Celestron StarSense Explorer DX Review
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- Опубликовано: 24 мар 2020
- AgenaAstro Affiliate Link: bit.ly/3o5ltbm
StarSense Explorer Link: bit.ly/2R1sVsd
This video is an extensive review of the Celestron StarSense Explorer DX smartphone enabled telescope. Celestron engineers did an incredible job incorporating plate-solving technology into a beginner telescope. Due to the constant plate-solving, you can observe using this telescope from any location as long as you have clear skies!
The telescope is incredibly simple to use, and the app performs well, especially with newer devices that are able to process the plate-solve quickly. This review took me several weeks to make, during which time I had the opportunity to use the StarSense Explorer DX on dozens of occasions. After a few times out, I was up and running in under one minute. Talk about convenient.
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I bought this telescope for my daughters and I was literally days away from putting it on eBay….. your explanation of how it functioned made me understand it and we spent hours tonight enjoying this telescope, for that I thank you! You made this telescope the purchase that I was hoping it would be 😁
Are you able to take pictures on your telescope?
What you can do is take a camera or device with a camera, put it on the eyepiece and take a picture
What made u think of selling it
@@Milanomaniyes
Thanks for the great review. I am glad they sent to you for review. I watched two reviews and you both made me feel comfortable with purchasing so I did!!!!
How does it work so far?
Great review! I bought this model a few months ago and here in Northeast haven’t had much opportunity to use the scope. Thanks for taking the time to do the review.
i am a noob at astronomy. i bought this telescope a week ago and after your review i feel like it will be much easier to find what i am looking for in that great big sky up there!! thanks a ton!!
Thank you so much for the review. I bought this telescope and your detailed review helped me a lot.
Great Review. I received this as a gift, and this being my first Telescope, this review and your set-up video was extremely Helpful! Thank you very much
Clear skies!
Glad it was helpful!
I just got this as a gift. Having never used a telescope before, it seems like a pretty intimidating process to get it working. I will be watching this video a few times.
Fantastic review! I haven't looked through a telescope in almost 35 years and this 130 is looking like a great choice.
I know this video 3 years old I just got the telescope for Christmas of 2023 . This help a lot thank you sir making the video. Merry Christmas.
I just purchased this scope for my daughter. It came highly recommended and your review really helped give me great insight.
I’ll be trying it out tonight!
Great job bro I really enjoyed this review. Probably the best one of this scope available on youtube 👍🏻
This scope is a very big step above a beginner scope. Just shows how far electronics have come and made easy to use.
Excellent in-depth review. Love the scope! Great video Slymin!
Thanks 👍Appreciate it!
Hi just wanted to say off the back of this review I got my daughter this for Christmas. As a family we love using it. Keep up the good work on your channel. Wishing you a merry Christmas and a happy new year ftom England.
Great review. Just what I was looking for. I'm going to buy one :)
Great job! I bought one of these used off of Cloudy Nights: It had been removed from the scope and glued and screwed to a ubiquitous dovetail rail that fits on an Orion/Synta finder shoe, so that you can use it on any scope with such a shoe. Wow! How easy and accurate with no wires, and a planetarium display with an observing list to boot! The NGC list for last night had 206 objects listed with rising and setting times, for example. Like you said: "This is a game changer!" I wholeheartedly agree! And I'm no beginner. I'm sure Celestron will make this a stand-alone device (like mine is now), and maybe put a bigger deep-sky database in it for larger scopes (Hickson Compact Galaxy Groups, e.g.). Meanwhile the price with a scope is phenomenal.
Thank you for doing the review. I’ve been wanting to start with a celestron 130 telescope. I’m impressed by what this unit can do. Definitely on my list to purchase now ! Regards from Toronto Canada!
Well, the Celestron 130 you were looking at has an equatorial mount. This thing doesn't. It's huge selling point seems to be the app (and the easy mount with mirror on this specific telescope).
Alex Haan - Thank you for your time in replying to me.
Really appreciate the video. I bought this telescope and it helped me a lot!
