REVIEW: Celestron NexYZ Phone Telescope Adapter (Plus: Contains fix to uncommon DEFECT)

[@rlmcnugsy1434]

I don't believe a better review/tutorial could exist. Nice job.

[@reflactor]

Thank you for the kind words. I'm glad you found it helpful!

[@citizengkar7824]

The simple fact that an historically named astronomical brand is marketing products, with such poor quality control, is of major concern, to me. It would probably lead me to not procuring the adapter. If something broke, as a consequence, of attempting to rectify poor manufacture, then I'd bet the company would not honour any warranty. Let alone trying to explain to the seller, you bought it from. I also struggle to believe anyone when they say this is the first they have heard of it. The amount of times sales reps, or counter people, have told me the same thing, when I've criticised the quality, of a product, in my line of work, is laughable. Another well presented video. Thanks.

[@Lordenzus]

Great tutorial! Ty

[@reflactor]

Thanks for watching. I hope you have lots of fun with it. Clear skies!

[@PeterHamiltonz]

Thank you for the tips on tightening. Everything is packed away, but I'll have a look when I have everything out next. And I will be careful..😉

[@reflactor]

Thanks for watching and have fun. Clear skies!

[@trebor2850]

Thanks for this. I bought another phone adapter (Triadapter) because the Celestron one was so sloppy. Thanks, as I now have adjusted the Celestron adapter and taken up the slack so now I have two! I will be trialling them over the viewing sessions to see which one suits me better. Even so it was disappointing to receive the new Celestron adapter in such a condition from the factory. Thanks for your videos.

[@reflactor]

You're in the same boat as me. I have one of each, but I never use the Celestron NeXYZ anymore. I think the NeXYZ would be an excellent one if they had made it out of aluminum instead of that bendy plastic.

[@billtracy8865]

Thank you for producing this video. Good to see that you mention the faults of this camera holder. I have experienced all of the difficulties you mention, most troublesome, for me, is the problem with a smartphone with the camera lens in the center of the phone. Which you cover well. I have not seen any other reviews that mention this. Appreciate you covering this.

[@reflactor]

Thank you, Bill. I am also a bit surprised that the central-camera problem hasn't been a bigger issue. I ran into it and my phone isn't that large. From an engineering standpoint, it's disappointing that they didn't shift some of that side-to-side range over to the right a bit more. Just another quarter inch to half inch would open it up to even the largest of phones. My first unit also had the manufacturing defect, so I apparently got the holy grail of problematic adapters, lol. I guess it's a good thing because it gave me a chance to let all potential buyers know what might be in store for them. Despite the flaws, I really like it (after I fixed it of course). Clear skies!

[@bmur56]

I own this adaptor and really liked the tips you gave on how to use and adjust it. It was not not for your NexYZ holder giveaway but for your well made and clear presentations that I've just subscribed to your channel.

[@reflactor]

Thank you! I have a lot of fun making these videos. I wish I had a better setup, but I try to make do. One of these days, I'm going to buy a real camera (I use my phone to record all of these). Clear skies!

[@samsen3965]

A must-see video clip, if you are to buy this or a similar 3-axis adapter. Thanks for the great content.

[@reflactor]

Thank you for watching! I'm glad you found the information helpful. Clear skies!

[@ondrys5844]

Hello, great video, but I have a question whether the holder you show at the beginning of the video is the basic one, if it is suitable for the SkyMaster 20x80 binoculars, if the eyepiece is not too big, Thank you very much for the answer :¨)

[@reflactor]

I think they make a few different styles, but this is their flagship 3-axis version. I've never hooked one of these up to binoculars, so I'm afraid I don't know.

[@Mikey-ym6ok]

Also if you have an apple phone and Apple Watch, you don’t need the Bluetooth remote. You can take pics off the watch

[@reflactor]

Thank you! I really don't know anything about Apple gear, so that is a very helpful tip. Clear skies!

[@Mikey-ym6ok]

@@reflactorno problem. Had to buy this because the nex go, the 40 dollar one the gear didn’t touch the rail for the y axis. Hopefully this one in your video doesn’t have that issue. Clear skies.

