Product Description

Portability and serious performance come together in the NexStar 6SE. Celestron's first new Schmidt-Cassegrain optical system in over a decade is now available in a high performance altazimuth computerized telescope. With a total weight of 30 lbs including the tripod, the ultra portable 6SE features a precision optical system with 1500mm focal length (f/10) and offers 44% more light gathering than a 5-inch telescope. The NexStar 6SE has all the same features as Celestron's most advanced computerized GoTo telescopes, including our revolutionary SkyAlign alignment technology, a sky tour feature, a database of over 40,000 celestial objects and easy to use hand control. StarPointer finderscope to help with alignment and accurately locating objects Sturdy computerized altazimuth mount Internal battery compartment to prevent cord wrap during use Ultra sturdy steel tripod with accessory tray Star diagonal provides more comfortable viewing position when observing objects that are high in the sky 40,000 object database with 200 user-definable objects and expanded information on over 200 objects SkyAlign allows you to align on any three bright celestial objects, making for a fast and easy alignment process Flash upgradeable hand control software and motor control units for downloading product updates over the Internet Autoguider port for long exposure astrophotography DC Servo motors with encoders on both axes Custom database

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1192 in Camera & Photo
• Brand: Celestron
• Model: 11068
• Dimensions: 44.70 pounds

Features

• 6-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope; StarBright XLT high transmission coatings come standard
• StarPointer finderscope to help with alignment and accurately locating objects
• Quick-release fork arm mount, optical tube, and accessory tray for no-tool setup
• SkyAlign allows you to align on any three bright celestial objects, making for a fast and easy alignment process
• Nearly 40,000 object database with 200 user-definable objects and expanded information on over 200 objects

From the Manufacturer
Manufacturer Description
Portability and serious performance come together in the NexStar 6 SE. Celestron's first new Schmidt-Cassegrain optical system in over a decade is now available in a high performance altazimuth computerized telescope. With a total weight of 30 pounds including the tripod, the ultra portable 6 SE features a precision optical system with 1500mm focal length (f10) and offers 44% more light gathering than a 5-inch telescope.

The NexStar 6 SE has all the same features as Celestron's most advanced computerized GoTo telescopes, including our revolutionary SkyAlign alignment technology, a sky tour feature, a database of over 40,000 celestial objects, and easy-to-use hand control.

Plug the optional CN-16 GPS accessory into NexStar's auxiliary port and download data from orbiting GPS satellites for truly quick and easy alignments. The universe may be full of mysteries, but using the NexStar 6 SE isn't one of them.

In the tradition of Celestron's famous orange optical tubes, the NexStar SE Family combines the classic heritage of the original orange tube telescopes with state-of-the-art features including a fully computerized operating system, flash upgradeable hand control, our superior StarBright XLT coatings, our revolutionary SkyAlign telescope alignment software, and much more.

Whether you are a seasoned astronomer looking for a portable scope with advanced features, or just starting your astronomy adventure and looking for an easy way to enjoy the night sky, a NexStar SE will help you take a closer look.

Every NexStar SE includes a version of The Sky software Level 1 Planetarium software for exploring the Universe on your PC and printing out custom star charts of the sky. In addition, you receive our NexRemote software that allows you to operate your telescope via your PC. This software package, valued at over $100, is included free with your NexStar SE!

More about the NexStar SE Series:

• 6-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope
• SE series combines the classic heritage of the original orange tube telescopes with the latest state-of-the-art features
• StarBright XLT high transmission coatings come standard
• Quick release fork arm mount, optical tube, and accessory tray for no-tool setup
• Celestron's unique patented single fork arm with integral hand control design provides a rigid and smooth operating structure for the optical tube
• StarPointer finderscope to help with alignment and accurately locating objects
• Sturdy computerized altazimuth mount
• Internal battery compartment to prevent cord wrap during use
• Ultra sturdy steel tripod with accessory tray
• Star diagonal provides more comfortable viewing position when observing objects that are high in the sky

Computerized Features:

• Proven NexStar computer control technology
• 40,000 object database with 200 user-definable objects and expanded information on over 200 objects
• SkyAlign allows you to align on any three bright celestial objects, making for a fast and easy alignment process
• Flash upgradeable hand control software and motor control units for downloading product updates over the Internet
• Autoguider port for long exposure astrophotography
• DC Servo motors with encoders on both axes
• Custom database lists of all the most famous deep-sky objects by name and catalog number; the most beautiful double, triple, and quadruple stars; variable star; solar systems; objects and asterisms
• Double line, 16-character liquid crystal display hand control with backlit LED buttons for easy operation of goto features
• NexRemote telescope control software and RS-232 cable included for advanced control of your telescope via computer
• GPS-compatible with optional CN16 GPS accessory (93963)

Customer Reviews

Great scope with a lot of "wow" power
We used our scope for the first time recently. I had read the manual and a lot of online materials before we received our scope so I was somewhat familiar with how to use it. I input our location using our place's longiture and latitude and used the unit's "two star" alignment setting since I could only make out two bright stars in our light-polluted location (Tokyo, Japan). After this, I input "Jupiter" into the hand controller and the scope slewed to the planet and placed it right in the center of the eyepiece's field of view. My family and I spent the next hour letting the scope swing around to various stars and binary systems that I couldn't see with my unaided eyes but showed up beautifully in the eyepiece. I recommend taking a look at Albireo in the list of "named stars" on the hand controller very highly.

