NexStar Evolution Series
The
NexStar has been around for around 14 years. When the 8" model first
came out it was a revolutionary go-to telescope that was $1899 and was looked
on as a great value. As the years have gone by, changes have been made.
A minor upgrade here, a paint color change there, but nothing really
substantial. The system worked so well there wasn't really ever a need
for an overhaul. On April 11, 2014, that all changed.
Introducing the next generation NexStar scope for the next generation astronomer inside us all...The NexStar Evolution.
What exactly makes the Evolution revolutionary?
How about a built in WiFi network. Now your iOS and Android device (phones, tablets, phablets) can run the scope at the tap of a finger with the 120,000 object Celestron planetarium mobile app. No need to be tethered to scope with a hand control. PS, there is a built in USB charging dock so you don't drain your smart phone or tablet.
Speaking of batteries, what kind do you need to run the scope? Solution. You don't need user provided batteries. The Evolution series comes with a built in rechargeable lithium-ion battery that will last up to 10 hours of observing time.
With all that observing time that means I need to drag out several eyepieces. I get tired up putting them in my pocket or carefully laying them on the ground under the tripod. Which can be a chore in itself trying to find out what eyepiece I am grabbing in the dark. Solution. Built in tripod trays, two of them, and one even has a red LED illuminator so you can see what it is you are grabbing for.
But wait, it all sounds great....but is it all gizmos and no substance? Nope. Nothing could be further from the truth. The optics are the same world class optics and Starbright XLT coatings found in all the standard SCTs that Celestron has to offer. They even added a larger OTA to the line by introducing the NexStar Evolution with a 9.25" OTA.
Introducing the next generation NexStar scope for the next generation astronomer inside us all...The NexStar Evolution.
What exactly makes the Evolution revolutionary?
How about a built in WiFi network. Now your iOS and Android device (phones, tablets, phablets) can run the scope at the tap of a finger with the 120,000 object Celestron planetarium mobile app. No need to be tethered to scope with a hand control. PS, there is a built in USB charging dock so you don't drain your smart phone or tablet.
Speaking of batteries, what kind do you need to run the scope? Solution. You don't need user provided batteries. The Evolution series comes with a built in rechargeable lithium-ion battery that will last up to 10 hours of observing time.
With all that observing time that means I need to drag out several eyepieces. I get tired up putting them in my pocket or carefully laying them on the ground under the tripod. Which can be a chore in itself trying to find out what eyepiece I am grabbing in the dark. Solution. Built in tripod trays, two of them, and one even has a red LED illuminator so you can see what it is you are grabbing for.
But wait, it all sounds great....but is it all gizmos and no substance? Nope. Nothing could be further from the truth. The optics are the same world class optics and Starbright XLT coatings found in all the standard SCTs that Celestron has to offer. They even added a larger OTA to the line by introducing the NexStar Evolution with a 9.25" OTA.
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Review: Celestron’s NexStar Evolution
NexStar SLT vs NexStar SE Differences
The NexStar SLT is Celestron’s base model in the NexStar Series. This telescope is catered more to buyers who have a tighter budget, but are still wanting to purchase a computerized GoTo telescope. Keep in mind that the SLT is still a quality scope and much better than many knockoffs or no-names on the market. While we will compare the features of both the SLT and SE models, it should be understood that the SE is the next tier up from the SLT, so all features of the NexStar SE will be superior to those of the SLT. The one and only case for purchasing an SLT instead of an SE will be the price point. Potential buyers should carefully research the specs of the telescopes they are considering, as well as their own needs, and then decide whether the added value justifies the added cost.
The strongest argument for purchasing a higher tier SE vs a SLT is in the mount. The mount for the SE is much more sturdy meaning less visual interference if you accidentally bump or wiggle the telescope. There have been a few complaints that after bumping an SLT, it takes a few seconds for the internal components of the telescope to stop vibrating and therefor for the view of the object to come back into focus. This is not something commonly experience with SEs. While this may not be an issue for everyone, it is one of the most oft given reason by NexStar SLT & SE users as to why an SE might be a better fit.
It should also be pointed out that while the SE mount is generally considered to be significantly sturdier than that of the SLT line, there is also one significant difference to be found even between mounts within the SE line. This difference isn’t so much one of “sturdiness” as it is of functionality. The mounts that come with the NexStar 4SE and 5SE models have a built in equatorial wedge that allows the mounted telescope to tilt upward at an angle. This allows for polar alignment which is essential for serious astrophotographers and those wanting to take quality time lapsed movies as well as longer exposure pictures. A wedged mount can be purchased for all other NexStar models, however they can run about $200, so if this is a necessary feature for you, you can save that amount of money by purchasing the 4SE or 5SE model.
Another strong case for the SE series is that fact that while the SLT boasts a database of 4,000 viewable Celestial objects, the NexStar SE database include more than 10 times the amount of available objects (40,000+). As far as telescopes go, you could easily do a lot worse than a NexStar SLT (and many people often do). However It’s clear that SLT models are designed with beginners in mind, while the SE series is catered to a more intermediate crowd. Not that it’s basic use is any more complicated than that of an SLT, but it’s higher features are obviously meant for those who would otherwise be bored with an SLT. This makes the NexStar SE ideal for either experienced users, or beginners who are determined enough to learn the ins and outs of using a telescope and don’t want to find themselves unsatisfied with the basic features of a typical beginner scope after a year or so of learning.
NexStar SE vs NexStar Evolution (Evo)
The NexStar Evolution series takes the NexStar name to the next level. A few minutes of playing around with an Evo or performing some basic research will make it apparent that this is a premium telescope. The attached price helps to make that point as well. Celestron didn’t really hold back when designing this scope, and as you can expect it comes with all of the shiny bells and whistles. We’ll leave it up to you to decide if these added features are worth the cost.