Thank you for taking the time to do this and share. Greetings from Colombia 🇨🇴, wish you clear skies!
Que dijo?
Alvaro Piñeiro muchas cosas amigo! Que te gustaría saber?
@@rafaelaparicio2550 Que tal ese telescopio? Que dijo al respecto de ese modelo? Es bueno para comenzar?
Alvaro Piñeiro yo consegui uno inferior a el de el y me ha gustado mucho. El mío es 114 y el de el es 130. Con el mío puedo ver Saturno y sus anillos pero muy pequeñito. Creo que el de el ya puede ver más detalle. Lo que me impresiona es la aplicación que no habia logrado hacerla funcionar bien y viendo este video entendí mejor cómo sincronizarla y funciono. Si tienes el dinero compra el que el tiene! Yo soy principiante y estoy feliz con el mío.
@@rafaelaparicio2550 ah ok muchas gracias
Bought one a couple of days ago and it really has made sky watching so much easier. Great bit of kit for newbies and anyone at all.
@@coal_edxts move it by yourself, he shows it in the video.
@peter bro ham how has the experience with your telescope been? I was recommended to buy this one and I just ordered it, arriving within a week or so. But I have my doubts too. Are you able to see planets, nebulas and other galaxies well? Have you bought any other eye pieces? Sorry for the questions Haa
@@jesusgarcia-xj2mz it has worked extremely well, everything they said it would do it has done. Easy to set up and use and so far I have just been looking at planets with no issues. I don't think you will be dissapointed.
Hey the planets , can you see them clearly? Or does it look like a blurred circle in the night sky? I’m mainly going to buy this in hopes to view the rings of Saturn
@@watupkidd1 same and how did it work out did you buy one?!?
Thanks for a very informative review, so much so I have ordered one and await delivery.
You're welcome, I'm glad you enjoyed it. Clear skies!
Thanks for the review. This thing looks fantastic for outreach purposes.
It really is! I hope they make a "beefier" version in the future. I can't imagine what this would be like with a ES Comet Hunter, 2" eyepieces. It would be a killer visual instrument. An 8" SCT would be pretty awesome on this set-up too.
Thanks bro. You did great. Explain it and other things about it that No, Other person has done in years. It is right on. Going on line to buy one , and getting may family to get one also. Thanks for ALL Your HARD WORK. I am 61 years old and been wanting one for years.
Awesome review!!! I’m a beginner a learned quite a bit from this review.
I really appreciate your review. I was just gifted one.
Thanks! That was very helpful. Seems like a good grab & go scope for quick & unplanned viewing.
I did not think you could observe nebulas, I am so happy that you can with the StarSense!
Awesome, review, thank you! Just got mine today but am waiting for better weather to give it my first go. Thank you!
Enjoy, have fun and clear skies!
Wow your explanation on this scope is awesome. I know what my choice is for my first telescope now since i'm getting into it.
An excellent review and has convinced me to go ahead with purchasing a Celestron StarSense Explorer DX6. Although a different model to the one in the video the app used on the phone is central to the product and although handwritten reviews of people are helpful it was great to see how it is used "in anger".
Great review. This will probably be my next telescope.
Thank you so much for a great tutorial.
Thanks, very useful review. My husband gave me this telescope for Christmas and seeing you trying it out gives me confidence. By the way, I had not idea what that extra round piece was. Know I understand that it is an adaptor for a 2 inch eye piece :)
Glad I could help! I hope you enjoy it!
Thank you so much for this great video! I will be purchasing this telescope
Glad you enjoyed it! Clear skies!
Thanks for your information. It's a great help!
I’m buying one of these telescopes can’t wait to get it.
Brilliant review!
Great review. Impressive use of existing technology.
Agreed, it is pretty cool.
