Celestron NexStar 4SE: The Best Beginner Telescope?

[@michaelfrazier9537]

I bought my grandson a used 130SLT from a friend in our Astronomy Group for $100. He loves it. I told him if he sticks with it for over a year, I will purchase him the Nexstar 5 se. Thank you for the video. I purchased my 8se over a year ago and love it. But, the downside is that on cold nights, I don't feel like dragging it out.

[@chrisg9602]

The 130 is really good just as good as the 5se

[@millenialfalcon8243]

I agree with Chris. I have compared both the 130slt and 5se side by side. On Jupiter, the 5se was marginally clearer. On the Orion nebula, the 130slt was marginally brighter. It would not be worth the money. New prices, the 5se is $950. For that price range, I would HIGHLY recommend the StarSense Explorer 10"($1100) or 8"($800). Either one will show MANY more objects. Uses a phone and app to point the scope quickly to objects. Those are BIG scopes. Depending on his age and strength, the 8" would be better. If not a concern, a 10" Dob is awesome. If he really wants the compact scope on a tracking mount, then upgrade him to at least the 6se ($1100). Objects will be a little brighter and the mount is a little stronger than the 5se. Worth it for the extra $150.

[@jorymil]

I'm not sure a 5se is much of a change: 5" = 127mm, so the only differences would be in construction, not any major visual differences. Some nice eyepieces or an upgraded mount might be better gift choices. A nice refractor scope or a larger Dobsonian could be other, complementary gift options.

[@hunter133official]

Nah, buy him a 6SE

[@matteovecera641]

Thanks mate, this video is so detailed that I don’t need to ask anything else about it. Really really thanks! I’m going to buy it right now!

[@AstroBlender]

I’m glad it helped!

[@calebelkins8600]

I recently bought the 4se as my 1st telescope. Im still learning how to use it and all of its functions. This video is extremely helpful and im looking forward to expanding my setup.

[@AstroBlender]

Glad it was helpful! Enjoy the 4 SE, it’s a great little scope.

[@brettatton]

I went for for the 5SE model to get the additional aperture and because it also has a slightly shorter focal length than the 4SE. The 5SE is an SCT so you can add a standard 0.63 reducer. This will reduce the 1250mm focal length to 787mm. That will give you a significant increase in the low power field of view. The two scopes share the same mount/wedge/tripod. It's another $300 new but I think its a good investment.

[@doco6186]

Well said. I really enjoy and learn from your videos. Thanks!

[@AstroBlender]

Thanks, I'm glad you enjoy them!

[@rogermetcalfe9517]

The telescope is good - highly recommended. No collimation needed and excellent contrast. Light weight and easily transportable. The flip mirror is very useful to allow you to have both an eyepiece and camera attached at the same time. The mount is not good. The connection to the tripod is plastic which is liable to break.

[@derrickkorstick8984]

Thank you so much for the video!

[@jorymil]

How well would it work to replace the wedge rod with some simple threaded rod? Seems like that would allow for a decent polar alignment.

[@jdastro]

Very good video presentation. But a word of caution. For tracking purposes this scope's tripod and mount are not good near the equator, The single arm would have to be pointing near the horizon to have it polar aligned, basically level with the ground, and the mount cannot be configured that way. I have a Nexstar8i, three degrees south of the equator, so, no polar alignment for me.

[@AAaAhsjxkdmsjzj]

This video helped me so much thank you

[@mejoe247]

I have the 5se. What's your favorite eyepiece?

[@SkyblueVoodoo]

Im having trouble focusing mine, the moon is just a big white dot and the stars look like black holes in the eye peice

[@FuNzZyPT]

You can use that mount with other telescope ? Like Skywalker or something ? Thanks

[@pgrundle]

Great video and addressed almost all my questions on this telescope. Just one quick one, one model of camera, non dslr, do you use? Thank you!

