@@thecincinnatikid5133Heck. I am 25 and planning to buy this thing. Your daughter is 4 and you're gifting this to her which means you're an amazing father.
I think this is an ideal first telescope!! Most people wont really know what they want long term until they have some experience. At $200, this is a great way to get that initial experience and then figure out whether you want to go further and in which direction. For several years I have been recommending the cheaper Celestron 70AZ but seeing this mount and the 100mm aperture, I would definitely go for this. I had a 3 inch reflector as a kid and a 4.5 inch reflector as an adult but neither saw much use because aligning them to find a target is much harder for the beginner. I literally tried the hobby and lost interest twice until I found a refractor, (the Celestron 70AZ) in a thrift store for $50. I instantly found it easier to hit various targets and so spent much more time with it. I even began astrophotography with the 70AZ. So I can personally attest this is a great cross between cheap entry level price and solid features.
Thanks! I’ve determined that the UA-cam algorithm favours videos created by AI using stock footage. Hard for us humans to get ahead! (Also I need to work on my thumbnails, haha).
I think I am going to buy this telescope to observe the stars and planets as I am taking an astronomy course and am becoming more familiar with stars and galaxies.
Just ordered one online .....This Celestron Inspire 100AZ looks like a great grab n go telescope which will be used far more than some big heavy set-up that stays inside gathering dust due to the heavy inconvenience of moving it . The telescope used the most is best .
After using this scope for a while, I think the biggest upgrade would be the eyepiece. The ones in the box really hold it back. A zoom eyepiece would be great for the planets, but the investment of a tele vue eyepiece would be a great all around eyepiece. www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/329381-REG/Tele_Vue_EAP_20_0_Plossl_20mm_Eyepiece_1_25.html?ap=y&smp=y&srsltid=AQP2TePqW3_0XGqu-96UaIo4Dho7jnOyK1qs8ghIRmKICWyZPA8Z9AvfVGE
Such a FANTASTIC video! So informative and constructive! Thank you for making this :) I have a similar one from Meade (102AZ) I got in 2019. I bought it so as to be able to travel with one. I also bought a high quality zoom lens which is pretty much the only eye piece I use with it now. I'll be taking it for a spin in some dark skies soon enough. Glad to see yours perform so well in dark skies.
Fellow Stargazers! This channel is dedicated to improving your telescope skills and helping you see awesome stuff in the sky. Please consider subscribing. I'll post a new video at least once per week, so there'll be lots of current content to watch and enjoy! Thanks! ~ John (LearnToStargaze)
Hi. Great video. Thanks. I have a question. I have this exact model. I have been using it to look at Jupiter and Mars, but the telescope never gets into focus. I contacted Celestron, but they did not provide useful advice. I am mainly using the 20 mm eyepiece, but none gets into focus. Has anyone reported a similar problem? Any advice will be appreciated.
Thanks for the review! Just bought this for the wife for her birthday. Amazing price difference, I paid $499 in Australia and that was on sale and the best price I could find and I had to wait until it was back in stock!! We call it 'Pacific Inflation! Everything is double the price here!
Very difficult as a beginner to find a quality telescope. This telescopes has gone up to 340 sincen your upload of this review. Ordered telescope and your Moon book. Thanks for your content.
Thanks for the review, but I'll wait a little longer before buying my first telescope. The Inspire 100AZ costs about €409,- (=607 Canadian dollars) over here at the moment.
Viewer from Singapore. Gonna shortlist this scope under buying list. Like how the scope is folded and just easily placed into the car. Seems portable and refractor can be double as a spotting scope. Good review!
For sure! If you can't find this is stock. See if you can find the Celestron Omni 102 Az, that scope has basically the same specs, but also includes slow motion controls, which make it even easier to use.
