Celestron StarSense Explorer Dob REVIEW!
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- čas přidán 23. 11. 2022
- In this video, I review the 8" Celestron StarSense Explorer Dob!
Full Review: astrobackyard.com/celestron-s...
Order: bit.ly/3G0HORa
The Celestron StarSense Explorer is a clever 'upgrade' to a traditional 8" Dobsonian telescope. The StarSense system works really well. This exact package is what I now recommend to beginners looking for their first telescope!
I was not compensated in any way to provide this review. I might get to keep the telescope, but I will probably give it to my nephew for Christmas (he's 8).
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Thank you for reminding me to turn off my red dot, it's only been on for two weeks
this is painfully relatable
you know every once in a while when someone likes this the notification reminds me to go turn off my damn laser again lmao. found the ztf comet a few nights ago!
Yep, already had to replace my battery.
So easy to forget it’s on.
@thuggles42 OMGoodness A Gazillion times LOL!
Bought this same one and it came in this week. It is amazing and easy to use. Also light enough for transport. Just starting myself and am glad with the choice I made. Can see soo much in the night sky. Was debating over the 10inch but I think it’s worth saving the money and weight and going with the 8. Eventually want to go bigger anyways with something around 16-20inch kept at home only obviously. The StarSense works wonders and never fails me. Just be patient and let it catch up when you are moving and you are golden!!! Great video and keep them coming
Thanks for sharing that, Brett! I was quite impressed myself. Clear skies!
@@AstroBackyard is there a big difference in the 10” scope?
Is there a protective travel bag for this telescope?
Not sure if anyone will still reply, but when i look through the eyepiece what i see is quite blurry? i am new to this any way i can make it clearer? do i take the whole front bit off or just the small circle bit? thanks
"Even though I have never, not once, ever, remembered to turn the red dot finder off." Ha. I think we've all experienced that.😂
That is hilarious, the moment he said that, I instantly realised I had left my red dot on from last night 🤣🤣 thankfully it hadn't gone completely flat
I do it all the time even though it reminds me 😢😂
Regularly replacing the battery in my Rigel! 😂
Mine is on rn and I will not be turning it off 🤣
I was waiting for a sarcastic "sike."😂
Great review! After owning and using this scope for about a month now, I only have one thing to add, which is that it isn't necessary to align StarSense during daylight / dusk on a terrestrial object, which overcomes the problem of having to leave the phone in the mount throughout the entire viewing session. It can easily be re-aligned on demand against the Moon, Mars, Saturn, Jupiter, or a zero magnitude star. For the Northern Hemisphere right now, I recommend using Capella since it is visible pretty much all night. During other seasons, Arcturus and/or Vega may be better candidates for this. Just use the red-dot finder to pinpoint one of these objects in the eyepiece, then hit "Needs Align" in the app. Works like a charm.
Not quite clear on what you are saying here. Isn't the alignment done to align the phone in its bracket vs the center point in the scope?
You have no idea how badly I needed this!! I was just about to pull the trigger on it but there was only one other review on CZcams from Ed and HPS. I appreciate it!
Almost got the Aperture AD8 after watching your video 2 weeks ago but came across this scope soon after and the app sold me. As a novice, it has made the last few nights so much fun. I have your excitement of a new Dob owner but using the technology to enjoy faster. I went from never owning a scope 2 weeks ago to full in on this hobby thanks to this scope.
Any regrets in going with the Starsense? I’m in the middle of making the same decision and leaning toward the AD8, but that starfinder seems like a good alternative.
I had scope when I was a kid but didn't have what I call CZcams University to help guide me. I purchased this telescope about a month ago and have been so happy. I played with the starsense app and have it so dialed in that I can center Jupiter inthe eyepiece with a 6mm without needing to find it at low power first. Absolutely blows my mind.(All you need to do is once you do get it in the high power eyepiece, quicly recalibrate the apps finder, then it'll be centered on all eyepieces) The best part I'm finding this time around with my astronomy journey is for the first time I'm learning the night sky. I'm able to find some objects now even without the app. Some guides to find objects was difficult because I was never sure if I had actually found it. But with the app getting me there then by knowing where I should actually be looking in the sky, going back to the guides. Like "Turn left at orion" I then was able to see how to refind objects on my own. I'm very happy and excited and looking forward to becoming a star guru lol.
