Celestron NexStar 4SE Computerized Telescope (11049)
Telescope of the Year
Celestron NexStar SE Series Telescopes
In 2017, the Celestron NexStar SE telescope reigns supreme, winning our Telescope of the Year
award for six straight years! Our team is continually impressed with
this workhorse. It’s the perfect combination of aperture, portability,
features, and value. Whether you’re buying your first telescope or ready
to upgrade, this is a telescope you can invest in and enjoy for years
to come.
What makes NexStar SE so special? You won’t be asking
once you look through its Maksutov-Cassegrain or Schmidt-Cassegrain
optical system. From 4” to 8” in aperture, these compact, grab-and-go
scopes pack serious light gathering ability. Celestron has been
manufacturing Cassegrain telescopes since the 1950s, and their expertise
shows when you look through the eyepiece. Proprietary StarBright XLT
optical coatings further enhance brightness and clarity.
When you get your observing site, setting up a NexStar SE is quick
and easy. What’s more, you’ll always have a rewarding night of viewing
thanks to the hand control’s internal database of more than 40,000
celestial objects.
The NexStar SE series held onto its title again this year thanks to
some key technology breakthroughs at Celestron. Now, the SE is
compatible with both the StarSense AutoAlign and SkyPortal WiFi
Module accessories. Use them together and you can turn this telescope
into a 100% automated tour guide of the night sky. The StarSense
analyzes star patterns overhead to automatically align the telescope’s
computer and SkyPortal turns your smartphone or tablet into a wireless
hand control. Simply hold your device up to the night sky and tap any
object you wish to view. In seconds, your NexStar SE has it centered in
the eyepiece and will track it as it moves across the sky. (Check out
our Innovation of the Year award to learn more.)
Another key update for 2017: Celestron has
released a wedge accessory for the 6” and 8” models. That means you can
now use your NexStar SE for long exposure astrophotography with your
DSLR camera. Our favorite telescope just got even more versatile.
Celestron's NexStar 4SE 125mm f/13 Maksutov-Cassegrain GoTo Telescope
is a powerful, versatile and user-friendly catadioptric-style scope
that can be used for observing everything from the Moon and planets to
bright deep-sky objects like stars, galaxies and nebulae. Using
Celestron's proprietary StarBright XLT multi-coating system, light
transmission is increased throughout the entire optical path with
anti-reflection multi-coated lenses, highly reflective multi-coated
mirrors, and Crown optical glass elements. Similar to their Schmidt
cousins, the Maksutov design exchanges the conventional front corrector
plate with a convex meniscus lens which results in a smaller secondary
mirror — limiting obstruction and increasing contrast, while eliminating
the need for periodic collimation. While the focal ratio is a
relatively slow f/13, the scope's optical performance, added to the
mount's precision tracking system and integrated equatorial wedge allows
it to be a competent astrophotography/imaging platform for the Moon and
planets.
Driving the dual servo motors on the mount is the
brains of the NexStar 4SE: the iconic NexStar+ computer hand controller.
Packed with 40,000+ celestial objects, it can hold up to 100 additional
user-defined destinations and is updateable via the Celestron website.
It has multiple alignment procedures to get you observing fast -
including the super-easy SkyAlign system. Capable of being used in the
northern or southern hemispheres, the NexStar has sidereal, lunar and
solar tracking speeds to accurately follow near and deep-sky objects,
plus nine slew speeds; and the ability to automatically trigger a
camera's shutter release for Fastar or piggyback wide-field photography,
or conventional prime-focus astrophotography.
