Looking for a good entry level telescope - Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 102AZ

As a newbie to Astronomy I had been looking for a good entry telescope to start this new journey. Throughout the web there are numerous links to help pick a suitable piece of equipment but as with most things cost can be an issue, too cheap, and I may not get the best sightings, too expensive I may not be able to see the value if it's not used due to poor weather etc.

Having previously used binoculars I knew one of the criteria for my purchase had to be that it must have a well-made and stable tripod. Next on my list was that it had to be easily transported as we have a number of Dark Sky Areas where I live, and I wanted to enjoy viewing the night sky from different locations. It also must be able to allow me to move it around my patio in the dark without difficulty.

The Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 102AZ Refractor Telescope appeared to tick the boxes. YouTube posts showed how easy it was to construct from box and the weight and transportability looked good.




My next consideration was cost and the listed price on the PicStop website suited my budget. Based on the online reviews there was a higher number of positive posts for the Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 102AZ as opposed to negative posts. The supplied lenses, Celestron 10 mm and 25 mm, would allow me to observe the night sky I have targeted and have not failed to provide crisp sharp images.

Value for money, Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 102AZ is a great Telescope and I would recommend it to both adults and children who are interested in taking up astronomy. The Telescope is easy to use, the red spot finder, which is included as standard feature, is a great asset when starting to view the stars.

I have one negative issue and that is not the fault of the Telescope but rather the phone App that was one of the nice additional features from Celestron. Whilst it says it is compatible with my phone, it is not, however, there are numerous other skywatching Apps to help you identify the stars you are observing. The App failure should not deflect from a great piece of kit.
 
Review By Anthony R.