Celestron NexStar 60 SLT Computerized Telescope

by Celestron

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 24 x 20 x 8 inches ; 28 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 28 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B0007UQNMM
• Item model number: 22076
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #14,770 in Camera & Photo (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo)
  • #84 in Camera & Photo > Binoculars, Telescopes & Optics > Telescopes > Refractors
• Date first available at Amazon.com: October 9, 2008

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

The Celestron NexStar 60 SLT Computerized Telescope is a highly affordable yet advanced telescope that can turn starry nights into space odysseys for aspiring astronomers. The telescope's 60-millimeter refractors come with a fully computerized hand control with a database of over 4,000 celestial objects. With its pre-assembled, adjustable steel tripod, the NexStar 60 can be up and ready to use in a matter of minutes. Celestron's SkyAlign alignment technology and the included StarPointer Finderscope with a red LED makes aligning a breeze. With the NexStar 60, you can see breathtaking views of the lunar landscape, Venus and its phases, Jupiter and its four moons, and much more. Weighing only 9.5 pounds, this telescope can be easily moved to your favorite observations point.

Product Description

Designed to be an affordable entry level to mid-level computerized GoTo telescope, the NexStar SLT refractors and reflectors are available in them most popular sizes and are loaded with valuable design features. With pre-assembled, adjustable stainless steel tripods, and quick release fork arms and tubes, NexStar SLT telescopes can be set up in a few minutes with no tools required. Powered by 8 AA user supplied batteries or an optional AC adapter the NexStar GoTo is perfect for traveling. The internal battery compartment provides power to the high precision servo motors for rigid low-vibration performance while eliminating cord wrap issues associated with external battery packs. The NexStar's ergonomically designed hand control, the user is free to remove the hand control form its holder for remote use. With a touch of a button you can select the oject catalog, change the slew speed, view fascinating information about an object or simply know if a desired object is visible in the sky. Sturdy stainless steel tripod StarPointer finderscope to help with alignment Auxiliary port for additional accessories such as GPS accessory Motorized altazimuth mount and fully computerized hand control US and International city database to easily set your location Flash upgradeable hand control software and motor control units Aperture - 60mm (2.4 inch) Focal Length - 700mm f/12 Eyepiece 25mm (28x), 9mm (78x) Weight 9.5 pounds

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

48 of 50 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Think before buying this scope, December 30, 2006

By 

Doug Rice (Twin Falls, ID USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Celestron NexStar 60 SLT Computerized Telescope (Electronics)

The NexStar 60 is better than the numerous trashy scopes on the market in that the manufacturer has chosen the eyepieces reasonably and omitted the ridiculously high power ones along with the exaggerated claims. The scope also has the convenience of computerization. But the fact remains that a telescope is only as good as its optics, and this is a low-end model. What, then, should you expect with this scope and what should you not expect?

What you should not expect is an easy ticket to stunning views like those in picture books. Those pictures were taken with time exposures. In an amateur telescope, most celestial objects are dim smudges whose vague glow is barely visible against the sky background. This is especially so for a scope as small as this one. In it, some star clusters will show up dimly but decently; most galaxies and nebulae will be barely visible, if at all.

What you can expect is a partial bypass of the often frustrating process of finding objects in the sky. Given how miserable that task is with the inferior eyepieces and finders so prevalent on mass-market telescopes, there is something to be said for go-to scopes like this one.

But finding is only one of the challenges you face in stargazing. Looking through an astronomical telescope is a learned skill, less like playing an MP3 file and more like playing a guitar. The more time you spend training your eyes to see detail just barely at the edge of visibility, the more you will get out of observing. You will also see a lot more if you take the time to get to a relatively dark observing spot and dark-adapt your eyes for a half hour or more. If all this disappoints and deters you, do not even consider this scope.

If, instead, you are fascinated by this prospect, this scope may possibly be for you. But before buying it, think about what you really want from astronomy and consider the alternatives.

