Celestron NexYZ 3-Axis Smartphone Adapter Unboxing and Review

[@DavidMFChapman]

I like the idea of the z adjustment, as otherwise adapting the phone to the eyepiece is a bit of a guessing game. Little known fact-with the iPhone, if you have the headset attached, you can use the volume +/- control as a shutter release :)

[@JenhamsAstro]

Hello David, a top tip! I will try to slip that into a video! Yes the z-axis helps a lot, certainly better than the more basic adapters I've tried.

[@KandiKlover]

Headphone cable release is the best, free because you already have the buds and no delay like Bluetooth remotes. Plus money saving.

[@joonaservald]

Also, if you have an Apple watch, you can use that as well to trigger the photo wirelessly

[@graham8430]

Grrreat video... you have inspired me to dust off my Greenkat birding telescope and its 10-year-old 'digiscoping' camera adapter (X & Y axes covered) with a view to attaching the smartphone! Took some super shots of a perched urban peregrine falcon with this gear and followed up with tremendous shots of the moon... crystal clear... problem was keeping up with the moon which, on highish magnification, was moving quite noticeably from left to right!! Enjoyed your clear demonstration!

[@crazygravy437]

I just purchased an Celestron 8SE scope (as a big brother to my Nexstar 5 scope) and ordered one of these. I'd like to eventually get into Astrophotography down the road but this will allow me to share the hobby with others, especially my kids and grandkids, and use it as a baby step towards more serious (And Expensive) Astrophotography! Also, it is neat that i will be able to use this on both Scopes! Great review!

[@JenhamsAstro]

Thanks!

[@ericemanuelson5128]

Great review! I purchased the NexYZ adapter a couple weeks ago haven't had the weather to try it out. Most of my eyepieces have twist up eyecups so I'll make sure to use that style. I have a adapter from another company that was a struggle to get in focus and wouldn't fit most of my eyepieces had to use phone without it's protective case and the clamp finally broke. Wish I would've bought the NexYZ to begin with.

[@KandiKlover]

The Z axis isn't about image size. It's about getting a fully illuminated circle for best image quality by having the camera at the proper eye relief distance. No black or dark spots in the eyepiece and best quality image you can get out of it which a lot of other adapters have trouble with. Zooming in past it doesn't yield as good quality even if you have optical zoom on the phone.

[@DavidMFChapman]

I agree. I feel that the smartphone lens needs to be positioned at the exit pupil of the telescope. That’s what the Z adjustment is for.

[@KandiKlover]

I cup my hand around most of the phone and eyepiece to eliminate most of the reflections on it. Using a black phone helps too. If you got the extra time wrapping an opaque black cloth around the open space eliminates all of it.

[@ssadams]

I use a black rag wrapped around the eyepiece to block out stray light. I liked the review.

[@RaysAstrophotography]

Pretty Good to see this Jenham. I was wondering about this new product. I saw this on Dylan's Channel. Thanks for the review.

[@PlanetenPaultje]

I just got mine the other day. It is a small update from the one in your video as mine has a hole in the bottom phone stopper for allowing a charging cable to connect to the phone. Only with the largest phones with a case on it doesn't work ;-). I could pull the clamp out of its rail, but it went back in just as easily. My iPhone 11 Pro Max fits perfectly, no chance at all of it moving or falling out. Anyways, solid gear. I think I'll use the original box for transportation, so I'll strengthen it with duct-tape all around. Should last for a few years :-).

[@timdanaher2280]

The only update I might add is that being able to lock the side to side and up and down settings would help keep the adjustments in place.

[@bobbya8622]

Thank you for this review. I have been considering this and your review has been very helpful!

[@robinj.9329]

Today's (August 2023) "smartphone" 📷 Cameras, are truly amazing! If any digital wonder can take decent pictures at the eyepiece, my new Samsung can!

[@valor36az]

Best review, I made an adapter a few years ago, frustrating experience to get the distances right, this product seems to address the issue.