Hey Astrobackyard,
I'm from india and you helped me to understand Astro-photography and find better gear.
I love mine!
It's really reignited my love of stargazing, as a casual astronomer who doesn't have a ton of time to spend searching for DSOs and is still learning the night sky.
Great video Trev. I thought hard and long about buying a dob last year for my first scope. There is something alluring about its simplicity. In the end I ended up getting a 110mm refractor and AZ-EQ mount. It was a great choice for me. I’ve now added a 61mm refractor and C8 SCT. Good thing we both have understanding wives!! (I hope). Dr B from Manitoba, Canada 🇨🇦
Thanks Trevor for detailed review and your positive vibes! 🤩
Yay a new video 👍 Man this is an ideal scope for the beginner, I’ll be tagging this video on all the facebook pages asking for beginner scopes! Side note I’ve got a lot of envy with the rigs in the background 😂
that moon pic was so good i love how you can see that whatever hit the moon on the left blew debris out almost covering 20% of the moon that mus of been going super fast imo cause it looks like it was smaller than what made the huge craters but sent debris clearly really far
I think it's a brilliant idea from celestron. . And altho your vid on this celestron app, isn't the first I saw on the internet, it's so wel presented, it kicked my intrest in astronomy off again. Thanks for your work.
That finder app thing looks amazing. It's like half-way to a fully automated system, but still keeping that manual feeling for people who like that stuff.
I bought a 10 inch push to goto dobsonian as my first telescope a yeat ago, and I have not been dissapointed so far. Deep Sky is visible especially Orion’s nebula. But Bode’s Galaxy is doable as well. Took some pretty decent pictures of the moon, Jupiter and Saturn. So for ervery beginner, go for this one or the 10” and enjoy the nightsky. Great video as always.
My first telescope was the Celestron AstroMaster 130eq and standing there going from just 'being alive' to looking down the viewfinder and seeing Jupiter and its moons LIVE blew my mind
There's no such thing as a sky object that isn't astrophotography - if it's beyond the atmosphere, it's worth shooting
You'll never recapture that sense of awe you first have, but upgrading equipment and getting more skillful over time is the best sensation
Thanks to you love and love taking astro photos!
Sounds great. Yes Ed (ED) is very on the ball. I remember his reviews from years ago including my Intes MK67, then he dissapeared, only thankfully to come back with more good stuff! Love your channel.
Mike UK.
Think I will buy one just to use as a great excuse not to answer my phone!
I purchased the Celestron 10” Dob last January. It’s my 5th telescope in 54 years. Great optics, but not at its best in a city of Bortle 8+. Incredible for moon and the planets.
Hello. It has been a year since you posted this comment, but may I ask how you are enjoying your 10" Dob? Are you able to use it for astrophotography? Or, do you simply use it to observe? I'm looking at a Celestron 10" Dob with Starsense. Is that the scope you purchased 2 years ago? Are you still happy with your purchase? Pros and cons? You mention you are in a Bortle 8+. Are you willing to share the approx. state/location you are in? I mainly want to use the scope to observe without electronics. I want to feel that spiritual connection to the sky, not surround myself with more technology. However, I'd like the ability to take some shots now and then. Thanks so much!
I had a Celestron 4" reflector back in the 90's. The Ring Nebula was my biggest win. Thinking about picking up one of these guys.
Brilliant video and review Trevor. Covers all the key points. Agreed on the red-dot. It’s a love-hate relationship.
Great video, Trevor! I have the 130 AZ StarSense Explorer and think the entire product line of StarSense Explorer telescopes is fantastic for beginners. Interested to use the dobsonians :)
The big knob towards the front to help steer the DOB seems like a great idea!
I absolutely love this set-up and I want one!
When I asked you at AIC in San Jose when you'd be moving to plate solving, I didn't think it would be on a Dob! I have had my 10" StarSense Dob for a couple of weeks and absolutely love it. So easy to find objects and with good quality eyepieces, gives a great view. Had it at a star party a couple of days ago, and saw M42 with my own eyes for the first time - spectacular. Have had no issue with balance, even with a heavy Tele View eyepiece.
