Product Comparison: Celestron NexStar 5 SE vs Celestron NexStar 127SLT
Advertiser Disclosure
X
This site is a free online resource that strives to offer helpful content and comparison features to its visitors. Please be advised that the operator of this site accepts advertising compensation from certain companies that appear on the site, and such compensation impacts the location and order in which the companies (and/or their products) are presented, and in some cases may also impact the scoring that is assigned to them. The scoring that appears on this site is determined by the site operator in its sole discretion, and should NOT be relied upon for accuracy purposes. In fact, Company/product listings on this page DO NOT imply endorsement by the site operator. Except as expressly set forth in our Terms of Use, all representations and warranties regarding the information presented on this page are disclaimed. The information which appears on this site is subject to change at any time. More info
General Specifications
Brand
Celestron
Celestron
Model
NexStar 5 SE
NexStar 127SLT
Origin
USA
USA
About the Product
Celestron's NexStar 5 SE computerized telescope combines excellent optics and easy computerized GoTo tracking in a convenient portable size. The standard equipment tripod and mount feature easy no-tool setup, and the package even includes a student version of "The Sky" planetarium software for your computer.
Designed to be an affordable entry level to mid-level computerized GoTo telescope, the NexStar SLT refractors, reflectors, and Maks are available in the most popular sizes and are loaded with valuable design features.
Key Specs
Optical Design
Schmidt-Cassegrain
Maksutov-Cassegrain
Aperture
125 mm
127 mm
Focal Length
1250 mm
1500 mm
Focal Ratio
f/10
f/12
Highest Useful Magnification
295 x
300 x
Lowest Useful Magnification
18 x
18 x
What customers say about "Key Specs"
Celestron NexStar 5 SE Computerised Telescope
- This scope is perfect for a beginner, can be set-up in about 10 minutes.
- Aligns easily by pointing to three bright objects in the sky.
- Portable and easy to set up.
- Great telescope. Amazing performance.
- Great detail on the objects that you are viewing.
Celestron NexStar 127SLT Mak Computerized Telescope (Black)
- My wife bought this scope for me for Christmas. I had no experience with astronomy prior to that. It's a little finicky to set up but once you do it correctly, it'll work well.
- Eventually I settled on the 127SLT Maksutov-Cassegrain. It was small enough that I could transport it to and from the local astronomy club, which is a big plug for a beginner.
- The 127 millimeter diameter aperature equates to about 5 inches in size. While this is considered small in today's era of large Dobsonian monsters, the telescope system fits in my car, and is light enough that I can take it outside easily.
- If you want a scope for Nebulas and to take pictures of them, don't get this scope. The aperature is 5 inches with a long focal range; however think about this
- Great 'scope. Easy to set up and use. My first time out, I was up an observing in 5 minutes. Super Celestron Optics.
Size & Weight
Height
27.01 in.
40 in.
Width
32.01 in.
19 in.
Depth
12.99 in.
11 in.
Weight
17.6 lbs.
18 lbs.
Features
Optical Coatings
StarBright XLT
Fully coated glass optics
Finderscope
StarPointer
StarPointer
Optical Tube Length
330mm (13")
300mm (12")
Star Diagonal
1.25" Star Diagonal
1.25" Star Diagonal
Accessory Tray Included
Yes
Yes
Extras
Fully automated GoTo mount, SkyAlign technology, NexStar+ Hand Control, Built-In Wedge
Fully computerized Altazimuth mount, 20 mm & 9 mm eyepiece, Quick-release fork arm mount
Software
Celestron Starry Night Special Edition Software / SkyPortal App
Celestron's Starry Night Special Edition Software | SkyPortal App
What customers say about "Features"
Celestron NexStar 5 SE Computerised Telescope
- Good material quality. Everything looks and feels great.
- Easy to use. Great features.
- A great telescope, very clear and relatively easy to use.
- Plenty of good things to like about this scope.
- Excellent views of the moon, stars and planets.
Celestron NexStar 127SLT Mak Computerized Telescope (Black)
- The other great feature is the fully computerized "Goto" capability of this telescope.
- As you probably know, this is a computerized goto scope. That means that it is motorized, and there is a hand controller with a readout where you can tell the scope what you want to see by pressing some buttons.
- I like the tracking and goto feature. It's really easy to 3 star sky align.
- Overall a fantastic product for budding astronomers with high quality, excellent features, and useful accessories.
- Easy to assemble. Easy to use. I like the features, especially the auto-tracking. I'd recommend this telescope to everyone who is interested in astronomy.
Mount Information
Mount Type
Computerized Altitude-Azimuth Single Fork Arm
Computerized Altitude-Azimuth Single Fork Arm
Tripod Material
Aluminum
Steel
Dovetail
CG-5 Dovetail bar
Vixen / CG-5 Dovetail bar
Maximum Height Adjustment
55 in.
50 in.
Legs
38.1mm (1.5") Stainless Steel
31.75mm (1.25") Stainless Steel
What customers say about "Mount Information"
Celestron NexStar 5 SE Computerised Telescope
- Setup is very quick and easy.
- Very easy to use. Great mount system.
- Easy to assemble, very good telescope for beginners.
- It is very well built and was easy to setup and build.
- Mount is reasonably good quality.
Celestron NexStar 127SLT Mak Computerized Telescope (Black)
- The tripod mount is good, but will wiggle a bit in the breeze, especially at higher magnifications
- The reflector however is a bit long for this mount but very usable. Just know you won't be pointed st the Zenith before it hits.
- The slt mount is great for me because i don't know the sky. It will help me learn the sky because i still need a star map or i would still be wondering aimlessly.
- The hand held motorized mount works great.
- Alt az mount is limited to like 70 degrees up so no looking near the zenith of the sky.
Warranty / Certifications
Manufacturer Warranty
2 year(s)
2 year(s)
Certifications
CE, FCC
CE, FCC
Other Information
Popular Comparisons
Meade Instruments ETX125 (205005) Observer Telescope with Tripod
vs
Celestron NexStar 6 SE Computerised Telescope
Celestron SkyProdigy 130 26x345 Telescope
vs
Celestron NexStar 6 SE Computerised Telescope
ORION SpaceProbe 130ST (09007) Equatorial Reflector Telescope
vs
ORION SpaceProbe 130 EQ (9851) Reflector Telescope
ORION SkyQuest XT8 (8945) Classic Dobsonian Telescope
vs
ORION SkyQuest XT8 PLUS (8974) Dobsonian Reflector Telescope Kit
Celestron 21049 PowerSeeker 127EQ Telescope - Manual German Equatorial Mount
vs
Celestron AstroMaster 130EQ Reflector Telescope
Celestron Travel Scope 50 (21038) Telescope (Black)
vs
Celestron Travel Scope 70 (21035) Travel Scope
Celestron NexStar Evolution 8 Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope w/ WIFI,Black 12091
vs
Celestron NexStar 8 SE Computerised Telescope
Celestron 21049 PowerSeeker 127EQ Telescope - Manual German Equatorial Mount
vs
Celestron PowerSeeker 80EQ Telescope
Meade Instruments ETX80 (205002) Observer Achromatic Refractor Telescope
vs
Meade Instruments ETX90 (205004) Observer Maksutov-Cassegrain Telescope
Celestron AstroMaster 130EQ Reflector Telescope
vs
Celestron Inspire 100AZ (22403) Refractor Smartphone Adapter Built-in Refracting Telescope, Blue