[@JenhamsAstro]

valor36az Thanks. Yes it does the job. I don’t think there’s a really elegant solution to the “phone over eyepiece” geometry, but Celestron have make it adjustable at least!

[@fergtz2241]

That's a good idea, it's good because i don't hace a camera so i can put my phone and take images, hello from México buen video

[@jac4401]

Good investment i guess, much safer for the phone. You know phone can be very expensive these days 😅

[@bartstolte7687]

Hi, good video! I also saw your other video on the skywatcher heritage 130p with it's rotatitional focusser. How well is this Nexyz adapter suited for that telescope? Thanks for the videos and clear skies!

[@Notagain640]

Thanks for the review. If your phone has more than 1 camera ie 1x 3x and 10x, which camera would you generally use for astro photography?

[@JenhamsAstro]

Good question! For my phone I just used trial and error. Only one lens gave me an image when I set up the adapter during the day.

[@Notagain640]

@@JenhamsAstro Ok thanks. I'll just plug it in and see what happens. Works for IT.

[@michael4382]

To shield from daylight intrusion AND grip smooth eyepieces just use a small rectangle of black silicone grippy rubber matting around the eyepiece. Cheap anti-slip phone mats for car dashboards are purfik.

[@JenhamsAstro]

Hi Michael, that's a good idea, i'll give it a try. Graham

[@dragosmarinescu5520]

Is this adaptor practical for the zoom type eyepieces? I do not think so.......Thank you for the review anyway, it helped with decision making.

[@JenhamsAstro]

I'd say it isn't suitable as i think the adaptor would rotate as you adjusted the zoom.

[@AstralApple]

Excellent video, thank you very much. This is really cool.

[@raymondbyczko]

Good review Jenham! I have a 102mm refractor (Explore Sci) with 2 inch eyepieces. Any chance of the clamp and tightener marring the Meade 40mm eyepiece I have? Also any chance of the weight 285gm plus iPhoneSE weight, torquing the adjustment tube at the back of the OTA? It would be fine for moon shots, but I'd like to get several second exposures of the orion nebulae etc. Thank you, RB

[@JenhamsAstro]

Thanks. For the weight I don’t see it damaging anything but for sure an issue with these mounts can be slippage around the EP. I’ve padded out the grips on “smooth side” EPs and this does work without marring. The whole arrangement is certainly awkward especially for longer exposures, so I’d expect you’ll have some trial and error before you get the result. Doable but nowhere near as robust as having a DSLR on a T adapter.

[@pimpmaestro5666]

This is exactly what I want! My current adapter annoys me. (06:33 same problem)

[@danmisson]

Great review. Thank you. Loving your breakdowns and reviews of products. I have just bought a skywalker heritage 130p and was wondering if this adapter would work for this telescope? The eyepiece part on the telescope looks a bit fragile and I was wondering about weight and if this would be an issue?

[@JenhamsAstro]

Hi Dan, yes the 130p's focuser is a weak point and the NexYZ would probably overwhelm it. I would stick to hand-holding a phone or maybe use a simpler, cheaper and light smartphone adapter, more like the gosky one for which I've done a review video. There are many clones of this type of basic adapter for around £12.

[@ericemanuelson5128]

I'm not familiar with this scope. But if it has screws you can tighten on focuser it might hold the weight. focus it tighten it. just remember to loosen it before changing focus or eyepiece's.

[@FishHardGetLucky]

Thank you for a well thought out video

[@joebond5012]

Thank you for an interesting and informative video.

[@paullehmann9505]

I notice that the support on the bottom would prohibit connecting a cable from your phone to the computer. I am hoping to connect phone to computer and use apple quick time movie player to mirror the phone image but the support on the bracket would not allow this.

[@waynethebarber1095]

Very nice video! But is this something you could use to get pictures of the moon or Saturn, or other planets? Even a Galaxy or two if you had a clock drive on your telescope? Or is this more for just taking pictures across the lake at what's on the other side? I have a Mead 2040 4inch SC and I would be happy with getting some pictures of the moon and planets, and maybe a Galaxy or two. This would just be starting point to just have a little fun with astrophotography. Thanks again for all the hard work you put in your videos. We appreciate it!