If computerized finding attracts you, is it because you simply want to see the wonders of the sky without investing too much effort? Maybe a better alternative would be to contact your local astronomy club and attend a star party. The members love sharing their hobby, and their scopes will show you far more than you will see in a 60mm model like the NexStar 60.

Or are you attracted by the price and see this scope as a way to get started in a fascinating hobby without spending too much? Consider instead dropping the computerization and concentrating your limited resources on better optics. Manual finding must be learned, but it is fairly easy with good quality finders and eyepieces. For about the same money, you could get a new noncomputerized 150mm (6") Dobsonian--available here on Amazon from Celestron and other manufacturers--that would offer nearly 3 times the useful magnification, (more importantly) gather 6 times the light, and keep you busy for years. You could even get a used one on the Astromart website for less than you would pay for the NexStar 60.

Another affordable alternative is 10x50 binoculars with a tripod and mounting bracket. For most objects, they will show every bit as much as a 60mm scope like this one. In fact, binoculars are the best way to get started in astronomy. The Amazon website offers some good choices in binoculars.

Maybe you want computerization and money is not an object. Then I suggest you skip the low-end stuff and get a computerized 125-200mm (5-8") scope. Amazon also sells these.

Have I flooded you with too many things to think about? Well, this is precisely the point. You need to do your homework before you buy. Buying a telescope without prior experience is like buying a car without knowing anything about cars or driving. I suggest you start by learning the sky with your unaided eye, a chart, and a night-vision-saving red flashlight. Your local astronomy club is a valuable source of experience and advice. Learn how to view with binoculars. Before you buy a scope, try out different ones.

For more information on buying telescopes, see my encyclopedic guide on Amazon: "So you want to buy a telescope."

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Beginner Computerized Telescope: Celestron NexStar 60 SLT Refractor, August 27, 2010

By 

JAF (Berea, KY, US) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Celestron NexStar 60 SLT Computerized Telescope (Electronics)

Low cost telescope that is initially difficult to align using SkyAlign (the feature that uses the computer to track objects in the sky); manual vertical and horizontal controls work very well; great viewing potential with the computer assist; needs Barlow lense, and long view lense if you wear eyeglasses. Scope and tripod are heavy. Great introductory software, manual from website is more detailed than the shipped manual. FinderScope very bright with variable adjustment.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best beginner scope under $150, July 31, 2010

By 

OutreAnima "-Outre" (Logan, Ut) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Celestron NexStar 60 SLT Computerized Telescope (Electronics)

I primarily got this to use the tripod for time-lapse photography, however I figured I'd see how well the scope could do compared to my 90mm Mak. For what it is, it's actually pretty good. Star clusters and the moon come out nice and clear, Jupiter and the moons are easy to see, even Saturn and Venus, great views... however I wouldn't sell it as being a deep view telescope. For one, even with the 9mm eyepiece it comes with, you're not going to see a great deal of detail or get too close to anything but the moon. This is definately a beginner scope, great for a teen or just something to start with and have a nice tracking system with it. The cowling for the telescope unscrews and my 90mm Orion slipped in just fine. I'd imagine a beginner could move up easily by just getting a better optical tube and saving on expensive tripods. The setup out of the box took a whole 5 minutes. Just unbox everything, put the diagonal and eyepiece into the scope, mount the scope, put in batteries and you're set. I aligned it to Venus, selected Mars, then Saturn, and it easily centered on both without any hassle.

I mentioned I got it for time-lapse photography. I've yet to figure out a camera mount on my own, but Orion sells an L-bracket for about $35 after shipping. The motion is smooth and it rotates around and around, so there's no limits. No need to upgrade the controller, speed settings are quick and simple.

I'd say the only drawback is not being able to unlock the drive so it's a free alt-az. The upper arm is half constructed of metal, the drive gears are all metal and have a nice tight fit. The tripod is a bit bulky, but to be expected for stability.

I also like the dew cover, it allowed me to put my 90mm solar filter on the scope too. The dust cover also has a removable center to shade out any obstructing lights without compromising the field of view.

It's true, you get what you pay for, but it's not always true that paying a whole lot more is worth what you're looking for..