[@johngillis4050]

Android phones since version 8.2 have built-in voice activation for taking snapshots and video. For this purpose, you say "cheese", "shoot" or "capture" to start the shoot sequence. Note: for video, there is no voice control to stop; you have to preess the record button to stop. I typically also add a 2 second delay to the shutter.

[@reflactor]

Great point! Most modern phones have the voice activated shutter which is very handy. In fact, I actually used it during production of this video (that's how I took the thumbnail picture where both of my hands are visible). Clear skies!

[@MARTIN201199]

Any Bluetooth earphones will work. Just set the camera app to take pictures with volume up/down.

[@TheStingator]

Really nice job and helpful resource for this device. I am watching your review some months on from when you posted, and I have been looking for and wondering why no one seems to make one of these for an iPad or similar tablet. I would think a tablet would be a great alternative to having to look directly through an eyepiece, especially when two or three people are sharing the scope, but it doesn’t seem an option. Do you know if there is a solution to achieve that? Thanks!

[@reflactor]

I occasionally get asked about how these work with Apple products. Unfortunately, I don't have any. However, the reason why these aren't sized for larger tablets is probably just due to weight and awkwardness. The center of gravity of the tablet is so far away from the camera that it would probably flex any adapter they might use.

[@FlameBlue9016]

Question what would be a good an Adapter lens to use with this adapter?

[@reflactor]

With this adapter, any long eyepice will work. It needs to be long enough to have something to clamp onto.

[@FlameBlue9016]

@@reflactor awesome! Thanks …

[@edf2953]

This is an EXCELLENT video! I’m serious when I say that you should license this video to Celestron as it will benefit anyone who buys this cell phone adapter. Great job!

[@reflactor]

Thank you! I do these for the fun of it, but I'll see if Celestron does that kindof thing. It's worth a try!

[@edf2953]

@@reflactor They are silly if they don’t license your video. I just recently subscribed to your Channel and you produce some of the best material on all of you tube! Simply amazing quality!

[@reflactor]

@@edf2953 Thanks Ed, I've got some more fun videos in various stages of production. :)

[@AstronomyWales]

My phone is only 3 inches wide with a case, but its pretty tall. The bottom of the the phone to the centre of the main lens is just under 5 3/4 inches. Do you think this will work?

[@reflactor]

The length won't be a problem since there is a lot of adjustment in that direction. The width is the real limiting factor.

[@theodoreivanov6257]

Thank you very much for this and all your other videos, it saves beginners like me months of research time and certainly some costly mistakes. I am at a bit of a loss regarding the horizontal alignment issue with the NexYZ. In the video, you state that phones with lenses located towards a corner, such as notably all recent iPhones, would be a problem. Yet in the comment by Bill Tracy it appears it is the opposite - a phone with a lens at the center appears to be more problematic. Kindly elaborate.

[@reflactor]

Thank you for watching. In the video (kzbin.info/www/bejne/haizn6eAaq14apo), I point out that corner-mounted cameras will be good, but center-mounted cameras will have a hard time. I also state that iPhones won't have any problem (they have corner cameras). If you have an iPhone, you should be in a very good position to use this adapter. Have fun and clear skies!

[@theodoreivanov6257]

@@reflactor Great.

[@daviddorfman320]

Just found this video, so I am late in commenting. One generic fix for stubby eyepieces would be an eyepiece barrel extension that screw into the bottom of the eyepiece barrel. They are available from a variety of sources.

[@reflactor]

That's an excellent idea! Have to use caution though because that might push the focuser tube out beyond it's reachable extension for some eyepieces. Definitely worth a try though.

[@j8rtUfh3evz]

Excellent review - question, I have my Samsung note phone in a flip case - would you recommend a bumper style frame around the phone before mounting it on this adapter or does it provide any cushioning?

[@reflactor]

Cases can be a help or a hindrance. I use mine to bypass the Bixby button (I've carved out the button extension that usually triggers Bixby). Otherwise, the clamp of the smartphone adapter triggers Bixby.

