Celestron Nexstar 8i Telescope Kit w/XLT Coatings

by Celestron

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 32 x 29 x 17 inches
• Shipping Weight: 50 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B0000BXF6I
• Item model number: 11022-XLT
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #48,300 in Camera & Photo (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: July 30, 2003

Product Description

Amazon.com Review

Amazon.com Review Combining the powerful optics of Celestron's legendary 8 inch Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope and premium XLT coatings with the solid computerized tracking system developed for its popular Nexstar 5, Celestron's Nexstar 8i is a remarkable telescope value. Compared to the Nexstar 5i, the eight inch version is only six pounds heavier and only a little more expensive, yet it delivers more than two and a half times the NX5's light gathering power. The Nexstar 8i's excellent optics easily bring out wonderful detail on the moon, the planets, and on star clusters and galaxies.

The computer-driven handset makes it easy to find celestial objects.

What can I see with the Nexstar 8i? I love the sharp, high contrast images of the planets. Cassini's division in Saturn's rings is a thin black line even when the seeing isn't perfect. On rare nights when the air is perfectly still and clear I've pushed the magnification past 400x; Saturn's rings and moons were still sharply etched against a black sky. Jupiter and Mars also show wonderful detail. While a smaller scope may reveal Jupiter's two major cloud belts and its famous great red spot, the Nexstar 8i is capable of showing multiple cloud bands and even some small white ovals on a good night. Although high performance XLT optical coatings are advertized as improving brightness, I find the improved contrast even more impressive, especially on deep space objects. Globular clusters show up particularly well with the Nexstar 8i. Looking at globular cluster M13 in the constellation Hercules, I see the bright pinpoints of individual stars sprinkled right across its glowing core.

The real genius of the Nexstar 8i is its computerized object location and tracking system. I find the Nexstar system much easier to use than earlier computerized telescopes. You can choose from several different alignment modes, from the traditional two star alignment to the latest GPS aided automatic setup using the optional CN-16 GPS module. I especially like the flexibility of the new "quick align" feature. Starting with "quick align" at a recent public viewing session, I was able to use Venus and the quarter Moon to synchronize my telescope alignment half an hour before sunset. Meanwhile other computerized telescopes were sitting more than an hour, waiting for their alignment stars to appear in the twilight.

You'll want some good eyepieces to take full advantage of Celestron's excellent optics. I'd suggest starting with a set of three, Celestron's 10mm, 18mm, and 30mm Ultima eyepieces or three similar Tele Vue Plossls would be a good choice. These would be ideal for viewing the planets at about 200x, galaxies at about 110x, and open star clusters at about 68x magnification. My only disappointment with the eight inch Schmidt-Cassegrain design is its limited field of view; some of my favorite objects like the Pleiades don't quite fit, even with a low power eyepiece. Also be aware that you'll want an external power supply; the computer may crash after only a few hours when the on board AA batteries start to run down. The Nexstar 8i is a delightful telescope for visual observing or even web-cam images of the planets; for deep space photography, however, you'll want the greater stability of the Nexstar 8 GPS . –Jeff Phillips

Pros:

• Excellent optics with XLT coatings
• Light and portable
• Easy-to-use computerized finding and tracking
• GPS upgrade option

Cons:

• Short battery life
• Limited field of view
• Not optimized for photography

From the Manufacturer

From the Manufacturer The NexStar i Series ushers in a whole new generation of intelligent telescope design. Simple and friendly to use, the i series is a fully upgradeable system, and can be equipped with the optional Computerized Hand Control and CN-16 GPS Accessory for completely automated GoTo function. Equipped with the standard electronic hand control, you can manually slew your NexStar across the sky in seconds or track a star equatorially as the Earth rotates beneath you.

Catadioptrics     This is a catadioptric telescope. Catadioptrics use an ingenious combination of mirrors and lenses to "fold" the light path into a remarkably compact tube. This type of design--which includes Schmidt-Cassegrain and Maksutov-Cassegrain telescopes--offers good value even while it scores high on the techno-geek meter.     Read more about different telescope designs in our buying guide

The electronic hand controls allows you to move the telescope at six different rates and has a double button feature that lets you instantly increase the slew speed without having to change rates. When used with the optional Computerized Hand Control these models include all of the same features as our most advanced GPS and CGE telescope models in an affordable and expandable system. Most important, these two new NexStars will fully align themselves when used with the CN-16 GPS accessory. Put the power of our newest software features and expanded object database to work for you with Celestron’s most versatile telescope.

