Customer Reviews

Celestron Nexstar 114GT 114mm Go-To Reflector Telescope

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This scope is certainly the best of the automated 4-1/2" scopes, but at the same time, I think spending that much on such a small scope is really not the best way to allocate your telescope dollars. Adding automation to this little scope more than doubles the price of the scope- and if you can afford that much, you'd be far better off with a larger scope.

For the cost of this scope, you can buy an 8" or 10" "dobsonian" reflector from Celestron, Meade and other suppliers that has much greater light gathering capacity and much higher resolution. There's just no comparison between the views you'd get in a little scope like this and those from a larger scope. Automation is better used on much larger scopes where it's a smaller part of teh purchase price.

This scope is one of the best in the under [a high price] catagory. I bought it because it was a complete package (scope, eyepieces, "go to" computer, and full-sized tripod). It performs well and lives up to the hype on the box. The "go to" feature really works - the sought after object is almost always somewhere in the low power field of view. The only flaw is the battery pack, which seems like an afterthought and is always getting tangled. As another reviewer noted, the tube tends to bump the mount when viewing objects overhead, which forces you to realign unnecessarily...

The Celestron Nexstar 114GT Telescope is wonderfully easy to assemble. From the box to fully assembled takes a matter of minutes. I myself am not a great reader of directions and the assembly process does not require a degree in engineering. The alignment process does require a compass for accuracy. A small level would also be useful. Perhaps this could be considered in an updated version with a small compass and level built into the telescope's framework. The price is competitive and accessories are available for computer aided star alignment. I like it.

The Nexstar 114 GT was very easy to put together and use. I was viewing the moon and Saturn the first night out. Having the built in motor and star database makes this telescope a breeze to use when trying to locate nearly any object. My one complaint is that the plug for the battery pack occasionally slips out of the telescope. Once that happens, you have to go through the alignment process all over again (which takes about 3-5 minutes).

When I bought this scope, I had great expectations. For the most part, it delivered, but as I learned more and wanted to see further, I ran into limitations. The box said I could use the inclosed software to control the scope with a laptop. Almost right. You can use the software, but you have to buy the updated Level 2 version ... plus all the extra cables .... Also, this thing eats batteries, especially on a cold night. If you're serious about star-gazing, invest in the cigarette lighter adapter. The manual has a few errors on some of the handset functions and the scope has a bad habit of hitting the tripod while slewing to an object. This is really annoying because you have to re-align every time it happens. I know this sounds like I'm trashing the scope, but, overall, I'm happy with it. Anyone interested in getting into astronomy could learn a lot from this scope.

I bought the Nestar 114GT as my first telescope and I'm really having a great time!

Affordable for a motorized telescope and pretty powerful.

Easy to set up, light, easy to transport.

You can easily spot all the planets, even Pluto!!(.. if the sky is clear and your eyes are good), for the rings... well, that's different...you'll need a more powerful scope.

The cons:

- the manual: even if the scope is easy to set up and it's kind of "self-explanatory", I noticed that the manual is poor and not very helpful... you learn day by day.

- the motorized arm: when sleughin to stars or planets, sometimes it "skips" a gear or two so that the alignment is not perfect. I don't know if this happens with every scope or just with mine.

Some advice: don't expect the scope to do everything for you. You still need to know which star you're looking at and where to find it. The computerized alignment is not always perfect and you might ended up looking at Arcturus while thinking of Polaris.

Buy accessories! The scope comes with two eye-pieces: a 10mm and a 15mm. They are good, but if you want to check some detail you need more powerful eye-pieces. I bought the set that contains planet filters (great for Moon-viewing!) and eye-pieces (with a good 2x Barlow lens). This set is sold at Amazon as well.

If you like to see the Sun and its sun-spot, then you can buy a solar filter and you'll be stocked!!!

And don't forget the AC adapter!!!

I recently purchased the Celestron NexStar 114GT in preparation for a college astronomy course and I am sure glad I did! I am still learning how to use it, but so far it is exceeding my expectations. The fact that I can control the scope with the handheld control or my laptop computer is a real plus. If you plan to use your laptop computer with this scope, you will need to purchase an inexpensive serial cable compatible with the NexStar. With this cable you can hook up to the telescope hand control using your serial port or USB port (using a converter, that's what I do)

I also found an Internet site for people who own any Celestron NexStar telescope. This site is wonderful! It is full of so much information (www.nexstarsite.com) On this site are things like tips for viewing, controller the scope with your PC, updated NexStar Observer List software, and information regarding accessories (including the serial cable above)...plus so much more!

Bottom line...the Celestron NexStar 114GT is an excellent value for the beginner or intermediate observer. I highly recommend it.

I have been an amateur astronomer for 30 years - my first scope being a Criterion RV6. I bought this scope two years ago mainly due to the GoTo tracking and the Celestron name. Despite knowing the location of a few hundred objects, this telescope has opened the sky for me. I take it camping and throw it in the car whenever I think I might find clear dark skies.

The hand controller is packed with information about each of the objects in its inventory. The info scrolls across the LCD once the object is located.

The GoTo feature is a MUST for beginner astronomers. As a first timer, you will NOT be able to locate even a fraction of the objects with a Dobsonian (as suggested in an earlier review). Your frustration will kill your enthusiasm - but this scope will keep you interested and happy for a long time.

I would suggest purchasing the Celestron 9 piece eyepiece set for $100 (a great deal) and the AC adapter (the drive eats batteries).

I have had the Nexstar 114 GT for only a couple of weeks, but it's great! Easy to set-up, easy to align. Has great optics, good definition of objects. This is the first scope I have owned, and it has only made me more interested in astronomy. Like everyone, the first object I viewed was the moon...fantastic! Then on to Jupiter and it's four moons...awesome. Bottom line, great scope at a decent price.

This is my first scope! It is easy to set-up, and the controls are a breeze. Once you get it aligned it finds everything for you by the press of a button, which in turn adds to your knowledge of the skys by telling you what your looking at all the time. I do wish it was more powerful, but you can always buy stronger eyepeices. I only paid $302.43 Canadian for this brand new with tax! That's $196.72 before tax in US dollars. People were complaining about the battery pack falling off, but as long as your paying attention to it, and move the pack when you see the cord being stretched you wont have any troubles.
I recommend you buy the Celestron eyepiece and filter package if you buy this scope.
It's perfect for a first telescope if you ask me.