Ha! That's great to hear, Dave. This is definitely a great package for star parties! Clear skies :)
Hi, David! I'm eyeing the 10" StarSense Dob that you have. It's been over a year now. Are you still happy witht he purchase? Have you attempted any astrophotography? Any luck? Thanks.
Hi @@neomatrix6115 I do like the StarSense dob, and really appreciate the "push to" aspect of it. I can see so many objects as quick as I want - little hunting or star hopping req'd. I do much more AP vs. visual, and have several dedicated AP rigs, so won't be trying AP with the dob. You'd need a tracker with the dob to avoid star trails.
@@DaveSwenson Thanks for the kind reply! I understand completely. Like most beginners considering a such a purchase, the question of the mount quickly becomes a dominant one. I can't imagine not being able to take decent photos, but based on my research, I'm learning that will can add up to 50% to the budget. I'm learning that in AP, the mount is critical. That said, most beginners should probably not start out with a $3000+ or more investment in such a rig. I'm a very rational, prudent 50 something, who hates to waste money. But I do have the resources to buy whatever I want. So, do I cheap out a bit now and risk having to buy two different telescopes in the future OR simply anticipate I'll fall in love with this hobby and just buy a great rig now? I don't know how to best answer this, and I'm not sure you can either. If I would go with an equitorial mount, would you have a recommendation for an 8 or 10 I should investigate as a novice? Thanks!
Excellent review, perhaps better than Ed's. Your B-roll and editing are top notch. Would like to have seen the dark/red display mode on the iPhone.
8 inch DOB is probably the most popular beginner scopes after some sub 90mm refractors. My journey too started with the 8 inch DOB
Yes
you do the best reviews🎉
Great review Trevor! I enjoyed Ed's review as well
Thanks Bob! Congrats on the meteor capture!!
I used to have a 12 in Zhumell, and the amount of light it gathered was really astounding. Don't even try to look at the Moon when it's half full bc your eye will feel as if it's getting blasted by an aerial spotlight. It's like that scene from Indiana Jones where they opened up the Ark of the Covenant and the light essentially destroyed everybody who was looking at it. In other words it works well for deep space objects
Great video! Clear skies everyone!
just got mine and putting it together. Way better than my last telescope. I love the fact you use the phone. Telescope for dummies fo sho. I know we have much inbound right now. Wormwood is on its way. After that we have the Planet X system swinging by here. Everyone needs to get ready to be flipped upside down backward and inside out. I wish I was joking.
I have a similar telescope, super happy with him
Crazy, I started with the Orion Intelliscope 8" and decided for that because of the push to. It was the right choice. Looks like it is almost the same scope. But after a few years I went full in and got an 6" Newt with a proper mount and camera. Now I can sit in my living room and stack colorfull pictures of almost the faintest of onjects. Light pollution increased and it was so frustrating to just se a faint sliver of most galaxys.
Hey mate, i really appreciate you and your vids, you have made me love our beautiful planet and distant space objects and i hope one day ill be as good as you. Clear Skies
Thanks for that. Now I know how to start.
Really enjoyed this vid on the starsence I have the explorer 102 refractor dx with the starsence and am trying to get it all set up but work and bad weather have not helped. But I have managed to get a great view of Jupiter and it’s moons but couldn’t get my fone to focus to get a good shot
Great video. Looks like a nice option for starting out. Quick question - does the phone running the app need a wifi or cell connection? I have an old phone I could use but it has no sim & not sure if I'll pick up wifi from my garden. Potentially would like to use my current phone for taking photos through the eye piece. Thanks
This mounted on a big pair of binos would be a great set up.
Happy Thanksgiving Trevor and Family!! Some people are hunting and going to football games today. I am processing my last nights work from my astrophotography session.
Our Thanksgiving in Canada is always in early October!
Love the video! I have a question. My current scope is an Astromaster 70AZ, which has worked great for visual astronomy, but I really want to start astrophotography, and I’m looking for a good scope from Celestron to start off with. Do you think the Omni XLT 102 + a motor drive would be a good starting point? I’ve scoured the internet trying to find something effective and affordable and im completely lost. Thanks!
Amazing review.
Amazing technology. Thanks
how does is do with condensation? does the cap keep it from forming any? its a worry for me because where i live its always cold out and hot inside
Is there any smiliar option that works on almost every telescope or can i download and use this star tracker app even if i dont have the same telescope?