[@JenhamsAstro]

Thanks Wayne. I would suggest that you can use your smart phone with one of these adapters for decent pictures of the moon and for the brighter planets but they will be very small. I think you need a faster scope and different camera to image large faint objects like galaxies. Definitely worth a play on the Moon as a start. You will experience a new level of Astro frustration getting it to work but results are possible!

[@waynethebarber1095]

@@JenhamsAstro all it takes is a fat checkbook and lots of time to learn how things work. Clear sky's help too... I know a clamp mount is far from good. But a nice picture of the moon, and just to see Saturn's rings or Jupiter's moons would be great as far as I'm concerned...

[@JenhamsAstro]

@@waynethebarber1095 The moon is within reach without tracking as it’s so bright. A recognisable if not amazing pic of Jupiter or Saturn can be done as well. It gets tricky after that without spending money.

[@aedale1]

Great review!

[@redrepublik76ify]

Hi great vid and really enjoy the rest of them..one question please .I am new to all this and have bought a skywatcher 127 mak go-to .would this adaptor work with this or is it bound to Celestron only..sorry if this is a newbie question ..thanks

[@JenhamsAstro]

Thanks! Yes the NexYZ will fit around an eyepiece used on a 127 Mak. It grips around the eyepiece rather than being attached to the scope itself.

[@redrepublik76ify]

Thanks so much for the reply used my make for the first time properly last night as it was as clear as I've seen the sky's yet.think I'm going to enjoy this new hobbie altho I've so many questions and when I look on the internet it's conflicting with the advice given there.im in Cheshire and after this lockdown I think finding a local group may help ..thanks for your really helpfull videos for us newbies

[@joaquinbarreto9398]

Excellent review!

[@coldeb8911]

Great review, I have a Celestron NexStar 4SE , would you know if this, coupled with my phone attached (Galaxy Note 3) effect the tracking ?, as it does look a bit big and bulky, have you tested it out on a tracking mount? Thanks 😊

[@JenhamsAstro]

Hi, I've just weighed it - 280g. I'd say the weight would not be an issue on a tracked mount like yours, but it is a bulky item. It is a capable bit of kit, as i mentioned in the review, but it is also quite costly. If you think you'd just like to give smartphone astro a try as an experiment, you could look at a cheaper, lighter type like the GoSky one i have reviewed. These cheaper one's are more fiddly to set up, and you have to make doubly sure that the phone doesn't fall out if you are adjusting its distance from the eyepiece (!!), but for value for money I would say it is better than the NexYZ. The truth is that all astrophotography is fiddly to some extent, whether you buy a NeXYZ for £40 or a cheap unit for £15. I hope this helps you make a choice. Graham

[@rickdeckard4213]

A great straightforward explanation about the Celestron NexYZ Adaptor. I have Celestron 71018 SkyMaster 20 x 80 Binoculars which I use for Astronomy, so would I be correct in assuming that as it's a Celestron adaptor it will work with my binoculars no problem! Thanks.

[@JenhamsAstro]

Hi Rick, I have attached them to a pair of 8 x42 binos that I have, and it clamped on fine. It has eyepieces that are 40mm in diameter, measured to include the rubber eyecups. It will also clamp around a smaller eyepiece, like the 32mm diameter of an old "smoothie" EP, so I'd say it should work as long as your binos aren't any smaller, although it might squash the surrounding rubber a little when it's attached. I hope this helps, Graham

[@Autoxdriver]

Hi and thanks for this. I picked up a C90 in part due to your videos but I quickly realized using My mirrorless EOS M3 at prime focus does not produce adequate magnification for planets, so I've been looking for some way to increase that. I ordered a Celestron T adapter barlow that will help but don't have it yet. This however will let me use the magnification of any eyepiece I own. I'm very curious to know in your opinion for the quality/etc. of scope this is and not having a motorized mount, is using this with a high end phone camera going to give comparable image quality to a dlsr/mirrorless camera connected directly? In other words for the image provided by my scope/mount, is using a high end camera directly connected overkill? Thanks again. I enjoy your videos.