I knew that a telescope, much like a camera, is a device that needs accessories. Therefore, before I bought the scope I purchased (used) a 9mm ocular, a barlow lens, a better star diagonal and a battery pack to power this thing. The car battery adapter I purchased with the scope. A lot of people don't use a case so I can understand why Celestron didn't include one with this to keep the price down. One of those plastic storage boxes should work well if you use the foam that comes with the scope to keep it in place.

The optics of the telescope and the special coatings on the optics are a great improvement over what I experienced 20 years ago with my first 5" SCT scope. The images are sharp and this scope is suitable for both planetary viewing and deep space objects. However, the deep space objects will require you to find a dark site to be really visable. Our first night of viewing included a look at M13, a globular cluster. It was there but the local light pollution required me to use "averted vision" to see it.

I highly recommend this product for those who want to get into Astronomy at a reasonable price. There are bigger scopes out there but the prices and size of these telescopes make this one a great compromise on size, performance and "bang for the buck." I don't think that you will be disappointed. You will need a few accessories but buy those as you need them.

nice scope, disappointing starter accesssories
This is my first telescope. After doing quite a bit of research, went to a star party to solicit opinions, I thought this would be a good starter to get me really interested in practical astronomy (vs. watching Discovery channel and read books). I have had it for over a week now, while I am impressed with some of the stuff I saw with the scope, but I am rather disappointed with the standard package. The $1000 price should have included some additional essential accessories. I ended up spending an extra $300 on additional accessories and am expecting to spend another $300 for some of the nice-to-haves.


PROS:
1. portability - light weight (27lbs total with tripod)
2. finder scope - not sure if it's standard, but the red dot in the finder scope, when aligned properly with the scope, works very nicely
3. clear and clean images - so far, i've only been able to see the moon and jupiter, and plenty of terrestrial objects and the images are very impressive.


CONS:
1. standard included accessories suck!!!
- a. low magnification eyepiece! the 25mm eyepiece gives you a total magnification of 60x. The only thing you can see clearly with any details is the moon. Jupiter, as big as it is, I can barely make out the details, although it's very cool seeing the 4 big Jupiter moon (hey, I am new at this, it was still exciting).
DE-CON: Spent $110 on Amazon for a 13-piece accessories kit (Celestron) which includes a 2x barlow and a range of eyepieces and filters. This should really help with magnifications (I haven't received the kit yet).

- b. NO AC adapter! Be sure to have plenty of 2AA batteries floating around. A brand new set (8 required) will last about 1hr+ with somewhat frequent slewing. I have a high balcony, with plenty of skyview, it would have been very nice to be able to plug the scope into an outlet to play around with it for a few hours before taking it to the field.
DE-CON: Spent $20 an AC adapter and $50 on a Celestron 12V PowerTank (both from Adorama). The AC adapter is HUGE!!! Good thing is that I don't have to carry it anywhere. The 12V PowerTank does not have a detachable red flashlight, but it seems to work well providing power.

- c. Image diagonal NOT erected! While the images you see with the included diagonal is right-side up, it's right-to-left (reverted).
DE-CON: Spent $35 on an erected diagonal. OK, given that the included diagonal and the erected diagonal are EXACTLY the same in construction with the exception of the Amici prism, I am not sure why Celestron doesn't go an extra step for (probably) a few bucks more vs. $35+shipping. I know orientation is meaningless in space, but geez, now I have no use for the included diagonal.

- d. NO carrying case! I can't believe that something this precious doesn't come with even a canvas carrying case. The cheapest case I can find is the JMI case for this scope and it requires that you use the same packing foam that the scope came in - for $160!!!. I ended up just putting the foam in one of my suitcases and carry the scope that way. I'm looking for a hard-case rolling suitcase. With all of the extra equipments, I may go for a large suitcase to fit everything in one (except the tripod of course).

2. So far, it's a dog trying to use SkyAlign in the city (Philadelphia, PA ...yes, it PA Celestron, not PE). The best I have been able to do was to get SkyAlign to match the patterns of the Big Dipper, but alignment still fail (yes, I have followed instructions and tried using Jupiter, the Moon, and another "bright" star, but alignment always failed. I have yet to take it into a rural area, but I am sure alignment will work then. Point is, I need to learn more about the sky to use the other alignment methods if I do my observation in the city.

I also bought an LPR (Light Polution Reduction) filter, another $60 investment, hoping that it will help with the light polution. The filter did cut down quite a bit of city light, but leaves a greenish tint. I am not sure if it's worth the money. Will wait and see when I try it out with the additional eyepieces.

As for the nice-to-haves, I am planning on getting a stereo binocular viewer ($200). This means I'll have to pickup a second lens kit (another $110).

BOTTOM LINE: Expect to spend A LOT of $$$ on accessories to make the scope truly useful. I just think celestron should have included a second shorter focal length eyepiece and an AC adapter with built-in rechargeable battery for this price. I like the scope so far, but not happy that I have to spend so much more money for accessories. If you get the scope, I highly recommend purchasing the PowerTank and the lens/filter kit simultaneously. I'll try do another review once I have and tryout all my accessories.

really nice instrument
This is my second nexstar scope. My first was a six years old refractor. This one is a vast improvement. Optical quality is excellent, the tripod is rock solid, and the sky align technology can't be beat. Also, the quality of the included eyepiece is really nice.

For the reviewer who thinks it should ship with such accessories as a carry bag, etc...well, in a perfect world, yes, but none of the other major telescope vendors include such things. Until it becomes competitively necessary for them to give away for free what is now a lucrative accessory market, they won't.

Nice scope. You won't be disappointed. Good mix of optical quality and portability