I was able to use my iPhone 11 to get some great shots of Orion’s nebula back in the spring. It is possible to get pictures of DSO’s but like you said not if it requires a long exposure.
Looks nice. I had a Coulter Odyssey 13.1" scope back in the 90's and what a PITA to move around! GREAT views though. Especially of Shoemaker-Levy 9's impact marks on Jupiter!
Great Reviews, im tossing up between this one and the Nexstar 8 SE, primarily for planet viewing, and some deeper space nebulae and galaxies
which one would you suggest for the best quality clear images, .... im in a dark area, not a lot of light pollution, and not interested in astrophotography
Thanks
“A full two inches smaller than the version they sent Ed Ting.” So funny!
wonder if celestron could release a bracket like this as an attachment + subscription/app purchase for other scopes?
The 10” is kinda lighter in practice, because you’re basically forced to carry it in 2 pieces or place it on a dolly. With 8” Dobs, I’m lazy and carry it assembled, all at once. With a 10”, that’s inadvisable.
Hey there Astrobackyard I love your channel
Thanks!
I love to Astronbackyard channel
Does Sky Watcher have a similar system to StarSense as an aftermarket accessory?
What is additional adapter piece that he has no the focuser?
Is there a universal base on wheels that would allow you to push this model or the Apertura AD8 ?
what app do you use to see the stars?
Hey there Trevor, i am trying to get into some simple astrophotography, i have a Nikon d5300 with the stock lens but i am planning on getting a telephoto lens like 100mm but i will need a tracker, whats a good cheap tracker? Anyways happy thanksgivings!!
I cannot get the lense to focus in. What am I doing wrong?
Trevor, I’ve been eyeing this 8” version for a while but I’ve been concerned about collimation. I noticed on the 8” primary mirror a screwdriver is required. Can we talk about this? Should I be concerned about the screws stripping overtime. Do you think I can switch them out for standard knobs?
Side note, I noticed on the 10” Celestron went with the standard knobs on the primary
Well I got in the box unopened Apertura AD8, same as you have/had, should I returned for starsense dob8. Mine has dual focus though and right angle finder. Hm I’m torn
I mean is it really hard to find objects
Thanks AstroBackyard
Nice review 🔭
Enjoyed your video. But this manual telescope can be used to do simple astrophotography using milkycam app. I have done it with a manual 8” Dob. The app does all the tracking, registering and stacking. :)
Very nice review
Do you always put this on the ground or also on maybe a little table so that you don't have to bend your back all the time?
Please do a review on the Dwarf II Smart Telescope when it comes out!
Can i add this to my orion 8 inch dob? Its the same exact tube essentially
Great review. Could you use an old phone? You don't need service, correct? Just the app
I used video for photography of planets and the moon. Then I extracted the sharpest frame from the video and ran it through photoshop for sharpening and contrast. I was impressed with the results especially considering I held the phone manually to the eyepiece. The pics were sharper than the pics I’d got from my Pentax K-1000 when film was inserted into the camera. Ideally I should get an adapter for my phone to scope. Soon, I think, as I enjoyed experimenting with photography on the phone.
You can attach a camera on this telescope
Hello, I follow your channel with excitement, the pictures you take are amazing. What I want to ask is where can I download the program you use on my phone? Can you help me? Thank you.
I'm about to get this telescope. Do you recommend getting any additional eyepieces?
Hi, great video :)
Do you know if it's better to take the 3 aperture in add from your link 2*1.25 + Collimation Kit + Dobsonian Soft for a begginner ?
Sorry for my english, I'm french ^^
Thank you,
Best regards,
What phone do you use? I find the ferrous steel tube interferes with the phone magnetometer…at least on the iPhone and Xperia. Once the phone is moved away on a stalk StarSense works very well the plate solver is a real game changer.
should I get the 8" dobsonian or the nexstar 130 slt or dx 130 az model? Honestly am looking for a celestron telescope that would be like one time investment and I won't need to upgrade it. My main motives are traveling and deep sky exploration.
Hey Trev! Did you have any dew issues while using it? Cheers.
Who else here would like to see Dylan O' Donnell do a full review of one of these seeing as he loves and has nothing but glowing things to say about visual astronomy? 😆 🤣 😂 Celestron make this happen please.
