Celestron NexStar 6SE/8SE vs Evolution 8 telescope comparison

Hi all, welcome to another episode of Mike Likes and thanks for watching! Today I thought I'd give you my thoughts on Celestron's SE vs Evolution Schmidt Cassegrain telescope products. They're both good solid scopes, but what are the differences? Thanks for tuning in.

[@joselitostotomas8114]

Good video. You mentioned portability. What you buy is going to depend where you're at: 1. Are the light conditions (light pollution and lack of it) good enough that you can set it up in your backyard or driveway? 2. Is your line of sight blocked by houses everywhere? 3. Does your neighbor's floodlights get turned on everytime you move? 4. Do you have paranoid neighbors? 5. Can you leave your telescope overnight w/o someone going "shiny" and deciding to make off with it? If you say yes to any of the above, you'll have to travel. You'll have to set it up before dusk and then break it down in the dark. A dark site would be ideal, but it's a 1.5 hour drive, so I'm doing it on the weekends. How long I stay depends on how long the power lasts. I do not recommend relying on AA batteries. I chose a Celestron 6SE because it was on sale and I'm not sure if an 8 inch is going to be portable enough. The accessories I bought already twice the amount of the 6SE: 1. GPS module 2. Skyportal Wifi 3. Star Sense autoguider 4. 6" aluminum Dew shield. It serves 2 purposes. Cuts down on the stray light of the inner city and hinders the formation of dew. 5. CMOS camera - it's more convenient is I don't have to worry about eyestrain peering into the eyepiece. 6. Two celestron 7Ah power tanks. One for the mount and the other for the laptop. 7. Appropriate night pollution filters. 8. Apertura hard case for the 6SE which can also hold the 8SE. I'll have to get the equatorial wedge, focuser motor and the dew control module later. I'm not including a laptop with a USB 3.0 port since I already have it prior. I'm not adding the camping equipment you might need, starting with a good set of hiking boots. You're sneakers is not going to prevent the moisture from wicking in as the night dew forms on the ground. Portable tables, a chair and an umbrella. The 6SE controller will go on the fritz if exposed to the sun for too long. Add also bug spray, calamine lotion and band aids. I'm volunteering for astronomy day with a heat index of 100 degrees, so I'll have to make provisions of cooling the controller. I'm going to place a hand towel or two on top of a frozen cold gel pack and place the controller on top of it. Add also an umbrella to shade it.

[@DavidShaneTrueCosmology]

I have the 8" Evolution and its truly amazing! I sold my 6SE shortly after buying the Evo! 10 hr built in lithium battery plus wifi makes this scope completely wireless!! Which is a huge plus at night because you dont have to worry about getting tangled or tripping over cords and wires! The Evolution is worth every penny!

[@AstrocandyTV]

Thanks for this, I've been imaging with an 80 APO for a little while now but bought the 6SE last night on a prime day deal. Looking forward to using it for visual.

[@ryanphillips6873]

Dude awesome video. The info I really was looking for. I've been back and forth now for awhile on which brand and size tube to buy. Glad I come across your channel. Thanks man

[@MikeLikesChannel]

So glad it helped you out!

[@carolayres4143]

Super helpful, thanks very much for this.

[@RJ-xj9ql]

Thank you. Sweet review

[@chris-ip4pk]

Excellent video

[@davidaaaa4611]

I would sure like one of those mounts. Very Nice. I have a Nexstar 8, Nexstar 5 and Celestron 102 Refractor. Good video, thanks for sharing it with us.

[@MikeLikesChannel]

Good choices!

[@gali01992]

I went with the Celestron 8 inch CPC because it has a fork mount which means more stability and less likelihood of the telescope's weight bending the mount or causing wear on the internal drive mechanism. As an engineer, I didn't like the look of all that weight stressing the single mount. The price was nearly $4000 and it weighs around 80 pounds (25 for the tube, 15 for the mount, 20 for the wedge, and 20 for the tripod, I believe), but I think it's a great telescope. My first time out I had to align the telescope by aiming it at three bright stars, but the third star was Saturn, so I had to start the alignment all over again. But the rings were amazing!

[@paulcontursi5982]

I went with the Orion Starseeker Mak in a 6 inch aperture. It combines some of the features of the SE and the Evolution in that I can use it without the drive and it is already set for 2 inch eyepieces. Here in Brooklyn, NY, the light pollution makes deep sky observing tough but the Moon and planets are eminently doable and those are the targets I'm interested in. Love it.

[@strangerous1313]

That's a great story. But, try to stay on topic. Your comment belongs on a video featuring the Starseeker.

[@DavidAragon13]

I support getting used, I got my Super C8 deforked from a telescope dealer for $400, and added a Vixen style dovetail for $35. Found a used AVX GEM from a local for $800. I had to "upgrade" to knobs to collimate my telescope for $20 and a little work. Added a battery back, 2 inch diagonal and little other bits for the whole kit for under $1700. It takes some planning and work, you can seriously save a lot of money.