Hey John, do u know of any similar scopes (price range, specs) that allow for solar filters/viewing? This is quickly becoming my favorite astronomy channel btw, great stuff
The Explore FirstLight 102mm Doublet Refractor is pretty close. I've owned two high end versions of this scope and used them for solar observing with a filter (one actually came with a solar filter). However, watch the used section of B&H photo, sometimes they have used solar telescope for very little money. Also, look for a hydrogen alpha solar telescope like the Coronado PST to go on sale, those are lots of fun for viewing fine details on the surface of the sun.
I found this as a returned (unopened box) for $250 USD at B&H photo in December 2021, marked down from $300. The mount is not shaky, the optics give me beautiful clear views and I like the finderscope, unfortunately the tripod legs don't extend high enough, so that I have to sit on the ground to point the finderscope much over 45 degrees altitude even when fully extended. I ended up mounting a rigel quikfinder near the end of the tube, which has a slightly wider clearance. While the mount is not at all shaky, I'm finding that the azimuth control is too sticky. I'm thinking about installing a couple of teflon furniture moving discs to make the movement smoother. Hoping for some clear days that aren't too cold so I can really spend some time with this telescope, and I bought a 2.5x barlow to go with it for planetary viewing.
Thanks for the invitation! Came across your channel searching for a good yet Easy telescope to buy. Ive never found myself staring and taking pics at the night sky, as Ive done since thes past 17 mo ..Now it's time to get real! I enjoyed this video and can prob stop looking now🤔😏😊👍I thank yA for it! 👍
Here Italy, i have the "Skywatcher heritage" 130/650 with parabolic mirror high quality, last summer from AMAZON only 188 Euros (the price) low price. With the Eyepiece SUPER 3.6 mm 180X, fantastic Jupiter and Saturn- sharps images. And for deepsky large field amd many light, with my newton 130/650 i'm happy, small telescope but high quality.
Loved the video! Unfortunately, I'm still unsure which telescope to buy! This is so difficult... Three years later, this telescope costs 339 euros, with discount.
If you’re in Europe you could get one of my favorite telescopes! Just need to add the mount of your choice. (They recommend the Nano): www.bresser.de/en/Astronomy/BRESSER-Messier-AR-102s-600-Hexafoc-OTA.html?mtm_campaign=Doofinder&mtm_kwd=4802600&mtm_source=English&mtm_medium=OnSite&mtm_cid=GreatBritain&mtm_group=SiteSearch
Awesome video! Thanks so much, I might consider getting one of these telescopes. I have on myself, but don't like it. I knew you used a Barlow lens for that pic of Saturn. I took a pic of Saturn with about the same magnification and it looked exactly the same!
Thanks! Yes, this makes a great first telescope. If you're looking for an upgrade from a pervious scope, you might consider the Starsense 130Dx from Celestron, that way you have the go-to (push-to) capability.
I have "Celestron Inspire 90Az". There isn't much difference between 90 and 100 mm aperture. There is also not much difference in magnification if you compare using 20mm eye piece. Both telescopes are costly. For beginners, yes it's good but it suffers from chromatic aberration. The alt azimuth mount is really frustrating while doing casual Astrophotography with this. After adding a barlow lens i find it really difficult to find objects. One also has to keep changing eye pieces and adjust focus. Its a good Telescope for a beginner but price is high. The pan handle is a bit tight. Orion Nebula looks like a dot...so disappointing. If you live in a light polluted city which has a Bortle scale 7 or 8 then you will only be restricted to Moon and 5 planets. You cannot see any deep space objects. A beginner will be happy to see this scope but will be sad to see how limited visual Astronomy they can get with it. It's better to go for a reflector telescope with EQ mount. My recommendation "Celestron Astromaster 130".