[@waynethebarber1095]

A very nice video. It is just what i needed. I have just goten an old Mead schmidt-cassegrain 2045 scope. It has the 1.25 inch. Eyepieces. Will this fit on my scope or should i get the other bracket you showed? I have a Mead 25mm and a Edmond scientific RKE. 28mm and both have an inch where the bracket could clamp on to. The RKE has an eye cup too. I hope i have given you enough information. Thank you for putting in the time to make your video's....

[@reflactor]

Generally speaking, I only use smartphone adapters that clamp onto the exposed part of the eyepieces. Hopefully, your eyepieces would fit any of these. I now highly recommend the Accuview adapter here: amzn.to/3oj33bM

[@MervinDeJager-o2s]

This and similar adapters doesn't work for the iPhone Pro Max series. They have 3 separate lenses that automatically toggle between themselves to find the best image quality and it's impossible to align all 3 lenses with a single eyepiece at once. Should someone know of an App or other work-around, I would be thrilled to hear from you.

[@reflactor]

That's unfortunate news about the new iPhone. I plan to use my old Android for as long as possible.

[@shennalim111]

Great video. Thanks from Australia.

[@willhoward9865]

Bought your book on Audible. Thanks. I’ll leave a review after I listen to it. Onward to cellphone telescope adapters…

[@reflactor]

Thanks you for your support. Have fun taking photos of the night sky!

[@chm1701]

Great review. I honestly thought that the lever you press to open the clamp was a cam-lever design, but I’m glad I watched this video to clarify that isn’t the case. Thanks!

[@reflactor]

I'm glad the review was helpful for you. Thanks!

[@jaime9037]

Just purchased the NexYZ adapter after watching your video. Your review was excellent, and the insight you provided on point. Thank you!

[@reflactor]

Thank you for watching. I'm glad you found it useful. Clear skies!

[@waynethebarber1095]

What kind of scope do you have? Do you still use it a lot? We're you able to make good pictures with it? I am on the fence on getting one . Was yours over kill?

[@tomj7461]

Thankyou for such an informative video. I just bought this, and had a hard time adjusting it to my Celestron Ultima 80 spotting scope. Your video helped immensely with the phone camera settings. Now I can take great pictures.

[@reflactor]

Thank you for watching! I'm glad the video was helpful. Have fun with your Celestron!

[@lovetheoutdoors9485]

I have the same adapter and it's a pain to align with my Moto G Power always gives me a hard time but I do manage to get it right. On cellphones with single camera are much easier.

[@reflactor]

I'm glad you have been able to put this adapter to good work. Thank you for watching. Clear skies!

[@johnnycashenthusiast7841]

Thank you for the note about the nut. Great video!

[@leonfisher]

Saw your shorter review on Amazon. Continued my investigation here on KZbin and what do you know, here you are. Great review.

[@reflactor]

Thank you for watching! I hope was helpful.

[@10intexas]

I bought one of these from the "Jungle" site. I was ready to return it and watched this. Sure enough, the screws on the Z axis were completely loose. Got my trusty eyeglass repair kit and used the small screwdriver to snug them up and presto. You are a great resource.

[@reflactor]

I'm glad the video was able to help. Thank you for watching!

[@RickMcQuay]

Thank you very much, saved me a lot of frustration. I was fiddling with tension screws then found your video; I have the short screw problem too. My android phone just fits if I jiggle it into the right spot, haven't tried observing at night yet.

[@reflactor]

I'm glad it was able to help. I also found it frustrating and was on a mission to get it working properly. My phone just barely fits with no room to spare when the side-to-side adjustment is at full extension.

[@tjzambonischwartz]

Hadn't handled a NexYZ adapter before and now looking at this video I realize they reused a ton of components from the development of this to create the Starsense Explorer dock. When I got a Starsense LT80 to cannibalize the dock for my other scopes (using a 3D printed adapter to mount it to any standard finder dovetail) I also had to tighten the adjustment axes. They were way too loose out of the box. It was nigh impossible to remove the phone from the bracket without also moving it in the x axis. Definitely not optimal considering once it's set up for my phone, I don't want it moving easily.

