A Newtonian reflector with a 4.5-inch/114mm aperture, the Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 114AZ (opens in new tab) was designed for getting excessive magnification of vibrant objects within the night time sky.
Aimed at inexperienced persons, the LT 114AZ comes with StarSense expertise, which might be the best resolution at present accessible for aligning a telescope (save for ultra-expensive ‘sensible’ telescopes just like the Vaonis Stellina and Unistellar eVscope 2).
Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 114AZ: Key Specs
Optical design: Newtonian reflector
Aperture: 4.5-inches/114 mm
Focal size: 39.3-inches/1000 mm
Focal ratio: f/9
Eyepiece focal size: 1.25-inches(40x) and 0.4-inches (100x)
Total package weight: 6.6 lbs/2.99 kg
Mount sort: Manual Alt-azimuth
Although the LT 114AZ comes from a various line-up of reflectors and refractors that use the identical StarSense expertise, the ‘LT’ in its mannequin quantity denotes that it does not have slow-motion controls or help you connect 2-inch eyepieces. That’s what makes it extra reasonably priced but in addition makes it trickier to goal at desired topics exactly. Are the trade-offs an excessive amount of? Here are our ideas on the LT 114AZ.
Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 114AZ: Design
- StarSense Explorer telephone dock
- Includes a 2x Barlow lens
- Lightweight, flimsy tripod
Telescopes are at all times a stability between how a lot mild they let in and the way a lot magnification they usefully supply. The LT 114AZ’s stability is tipped in favor of the latter, with its focal ratio of f/9 suggesting that it’ll supply lots of magnification for vibrant objects, however it would battle to point out a lot element or brightness from faint deep sky objects. The LT 114AZ, subsequently, appears to be a telescope aimed toward individuals wanting a more in-depth have a look at the moon and planets.
Additional package
25mm and 10mm eyepieces
2x Barlow Lens
Aluminum tripod
StarSense smartphone dock
StarSense Explorer app
StarPointer pink dot finderscope
Celestron Starry Night Basic Edition Software
In the field are 1-inch/25 mm and 0.4-inch/10 mm Kellner eyepieces, the latter of which can assist obtain a 100x magnification when moon-gazing and planet-spotting. However, additionally within the field is a Barlow lens, which doubles that magnification to 200x. That finally proves unrealistic.
Given its major targets, we’re not bothered an excessive amount of about whether or not the LT 114AZ is light-weight or straightforward to maneuver since it will likely be largely used as a yard telescope. There is not a lot level in touring to someplace particular to watch planets and the moon when you may see them from house.
What’s uncommon in regards to the Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 114AZ in comparison with most telescopes is that it comes with a common smartphone holder that attaches to the telescope tube. Also within the field is the distinctive code for the consumer to achieve free entry to Celestron’s StarSense app (opens in new tab).
Elsewhere within the field is an aluminum tripod with a 1.25-inch Amici diagonal plastic mount (which makes it extra handy to watch targets excessive within the sky) and a fundamental StarPointer pink dot finderscope.
Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 114AZ: Performance
- Best for viewing the moon and planets
- Supplied with common high quality eyepieces
- Deep sky targets look dim
The LT 114AZ is primed for planet-spotting, so we aimed it straight on the solar system’s big planet. Jupiter and its moon crammed the sphere of view utilizing the 25mm eyepiece, however there was a definite lack of correct coloration. Although the large planet and three of its moons appeared sharp, all of them portrayed a rainbow of colours, notably Europa which is closest to Jupiter. Using the Barlow lens with the 25mm created a pleasant full-screen view of the Jovian System (Jupiter, its rings and moons), but it surely proved most helpful on Saturn the place we have been handled to numerous element within the ring sample. Also seen was Rhea, the second-largest of its 83 moons. Without the Barlow lens its largest moon, Titan, was seen farther out in a wider area of view.
Despite the above, the LT 114AZ does not impress with deep-sky objects. Even in a darkish, moonless sky, the Andromeda galaxy (M31) appeared faint and small, whereas the Great Globular Cluster in Hercules (M13) was little greater than a faint fuzzy blob, missing brightness, depth and element. The Barlow lens is not helpful in any respect within the deep sky.
Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 114AZ: Functionality
- Excellent StarSense app
- Difficult to level
- Ineffective hand controls
The Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 114AZ is a ‘push to’ telescope with some critical benefits and drawbacks. On the plus aspect is StarSense, which makes use of the smartphone’s digicam to have a look at the reflection of stars in that small mirror, shortly plate-solving and cross-referencing them with the celebs in its database. It takes seconds and does not seem to exit of alignment, which is a gigantic benefit for any newbie.
The subsequent step is selecting the goal you wish to view within the app. The app will information you with arrows pointing in your goal’s common route. You push the Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 114AZ, following the arrows till you see a bullseye. Make smaller and smaller changes till the bullseye turns inexperienced, that means your goal is in its crosshairs. Look by means of the eyepiece and your goal can be within the middle of your area of view. It is unimaginable!
The Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 114AZ is not essentially the most easy telescope to make use of with SmartSense, primarily due to its common construct high quality. Firstly, we discovered its bearings to be relatively stiff. Consequently, the telescope was tough to maneuver precisely left and proper, which made zeroing in on a goal tough.
Secondly, it is bought method an excessive amount of recoil, with the telescope needing to be secured fairly a way from the meant goal for it to choose after we take our arms off. A sluggish movement management knob on the altitude (up-down) axis ought to partly alleviate this, however sadly it is less than the job of tweaking the sphere of view finely sufficient. Better hand controls for each axes are required to make this telescope straightforward to make use of. Thirdly, the main target management is not as easy correctly.
Should you purchase the Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 114AZ?
What’s the purpose of getting a wonderful app that may enable you to level a telescope wherever within the sky if the optics are solely suited to the moon and planets?
That’s on the core of the LT 114AZ’s id disaster, which additionally suffers from a really fundamental construct high quality that makes it tough to get a repair on targets. Although the superb StarSense app is wasted on mediocre views of deep sky objects, this small aperture telescope impresses with planets, and its Barlow lens is beneficial for excellent views of Saturn, Jupiter and the moon.
If the Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 114AZ telescope is not for you
If you like the sound of the StarSense app, however wish to go a bit deeper than simply the moon and planets, then Celestron has a few higher-grade choices. A 5.1-inch/130mm Newtonian reflector telescope, the Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 130AZ telescope has a focal ratio of f/5, so collects extra mild from distant targets. If you do not thoughts its 43.4 lbs/19.68 kg bulk, one other tempting possibility for unimaginable deep sky views is the Celestron StarSense Explorer 8”/203 mm Dobsonian telescope, which affords a focal ratio of f/5.9. It might be moved rather more simply for exact topic discovering than the Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 114AZ telescope so ought to make for a smoother and extra pleasing expertise.