That’s interesting… I’m trying to decide between reflector or refractor for my first telescope. Understanding very little from what I’ve researched I think the refractor is going to be the best choice for me considering light pollution and I’ve heard you get better planetary clarity (if that’s the word for it) because reflectors have that center pice obstructing your light slightly. Basically… I want a semi portable telescope for Jupiter and Saturn mostly and whatever else I can see is a bonus. I’ve heard the cooldown is significantly quicker with the refractor also. I’m sure there’s pro’s and con’s with each but refractor is gonna be my first telescope but I don’t want a department store-ish telescope. I probably wouldn’t buy this exact model as it seems like they give you subpar optics and equipment with these so called beginner bundled telescopes. I’m nervous to buy on Amazon because you *often get used products at new prices* unfortunately. Being a beginner I probably wouldn’t know. Most importantly, *so many UA-cam reviews are biased and basically bought IMHO. Have to watch the videos where they aren’t pushing their affiliate links and just give honest reviews. Not as easy to find as you think but they’re still out there
@@greg6162 hi Greg, just wandering through the wonderful world of You Tube and came across this vid and your comment. Don't know if you settled on a scope yet, but if it's any help after lots of reading I eventually settled on the Skywatcher Heritage 130p. I'm not disappointed, but maybe Google other reviews and forums etc. Re bundled eyepieces, everything I read suggested these are always sub par, but as a beginner I was satisfied and got some nice views. I still find myself checking out other scopes etc on UA-cam and Google tho, so beware, it could be a bit of a money pit hobby, haha. Good luck with it.
I am interested in your advice on eyepiece accessoriries for th Celestron Omni AZ 102 Telescope. Please provide the brand and lens diameter for Plossl and 2X Barlow eyepieces and what I should purchase for filters to complement my new purchase. Your videos and comments have been very informative and I am looking forward to enjoying your books. Thanks
Lots of good eyepiece combinations for this, but much is personal preference as you learn your telescope. The Celestron X-Cel LX would be a good place to start. The 5mm version for planets, and the 25mm for everything else. There is an Omni 2x Barlow that should pair well with the telescope.
This is an old video, the price has gone up and there are now beginner scopes with better features. The Nat Geo 102, the Omni Az102, or the StarSense 102 DX are what I would recommend now.
Hey John, thank you for your review, I have been looking for hours and days and getting confused on which I should be looking for. I wanted one to be easy travel with, see planets and more and have a decent view. Is there any other telescope you would highly recommend? Thanks for your review again
Hi! It’s really a question of budget. I LOVE my travel scope, but it cost around $700. It may seem expensive, but it’s worth it for the joy it brings on every trip. It’s a Mak Cas telescope on the Skywatcher AzGTI mount.
@@LearnToStargaze thanks for your review and personal preference :) it’s hard trying to work out what to get. It’s difficult to know if you are spending the money and getting a good item.
I own the 90mm inspire. It has issues mainly with mount. It has good sharp views and high targets like with all refractors is not as practical. It is okay but think there are better scopes for beginners but my Orion XT8g is big and bulky so it makes a good quick view scope.
Yes, but without adding a $2000 mount, you’re not going to get good images of deep sky objects. Plus, you’re limited by the 1.25 inch opening for the eyepiece. You’d be better off with just an iPhone.
This telescope went up in price like you said it would, seen only one left on Amazon today for a little over 400 , checked it again sold out. Most sites are sold out .
So, I had ordered this telescope, but what I received was the celestron 90AZ. I noticed you didn't mention that one. I'm not 100% sure how I feel about this, as I had wanted the 100, but this one is already here. I've got it set up and ready to go to the best of my ability (I am a beginner) and look forward to seeing what it can do. Any recommendations you have for this one are welcomed.
The 90 has a much narrower field of view than the 100 (for a given eyepiece). The 100 is designed for wide field views of deep sky objects, the 90 is designed primarily for the Moon and planets. In either case, a proper 20mm or 25 mm plossl eyepiece is the best thing you can do to improve the view (Tele Vue is the best, budget around $120). Get a book like 110 Things To See with a Telescope and start working through the list of targets. Good luck!
The issue with the 90az is the focal ratio, at 11 its going to be much more difficult to get it fixed on a particular target. It's also a long scope, which means it will be inherently unstable. See if you can find an Omni 102az, or a 6 inch dobsonian. You should be able to find one of these around the same price.
