A computerized telescope is an ideal present for an astronomy enthusiast, whether a beginner or someone who is experienced. It is a great, quick and easy way of observing the night sky. You do not need to spend too much time setting the telescope up and you can also start observing the objects you wish to within minutes of setting the telescope up. The following are some of the best computerized telescopes in the market. Incidentally, all the devices that have been selected are from Celestron but this also happens to be one of the best brands for automated telescopes in the market.
Best Computerized Telescopes
Here are our computerized telescope reviews.
1. Celestron Nexstar 5SE Computerized Telescope
The Celestron Nexstar 5SE telescope is a great computerized telescope for beginners. The device can be used by beginners and experienced astronomers alike. It has a five-inch primary mirror that allows it to allow the right amount of light in for a clear image.
- The device is fully automated and you can enjoy over 40,000 celestial objects that have already been loaded into the telescope for you.
- The computerized telescope is user friendly and you can assemble it and break it down with ease.
- The telescope also comes with a Starry Night software for free. This is one of the best astronomy software programs that make for an interactive platform for beginners to learn about the night sky.
2. Celestron — NexStar 127SLT Computerized Telescope
The Celestron — NexStar 127SLT computerized telescope is an automated device that comes with a preloaded database of over 40,000 stars and celestial objects. This is a great device for beginners as the telescope can start-up and locate the objects you are looking for automatically and accurately. It also has a compact and portable design so you can take it with you on camping trips and other kinds of travels.
- The Celestron NexStar 127SLT has an aperture of 127 mm, allowing it to let in a lot of light and get a clear, sharp image. With an aperture that large, you can easily see Earth’s Solar System, observe the cloud bands on Jupiter and even count the rings on Saturn.
- The device also comes with a free Starry Night software, one of the best user-rated astronomy programs that provide you with an interactive simulation of the night sky.
- This Celestron telescope boasts of the proprietary SkyAlign procedure that allows you to set the telescope and start using it within minutes.
3. Celestron 114LCM Computerized Newtonian Telescope
The Celestron 114LCM computerized Newtonian telescope is a great device to consider for amateur as well as experienced astronomers. The telescope is smaller when compared to the other devices that have been mentioned in this list and can locate over 4,000 celestial objects automatically. There is also the Sky Tour button which will automatically present you with a list of the objects that you can observe in the sky at the moment.
- The automated telescope c0mes with an adjustable aluminum tripod and two different eyepieces measuring 9 mm and 25 mm. There is also a StarPointer red dot finderscope that makes it much easier to use the device.
- The automated device also comes with free Starry Night software that you can download for free. As mentioned earlier, this is the top-rated astronomy software program by customers.
- The GoTo mount and hand control on the device allows you to navigate the sky with ease, without any trouble finding any objects in the sky.
4. Celestron — NexStar 130SLT Computerized Telescope
The Celestron NexStar 130SLT computerized telescope is another great device for you to consider, regardless of whether you are an amateur or you are experienced. The telescope also comes with a database of 40,000 stars and other celestial objects that you can find automatically, without searching for them at all. The device is also small, easy to use and perfectly portable.
- The computerized telescope can be paired with two-inch eyepieces and you can locate any preloaded object from the device with complete and consistent accuracy.
- The device has a Newtonian reflector optical design and at 130 mm, it has the largest aperture in the SLT range. You can see a whole range of celestial objects in unmatchable detail.
- This automated device also comes with a bonus Starry Night software that you can download for free. This is one of the best consumer-rated programs for astronomy enthusiasts.
5. Celestron — NexStar 90SLT Computerized Telescope
The Celestron NexStar 90SLT computerized telescope is a great device for kids as well as adults to use. The device is compact, portable and easy to use. You can take it with you on any camping trips and travels where there is the possibility to observe the night sky.
- The device comes with 40,000 celestial objects preloaded, allowing you to locate stars, galaxies and more, within seconds.
- The computerized telescope has a Maksutov-Cassegrain optical design and is the smallest and most compact device in the SLT range by Celestron. It has an aperture of 90 mm that lets in just the right amount of light to see the moon with clarity, the rings of Saturn and more.
- The portable and compact telescope can be set up very swiftly thanks to the SkyAlign procedure. You only have to find three bright objects and center them in the eyepiece. The device is smart enough to align with the night sky automatically.
Computerized Telescope Buyer’s Guide
When you are out in the market looking for a computerized telescope, there will be several options that you will come across. While there are several brands in the market for telescopes, when it comes to computerized telescopes or automated telescopes, there are limited brands that can be trusted. Among that small pool of trusted brands, the following are some of the factors that you may want to consider before buying a computerized telescope.
Database
Most computerized or automated telescopes come with a database of preloaded information which allows you to find objects in the night sky automatically. Most of the devices that have been mentioned above have over 40,000 celestial objects that are preloaded in the telescope. You only need to press a button and the telescope will automatically find the celestial object you are looking for in the sky. Having this database is crucial if you are looking for an automated telescope for beginners.
Bonus Items
All the computerized telescopes that have been mentioned above offer the Starry Night software for free. This is a software that comes highly recommended by consumers and is an interactive simulation of the night sky through which you can learn about the objects you see in the sky. Apart from this software, some of the telescopes also come with their own aluminum tripods. A telescope is not always the most inexpensive thing to buy from the market so it would be helpful if the telescope also comes with a few complimentary items.
Set Up
A telescope can often be difficult to handle so if the process of setting it up can be made as simple as possible, it makes it a lot more user friendly for new users. Most of the automated devices that have been mentioned above come equipped with the SkyAlign procedure, where the device automatically aligns with the night sky after you capture three bright objects at the center of the eyepiece. You need to put minimal effort into setting the telescope up, thanks to this technology.
Portability
A telescope, whether computerized or manual, needs to be portable. There are a few fancy telescopes that you may position next to the window in your study. But if you are interested in observing the night sky outside the city and want to bring your telescope along on camping trips, it needs to be compact and portable.
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