Just purchased the DX 5-inch SCT with Starsense. It's Celestron's latest addition to lineup. I've always been a sky "watcher," but this is my first scope. I wanted simple and portable while giving me some decent capabilities. My first use of Starsense bombed only because I didn't have it properly aligned. This morning and 90-min before sunrise in a reasonably low-light area with a little haze and a 3/4 moon overhead, the app worked well to locate my scope. I checked the alignment with my finder on Capella. The SS app led me to my first view of the Beehive cluster. Awesome!
I bought the LT yesterday, my first Telescope and the App is brilliant for a clumsy old boy like me. I’m in the Southern Hemisphere , Aussie and I had no problems and had a great time with it.
Which one did you buy?
Great review cheers from the 🇬🇧
Thank you. This is very helpful.
Glad it was helpful!
Very cool, I'll be sending this to some friends too. 👍👏👏👏
Awesome, glad you liked it.
excellent review 👍
Outstanding video
Simply outstanding
Wow that is really cool I remember 42 years ago being a kid with Burnham celestial handbook. It was a lot tougher than thank you for the video I’ve recently re-spark my interest in astronomy and still have my 8 inch telescope I built when I was 14 anything to get more is interested is great take care
Great job! Convinced me. I want StarSense.
You have to have common sense first! 😆
seattwa xplain?
Great review. Thank you.
Thanks for watching, glad it was helpful!
Thanks! .... Been waiting to see the alignment process and how it was done. Celestron never mentions or explains it in their ads. I knew there had to be some alignment process between the phone and telescope that had to be done. Not sure why they skip over this step in their advertisements. It seems very simple watching your video. Appreciate the detailed review!!
You're welcome, I'm glad you found it helpful! Yeah it is insanely easy - which I think is the whole point - so beginners can be out and observing in no time.
@@AstroBlender Hope they apply this to their SE line ie 4SE Would be awesome to have a powered scope for auto tracking. I like MAKs personally Plate solving is a much better / easier to use and more convenient technology . Have you heard any rumors about this going into their other scopes??
Thanks for sharing!
Thanks so much for this!
Chrissy Ward No problem!
Wow amazing celestron telescope 🔭 I like this
Thanks for your review Im getting one🙂
dirtydogg06 Glad you enjoyed it- clear skies.
I hope this becomes a standard for all telescope in some form or another.
It will probably result in a screen with a camera hooked or build-in with the telescope.
Oh for sure, smartphones are ubiquitous these days. The mount works really well, better than I thought it would be.
Just mount a smartphone that has a magnetometer(compass) onto any telescope (provided there's little or no ferric metal in it's construction) and run a planetarium app like SkEye. It's not quite as precise or accurate for locating night sky objects as a system using plate solving for alignment but it's good enough to locate an object so that you can find it in the wide field of a low powered eyepiece.
Great video thank you
Great review Slymin! The technology they used in this model seems amazing plus sooo easy! I'm looking for a beginners telescope that gives you loads of opportunities to explore. I'm debating whether to go for this one or Celestron 4 SE (would go for Celestron SE 8 you have reviewed but it's out of my budget currently) please advise!
Thanks for doing such a great review. I am very active in astronomy, have 5 scopes, do public presentations, and help new people. So seeing your review has reinforced that I can confidently recommend this telescope package based on ease of use. 130 mm is a very good starting aperture. Small enough to be very portable yet large enough to show a lot in the sky.
One of the members of my astronomy club just bought the 102 mm refractor and is very happy with it. The image is good and it is very easy to use, as you demonstrate in the video.
It looks like the mount is fairly stable, an issue with many beginner telescope packages. I also like that the mount includes slow-motion controls and can be used manually, without the phone app, so you can use it to learn other methods of finding things in the sky. Overall I think Celestron has made a major breakthrough in the entry-level telescope package. I only wish they would market an add-on package so I could add this to my current telescopes.
Agreed on all accounts. Glad you enjoyed the review. Keep up the outreach!
That's what I looking for !! TNX
I owned the XT8 Orion one and it's quite big. I wanted some thing portable for me to play with my toddler Son and this one sounds good to me. I was totally confused just it's been a while there're so many out there and I was lost looking for the right one. I like one that I can see all the planets in our solar system and I could see some of the galaxies and nebula . Your analysis is very helpful I think this is the one that I've wanted.