I heard that the rotation from right to left or vice versa is a bit harder compared to the up and down movement even if the knob is completely loose. When you turn it you also have to hold the tripod otherwise everything will move
Also, we talked a bit on another video thread, I like this telescopes features a lot more than the 70az lt that I have, so I think I'll upgrade to this, but I wanted to know from you (granted this would be my only telescope for quite a while) what exactly would you recommend upgrading on this telescope as money becomes available? Eyepieces and 90 degree? I really like the finder scope design on this one.
I think the Omni AZ from Costco is the way to go. In the US I hear that it’s $139 right now (not online, you have to go into the store). The Omni uses the same lens as this scope, but you get slow motion controls on the mount, and a two inch focuser.
@@LearnToStargaze I can't find any mention of it on their website so I will go to their store and report back within a few days! If I can't get ahold of that one, would the inspire still be worth getting?
@@Fatal_Inertia yes, it’s never been on their website. Yes, I like the inspire. I miss the slow motion controls though. The inspire is also a bit heavier.
So now that we know that Omni AZ 102 is available, and you have reviewed both that scope and this scope, which one gets your final vote and why? It seems to me that the Inspire 100 AZ scope might come with slightly better/cooler accessories...but my gut says the Omni 102 is a slightly better base scope. To that end I wanted to ask the expert. :-)
Well, technically it is the same lens. And I don’t think they still make the Omni 102 (it is now the Starsense 102), but yes, the slow motion controls on the Omni make it a better option (if you can find it).
Its strange everyone keeps saying Magnification is the least important property.... For me, someone who is wanting to purchase a telescope and get started in the hobby, All I want it for is to get Jupiter and Saturn as big as I can so I can see everything as close as possible. Isn't magnification the only way to achieve this? It doesn't impress me to see Saturn the size of a pencil tip and barely seeing the rings, I want to see the individual color of the bands on Jupiter or the different colors in the rings of Saturn. What would I want to buy if this is my goal?
Magnification doesn’t increase resolution. Taking a small telescope and adding magnification is like taking photograph and pushing it up to your face. You can push it as close as you want, but it’s not going to look good. If you want to magnify planets AND maintain a quality image, you would need the telescope with the widest aperture. I get great “up close” views of Saturn with my 12 inch dobsonian, although a c14 SCT would be ideal. Budget $1000 for a dobsonian, $5000 for a large SCT.
This telescope is north of 370€ as of Aug 2022. Here in Europe, we've been hit hard by inflation and the consequences of the War in Ukraine. Nonetheless, this will be my choice for my first telescope! Thank you very much for the review!!!
Recently injured my back but had to check whether or not my new 102az came with the 90 degree one My chiropractor would hate if i told him im using a 45 degree (forgot what its called lol)
Very Nice review! Thank you very much. I live in a small town in the countryside in the south of Brazil, and the sky here is incredbly clear. I am considering on having a telescope, I found the 102 model same brand as yours here. Will I need to be in the complete dark for getting good results with it?
Not quite sure what you mean by complete dark. The planets and Moon can be seen from any city. Galaxies and nebulae typically requires "dark skies" which mean away from city lights and on a date where the Moon is minimally bright, or not in the sky at all. You can use a map like this to find the dark skies nearest you: darksitefinder.com/maps/world.html#6/-25.041/-47.220
Thank you for good informative video. Celestron Inspire 100AZ is costing £457 on Amazon UK, I suppose this telescope is not worth it at this price range. Is Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 70 AZ Refractor Telescope any good for beginners ? Which one do you recommend. Please assist. thank you.
The explorer 70 only passes 1 of the 5 tests to determine if a telescope is worth considering. (It has a red-dot finder). In the UK it seems as if Bresser makes the best telescope at the beginner price point.