[@reflactor]

Thank you for the comment. I think they had the right idea and good intentions - it just required higher quality manufacturing methods.

[@tjzambonischwartz]

@@reflactor I don't even think the manufacturing is that lacking, just not optimally calibrated for the user at the factory. Wouldn't be a problem if they included the instructions for how to tighten it with the product itself, but leaving that out is a big oversight. After the adjustment I've been super happy with the build quality. a in fact, knowing the NexYZ is built from the same framework makes me want to bite the bullet on one. My existing afocal smartphone adapter is a POS.

[@mjklein]

Nice to see an engineer's review, including the diagrams and the fix. I just got one and now i know exactly how to set it up. Thanks very much. Subbed.

[@reflactor]

Thank you for watching. Celestron told me that the defect was rare (in fact, they said mine was the first time they'd seen it). Well, if anybody out there has the same problem, I hope this video helps them out. Thank you for the sub. Clear skies!

[@mjklein]

@@reflactor I in fact, just set mine up, and the Z axis is so loose that virtually as soon as the eye cup, touches the back of the phone the whole plane of the Z axis changes. It’s so loose that I had to tighten up the Y axis, dovetail way screws, as well as the Z axis, dovetail way screws. I’m positive that if I gave this to one of my factories (I live in Taiwan), they could replicate those parts in billet.

[@reflactor]

@@mjklein There is a link in the Description box that takes you to their instructions for "Adjusting" everything. Seems unfortunate that this isn't done at the factory. As you mention, it's a shame that they didn't make these resin parts out of metal - it would probably be rock solid.

[@thatOnePerson_EditzTvT]

I'm asking this but what iPhone do you use to fit the adapter or it fits every phone size

[@reflactor]

This particular adapter should be good for any iPhone, especially since the camera is in the corner of the phone.

[@ryankowarsky5086]

Great video! Will this adapter work with the iPhone 14 pro max ? Also, there are 3 camera lenses on the iPhone 14 pro max. Will this be a problem at all ? (Wanting to use with a microscope)

[@reflactor]

Unfortunately I don't own any Apple products, so I can't say for sure. If your camera lenses are in the corner, then there there is a good chance it will work. But there is a maximum width limit too that I think is mentioned in the video. Good luck and have fun.

[@h.b.4443]

I have the iPhone 14 Pro Max and I use it with this xyz adapter and it works just fine.

[@baranjen]

What a brilliant video. Thank you very much for all the thought and effort put into this video.

[@reflactor]

Thank you for the kind words - I'm glad you enjoyed the video. Clear skies!

[@ignaciadevoto]

Thanks for this amazing video. I am having trouble getting the Z axis properly stable. How long was the screw you used as a replacement? I think I have no other choice but to replace the screw also! 😢

[@reflactor]

For what it's worth, I used a 2mm machine screw that was 10mm long. It could've probably been 8mm, but I could only find them in 10mm lengths. Good luck with the fix! Clear skies!

[@ignaciadevoto]

@@reflactor thank you very much for your feedback and fast respond! :)

[@philb5]

I purchased two of these they will not work on a spotting scope or a small monocular because the adjustment knobs get in the way when mounting it

[@reflactor]

Sorry to hear that. I'm finding more and more shortcomings with it. I'm testing a new three-axis adapter now that I think is way better.

[@arturcarneirobarroso]

@@reflactor What is it?

[@demej00]

Move Shoot Move 3d adapter is hands down the best adapter.

[@reflactor]

I agree with you. I've since reviewed it and posted the following review: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fZTTfXSQgK52rZI

[@demej00]

@@reflactor Actually, I think I got the idea that it is the best from your video. haha. I don't have one yet but have struggled with the old style, try to get the eyepiece centered by moving the phone around in the dark and guessing a lot. Can't wait to get one.

[@Ashanti0826]

Great video. Thanks for the help. 👍🏾📹

[@reflactor]

Thank you for watching. Hope the information proves helpful. Clear skies!

[@leonfisher]

@12:36 you point out an issue. What adjustment fixed that problem?