I need some more visual vs astrophotography videos in my life!
Is the lens necessary for taking pictures and would be necessary if you didn’t want to take pictures
Cool scope!
I’d love for you to talk about the bigger Dobsons at some point.
I have the 10 inch and love it! The handle on the Optical Tube makes it easy to lift in and out of the rocker box. That is one reason why I went with the 10 inch instead. I have not seen this feature on any other dobsonian telescope and it is such a good idea. I find locating targets in the night sky super easy. I live under bortle 8 to 9 skies which I found locating targets very difficult with a manual telescope but not with the StarSense. The 10 inch has regular collimation screws for the primary mirror, but the 8 inch looks like a different set up. I was wondering how difficult collimation would be for the primary mirror on the 8 inch? Also the 10 inch has the ability to add a fan on the bottom of the optical tube.
The 10” is just slightly chunkier than the 8”, and to your point, the handle changes the game. Plus I put it on a Dobsonian dolly, so it just rolls out from my garage
Will you please tell me the cost of 10" ?
@@bhabitmaandarshanam1271 currently $1099.
@@MikeLikesChannel Thanks Mr Mike. But if possible please sent me the sellers details.
@@bhabitmaandarshanam1271 I shop the usual places - Highpoint Scientific, Astronomics, Mile High Astro... even B&H and Adorama carry these Dobs 👍
Hey astro I love your videos and you helped me a lot getting into this hobby and I was wondering what t ring go,s with the canon eos rebel t3i digital slr if anyone else can help it would be appreciated thanks. Keep up the good work.
What eye pieces would you recommend for this?
Is this better than the nexstar 8se?
I already have dobs, but I'm totally going to get a Starsense 80 refractor and cannibalize the phone adapter for my dobs. Cheap way to get digital setting circles without having to mess with encoders.
@Darren They said not going to sell it separately, so if you want their system you are going to pay for a telescope you don't need. Their attitude is simply that if they start selling it separately then they've got to deal with incompetent people trying to install it on just about every kind of cheap scope out there. Way it is now it is completely on you to take it apart and re-install it on another telescope and they'd just as soon have nothing to do with it.
"You took it apart and voided the warranty, so don't bother us about it, thank you for buying Celestron."
Great video ! Very informative! By the way, are there any cheaper options ? 799$ is a bit too much, something like 650$ would do. Cheers!
Hey think you could reach out to opt to review the iOptron HEMs?
You referred to plate solving a couple of times. What is that?
I'm trying to buy my first telescope and I would like to you to tell me what would you preferred between apertura AD8 or celestron 8" starsense?
If you had to choose between the StarSense system or the Sky-Watcher GoTo system, which would you choose?
I think you should do a Starsense Explorer 12" dobsonian review too! Nice video anyways!
shoting the mon with my son with a 4inch newt. was where i started into astro imaging.. used a 12 inch dob a few times. then over to the gems and refractors.
What accessories would you recommend?
Hey Trevor!
i want to buy a DSLR for astrography.
Can u recommend me soome good budget Options for nubulae and galaxy pictures?
Noob question… can the 8” dobsonian like this be mounted on an equatorial mount? The ones that track with the earths rotation?
Donsonians are essentially Newtonian reflectors. What makes them a Dobsonian is the mount. There is no reason a Newtonian can't be mounted on an equatorial mount. In fact I have seen Newtonians on equatorial mounts for sale. But if you buy a Dobsonian you would need additional hardware to mount it on an equatorial mount (and of course you would have to buy the mount unless you already had one). Nevertheless there is an alternative. Some companies have devised a Donsonian mount equipped with a motor that allows it to follow the object in the eyepiece just like an equatoial mount.
I have it and I love it :)
I think this is a great way to do astronomy. I usually do visual astronomy but even then, there's a good chance I'm confirming objects with my phone. So I'm looking at my phone either way. It might as well go the extra step and help me.find what I'm looking for!
So you have to be on your knees all the time to use this scope!? It is so low. Is the 10 inch any better in that regard?
I hope it can see individual Saturn's rings. I can see them with my $50 telescope I bought at the hardware store.
This scope will completely blow away your hardware store telescope.
I have an 8” Orion dob back home and I miss using it 😢
Sir, I am looking for to buy new Celestron star scan 10";Dob and I am new it will be good for me