Here are a few options from Bresser that would make for a passable entry level telescope: www.bresser.de/en/Astronomy/Telescopes/BRESSER-Messier-6-Planetary-Dobson-Telescope.html www.bresser.de/en/Astronomy/Telescopes/BRESSER-Messier-6-Dobson.html www.bresser.de/en/Astronomy/Telescopes/BRESSER-Messier-5-Dobson.html www.bresser.de/en/Astronomy/Telescopes/BRESSER-Messier-AR-102s-600-Hexafoc-OTA.html (az mount sold separately on this last one)
Wow I didn't know this scope used to be $200. Now they are charging $350. The price increase on telescopes is insane. I've decided I'm just not buying anything until prices go back down because every scope out there right now is a rip off. But I did enjoy the review.
i have celestron 114 lcm telescope, so far i saw saturn,moon and jupiter,and it was beautiful and one more think i m glad i bought telescope with computer,beacuse i hard to find moon with telescope.If i get one of these telescope's probably i just quit my astronomy adventure in the beginning.
Think I’m going to get this one for Christmas as my first telescope. Do you know of any specific moon filters that would fit this telescope? I’ve already got a Barlow lens picked out as well.
Hi I'm looking to add to my lenses. I got the inspire 100AZ for Christmas. I'm mainly wanting to use it to see planets as close and focused as possible (Saturn ect). I can see saturn but when i take a photo its blurry with ring outlines. I'm looking at the 4mm lens and the Barlow x2. I'm not clued up on all the numbers and wording etc but told these would be good to have. Would these two pieces be a good addition to the collection? 🤔 Would greatly appreciated any advice on what would help 😁👍🏻
Any achromatic refractor is a beginner if you have enough money to buy one.reflectors are good intermediate scopes and if ur want to get into professional astrophotography then an apo refractor is the best
Sort of? Aperture is the determining factor in terms of resolution. High focal length gives a telescope a higher natural magnification, but a telescope needs the aperture to support it. Maximum useful magnification is 2X the aperture. 4 inch and higher SCT telescopes tend to be the popular choice for people who are serious about planetary observation. Ideally 8 inch versions.
Hi John. Great video and channel and congratulations as you've convinced a novice astronomer like myself in the UK to buy the 100AZ. I've purchased a barlow lens but just wanted to know if I should get any additional eyepieces for this scope along with the 10mm and 20mm already supplied. If so which ones do you recommend?
@@confidentstreetlamp1762 hi! This would be a good first telescope for under $200. Over that and other telescopes become better options. In the UK I really like the Bresser 102. This is highly upgradable (you can add a better tripod, two inch diagonal and eyepieces, etc). www.bresseruk.com/Astronomy/Telescopes/BRESSER-Messier-AR-102-600-NANO-AZ-Telescope.html?mtm_campaign=Doofinder&mtm_kwd=4702605&mtm_source=English&mtm_medium=OnSite&mtm_cid=UK&mtm_group=SiteSearch
@@confidentstreetlamp1762 I have the one with the 1000mm docs length too. It’s an absolutely beautiful instrument. www.bresseruk.com/By-manufacturer/Bresser/BRESSER-Messier-AR-102-1000-Hexafoc-Optical-Tube-assembly.html?mtm_campaign=Doofinder&mtm_kwd=4802100&mtm_source=English&mtm_medium=OnSite&mtm_cid=UK&mtm_group=SiteSearch
@@confidentstreetlamp1762 those are great as well. The startravel is an older model, but still quite good. The starquest is EQ, so be aware of that, and it looks like more of the components are plastic.
Go to your local Costco and see if they still have the Omni AZ 102 telescope (it does not show up on their website, you have to go in store). I’ve heard from many folks in Canada they have seen this scope for around $200.
Really depends on your budget and the current price of the telescope. A 6 or 8 inch Dobsonian would be better, and in some cases around the same price. Also, 100mm telescopes on the AZ-GT mount (which is incredible) are currently under $500 which is a great deal.