[@AstroBlender]

If you’re not using a DSLR, then I’d go with a planetary camera. ZWO ASI462MM, ASI462MC, or the Player One Neptune C-II is also a good choice. Newer cameras like the ASI678 are also good choices.

[@pgrundle]

@AstroBlender Thank-you.

[@selfworthy]

I bought my kid a C70 mini mak for 150. You can see the two biggest cloud bands on jupiter and you can use 1,25 eyepieces or a camera.

[@AstroBlender]

Nice, mini maks are great grab and go options as well.

[@istvanarany2476]

What type of red-dot finder is that? Looks different from those I've seen/used.

[@AstroBlender]

Celestron updated it. It comes standard and is much better than the old ones.

[@phottomatt4202]

If it has horizontal and vertical motors, why would you need to put it in equatorial mode?

[@AstroBlender]

So long exposure images don’t blur due to field rotation.

[@phottomatt4202]

@@AstroBlender ooooh, OK I wasn't thinking in 3D, thank you.

[@dahboup]

Can the telescope on this mount also be moved manually if I do not want to use it computerized?

[@AstroBlender]

No, it does not have any clutches, so it must be powered to use it.

[@BjFoley]

The Meade Autiostar is alot easier to setup and use

[@ROYALSABIN]

Și unde plm sunt imaginile?!😂

[@bobbycoates5994]

i can see the moon better with this cheap scope i have way clearer then the moon in this vid that was all fuzzy

[@ConstantineSky]

The best beginner telescope is 8se, lol. There is nothing to see except the Moon and Jupiter in 4”

[@AstroBlender]

I started with the 8SE. I love that scope too, but the high price is not a factor to disregard. The 4" scope gives me nice views of many of the objects I mention in the video.

[@ConstantineSky]

@@AstroBlender Me too. Do you know I loved stock equatorial wedge in 4" Would it be good enough for Pleiades or M42?

[@SaneGuyFr]

what? No!

[@dinokaki]

@@ConstantineSky I've shoot M42 by using this mount a years ago.

[@Pdcbna12]

Best begginer telescope? think About it again, I would rather buy An 14 Inch Skywatcher Flextube Go-To at the same price, Tbh, I’m hesitant to recommend the 8SE due to its less-than-steady mount, super-long focal length, and fairly high price for what you get. There are other scopes worth considering from Celestron and other manufacturers, with or without computerized or go to system, A manual Dobsonian With 10" And up Aperture Is worth getting It than the nexstar because It's cheaper and has a lot more aperture There's also Skywatcher Flextubes Go-to dobs which you can buy for 1000$ to 2000$ That has bigger Apertures.

[@pm1035]

I purchased my 4se over 10 years ago and its still going strong. I agree with everything you said. Do yo have any thoughts on using a Asiair Plus with the 4se? Thanks again!

[@samalfellah2066]

This is the best review for this product, thanks alot

[@danytoob]

Don't you have to tell the scope what stars you are using to align? I'm so confused... 🤔🤔😯😯

[@AstroBlender]

No, not on a SkyAlign. You select 3 stars and it figures out where it is pointing using the time, date, and location you input. If you do a two-star align, then yes, you must select the stars and go them yourself.

[@jackfrost4033]

Is the there a risk during automatic searching the OTA look at the zenith destroying the eye piece if 2’’ or the dslr

[@BjFoley]

My Meade lx85 goto mount will blow away any nextstar Telescope hands down

[@tonyeasley3227]

You can also screw the t adapter into the astro camera and mount on the back as well

[@benghazzi]

good review! Thanks!

[@EugeneRu777]

👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@AmatureAstronomer]

I bought one of these about a month ago. Brand new, cost $280. Haven't opened the box, yet. Have no use for it, but could not pass up the sale price. Should I become interested in lunar or planetary photography I will unbox it.

[@iampracticingpiano]

Perhaps it is a good idea to open it and check for damage, missing items, and if all is functioning?

[@selfworthy]

940€ Thats too much for a kid.