Celestron NexStar 6SE telescope review

Tack-sharp optics and an aging yet effective aligning tech make this motorized, computerized GoTo telescope an impressive step-up choice

Celestron NexStar 6SE telescope
(Image: © Jamie Carter)

Digital Camera World Verdict

If you want to observe planets and the Moon in high magnifications and see precise, clear views of deep sky objects the computerized Celestron NexStar 6SE is hard to beat. Once you’ve leveled it, aligned it, focused it, and got to know its GoTo system the Celestron NexStar 6SE delivers hit after hit. Though its GoTo tech is showing its age, with the concept of a wired hand controller is quickly becoming outdated in the age of the internet.

Pros

  • +

    No stargazing knowledge required

  • +

    Allows high magnifications

  • +

    Accurate GoTo system

  • +

    No color fringing

Cons

  • -

    Short battery life

  • -

    No AC adaptor in the box

  • -

    NexStar GoTo seems dated

  • -

    Tripod has a large footprint

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How well do you know the night sky? The Celestron NexStar 6SE assumes you know nothing, but are capable of finding and pointing the telescope at any three bright stars. If you can do that then this computerized GoTo telescope’s SkyAlign tech automatically aligns itself. It’s clever stuff – and it’s certainly why the Celeston NexStar range feature as some of the best computerized telescopes

However, the Celestron NexStar 6SE isn’t aimed at beginners, the high price makes sure of that, though there are few GoTo telescopes this easy to use this side being a fully fledged smart telescope

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Jamie Carter
Astrophotography expert

Jamie has been writing about all aspects of technology for over 14 years, producing content for sites like TechRadar, T3, Forbes, Mashable, MSN, South China Morning Post, and BBC Wildlife, BBC Focus and BBC Sky At Night magazines. 

As the editor for www.WhenIsTheNextEclipse.com, he has a wealth of enthusiasm and expertise for all things astrophotography, from capturing the Perseid Meteor Shower, lunar eclipses and ring of fire eclipses, photographing the moon and blood moon and more.

He also brings a great deal of knowledge on action cameras, 360 cameras, AI cameras, camera backpacks, telescopes, gimbals, tripods and all manner of photography equipment.