Unveiling the cosmos has never been more accessible than with a computerized telescope. These modern marvels, often called “GoTo” telescopes, use sophisticated technology to automatically locate and track celestial objects. This eliminates the steep learning curve of manual star-hopping, allowing you to spend more time observing and less time searching. Whether you’re a curious beginner or an advancing amateur, a computerized scope opens up a universe of wonders with the push of a button.
From distant galaxies to the rings of Saturn, the right telescope can bring the heavens to your backyard. The key is matching the instrument’s capabilities to your interests and experience level. This roundup features a selection of the best computerized telescopes on the market, highlighting models with various optical designs, aperture sizes, and user-friendly features to help you find your perfect portal to the stars.
The Best Computerized Telescopes for Your Stargazing Journey
- SkyWatcher Flextube 300 SynScan 12-inch Dobsonian Telescope
- Celestron NexStar 8 SE Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope with Kit
- Celestron NexStar 130SLT Computerized Newtonian Telescope
- Meade Instruments ETX125 Observer Maksutov-Cassegrain Telescope
- Orion 10135 SkyQuest XT10g GoTo Dobsonian Telescope
- Celestron NexStar 8SE Telescope
- Celestron NexStar 6SE Telescope
- Celestron NexStar 5SE Telescope
SkyWatcher Flextube 300 SynScan 12-inch Dobsonian Telescope
For the observer seeking an immense amount of light-gathering power without a permanent installation, the SkyWatcher Flextube 300 is a compelling choice. Its massive 12-inch aperture provides exceptionally bright and detailed views of faint deep-sky objects like galaxies and nebulae, offering performance typically found in much more expensive telescopes. The innovative collapsible design is a key benefit, as the optical tube can be compressed for relatively easy transport and storage, then extended to full size when you are ready to observe.
This telescope combines the simple, stable Dobsonian base with fully computerized GoTo functionality. The built-in WiFi allows you to control the telescope directly from your smartphone or tablet using Sky-Watcher’s app, eliminating the need for a separate hand controller. This makes navigating its extensive celestial database intuitive and straightforward, perfect for both beginners learning the sky and experienced users who want to maximize their observing time.
Celestron NexStar 8 SE Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope with Kit
The Celestron NexStar 8SE is a standout model that strikes an excellent balance between aperture size, portability, and user-friendly technology. Its 8-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain optical tube provides superb, high-contrast views of both planetary and deep-sky objects, thanks to Celestron’s premium StarBright XLT coatings. The single fork arm mount and sturdy tripod create a compact and manageable setup that is relatively easy to transport for an instrument of its capability.
This telescope is renowned for its sophisticated yet accessible computerized system. The NexStar+ hand control provides a database of over 40,000 celestial objects and features like SkyAlign, which makes the initial alignment process quick and simple. With the included eyepiece and filter kit, you have everything needed to start observing right away, making this an ideal all-around telescope for serious beginners and intermediate astronomers.
Celestron NexStar 130SLT Computerized Newtonian Telescope
The Celestron NexStar 130SLT offers an excellent entry point into computerized astronomy without sacrificing optical performance. As a Newtonian reflector, its 130mm (5.1-inch) aperture provides a significant amount of light gathering at an accessible level, delivering bright views of the Moon, planets, and many star clusters. Its compact and lightweight design makes it one of the most portable computerized telescopes in its class, ideal for users with limited storage space or those who want to take it to darker sky locations.
Setup and operation are streamlined for ease of use. The computerized mount features a database of over 4,000 objects and utilizes Celestron’s SkyAlign technology for straightforward alignment. Once aligned, the telescope can accurately locate and track objects, allowing you to focus on observation. This combination of a capable optical system and user-friendly automation makes the 130SLT a fantastic choice for families and beginners.
Meade Instruments ETX125 Observer Maksutov-Cassegrain Telescope
The Meade ETX125 Observer brings a classic, robust design to the computerized telescope market with its Maksutov-Cassegrain (MAK) optical system. The 127mm aperture and long focal length are particularly well-suited for high-magnification viewing of the Moon and planets, providing sharp, detailed images. Its compact and durable construction, featuring a fork mount and a full-size steel tripod, ensures a stable platform for observation.
A unique feature of this telescope is the AudioStar hand controller, which offers guided audio tours in addition to its database of over 30,000 objects. This educational component can greatly enhance the learning experience for new astronomers. The inclusion of two quality Super Plossl eyepieces and an internal flip mirror system for flexible viewing positions adds to its value as a complete, ready-to-use package for the discerning stargazer.
Orion 10135 SkyQuest XT10g GoTo Dobsonian Telescope
The Orion SkyQuest XT10g demonstrates how the simplicity of a Dobsonian base can be powerfully combined with modern GoTo technology. Its large 10-inch aperture is a significant asset for viewing faint galaxies, nebulae, and star clusters, revealing details that smaller telescopes cannot show. The pre-installed computerized system means you get the benefits of a large light bucket without the complexity of a traditional equatorial mount setup.
This telescope simplifies finding celestial targets. With a database of over 42,000 objects, the push-button hand controller allows you to select an object, and the telescope will automatically locate and center it in the eyepiece, then track it as it moves across the sky. This makes deep-sky observing much more productive and enjoyable, especially for those who may find star-hopping with such a large instrument challenging.
Celestron NexStar 8SE Telescope
The Celestron NexStar 8SE is a legendary model in the amateur astronomy community, known for its exceptional all-around performance. The 8-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain optical design is versatile, providing excellent views of planetary details like Jupiter’s cloud bands and Saturn’s rings, while also having enough aperture to observe brighter deep-sky objects. The optical tube is compact relative to its long focal length, making for a manageable and portable system.