Specifications
| Optical Design
|
Maksutov-Cassegrain reflector
|
|
Aperture
|
102 mm
|
|
Focal Length
|
1325mm
|
|
Focal Ratio
|
f/13
|
|
Eyepiece Barrel Diameter
|
1.25"
|
|
Diagonal
|
Integrated 90° flip
1.25" eyepiece holders
|
|
Finderscope
|
Red-dot StarPointer
|
|
GO-TO Capability
|
Yes, NexStar controller
|
|
Tripod
|
Stainless steel legs
Adjustable height
Built-in equatorial wedge
Weight 10 lb / 4.5 kg
|
|
Mount Type
|
Motorized alt-az
Single-arm fork
|
|
Power Source
|
8 x AA batteries
|
|
Optical Tube Length
|
13.5" / 342.9 mm
|
|
Weight
|
21.0 lb / 9.5 kg, OTA and mount
|
|
Package Weight
|
38.0 lb
|
Box Dimensions (LxWxH)
|
32.0 x 27.5 x 13.5"
|
| Based on Astronomy magazine’s telescope "report cards", scopes of this size and type generally perform as follows . . . |
| Terrestrial Observation:
Observing terrestrial objects (nature studies, birding, etc.) is usually possible only with refractor and catadioptric telescopes, and convenient only when the scope is on an altazimuth mount or photo tripod. Most reflectors cannot be used for terrestrial observing. Scopes with apertures under 5" to 6" are generally most useful for terrestrial observing due to atmospheric conditions (heat waves and mirage, dust, haze, etc.) that degrade the image quality in larger scopes. |
Yes |
| Lunar Observation:
Visual observation of the Moon is possible with any telescope. Larger aperture scopes will provide more detail than smaller scopes, thereby getting a higher score in this category, but may require an eyepiece filter to cut down the greater glare from the Moon's sunlit surface so small details can be seen more easily. Lunar observing is more rewarding when the Moon is waxing or waning as the changing sun angle casts constantly varying shadows to reveal craters and surface features by the hundreds. |
Great |
| Planetary Observation:
|
Good |
| Binary and Star Cluster Observation:
|
Good |
| Galaxy and Nebula Observation:
|
Fair |
| Photography:
|
Yes |
| Terrestrial Photography:
Photographing terrestrial objects (wildlife, scenery, etc.) is usually possible only with refractor and catadioptric telescopes, and convenient only when the scope is on an altazimuth mount or photo tripod. Most reflectors cannot be used for terrestrial photography. Scopes with focal ratios of f/10 and faster and apertures under 5" to 6" are generally the most useful for terrestrial photography due to atmospheric conditions (heat waves and mirage, dust, haze, etc.) that degrade the image quality in larger scopes. |
Yes |
| Lunar Photography:
Photography of the Moon is possible with virtually any telescope, using a 35mm camera, DSLR, or CCD-based webcam (planetary imager). While an equatorial mount with a motor drive is not strictly essential, as the exposure times will be very short, such a mount would be helpful to improve image sharpness, particularly with webcam-type cameras that take a series of exposures over time and stack them together. Reflectors may require a Barlow lens to let the camera reach focus. |
Yes |
| Planetary Photography:
|
No |
| Star Cluster / Nebula / Galaxy Photography:
|
No |
Celestron NexStar 4 SE 102mm f/13 Maksutov-Cassegrain Go-To Telescope
E-Lux 25.0mm 1.25" Eyepiece
StarPointer Finderscope
NexRemote Control Software CD
The Sky CD-ROM Software for Windows
RS-232 to Serial Port Cable - for GPS 16 Accessory
NexStar Hand Controller
Tripod with Accessory Tray
Limited 2-Year Warranty
Best Telescope for the Money – Celestron NexStar 4 SE
There are thousands of different telescopes that are available on the market, but when looking at price vs features, the Celestron NexStar 4 SE Telescope
is by far the best telescope for the amount that it costs. This
telescope has a state-of-the-art computerized operating system, and this
will allow you to be able to view a number of excellent and beautiful
celestial objects. Although this telescope can be used by beginners, it
is designed more for a more advanced astronomy observer. With the single
touch of a button, you will be able to find thousands of different
planets, galaxies, and stars, and you will be able to enjoy the entire
world of astronomy from the privacy of your own backyards or your
favorite star gazing spot.
According to the people who have used this particular telescope have
given it an overall excellent review, but there are a couple of things
you should be aware of before purchasing this telescope. First off, this
telescope can actually use rechargeable batteries, but these batteries
are not included with the actual telescope. Therefore, you will need to
purchase them separately. Plus, due to its size, it can be rather
limited when it comes to being able to view deeply into space. However,
its size is also one of its best tributes. Thanks to this, it is both
small and portable, which means you can carry it around a lot easier to
the places that you wish to star gaze from.
The computerization components of this telescope are also very
trackable, which means you will be able to keep track of the different
celestial bodies that you observe with the telescope. Another thing that
actually makes this the best telescope for the money it costs is the
fact that you can also take part in amateur astrophotography. You will
be able to take pictures with it, but it will be rather limited. They
will not be as high quality as a telescope that was designed for such
things. This telescope is motorized, and therefore, you can actually
align the telescope to be able to track whatever you want from planets,
nebulae, galaxies, and stars.
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