Add the NexStar Hand Control to your NexStar i telescope and transform it into a completely automated GoTo system. Just plug it in to access features like automatic star alignment capability, GoTo slewing to over 40,000 objects and the expandability to use your NexStar with the external GPS accessory (CN-16) for a virtually hands-free alignment.

Celestron’s optional computerized hand control, with a myriad of powerful new functions, is the next evolution of the most user-friendly, intuitive hand control in the industry. With the addition of an XLT coated lens, the clarity and brightness of the Nexstars will be visibly noticeable. Use Your NexStar i with the Optional Computerized Hand Control (#93962) to gain these Go-TO Features:

• 40,000+ object database The expanded, programmable user database includes the complete Messier, NGC, IC and Caldwell catalogs. Customized lists of all the best galaxies, nebulae and other deep-sky objects. Room for hundreds of user defined objects.
• Quick Align -- An easy way to get the altazimuth mount tracking without actually aligning on two stars.
• Hibernate -- This power saving device allows you to power down the telescope without losing your alignment. The optional CN-16 GPS accessory must be connected. All you have to do is enter the correct time. Hibernate allows you to look for planets in the daytime after having used the telescope the night before or to observe night after night without having to re-align.
• Database Filter Limits -- User-defined so that only objects visible above the horizon are displayed on the hand control.
• AutoAlign -- Automatically aligns the telescope in altazimuth mode using the optional CN-16 GPS Accessory.
• Wedge Align Algorithm -- Automatically aligns the telescope to the celestial pole. Essential when you are performing a polar alignment on an equatorial wedge.
• Auto North and Level Compatible -- Automatically finds North and Level with more precision than can be done by hand, getting you closer to your alignment stars.
• User-Defined Slew Limits -- Prevents the telescope from slewing beyond the user-defined horizon in altazimuth and equatorial mode.
• Cord Wrap -- Prevents the telescope from wrapping its cords when attaching optional accessories.
• XLT mirror coating to reflect more natural light.

With 2.5 times the light gathering of the 5" model, the NexStar 8i will enable you to see deeper into the Universe than ever before. Also the added XLT coating on the reflective mirror will reflect 95% of natural light, instead of the usual 87%. The distinctive patented fork arm with ergonomically designed integrated hand control cradle gives solid support to Celestron’s classic 8" optics. The NexStar 8i features Schmidt-Cassegrain 8" aperture optics with StarBright multi-coating, powerful 2,032mm focal length and f/10 focal ratio. Ready to take the optional Computerized Hand Control, the NexStar 8i has all the same feature as Celestron’s most advanced computerized GoTo telescopes, including AutoAlign two-star alignment, a sky tour feature, a database of over 40,000 celestial objects and easy to use hand control. Plug the optional CN-16 GPS Accessory into NexStar’s auxiliary port and download data from orbiting GPS satellites for truly hands-free alignments. The universe may be full of mysteries, but using the NexStar 8i isn’t one of them.

The NexStar i Series 8i (XLT) Specifications:

• 203mm (8") diameter Schmidt-Cassegrain
• Focal Length of 2032mm
• Focal Ratio of f/10
• Six slew speeds: 6º /sec, 2º /sec, 128x, 64x, 16x, 8x
• Fully enclosed high speed motors on both axes
• Integrated hand controller built into the side of the fork arm
• StarBright Multi-Coating
• Designated AutoGuider port
• Auxiliary Port for optional Accessories, including CN-16 GPS module
• Battery Compartment for 8 (user supplied) AA batteries
• XLT coatings to reflect more natural light

The NexStar i Series 8i Standard Accessories:

• 1-1/4" -- 25mm Plössl (81x) Eyepiece
• StarPointer Finderscope
• 90° 1-1/4" Star Diagonal
• 1-1/4" Visual Back
• Electronic Hand Control

Moon viewing 101
The moon is often one of the first celestial objects a beginner will look at through his or her telescope. Here are a couple hints for you once you get your hands on your new NexStar 8i.

