| | |  | Spotting Scope | Home » » » Celestron NexStar 60 SLT Computerized Telescope | | | | | | | Description: | | Our most affordable NexStar telescope turns starry nights into space odysseys. The 60mm refractor comes 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 SLT can be up and ready to use in a matter of minutes.
Our new SkyAlign alignment technology and the included StarPointer Finderscope with a red LED makes aligning a breeze. Unlike previous entry level computerized telescopes, our SLT series features flash upgradeable hand controls and GPS compatibility.
With the NexStar 60 SLT you can see breathtaking views of the lunar landscape, Venus and its phases, Mars resolved as an orange disc, Jupiter and its 4 moons, Saturn resolved as a disc, with its rings plainly visible at medium and high magnification.
| | | Features: | |
• Telescopes 60-millimeter refractors feature a fully computerized hand control
• Includes database of over 4,000 celestial objects
• Pre-assembled, adjustable steel tripod makes set up quick and easy
• StarPointer Finderscope with a red LED makes aligning a breeze
• Weighs only 9.5 pounds
| | | Product Details: | | | Product Length:
| 24.0 inches | | Product Width:
| 20.0 inches | | Product Height:
| 8.0 inches | | Product Weight:
| 27.3 pounds | | Package Length:
| 39.6 inches | | Package Width:
| 19.0 inches | | Package Height:
| 10.6 inches | | Package Weight:
| 27.4 pounds | | Average Customer Rating:
|  based on 4 reviews |
| | | | Customer Reviews: | |
Average Customer Review:
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 Beginner Computerized Telescope: Celestron NexStar 60 SLT RefractorAug 28, 2010
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.
 Best beginner scope under $150Jul 31, 2010
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..
43 of 45 found the following review helpful:
 Think before buying this scopeDec 30, 2006
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."
6 of 11 found the following review helpful:
Missing parts. Merry Christmas!!Dec 25, 2006
So I ordered this for my husband for Christmas and in the process of putting it together we find it is missing parts. Important parts. Like the scope and the scope mount. Merry Christmas. It's a great looking sciope. Too bad I can't review it any further!! If you buy one don't put it together until you lay out the parts and make sure they are all there because the set up and take down took hours.
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