[@slider6177]

Man, this was awesome! So much food for thought. I picked up a used 102 GT with some DSLR attachments but the scope is waaayy to much for the mount. I'm not sure really what direction to go in now... I bought for $200 CAN and looking at these ones you showed look great but so far from a beginner price. Any advice is greatly appreciated. T.IA.

[@parjau4554]

Thanks for the video! You got a new subscriber. I've been vacillating about a scope for a while. I was thinking about a Nexstar 8SE but saw many videos where they said that it was not particularly stable so began to consider the 6SE. But, I want to be able to see deep sky objects as clearly as possible (within a budget) so began to consider the 8" Edge HD. But then I decided I still preferred something simpler in operation and I ended up here, with you discussing the Evo 8! So, really, my choice is either of the two telescopes you have here so I do have a couple of questions. Aside from the ~2.5x greater light gathering of the Evo, are there other significant differences between the two (as spatial/chromatic aberrations)? Actually, how would you rate the planetary and deep sky imaging quality of each of these telescopes? Thanks

[@MikeLikesChannel]

Hi there, so they’re comparable… but the 8” does push deeper than the 6” owing to its greater aperture. Ed Ting has a video comparing the 8” Edge vs the standard 8”. To my eyes, the little bit of extra flatness at the edges (and it’s very slight) isn’t worth the high premium, but then I’m not solely an astrophotographer, my modest EAA needs are well served by the non-Edge models. I’m always aware of costs when I buy astronomy gear… I get the feeling someone buying the Edge variant has more invested in their EQ mount alone than I probably do in all of my gear. There’s just no end to spending in DSO astro.

[@JedeyeCoffee]

Great video. Currently in the market for my first telescope. Edging towards saving a bit more and grabbing the Evo8. Future proofing. Quick question, what would be your suggested first couple of upgrades to the scope? 2" Eyepieces/Diagonal as the first one?

[@MikeLikesChannel]

2” eyepieces and diagonal are probably the best “first upgrade” I make, yes. Expands the view quite a bit and so much more comfortable to use.

[@chm1701]

Hi Mike. This is a simple, but very informative video. I’m currently window shopping for an Evolution in the 8” and 9.25”. However, the 9.25 HD is on offer too at a very reasonable price (it’s actually at a price that’s less than the 8” HD). The only thing I would point out is the information you give about the mount at 4:10. You mention that you wouldn’t put a 9.25” on the 8” mount, but in my research, I believe (correct me if I’m wrong), the 9.25” scope uses a more sturdy design, with some added stability features compared to the 8” version, so should be an improvement, so to speak. Anyway, all the best to you for 2024 and keep up the good work.

[@MikeLikesChannel]

Thank you for the comment. So yes, the 9.25” iteration has a slightly stronger/thicker, tripod but the Evolution mount remains identically the same. I feel it’s slightly under-mounted for its weight as an imaging scope at 2350ish mm. For visual, it’d be fine.

[@billducas]

I opted for the 6SE to compliment my 8" DOB. The 6SE mount can handle the heavier Televue eyepieces and a Telrad finder where the 8SE puts the mount over its rated maximum capacity with these accessories.

[@MikeLikesChannel]

The 6SE/8" Dob duo is a very nice one. I've run that before too =)

[@keeplookingup911]

Great 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@RickyD1968]

Awesome Video !!! Hey Mike what would be your choice of a telescope for under $600 ?

[@MikeLikesChannel]

Telescope prices have gone bananas since ocean freight got so darn expensive (they tend to take up a lot of room on container ships). As such, I’d try for a 6” or 8” Dobsonian that hits the price point. I believe Orion’s XT6 is still under that number but the 8” might be close. Aperture is king for visual observing. If you do want an automated scope, a Celestron 4SE or similar Mak might also hit that price point, but it’s going to be more of a lunar and planetary option than deep sky.

[@MikeLikesChannel]

Meant to say the 2” eyepiece *& diagonal* weigh a lot more than the 1.25” equivalents.

[@The.RandomTube]

Very good video and very well explained!! Just have a question, I was wondering of either buying the Evolution 9 1/4" or the CPC 1100 (I'm not worried about the weight all that much) And I was wondering if the wedge that we can attach to these mounts can actually really turn it into an Equatorial mount, Maybe even use them for some astrophotography?

[@MikeLikesChannel]

I haven’t owned the wedge myself, but yeah they can give you the equatorial benefit. I like the 9.25” a lot with the caveat that it kind of boxes you into medium to high power. Even when focal reduced it’s pretty long, especially the C11.

[@The.RandomTube]

@@MikeLikesChannel Yes I thought about that, as the higher focal length would actually mean 'too high magnifications', Thank you for the reply!❤️

[@Miguel_Noppe]

Wel you are right about the SE mount. I've bought SE 6/8 mount (without ota) some time ago to replace a SW AZGTI that was good, the SE mount is a lot beefier than the AZGTI. But then I thought, hey why not get an 8" EdgeHD ? Well, it works, but not great. The SE mount is not handling the 8"ehd as I had hoped. A friend has the Evolution mount, i found it is quite loud. I have an old Nexstar 11 GPS, that thing is whisper quit and smooth.

