| | |  | Catadioptric | Home » » » Celestron NexStar 6 SE Telescope | | | | | | | Description: | | Get serious performance and easy portability with this high-quality altazimuth computerized telescope.Features:6" Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope with 150mm aperture44% more light gathering power than 5" models1500mm focal lengthFocal ratio: 10Ultra portable – weighs 30 lbs. including the tripodCombines the classic heritage of the original orange tube telescopes with the latest state-of-the-art featuresStarBright XLT high transmission coatings come standardCelestron's unique patented single fork arm with integral hand control design provides a rigid and smooth operating structure for the optical tubeStar diagonal provides more comfortable viewing position when observing objects that are high in the skyProven NexStar computer control technologyIncludes:Quick release fork arm mount, optical tube and accessory tray for no-tool setupStarPointer finderscope to help with alignment and accurately locating objectsSturdy computerized altazimuth mountInternal battery compartment to prevent cord wrap during useUltra sturdy steel tripod with accessory tray40,000 object database with 200 user-definable objects and expanded information on over 200 objectsSkyAlign allows you to align on any three bright celestial objects, making for a fast and easy alignment processFlash upgradeable hand control software and motor control units for downloading product updates over the InternetAutoguider port for long exposure astrophotographyDC Servo motors with encoders on both axesCustom database lists of all the most famous deep-sky objects by name and catalog number; the most beautiful double, triple and quadruple stars; variable star; solar systems; objects and asterismsDouble line, 16-character Liquid Crystal Display Hand Control with backlit LED buttons for easy operation of GOTO featuresNexRemote telescope control software and RS-232 cable included for advanced control of your telescope via computerGPS-compatible with optional CN16 GPS Accessory (93968)Whether you are a seasoned ast | | | Features: | |
• 6-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope; StarBright XLT high transmission coatings come standard
• StarPointer finderscope to help with alignment and accurately locating objects
• Quick-release fork arm mount, optical tube, and accessory tray for no-tool setup
• SkyAlign allows you to align on any three bright celestial objects, making for a fast and easy alignment process
• Nearly 40,000 object database with 200 user-definable objects and expanded information on over 200 objects
| | | Product Details: | | | Product Length:
| 38.0 inches | | Product Width:
| 32.0 inches | | Product Height:
| 16.0 inches | | Product Weight:
| 30.0 pounds | | Package Length:
| 31.7 inches | | Package Width:
| 26.25 inches | | Package Height:
| 12.9 inches | | Package Weight:
| 43.45 pounds | | Average Customer Rating:
|  based on 8 reviews |
| | | | Customer Reviews: | |
Average Customer Review:
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2 of 2 found the following review helpful:
 Wonderful scope for the amateur astronomer that requires portabilityJul 08, 2010
I have owned several scopes over the years: a Meade ETX-90, an Orion 6" DOB, and a Zhumell 10" DOB (which I returned - read on).
When I recently renewed my passion for astronomy earlier this year (2010), I started pulling out my little ETX-90 on a regular basis. Unfortunately, the aperture size and long focal length really limited my viewing to Saturn. I decided it was time to go for something with a bit more power. I bought the 10" DOB I mentioned above. It wasn't passed than the third trip outside, precariously carrying the OTA (Optical Tube Assembly) while "butting" the door open and avoiding hitting my dining room table, that I decided I needed to return that monstrosity for something more portable (by the way, it was a wonderful scope! If you can store it where moving it isn't a problem, it'll do the job!).
Enter the Celestron NexStar 6SE.
When the scope arrived, I opened the box and pulled out the parts. Having watched the instructional video on how to assemble the item earlier in the day, I didn't even need to look at the directions to get it put together. The tripod was solid and had little play. The OTA was easy to "drop" onto the pins on the tripod, and then I only needed to lock down the three knobbed screws to mount the scope completely. I did need to align the viewfinder, which was easy enough by lining up on Venus.
I had forgotten how much I liked the GOTO system (my old ETX-90's mount had long ago stopped functioning). For the 6SE, I used the NexStar alignment method on my first attempt, which simply required 3 bright objects in the sky - I did not need to know what the objects were (you will, however, have to enter some other info like your latitude and longitude, time zone, date and time. Your latitude and longitude is easily found online). It was now time for the first viewing. I selected my old standby, Saturn. The scope slewed very quickly to the object, even going back and forth a bit to account for any play in the gears. When I looked through the low powered eye piece (25mm), Saturn was just left of center (likely my fault on the initial alignment). I then manually centered the planet and replaced my eye piece with a higher powered piece - a 9mm lens. All I can say is wow. I live a few miles from the Pittsburgh International Airport, so light pollution is a real problem for me. But, Saturn came in as crisp as I have ever seen it, and 4 of her moons were very easily discernible.