[@JenhamsAstro]

Hello and thanks for the positive feedback. I am plugging away towards the magic 1000 subs at which point i hope KZbin will restart funding some occasional cheap astro purchases! You raise an interesting question. As you will probably know the established way of getting good planetary shots is to have a motorised mount, and to stack video frames. This works with a DSLR but not as well as with a planetary camera (the file sizes become huge unless you can selectively capture part of the frame). But without a motor...I have seen a few very good "over the eyepiece" shots of Jupiter and Saturn using smartphones. Will this approach yield better results than your EOS + barlow? I don't see a clear cut winner of the contest. I have managed a few "OK" DSLR single frame planetary shots but i normally don't try this approach, favouring the video method and then letting the app pick the best frames. As you have the barlow on order and your EOS is a good one, it must be worth pursuing this first. If you aren't happy with the results then for the price of the adapter it is probably worth trying as a second step. Sorry not to be definitive. Graham

[@dario8131]

Can you look at it with your eye or does it work just for phone?

[@colleenhamilton894]

Hello! What if you wanted to take landscape photos and videos? Can you put the phone in the other way or can it only fit in portrait orientation?

[@andersonboy620]

Very useful man, thanks!!

[@terrylynch1259]

Hi...Would you know if it works well with a Samsung S20 Ultra?...Cheers

[@JenhamsAstro]

HI Terry, I've just measured it and i think it would fit although it's getting towards the max size that the adjustments will allow. Celestron's blurb says " The phone clamp can open to 92mm in width. The bottom of the phone can be as much as 160mm from the center of the camera on the phone." I see that the S20 has multiple lenses and would need to check if that affects it's use as of course you need to centralise one camera lens over the eyepiece.

[@terrylynch1259]

@@JenhamsAstro Many thanks for your reply Jenham!.. . I do have a couple of adaptors....the very bottom is the Zoom lens on the cluster....and only comes into play when magnified X10..... Cheer's

[@kamuginkhan4501]

I couldn't get it to work with my Celestron C90, but I've tried just with one eyepiece actually, a 7~21mm zoom one. This kind of device is scarcely an ersatz for a dedicated camera with telephoto lenses.

[@JenhamsAstro]

You are right that a phone over an EP is not the ideal setup, but for someone who has bought a first scope it is a cheap way to get some initial results, as they probably have the camera in their pocket. Clear skies.

[@kaelajoshua7188]

Will this work with an IPOD? I have the newest IPOD Touch 7 and was hoping this would work

[@JenhamsAstro]

I expect so if it's similar in size to a phone.

[@davidemazzi6414]

buona notte, io ho un oppo 8 lite e binocoli celestron skimaster 25x 70 , questo oggetto puo andare o consigliate altro? grazie

[@usmanshahid8069]

Hi Graham, I purchased this smartphone adapter recently and have taken really nice photos and videos of the Moon with my Celestron C90. I tried capturing Jupiter on my phone but I can't see the main belts on the planet. It just appears like a very bright white disc. Do you have any suggestions on how to get more detail in my photos and videos? Thanks :)

[@JenhamsAstro]

Hi, if you are using the standard camera app then it can overexpose and give you just a white disk. You might try an app that allows you to control the camera. I use "NightCap". You can then drag some sliders to adjust the speed, exposure etc until the bands appear. It is a big hit and miss, and the overall quality is very dependent on the seeing conditions as i'm sure you know, but it's worth a try. Graham

[@usmanshahid8069]

OK. Thank you.

[@TheRobbieg2006]

Hi Graham what is the max eyepiece dim that it will except? Looks good :-)

[@JenhamsAstro]

Hi Robert, the maximum diameter is stated as 60mm, so it should accept most EPs.