Often, it is tempting to look at the Moon when it is full. At this time, the face we see is fully illuminated and its light can be overpowering. In addition, little or no contrast can be seen during this phase. One of the best times to observe the Moon is during its partial phases (around the time of first or third quarter). Long shadows reveal a great amount of detail on the lunar surface. At low power you will be able to see most of the lunar disk at one time. The optional Reducer/Corrector lens allows for breath-taking views of the entire lunar disk when used with a low power eyepiece. Change to higher power (magnification) to focus in on a smaller area. Choose the lunar tracking rate from the NexStar's MENU tracking rate options to keep the moon centered in the eyepiece even at high magnifications.

Observing the Planets
Other fascinating targets include the five naked-eye planets. You can see Venus go through its lunar-like phases. Mars can reveal a host of surface detail and one, if not both, of its polar caps. You will be able to see the cloud belts of Jupiter and the great Red Spot (if it is visible at the time you are observing). In addition, you will also be able to see the moons of Jupiter as they orbit the giant planet. Saturn, with its beautiful rings, is easily visible at moderate power. Remember that atmospheric conditions are usually the limiting factor on how much planetary detail will be visible. So avoid observing the planets when they are low on the horizon or when they are directly over a source of radiating heat, such as a rooftop or chimney.

The Nuts and Bolts

Optical Tube Star Pointer Finderscope Eyepiece Star Diagonal Focuser Knob Battery Compartment ON/OFF Switch / 12v power Fork Arm Hand Control Schmidt Corrector Plate (not shown)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars a portable telescope, April 20, 2005

By 

Shelby (Los Angles, CA, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Celestron Nexstar 8i Telescope Kit w/XLT Coatings (Electronics)

I own a Nextstar 8i and a Meade ETX 125. Comparing the Celestron with the Meade, I have the following conclusions:
1) Meade's computer hand control is better designed than Celestron's. To set up the Meade telescope, all I need to know is where north is. After pointing the telescope to north, entering the time, selecting my location from a database presented by the controller (only once), the telescope automatically goes to two bright stars for star alignment. With the Celestron, I need to enter the time, the longitude (make sure you know whether it is east or west, I was confused the first time) and the latitude (again need to know north or south), then select an alignment star from a list. I happened to know only one star, the Polaris, it was a pain for me to read through the star charts included in the telescope manual to figure where the other named stars were located. I too needed the manual to find my longitude and latitude in the dark. Also when entering the time, Meade's hand control conveniently turns on a small red light, so I can use it to read my watch's display. Celestron's hand control does not have this feature. The ETX comes with a real finder scope (though its optical quality is poor), it is relatively easy to put an alignment star to the center of the cross hair. The 8i has only a red-dot (which I constantly forget to turn off when I am done with my observation). It is much harder use the red-dot. Even when you think the star is aligned with the red-dot, you may not be able to see the star in the telescope. (I almost broke my neck when I tried to align some stars near zenith.) I soon bought a real finder scope for the 8i (it cost about $100 for a mount and a 50 mm scope) and got rid of the red-dot. And I know I had better know the longitude and latitude before I head to a different site. Oddly, Celestron's manual does not include any alignment star charts for the southern hemisphere.

2)In terms of seeing more details in planets and more deep sky objects, the 8i wins as expected.

3)In terms of pointing accuracy, 8i is much more accurate than the ETX (ETX's drive system was poorly designed and manufactured. A star image would drift in the field.) The 8i is able to find some deep sky objects without much of my help. However, the 8i requires full-capacity batteries to operate. When the battery power starts to go down, it may rotate the telescope to dangerous positions, hitting the telescope base with the eyepiece.

4) The 8i is very light (20 pounds); it weighs almost the same as the EXT. But both telescopes' mounts are shaky (ETX's is worse). At higher magnification, a gentle touch (turning the focusing knob), causes the star image to blur, making it hard to get a sharply focused image. An electronic focuser may be needed.

In general I think the 8i is a good telescope. The optics are good and the drive system is solid. I use it more often than the ETX. The only drawback is its star alignment process which requires more work from the user. I bought a binocular viewer for the 8i later. It offers fantastic views of the moon and deep sky objects (globular clusters looked like sugar grains spread on a black velvet.)