I see that Celestron also does a 102/660 Astromaster AZ scope and this 100/660 Inspire AZ scope....which is the better scope, the 102 as its bigger aperture, or is the 100 inspire a better build?
It’s probably all the same lens. The Omni is the best built, followed by the Inspire, followed by the Astromaster. I’m guessing they are simply rounding the inspire down to 100 since the focal length is the same.
If you are interested in exploring the Moon, planets, and double stars, then absolutely! These objects are, for the most part, unaffected by light pollution.
Hello I'm weighing up buying the 100AZ vs a Meade ETX80 - can anyone advise which is better? I can get for roughly the same price. The Meade is older I know but has the automatic robotic object finder. Is the Meade the better option? Thanks for any help! Liam
The Omni is better (mainly due to the slow motion controls on the mount), but I don't believe it is still in production. Costco still had some inventory, but there's probably not many left. I could be wrong....
Being a father is the greatest thing in the world. I can’t wait to do this with my children. Thanks for the review and God bless y’all.
Giving this to my daughter tomorrow for her bday she turns 4 tomorrow, and really wants a telescope
@@thecincinnatikid5133Heck. I am 25 and planning to buy this thing. Your daughter is 4 and you're gifting this to her which means you're an amazing father.
Thanks for the review. Learning about what is useful verses a waste of money is a journey in itself for starters like myself.
hey have you managed to pick out a telescope yet?
I think this is an ideal first telescope!! Most people wont really know what they want long term until they have some experience. At $200, this is a great way to get that initial experience and then figure out whether you want to go further and in which direction. For several years I have been recommending the cheaper Celestron 70AZ but seeing this mount and the 100mm aperture, I would definitely go for this. I had a 3 inch reflector as a kid and a 4.5 inch reflector as an adult but neither saw much use because aligning them to find a target is much harder for the beginner. I literally tried the hobby and lost interest twice until I found a refractor, (the Celestron 70AZ) in a thrift store for $50. I instantly found it easier to hit various targets and so spent much more time with it. I even began astrophotography with the 70AZ. So I can personally attest this is a great cross between cheap entry level price and solid features.
I'm not even super interested in this stuff but the fact this dude doesn't have over 100k subs is crazy.... keep up the great work!!!
Thanks! I’ve determined that the UA-cam algorithm favours videos created by AI using stock footage. Hard for us humans to get ahead! (Also I need to work on my thumbnails, haha).
I think I am going to buy this telescope to observe the stars and planets as I am taking an astronomy course and am becoming more familiar with stars and galaxies.
What course
Just ordered one online .....This Celestron Inspire 100AZ looks like a great grab n go telescope which will be used far more than some big heavy set-up that stays inside gathering dust due to the heavy inconvenience of moving it . The telescope used the most is best .
After using this scope for a while, I think the biggest upgrade would be the eyepiece. The ones in the box really hold it back. A zoom eyepiece would be great for the planets, but the investment of a tele vue eyepiece would be a great all around eyepiece. www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/329381-REG/Tele_Vue_EAP_20_0_Plossl_20mm_Eyepiece_1_25.html?ap=y&smp=y&srsltid=AQP2TePqW3_0XGqu-96UaIo4Dho7jnOyK1qs8ghIRmKICWyZPA8Z9AvfVGE
I just bought one for my grandsons. Very informative video!
Such a FANTASTIC video! So informative and constructive! Thank you for making this :) I have a similar one from Meade (102AZ) I got in 2019. I bought it so as to be able to travel with one. I also bought a high quality zoom lens which is pretty much the only eye piece I use with it now. I'll be taking it for a spin in some dark skies soon enough. Glad to see yours perform so well in dark skies.
I love the zoom eyepiece too! Thanks for the feedback!
Another great video that is going to be helpful ... now if only I had clear skies now that you solved some mysteries. 🤦🏻♀️
Hey! I’m from Cape Breton! Good to see another Bluenoser doing astronomy. Great dark skies
Awesome! I Hope to stargaze from Highlands National park sometime soon!
