photographic Port and Tripod with a built-in wedge help make short-exposure astrophotography a heavenly experience.

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Price: £415.00 (Including VAT at 17.5%)

Related products:

1. Celestron 12v 7Ah Power Tank (Ref: DH-18774)

2. Scope Cover (Ref: gw-scopecoat)

3. T-adaptor for NS4 and C90 (Ref: DH-93635-A)

NexStar 5 (XLT) SE Ref: DH-11036

CELESTRON 11036

Celestron's 5-inch Schmidt-Cassegraon optics are legendary and have even been used on the Space Shuttle. They are now available on Celestron's Nexstar SE mount, one of the best available computerised mounts for telescopes of this size.

This all adds up to a telescope that any beginner or experienced astronomer will love. Easy to set up and align it will soon show you around the sky and help you find the best objects.

The sturdy tripod incorporates a wedge that will allow you to polar align the telescope for astrophotography. There is even provision for controlling a digital SLR to make astrophotography easier.

We cannot recommend this telescope too highly. It is a delight to use.

Price: £720.00 (Including VAT at 17.5%)

Related products:

1. Celestron 12v 7Ah Power Tank (Ref: DH-18774)

2. Scope Cover (Ref: gw-scopecoat)

NexStar 6 (XLT) SE Ref: DH-11068

CELESTRON 11068

This is our favourite telescope. When Lee or I talk to a school or scout group this is the telescope we instinctively reach for. It is easy to carry, quick to set up and align and has excellent optics and a large enough aperture to show all types of objects.

Our package includes the telescope, sturdy field tripod, Nexstar computer control and a high-quality eyepiece chosen to give the best balance bewteen magnification and field of view. It is ideal for anyone wanting a serious but portable telescope.

All you need in addition is batteries to start your night-time adventure. These can be ordinary AA dry cells but we recommend a Celestron power tank as it works out cheaper in the long run and is very convenient. We use them all the time.

Price: £865.00 (Including VAT at 17.5%)

Related products:

1. Celestron 12v 7Ah Power Tank (Ref: DH-18774)

2. Aluminium Case for Skymax-150 PRO (Ref: OV-892)

3. Scope Cover (Ref: gw-scopecoat)

NexStar 8 (XLT) SE Ref: DH-11069

CELESTRON 11069

The largest of the NexStar SE family with 78% more light gathering than a 6" model, the NexStar 8 SE will enable you to see deep into the Universe. The distinctive patented fork arm with ergonomically designed integrated hand control cradle gives solid support to Celestron's classic 8" optics with premium StarBright XLT coatings and a powerful 2,032mm focal length and f/10 focal ratio.

This is perhaps the most convenient package based around 8-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain optics. Massive light-gathering power but in a compact, portable format it is ideal for visual use and occasional astrophotography.