Very interesting use of technology and optics at a reduced price!
Thank you, finally a good in depth review of this new system. I have been researching for my first scope for about a year and this 130mm with the StarSense app covers most of my current wants/needs. I will be visual only, no AP, and want to learn the sky (planets and DSO's) without having to rely on GoTo mechanics and battery to move the OTA. This will be traveling the country in our RV, so staying compact is a necessity.
The only thing I wonder about is the optical quality specs of the OTA. I don't expect top of the line but I don't want "toy level" either. Any comments on this would be appreciated!
Thanks again for your excellent overview,
Andy
Retired network engineer with way too much time on my hands!
The telescope itself is great, same quality as other Newtonian tubes. The 5" Newtonian mirrors are identical to my 6"/8" Newtonian mirrors (except in size) obviously. For visual use the focuser on the 130mm Newtonian works just fine. The only thing you may want to upgrade is the eyepieces. A few 1.25" plossls and maybe one widefield 2" would really make this a phenomenal scope to take with you on your RV trips. I'm glad you found the review helpful. Enjoy retirement! :D
@@AstroBlender any opinion on getting a nicer lens set such as Orion Expanse vs just getting an all-in-one Zoom lens?
one of the best reviwes gz
Great Review!
Glad you think so! Thanks!
Great video thanks for sharing
Bought one of these as well, the 104mm refractor. Up until this point I was using a 85mm Vortex spotting scope which was extremely difficult to aim. This thing for a beginner works so well for finding objects extremely quickly. Within 10 minutes (and 17% battery) I was already looking at the the Orion nebula and star clusters, messier objects... The accessories are extremely budget however, I'd recommend replacing them ASAP. The telescope and stand by themselves are worth it though.
What accessories would you replace and any suggestions? thanks
77777ý//
I was so impressed with this presentation that I, just now, bought this amazing looking telescope.
Enjoy!
Hi Slymin, great review! Really answered a lot of questions about this scope I couldn't find any information about any place else.
I appreciate that you included the segment about connecting a SLR camera to the telescope as this is my primary interest in jumping into astrology/star gazing.
I understand your piece about the 5" being to small to get good focus, and that 6" or 8" are ideal for getting decent picture quality.
Just wondering if you've messed around with the starsense set up since then and got it to work, or what entry level kit you'd recommend for someone primarily looking to casually observe and photograph the sky.
Thanks for the video and your time!
That's a great review! Can you also show the pics of the planets/galaxies/cosmos seen through this telescope. Thank you :)
Thank you Slymin, I appreciated your video and foud it useful.
My StarsSense app keeps telling me that the telescope is on target and I can watch the object (Jupiter), but it never is! I just see darkness and some "far away little stars".
So far, the only times I actually saw Jupiter or Saturn, I targeted them myself.
Sadly I must say I am not happy at all with the app. Which was the reason why I got this telescope, being a beginner.
Thanks for great review.
What is lacking for me in most such reviews some picture examples.
Just to have an idea what to expect. It is so hard for beginner to predict what can be expected behind all those numbers and description :)
Is it suitable for instance to have nice experience while observing Mars or Jupiter?
I don't expect great huge telescopes-like view but maybe something similar but smaller?
Just noobie doubts :)
Thank you kindly
I've made a bracket that holds the phone cradle from my LT 80AZ. So far I've used it on an 8" SW Dob...killer!...Next its going on my Hubble UL16! FYI you can select any object you can see on the screen...The app's database and lists are somewhat limited but you can work around that knowing all objects that display on the screen can be selected.
Thanks for the review Slymin :) I ordered to 102 refractor. Would you know if it's possible to convert it to a 2" focuser? Thanks.
I love the review. I was actually looking to buy this for my first telescope. Since I would be saving some money on price are there any eyepieces(individual or kit) that you would recommend for a beginner to buy?