[@reflactor]

A few moments after that, I show the two adjustment screws for the Z axis. That is what you're supposed to adjust (Celestron has instructions for this, linked in the Description box). My original one was defective because the screw could not reach the part that needed adjustment. I also cover that in the video.

[@leonfisher]

@@reflactor Thanks for the response. I tried all that and your link. Nothing worked. I just wanted to be sure I didn't miss something. (I ended up shimming the plastic piece that attaches the eyepiece clamp to the body.)

[@klttrll]

What scope do you use the es 82 degree 30mm with?

[@reflactor]

I've used it in my Orion XT8 8 inch Dob and Orion 14 inch Dob. I honestly don't use it much because I'm terrified of dropping it. I'll probably sell it one of these days.

[@klttrll]

Any visual problems when using it with the 8”?

[@reflactor]

@@klttrll No visual problems except I can't quite get my phone lined up with this one. I now recommend this one from Amazon: amzn.to/42JAJ11

[@klttrll]

You don’t notice any aberrations or edge distortions in the 14”

[@reflactor]

@@klttrll I didn't, but I think that depends partially on the eyepieces too.

[@g-dd-were5763]

So you say that if I got iPhone with side cameras, I shouldn’t buy it? (sorry for my English).

[@reflactor]

The opposite is true. The Celestron NeXYZ works good if your camera is in the corner.

[@g-dd-were5763]

@@reflactor thanks, it's it in RIGHT corner when the screen is facing the user.

[@paulf3]

I just ordered one and watching your video for tips when I realized my brand new phones camera is all the way to the right.....

[@reflactor]

Thank you for watching. Hold the phone vertical (like you're checking a text message) and then slowly rotate it, maintaining the vertical attitude (top pointing away from you). The vast majority of phones will have the lens in the upper-left corner once you turn it over. That's how iPhones do it. If that's how yours is, I think it will be a perfect fit. If the camera is however in the upper right corner after doing that rotation, then I don't think the NexYZ will work. Good luck and clear skies!

[@lawrence1md]

Do you have a recommendation for the camera app for iPhones?

[@reflactor]

Unfortunately I don't - I use an Android-based phone. I suspect that the default camera app may have special modes that allow you to change autofocus to manual focus though.

[@lawrence1md]

@@reflactor I found a app for the iPhone. Do you have a video or can you do a video on some of the settings you find best for astro photography? Many thanks

[@reflactor]

@@lawrence1md About half way through the following video, I demonstrate what settings I use on my camera app (shutter speed, etc.): kzbin.info/www/bejne/eX68kqONm718m7M

[@chrishebert5672]

@@lawrence1md What app did you find for the iPhone? I'm heading to the solar eclipse in April with my 60 year old Criterion Dynascope 6" reflector. It's ancient, but it does have a clock drive.

[@lawrence1md]

@@chrishebert5672 it’s called “pro camera by moment”

[@cgmanimator]

Great video! Just curious if you have any recommendations for an Android app that works with 45 degree angle eyepieces to help with finding these through the phone as opposed to through the eyepiece.

[@reflactor]

I'm afraid I don't quite understand the question. Are you looking for an app that can use the view through the eyepiece as a star guide?

[@cgmanimator]

@@reflactor I think we're on the same page. I want to use my nexyz phone adapter with a 45 deg eyepiece. Normally the camera must be facing the sky to find stars. Instead it's pointing down, so the gyroscope forces the star map to only show what's beneath you. Imagine a calibration that is off set to accommodate the 45 deg., yet still accurate when searching for stars despite the camera facing a different direction.

[@reflactor]

@@cgmanimator Since the adapters grab onto the eyepieces themselves, the nexyz should work just like on any other telescope. As for apps that search the view, I think you're getting into territory like the Celestron Starsense. I don't know much about those.

[@springbloom5940]

I use a Bluetooth mouse for camera control.

[@reflactor]

That's a good idea. I use a very simple Bluetooth shutter button, but that's all it does.

[@2todaysstars8]

This nexyz adapter is a scam trash compared to accuview adapter or nexgo dx kit. you can't control the sagging issue no matter what you do. 😢

[@reflactor]

The flexing does make it a bit of a challenge.