[@nordmende73]

Thank you very much!

[@paulkazjack]

Mr Jenhamcould you please give us some details on what tripod that is and where to buy it from thanks.

[@JenhamsAstro]

paulkazjack The mount in the video is a Vixen Porta II. A cheaper alternative is a Skywatcher AZ5.

[@paulkazjack]

@@JenhamsAstro thanx mate

[@atefgilly6962]

Thank you for the review.

[@DoomWalker42]

I got this adapter to use with the Skywatcher Heritage 130P though I noticed that the telescope falls down at certain angles because the adapter and phone are too heavy. I had an idea about attaching a thin chain and hook to the back of the telescope and table top mount that way I can adjust it and stop it from falling. Would that work? Are there any other alternatives?

[@JenhamsAstro]

A chain might help but it isn't ideal to have a tether between scope and mount that you need to keep in tension. You could try some kind of counterweight on the tube to re-balance it. Sometimes a magnet can do the trick, or else try a weight and a rubber band or strap.

[@DoomWalker42]

@@JenhamsAstro Thanks! I will shop around and see what I can find. I was thinking of having a counterweight but not sure how to rig that up. Though I was having issues where the camera on my phone did not work when I put it in the adapter so I think I will just return it or sell the adapter.

[@CindyBallreich]

This is an excellent and instructive video, but it lacks cat content. This is the internet you know, and cat presence increases views.

[@JenhamsAstro]

Thanks and duly noted!

[@palomalopezb]

Does this adapter allows to take photos without the black circle around?

[@JenhamsAstro]

Yes but this is often achieved with a little zoom being applied on the phone.

[@g-dd-were5763]

I don’t like that mine is moving to sides, up and down without even turning the screw, just by pushing it by accident when trying to adjust.

[@JenhamsAstro]

Agreed. I think the unit is too heavy and can be too difficult to clamp firmly onto an eyepiece to stop unwanted movement. The 3D adjustment is good, but the adapter has its flaws.

[@pahlavipahlavi5926]

Hi,does this adaptor works on celestron astromaster130eq ? thanks

[@JenhamsAstro]

Hi, yes the adapter should fit around the standard 1.25" eyepieces used by the 130eq.

[@pahlavipahlavi5926]

@@JenhamsAstro thanks

[@OfficialNetDevil]

Can it be used with a microscope?

[@JenhamsAstro]

I don't see why not given that the eyepiece sizes are similar. I haven't tried it though.

[@boglyukov]

What about binoculars ? Can they be used ?

[@JenhamsAstro]

Hi Sergey, that's a good question. I have a pair of 10 x 42 binos that are mainly for nature viewing, but i have just attached the NexYZ with no problem and taken a picture through one of the eyepieces. The outer diameter of the rubber eyecup on my binos is around 40mm and the clamp was able to tighten around it well; it would be OK on larger diameters. Clear skies! Graham

[@franciscojac]

binoculars too??

[@JenhamsAstro]

Generally yes, although it squashes the rubber eyeguard -not a big issue. I've used it on a pair of 8 x 42s and it works quite well.

[@danny4541]

I can not agree. For this price, there are better options. I had a cheaper product in use before which gave way better results. I admit that the knobs are a nice idea. Everything else is just huge disappointment. There are reflections plus this thing is so heavy, that theres always a gap between EP and camera. i wish i had never bought this thing!

[@JenhamsAstro]

Hi Danny, I have a video on my channel for just such a cheaper adapter and I agree that it is better value for money, even if it isn't as adjustable.

[@mmeyers111]

Spend a pound or two and buy a remote mic. I can't hear you.

[@mikelastpass689]

my thumbs down is not due to content but rather i couldn't hear much of what was said. Volume Way too low even with my system cranked up all the way.

[@JenhamsAstro]

Sorry Mike, hopefully my more recent videos have better sound. Clear skies.

[@DavidMFChapman]

Sounds good to me.