[@MikeLikesChannel]

The SE mount is simply taxed too far with 8” SCTs, it’s happiest with a 6” OTA. The only folks who think it’s fine are people who have never seen a heavier duty mount handle a C8 properly. It’s borderline ok for visual. The second you want to put a camera on a C8, you had better be on a Evolution or AVX at least.

[@Miguel_Noppe]

@@MikeLikesChannel i would never use an SE mount for AP. Or maybe for some planet AP. Like you said it is just ok for visual, but fine focusing is a PITA 🥴

[@hangerbird]

Would like how they compare in regards to imaging. Looking for something to do both planetary and solar.

[@MikeLikesChannel]

Have a look at Lunt solar telescopes if you're looking into H-Alpha imaging. I'll warn you, they're quite expensive - but awesome.

[@_stardust62]

What does the SE stand for?

[@zygmuntziokowski7877]

It's an extra $1,000, because you are comparing the 8" with the 6". It would be half of that if you went to the 6".

[@MikeLikesChannel]

I don't think the 6" Evolution is worth the money. It's only a few hundred less than the 8.

[@zygmuntziokowski7877]

@@MikeLikesChannel It made sense, you might as well go for the 8" instead.Thanks!

[@rayt5788]

👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@jackfrost4033]

During the alignment does the tube aim the zenith ? (On the ne tar there is a problem between the 2’´ diagonal and the mont, and more withe the WiFi dongle) if you look the zenith

[@MikeLikesChannel]

Nah it prefers to be level with the horizon.

[@IovisWill]

Good morning, my Nexstar 6se doesn't work well... when I'm configuring it for alignment, one star or two... it doesn't matter, when I use the direction buttons the telescope reaches a maximum and a minimum... .and I don't know why. I think I've tried everything, but it doesn't fix the problem. Please I need help. THANKS IN ADVANCE!!!

[@MikeLikesChannel]

Hi there, have you tried updating the firmware on the hand controller?

[@AndyKimbel]

Looking at the 8" SE vs 8" Evolution. about a $600 price difference (my cost). What do you think? First "real" telescope..

[@MikeLikesChannel]

If you’re going 8”, I really think the evolution is the better mount. Too much shock and jitter on the SE.

[@AndyKimbel]

@@MikeLikesChannel Thanks much. Think that will be the plan ( 8" Evolution). Is there significant difference in the capability of the 6" vs 8" SE or Evolution? Thinking that the cost of the 6" Evolution might be right around the 8" SE....

[@tankers4all]

Should I buy the 8 inch SE? Or the 6 inch SE evolution?

[@MikeLikesChannel]

I find the 8 undermounted on the SE mount. Lots of wobble. The 6" is a better fit, and quite a bit cheaper, especially 2nd hand.

[@adventureunderground2234]

You pointed out the Evolution has a release clutch to move the telescope by hand. What about the SE? How or can you move it by hand?

[@MikeLikesChannel]

SE has no release clutches. You can only move it via controller.

[@adventureunderground2234]

@@MikeLikesChannel Thank You

[@aapddd]

Is the 6se good enough for planetary observation ? I’d like to see some galaxy’s too.

[@strangerous1313]

Do you mean 'observation?' Telescopes are not made to 'absorve' planets. Or anything else for that matter.

[@aapddd]

@@strangerous1313 yes I did. Correction has been made !

[@MrFrosty1967]

I had a 6 inch telescope for years. It's got plenty of power to observe planets and the moon. You can also get decent views of deep space objects. I recently upgrade to the 8 inch celestron evolution as I felt I had outgrown the other telescope.

[@MikeLikesChannel]

Excellent upgrade! Did the same =)

[@michaelbishop1863]

Great work bro. Love your show. I just found someone wanting to sale his Evolution 8 for 485.00 use he had for 3 years. Do you think it's worth it. Love to hear back from you ASAP. THANKS BRO.

[@MikeLikesChannel]

Sorry for the delay, but yeah that’s a great deal 👍

[@anata5127]

Have you considered EQ mount? If not, then why?

[@Cam._S]

Evolution review when?

[@MikeLikesChannel]

Hey Cameron. Weather has been nothing short of terrible here. Winter in the midwest is just a cloudy mess all the time. Hope to have it done in the coming week or two :)

[@jackfrost4033]

Why don’t you use SkyPortal and the WiFi system ? You will no more need a gps

[@MikeLikesChannel]

I find it a little flaky and when I do use wifi I have ASI air controlling the mount instead of Celestron’s implementation. Been more reliable, at least, for me.

[@zygmuntziokowski7877]

It too bad you didn't compare evolution 6 with SE6.

[@MikeLikesChannel]

I don't really see the case for the 6" Evo. It's like buying the top of the line car but putting a cloth interior in it.

[@zygmuntziokowski7877]

@@MikeLikesChannel Thanks for the update and input.

[@hifinphoto]

NOTHING about actual Imaging Quality :-)))))))))))))

[@MikeLikesChannel]

Similar to one another, with the 8" slightly edging it out because it gathers a bit more light. Without them side by side, not sure you'd even notice the difference on common "light-polluted backyard objects"