Wow! I’m impressed! So much better for newbies vs doing polar and star alignments. My first telescope was a Meade 4.5” newt on eq mount with autostar. I ended up removing the motors because it was more trouble setting it up then going manual. Technology has come a long way with our portable pocket computers. Right now I’m wondering if I could buy one of these and then retrofit it on my dobsonian 🤔But that app is probably configured to the focal length of that scope. Also what is the purpose of unlocking your telescope in the app? Is it to prevent someone from reselling the scope so only initial buyer can use the app?
Framkensteined this myself to a AltAz 4.5 inch long tube years ago. Specifically for quick movement on a light scope to work around trees.
Mounted my cell phone with a starfinder app to the same vector as my red dot finder. Move the scope looking at the phone until. It finds the object I was looking for, showing the phone camera overlay Bingo there it was in the eyepiece.
I still like the Celestron 6SE cg scope better if I go to an open field.
Thank you for the great review! I bought this telescope a few weeks ago and I would like to know what eyepiece do you recommend for a higher view of the planets and galaxies. I bought a barlow lens but I don't know if it should be fine with the 25 mm eyepiece incorporated or if I should buy a better eyepiece. Thank you very much for your support!
Thank you so much! This was very clear to follow. This appears to be the perfect solution to finding out which constellation you're looking at. A dream come true! Will it work with an iphone 5?
Maybe? It depends what OS you're on, on an iPhone 5. You would want to look up that app first and see if it is compatible with the older operating system.
Really helpful. Thanks. The downfall of this product is the atrocious documentation. Not only does it present wholly incorrect assembly instructions, but omits critical information such that you can't attach the telescope to the tripod or use the spotting scope. Just incredible.
I'm glad I watched this instead of attempting to follow any further "instructions" from Celestron.
Great video! I learned more in 20 minutes and I could’ve learned with 20 hours of reading manuals.
Great video! The first thing I noticed was the 2inch focuser very nice addition on a budget friendly telescope. I was wondering though if the primary mirror was center marked?
Thanks, I'm glad you liked it! To answer your question: Yes, the primary mirror is center marked.
Great presentation!!! How smooth are the slow-motion controls to move the telescope. So many lower end mounts require a bit of mod to become more stable. Great points on the ability to connect a dslr. Great points also for the eyepieces. I think and hope that Celestron can sell this Starsense explorer to be adapted to any telescope mount. Many folks have purchased Celestron mounts and scopes. This would be a great accessory without having to purchase another scope and mount for this. However, for a first-time telescope/mount purchaser, this seems like a good fit for visual use only.
very amazing ., i like very much you are lucky you have this.. not avalable in my country pakistan karachi city..
Hello, i liked your review and I’ve owned it for about a year now and used it quite often (including during cold Canadian winter at -18 Celsius near Quebec City). Works well in all conditions! I like the product, but as I am getting more interested, I want to upgrade to a more powerful telescope. I do not want to get into astrophotography, but would like to get better views of planets and deep sky. I need portability, as I live downtown a big city and am travelling a bit (or a lot) to stargaze. So, I went to my local astronomy store and their recommendation was a Celestron Nexstar 8. Looking at yours and other reviews, I was comforted. The “Evo” model seems like it’s worth the extra cost compared to the “classic SE orange” model. I was wondering what your opinion was, given the criteria I exposed above. Thank you very much for your comments (and your videos which I find very useful to learn the hobby!).
Amazing review! I always knew setting up telescopes can be a daunting task for beginners, so this is a perfect entry level telescope! I wonder if they have eye pieces that can connect to phones?
Really cool
Good demo, mate. You may just have sold a telescope for Celestron. You certainly sold the Starsense system. Greetings from Australia. ✌
great vid Slymin, im loking at getting my 1st scope, your video is swaying me towards one of these, due to the fact i will help teach me about the sky, and where everything is.. what size scope would you suggest? bigger, smaller?? also i was looking at few 6-8 inch Dob's which i seem to always lean towards, but the added addition of the starsense tech is something that really makes me think twice, whateveryones thought on my dilemma ? also on a Dob, would i be able to use a similar star app, like sky map, to get a similar experience ( although not as detailed and it wont track me to the stars precisely , more of a guide to the general direction...
