Rating: 
Summary: Nexstar 8 telescope, beginner/intermediate perspective
Review: Considering myself an advanced beginner or a low level intermediate enthusiast, the N8 is astounding. My main interest is viewing, so the added expense of GOTO is reasonable. If I take my time during the required set-up, I would estimate 80% pointing accuracy, so I spend my limited time looking, not finding! Optics are reasonable, set-up is simple, and using it is easy (once it finds what you want to view, it automatically tracks it so it stays in your field of view). Portability is excellent (I pick it up and go). For quick looks or traveling across town for slightly darker skies, it is a joy to use. Far less expensive, quieter, easier to set on tripod (which is important because it is usually dark), and more aperature then competing GOTO telescopes I had researched before purchasing. One function of computer controlled GOTO, Tour, is useless. Best Toy I Own!!!
Rating:
Summary: Nexstar 8 telescope, beginner/intermediate perspective
Review: Considering myself an advanced beginner or a low level intermediate enthusiast, the N8 is astounding. My main interest is viewing, so the added expense of GOTO is reasonable. If I take my time during the required set-up, I would estimate 80% pointing accuracy, so I spend my limited time looking, not finding! Optics are reasonable, set-up is simple, and using it is easy (once it finds what you want to view, it automatically tracks it so it stays in your field of view). Portability is excellent (I pick it up and go). For quick looks or traveling across town for slightly darker skies, it is a joy to use. Far less expensive, quieter, easier to set on tripod (which is important because it is usually dark), and more aperature then competing GOTO telescopes I had researched before purchasing. One function of computer controlled GOTO, Tour, is useless. Best Toy I Own!!!
Rating: 
Summary: Great telescope, but get the new one instead.
Review: GPS makes the next generation so much easier to align. Pass on the Nexstar 8 and look at the Nexstar 8i (with GPS add on) or Nexstar 8 GPS.
Rating:
Summary: If You Can Afford The N8GPS Get It
Review: I bought this scope as a gift for my Mom. She caught the backyard astronomy bug after looking through my Nexstar 11 GPS a few times. I wanted to get her a scope that was easy to use and fairly lightweight, but with more than a 5" appature so that she'd actually be able to see details on deep sky objects as opposed to blurs.This scope delivers and is a great value for the money. However, it's goto accuracy - - while beating the competition at the same price point - - is not nearly as good as the accuracy of Celestron's higher end telescopes. There is a $500-1000 price difference between this scope and the N8GPS model, but I think the more expensive scope is actually a better value. This scope is really a terrific instrument, but if the extra money is not an issue I think most enthusiasts would be happier with the Nexstar 8 GPS (the one that looks like the N11GPS - with the carbon tube). It's got better gears, a sturdier mount, dual fork arms, and simply performs to perfection every time.
Rating:
Summary: If You Can Afford The N8GPS Get It
Review: I bought this scope as a gift for my Mom. She caught the backyard astronomy bug after looking through my Nexstar 11 GPS a few times. I wanted to get her a scope that was easy to use and fairly lightweight, but with more than a 5" appature so that she'd actually be able to see details on deep sky objects as opposed to blurs. This scope delivers and is a great value for the money. However, it's goto accuracy - - while beating the competition at the same price point - - is not nearly as good as the accuracy of Celestron's higher end telescopes. There is a $500-1000 price difference between this scope and the N8GPS model, but I think the more expensive scope is actually a better value. This scope is really a terrific instrument, but if the extra money is not an issue I think most enthusiasts would be happier with the Nexstar 8 GPS (the one that looks like the N11GPS - with the carbon tube). It's got better gears, a sturdier mount, dual fork arms, and simply performs to perfection every time.
Rating:
Summary: Awsome but little pricy
Review: I have reviewed many telescope but this telescope is really awsome. It is little bit expensive but I bet you, that you will love this baby either you are an ameture or begginer. One of the biggest adventage is its computer control and its very precise as they (Celestron) advertized. I will highly recommend this telescop ( Celestron Nexstar 8" Computerized).
Rating:
Summary: A whole lot of viewing for the money!
Review: I wasn't really looking for a 'GOTO' scope when I purchased the Nexstar 8. I have owned several telescopes over the years (from 4" refractors to 12" reflectors) and wanted something that would be easy to carry into the back yard for a quick look. I can walk around with the Nexstar 8 in one hand (carefully). It took me less than twenty minutes to set up the scope the first time and perform the auto-align of two stars. At first I was very disappointed as the images were not sharp, and the GOTO function was way off each time. After spending another 20 minutes to collimate the secondary mirror and then CAREFULLY go through the auto-align procedure I had totally changed my mind about this telescope. The optics are near textbook perfect, showing stars as tiny pinpoints, and good contrast when viewing Mars. The GOTO function is awesome. After spending years 'star hoping' and then later using manual setting circle to find deep sky objects I really didn't think I would need much more than digital setting circles to make me happy. Now I am spoiled rotten. Instead of viewing on or two deep sky objects an hour (because of the time needed to look up and find them) I am able to easily look at as many as I want. The 'TOUR' function on the controller is a blast. Just plug in the month and have the telescope slew to object after object. Each time the scope would put the target somewhere near the center of field of the supplied 40mm eyepiece. Although the scope has a slightly 'cheaper' feel for the tripod, and finder scope than some of the other SCTs that I have owned, the optics and electronics are top notch. I have used the scope a dozen times over the last two months and I am still extremely pleased with it, and certainly feel it was money well spent. I highly recommend an additional 12-15mm eyepiece and a good 2X barlow as accessories.
Rating:
Summary: A whole lot of viewing for the money!
Review: I wasn't really looking for a 'GOTO' scope when I purchased the Nexstar 8. I have owned several telescopes over the years (from 4" refractors to 12" reflectors) and wanted something that would be easy to carry into the back yard for a quick look. I can walk around with the Nexstar 8 in one hand (carefully). It took me less than twenty minutes to set up the scope the first time and perform the auto-align of two stars. At first I was very disappointed as the images were not sharp, and the GOTO function was way off each time. After spending another 20 minutes to collimate the secondary mirror and then CAREFULLY go through the auto-align procedure I had totally changed my mind about this telescope. The optics are near textbook perfect, showing stars as tiny pinpoints, and good contrast when viewing Mars. The GOTO function is awesome. After spending years 'star hoping' and then later using manual setting circle to find deep sky objects I really didn't think I would need much more than digital setting circles to make me happy. Now I am spoiled rotten. Instead of viewing on or two deep sky objects an hour (because of the time needed to look up and find them) I am able to easily look at as many as I want. The 'TOUR' function on the controller is a blast. Just plug in the month and have the telescope slew to object after object. Each time the scope would put the target somewhere near the center of field of the supplied 40mm eyepiece. Although the scope has a slightly 'cheaper' feel for the tripod, and finder scope than some of the other SCTs that I have owned, the optics and electronics are top notch. I have used the scope a dozen times over the last two months and I am still extremely pleased with it, and certainly feel it was money well spent. I highly recommend an additional 12-15mm eyepiece and a good 2X barlow as accessories.
Rating:
Summary: Great !!
Review: It is a really spectacular telescope!!
After having spent about 20 minutes to achieve a precise collimation, the images are almost perfect.
The location of celestial objects is very good.
I recommend an ocular of 35 mm and a Ultima barlow.
Rating:
Summary: Great !!
Review: It is a really spectacular telescope!!
After having spent about 20 minutes to achieve a precise collimation, the images are almost perfect.
The location of celestial objects is very good.
I recommend an ocular of 35 mm and a Ultima barlow.
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