First let’s point out that unlike the SLT and SE lines whose “counterpart” models have fairly similar aperture sizes and pricing (sometimes differing by less than $100), the Evolution series of telescope starts out much larger, with the smallest available model having a 6” aperture and costing $500 more than the SE model of the same size. These telescopes are clearly manufactured and marketed towards those users who when given the choice of “Go Big” or “Go Home,” without question want to “Go Big.”
The feature that most consumers love the most about NexStar Evolution telescopes, is also their strongest selling point over the lower tier models. This is the fact that it comes with an internal battery supply. If you purchase an SE or SLT instead, you will definitely need to purchase a Celestron PowerTank or similar battery pack to power your scope out in the field. The Evolution’s internal battery holds a charge that lasts for about 10 hours, which is more than enough for all night viewing. There have been a few reports that the telescope tracking may become slightly less accurate within the last 2 hours of the batter nearing the end of its charge. Regardless, even those that have reported this issue still highly recommend the Evolution and say that this “quirk” is more than worth having the sheer convenience of not having to charge and remember to bring along an external battery source. Be warned, like most computerized telescopes, all NexStar models can be power hogs.
The NexStar SLT is Celestron’s base model in the NexStar Series. This telescope is catered more to buyers who have a tighter budget, but are still wanting to purchase a computerized GoTo telescope. Keep in mind that the SLT is still a quality scope and much better than many knockoffs or no-names on the market. While we will compare the features of both the SLT and SE models, it should be understood that the SE is the next tier up from the SLT, so all features of the NexStar SE will be superior to those of the SLT. The one and only case for purchasing an SLT instead of an SE will be the price point. Potential buyers should carefully research the specs of the telescopes they are considering, as well as their own needs, and then decide whether the added value justifies the added cost.
The strongest argument for purchasing a higher tier SE vs a SLT is in the mount. The mount for the SE is much more sturdy meaning less visual interference if you accidentally bump or wiggle the telescope. There have been a few complaints that after bumping an SLT, it takes a few seconds for the internal components of the telescope to stop vibrating and therefor for the view of the object to come back into focus. This is not something commonly experience with SEs. While this may not be an issue for everyone, it is one of the most oft given reason by NexStar SLT & SE users as to why an SE might be a better fit.
It should also be pointed out that while the SE mount is generally considered to be significantly sturdier than that of the SLT line, there is also one significant difference to be found even between mounts within the SE line. This difference isn’t so much one of “sturdiness” as it is of functionality. The mounts that come with the NexStar 4SE and 5SE models have a built in equatorial wedge that allows the mounted telescope to tilt upward at an angle. This allows for polar alignment which is essential for serious astrophotographers and those wanting to take quality time lapsed movies as well as longer exposure pictures. A wedged mount can be purchased for all other NexStar models, however they can run about $200, so if this is a necessary feature for you, you can save that amount of money by purchasing the 4SE or 5SE model.
Another strong case for the SE series is that fact that while the SLT boasts a database of 4,000 viewable Celestial objects, the NexStar SE database include more than 10 times the amount of available objects (40,000+). As far as telescopes go, you could easily do a lot worse than a NexStar SLT (and many people often do). However It’s clear that SLT models are designed with beginners in mind, while the SE series is catered to a more intermediate crowd. Not that it’s basic use is any more complicated than that of an SLT, but it’s higher features are obviously meant for those who would otherwise be bored with an SLT. This makes the NexStar SE ideal for either experienced users, or beginners who are determined enough to learn the ins and outs of using a telescope and don’t want to find themselves unsatisfied with the basic features of a typical beginner scope after a year or so of learning.
NexStar SE vs NexStar Evolution (Evo)
The NexStar Evolution series takes the NexStar name to the next level. A few minutes of playing around with an Evo or performing some basic research will make it apparent that this is a premium telescope. The attached price helps to make that point as well. Celestron didn’t really hold back when designing this scope, and as you can expect it comes with all of the shiny bells and whistles. We’ll leave it up to you to decide if these added features are worth the cost.
First let’s point out that unlike the SLT and SE lines whose “counterpart” models have fairly similar aperture sizes and pricing (sometimes differing by less than $100), the Evolution series of telescope starts out much larger, with the smallest available model having a 6” aperture and costing $500 more than the SE model of the same size. These telescopes are clearly manufactured and marketed towards those users who when given the choice of “Go Big” or “Go Home,” without question want to “Go Big.”
The feature that most consumers love the most about NexStar Evolution telescopes, is also their strongest selling point over the lower tier models. This is the fact that it comes with an internal battery supply. If you purchase an SE or SLT instead, you will definitely need to purchase a Celestron PowerTank or similar battery pack to power your scope out in the field. The Evolution’s internal battery holds a charge that lasts for about 10 hours, which is more than enough for all night viewing. There have been a few reports that the telescope tracking may become slightly less accurate within the last 2 hours of the batter nearing the end of its charge. Regardless, even those that have reported this issue still highly recommend the Evolution and say that this “quirk” is more than worth having the sheer convenience of not having to charge and remember to bring along an external battery source. Be warned, like most computerized telescopes, all NexStar models can be power hogs.
| NEXSTAR | |||
|---|---|---|---|
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| Available Models | |||
| Price | |||
| Aperture Size (mm) | |||
| Highest Useful Magnification | |||
| Database Objects | |||
| Weight w/ Tripod | |||
| Power Source | |||
| SkyAlign | |||
| StarBright XLT Coating | |||
| WiFi Capable | |||
| iOS / Android Compatible |