Great video Slymin. I've been having mixed opinion about this telescope but your video has cleared up my mind. Just one thing to ask, does a standard T adapter work on this telescope so I can attach my Canon DSLR?
What an awesome review and a great way to explain the technology this uses to point. Celestron in my opinion has clearly pulled ahead of Meade, which sucks for me because I always loved those blue tubes. Wish to God I had bought a Bausch and Laum? 8001 Pro and I really wouldn't have minded picking up Takahashis now discontinued SCT, but back on point.
Although this looks quite nice I wouldn't count living a long life. Most of the money probably went into the electronics as opposed to the optics and I'd imagine it uses a fair amount of plastic parts.
Not criticizing, this is amazing and I really wouldn't mind picking one up but as with all telescopes of this size or under, do we really need an automated pointing system?
The Meade ETX90 was famous for touting thousands of objects it could point at in its database once you get it aligned and click on most of them you won't even be able to see the majority and the ones that you can date easily located with a good zero power finder like a Telrad.
But there was a time just once in my life when I was wrong and while it has never happened again I am open to the possibility that it could so if I am this gentleman seems to be a full letter grade above me astronomer wise so forget my points and just listen to him.
Great video, thanks for all the work you put into it.
Entonces. En ves de comprar este telescopio, me recomiendas el celestron 130 computarizado Para que busque los objetos?
I’ve purchased a StarSense 6dx and found the app a mile out with the night sky I’ve had the Astromaster 130 and found it was a very good telescope so with my new starsence 6inch t started to use it manually and found the images amazing but I could not get the app working properly any advice would be really appreciate your videos are great please keep up with information and reviews and tips 👍👍
Thanks so much for the amazing review. I have been doing a lot of research trying to decide which telescope to buy my daughter as a high school graduation gift and this definitely sealed the deal for me. I’m placing my order as soon as I leave this comment. You mentioned that the eye pieces included weren’t great, could you please recommend specific replacement eye pieces to purchase? Thanks!
Rebecca Epperson 1.25” eyepiece are the sizes. Now you can go with any brand eyepiece. But they are Uber expensive. Celestron does have a eyepiece, color filters and case set for about $150 definitely worth purchasing and will save you money in the long run.
Well done. I'm not sure which one to choose. Powerseeker or Starsense. Time and reviews will tell.
Great reviews! the apps limited to the scope only. Celestron should have it as IAP as an option to those who want to use it on other scope :)
I don't think the app limits it to the only scope. I'm sure you could put a lightweight 80mm apo and go browse the skies pretty easily. I didn't think of that, but I'm sure it could be done.
@@AstroBlender Seeing how it works, it calibrates the phone to the center of your OTA, so I think you could take the Starsense mirror-phone adapter assembly and fit it to any OTA(by piggyback) and use this as a form of manual go-to. So for those with Dobs they could have a push too system, and even those with motor drives could use it as a drive-to system.
We just purchased the 130DX are there any accessories you would recommend investing in to make it even better?
Liked and subscribed. What would you recommend for upgrading the eye pieces. I purchased this after your review and would like achieve the most potential from this scope. Strong emphasis on viewing the planets as close and as clear as possible. Trying to keep the upgrade under $300.
Thank you for this wonderful review. I found this very helpful in learning how to use my new Celestron Starsense Explorer LT 114az with the app.
Great to hear!
This review convinced me to make the purchase. For someone who has never had a telescope before, this was easy to put together and get going. What fun! And so easy. Now I want to run out and buy better lenses. Any recommendations for lenses with increased magnification and better optics? Thinking something under $200. Thanks in advance!
Super helpful dope vide peace
Read reviews this is a great telescope to begin with versus buying a motorized one. People recommended saving the money with buying this one and buying more eye pieces. Which kits or eye pieces do you recommend? Would 2 inch eyepiece be better?