However, planetary viewing isn't so difficult with even the most basic scope. I decided to try a few more difficult targets. I could see that The Big Dipper was out, so I typed in M51 - The Whirlpool Galaxy. After a few quick moments of slewing, I took to the eyepiece again (back to the 25mm, btw), and there were two "eyes" looking at me (M51 is actually two galaxies). Of course with bad seeing conditions and a 6" scope, I could not make out any of the "arms" of the galaxy, but I could easily see the telltale fuzzy eyes. I was quite surprised I was able to resolve them that easily with the smaller aperture on this scope! I don't remember my old 6" DOB having that easy of a time, but maybe that was due to the GOTO capability of this item.
Next, I turned my attention to M81 and M82, two other galaxies very close to The Dipper. They came in great, with M82 showing off its profile nicely even with my (relatively) bad seeing conditions.
Finally, I hit M3, which is a brilliant globular star cluster. The cluster was a wonderful view in this scope. Switching to a higher power eye piece caused many stars to shimmer in and out of view - it was jaw dropping.
Anyway, I wanted to point out that, if you need a portable scope that is capable of showing you some wonderful astronomical sights, this scope fits the bill. Although another reviewer is right in that the stock eye pieces aren't incredible (nor are any other stock pieces!), you would certainly be happy with this scope for the occasional "quick" viewing session. Heck, put a few additional dollars (well, a few hundred!) down for some better eye pieces, and you'll be thrilled for years to come!
One final note: due to the design of the Schmidt Cassegrain scope, you are almost required to buy a dew shield, unless you live in Phoenix or some other really dry area. Here in the northeast, my scope fogged up very quickly. I was able to build a temporary dew shield with some black construction paper that worked fine, but that's no long term solution. Astronomy is certainly not a cheap hobby!
Overall, I am very pleased with this scope. And, unless you are more than casually into this hobby, I think you will be, too.
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
Good beginner telescopeJun 13, 2010
The NexStar 6 SE has good optics and a very solid mount in a highly portable package. The only weak points are a poor quality finder (which is only needed for a few minutes during setup) and a rather flaky power connector. If the batteries are weak or the external power connector isn't inserted exactly right, performance will be erratic. With a good power supply, this telescope performs flawlessly and is a real pleasure to use in every way.
3 of 3 found the following review helpful:
Good for the price.Aug 03, 2009
I was quite pleased when I saw Saturn through this telescope first. Watching planet is fun all the time. It is easy to use. This is good as it is for beginners. However, I wish I had bought the 8 inch one. Urban area where I live is not ideal for sky watching. Watching deep sky objects with this one is fairly limited unless you go to a rural area, which I haven't done.
3 of 26 found the following review helpful:
 Nextstar 6 SESep 08, 2008
I bought this telescope in June. The mount had some issues and had to be repaired, twice. Celestron finally got it back to me. This scope is spetacular. The optics are top notch, the focus is crisp and not fussy, and the tracking is stable even when changing it's balance by switching an eyepiece for a CCD camera. I was able to image with my Starshooter II on my first night.
7 of 9 found the following review helpful:
Causes Spontaneous Happy Dances At 2 AMAug 31, 2008
We purchased the Celestron NexStar 6 SE Telescope Celestron NexStar 6 SE Telescope in time for my son's birthday in August. He is a serious student of Astronomy with great encouragement by his high school teacher. The Celestron NexStar 6 SE Telescope is a terrific investment and the perfect education outlet. The 6" telescope is working just fine for us, but knowing what we know now, I would have purchased the 8" Celestron NexStar, only because the viewing capabilities with the 6" are so incredible, we can just imagine how much more we would be able to see with the 8" telescope. My son takes the telescope with us on Boy Scout Troop expeditions now, which has proven to be great way to wind down the day.
The only trouble we have had with the telescope is achieving the initial alignment. We can find bright enough objects in three different directions, and the "on board" computer seems to work pretty quickly, but so far we only get a message saying that the alignment process failed, after several minutes of "computer contemplation." My son is certain that this is something he can remedy. Getting the viewfinder aligned with the lens should be a first step priority.
On our first night out we had a brilliant full moon to work with, and seeing inside the impact craters was truly amazing. But on the same night we found Jupiter, and with a 2X Barlow lens we could see the planet, in color, including the cloud bands around the planet. My six-foot baby boy was doing the Happy Dance at 2 AM on a quiet gravel road. He woke up all the critters, and we had to go home!
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