Its user interface is a major strength. The single fork arm mount is robust, and the NexStar hand control is intuitive, guiding you through alignment and providing access to a vast library of celestial wonders. The combination of proven optics, reliable tracking, and a straightforward setup process has made the 8SE a top recommendation for astronomers ready to invest in a high-quality, go-anywhere telescope.
Celestron NexStar 6SE Telescope
For those seeking a balance between performance and portability, the Celestron NexStar 6SE is an outstanding option. Its 6-inch aperture provides a noticeable step up in light-gathering power from smaller models, allowing for satisfying views of the planets and many deep-sky objects. The entire system is notably lightweight and compact, making it one of the most portable computerized telescopes in the SE series, perfect for astronomers on the go.
It shares the same user-friendly features as its larger sibling, the 8SE, including the straightforward SkyAlign technology and a comprehensive database. This makes it an excellent choice for beginners who want a capable and easy-to-use instrument without the larger size and weight of an 8-inch model. The 6SE represents a sweet spot for many, offering substantial optical performance in a highly convenient package.
Celestron NexStar 5SE Telescope
The Celestron NexStar 5SE serves as a fantastic and highly accessible introduction to serious computerized astronomy. With a 5-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain optical tube, it provides sharp, contrast-rich views of the Moon and planets. Its greatest advantage is its extreme portability and quick setup, making it an ideal telescope for spontaneous observing sessions from a backyard or a dark sky site without a major time commitment.
Despite its smaller aperture, it does not compromise on the sophisticated GoTo system that defines the SE series. You still have access to the same extensive celestial database and simple alignment procedure as the larger models. For a beginner or an urban astronomer looking for a capable, compact, and very user-friendly telescope, the NexStar 5SE is a compelling and reliable choice.
Buying Guide: How to Pick the Right Computerized Telescope
When I first started looking at computerized telescopes, the options were overwhelming. It’s a big investment, and you want to get it right. The key is to match the telescope to your experience level and what you actually want to see in the night sky. Let’s break down the main things I consider before buying one of the best computerized telescopes for stargazing.
First up is the mount. This is the foundation of your entire setup, and for a computerized scope, it’s everything. You’ll see two main types: Alt-Azimuth (Alt-Az) and Equatorial (EQ). Alt-Az mounts move up/down and left/right. They are simpler to set up and are perfect for general observing of the moon, planets, and even some brighter deep-sky objects. Most beginner and intermediate scopes use this type. Equatorial mounts are a bit more complex. They are aligned with the Earth’s axis and are essential for long-exposure astrophotography because they can track objects smoothly as the Earth rotates. If you’re just starting, an Alt-Az is probably your best bet.
Next, think about the telescope’s optical tube itself. There are three common designs. Reflectors use mirrors and offer a lot of aperture for your money, making them great for viewing faint galaxies and nebulae. Refractors use lenses and provide sharp, high-contrast views, which is ideal for the moon and planets. Compound telescopes, like Schmidt-Cassegrains, use a mix of mirrors and lenses. They pack a long focal length into a compact tube, making them very portable and versatile all-rounders.
Aperture is the most important spec. It’s the diameter of the main mirror or lens, and it determines how much light the telescope can gather. More light means brighter and more detailed views. A larger aperture will show you fainter objects and resolve more detail on planets. While a small, portable scope is tempting, I always recommend getting the largest aperture you can realistically afford and transport.
Finally, consider the “go-to” system itself. How does the telescope align itself? Most use a simple process where you center two or three bright stars, and the computer figures out the rest. Check what database of celestial objects the hand controller has—a larger database means more targets to choose from. Also, see if it has features like periodic error correction (PEC) if you’re thinking about astrophotography, or a “tour” function that automatically selects the best objects to view for that night.
FAQ
Are computerized telescopes good for beginners?
Yes, they can be! While there’s a learning curve to the initial setup and alignment, a computerized telescope removes the frustration of trying to manually find faint objects in a star chart. It lets you focus on observing rather than searching. For a complete beginner, I’d suggest starting with a model known for a straightforward and quick alignment process.
Can I use a computerized telescope for astrophotography?
Many can be used for basic astrophotography, like taking pictures of the moon and planets with a smartphone adapter. However, for deep-sky images of galaxies and nebulae, you need a very stable mount with precise tracking, typically a robust equatorial mount. Not all computerized telescopes are designed for this demanding task, so you need to check the mount’s specifications and weight capacity carefully.
What is the main drawback of a “go-to” telescope?
The two biggest drawbacks are cost and power. You are paying for the electronics and motors, so a computerized scope will cost more than a similar manual telescope. Secondly, they require a power source, either from an outlet or a portable battery pack. If your battery dies in the field, your observing session is over unless you can manually point the telescope, which can be tricky on some models.
Do I need to know a lot about stars to align one?
Not really. Modern systems are very user-friendly. During the alignment process, the hand controller will ask you to point the telescope at a few of the brightest stars in the sky, like Vega or Arcturus, and it will even give you a list of choices. You don’t need to know their names beforehand; you just need to be able to recognize a bright star when you see one.
How portable are these telescopes?
Portability varies a lot. Small refractors on simple Alt-Az mounts are quite portable and can be a great choice for someone with limited storage space or who wants to travel to dark skies. Larger compound telescopes are also relatively compact. Big reflectors on heavy mounts, however, are often a two-person job to move and set up. Always check the total weight of the components if this is a concern for you.