@@LearnToStargaze taker easy b’y
Fellow Stargazers! This channel is dedicated to improving your telescope skills and helping you see awesome stuff in the sky. Please consider subscribing. I'll post a new video at least once per week, so there'll be lots of current content to watch and enjoy! Thanks! ~ John (LearnToStargaze)
Hi.
Great video. Thanks.
I have a question. I have this exact model. I have been using it to look at Jupiter and Mars, but the telescope never gets into focus. I contacted Celestron, but they did not provide useful advice.
I am mainly using the 20 mm eyepiece, but none gets into focus.
Has anyone reported a similar problem?
Any advice will be appreciated.
Good review and easy to follow with no unecessary jargon. Many thank . From UK.
Great video! It was put together very well. I am seriously thinking about purchasing this telescope. Happy Stargazing!!!
Thanks for the review! Just bought this for the wife for her birthday. Amazing price difference, I paid $499 in Australia and that was on sale and the best price I could find and I had to wait until it was back in stock!! We call it 'Pacific Inflation! Everything is double the price here!
where you get it from? I am in Brisbane
@@SheltonDCruz Australian Geographic
Just got one for my wife as well. Just waiting for Christmas
Very difficult as a beginner to find a quality telescope. This telescopes has gone up to 340 sincen your upload of this review. Ordered telescope and your Moon book. Thanks for your content.
Enjoy the book!
Thanks for the review, but I'll wait a little longer before buying my first telescope. The Inspire 100AZ costs about €409,- (=607 Canadian dollars) over here at the moment.
Thanks so much for this important information. I just bought a telescope!
Viewer from Singapore. Gonna shortlist this scope under buying list. Like how the scope is folded and just easily placed into the car. Seems portable and refractor can be double as a spotting scope. Good review!
For sure! If you can't find this is stock. See if you can find the Celestron Omni 102 Az, that scope has basically the same specs, but also includes slow motion controls, which make it even easier to use.
Hey John, do u know of any similar scopes (price range, specs) that allow for solar filters/viewing? This is quickly becoming my favorite astronomy channel btw, great stuff
The Explore FirstLight 102mm Doublet Refractor is pretty close. I've owned two high end versions of this scope and used them for solar observing with a filter (one actually came with a solar filter). However, watch the used section of B&H photo, sometimes they have used solar telescope for very little money. Also, look for a hydrogen alpha solar telescope like the Coronado PST to go on sale, those are lots of fun for viewing fine details on the surface of the sun.
So very grateful for this information.
I found this as a returned (unopened box) for $250 USD at B&H photo in December 2021, marked down from $300. The mount is not shaky, the optics give me beautiful clear views and I like the finderscope, unfortunately the tripod legs don't extend high enough, so that I have to sit on the ground to point the finderscope much over 45 degrees altitude even when fully extended. I ended up mounting a rigel quikfinder near the end of the tube, which has a slightly wider clearance.
While the mount is not at all shaky, I'm finding that the azimuth control is too sticky. I'm thinking about installing a couple of teflon furniture moving discs to make the movement smoother. Hoping for some clear days that aren't too cold so I can really spend some time with this telescope, and I bought a 2.5x barlow to go with it for planetary viewing.
Yeah, mine is sticky depending on the temperature. There is a hex bolt somewhere on it to loosen it. I've also added WD40.
Thanks for the invitation! Came across your channel searching for a good yet Easy telescope to buy. Ive never found myself staring and taking pics at the night sky, as Ive done since thes past 17 mo ..Now it's time to get real! I enjoyed this video and can prob stop looking now🤔😏😊👍I thank yA for it! 👍
Here Italy, i have the "Skywatcher heritage" 130/650 with parabolic mirror high quality, last summer from AMAZON only 188 Euros (the price) low price. With the Eyepiece SUPER 3.6 mm 180X, fantastic Jupiter and Saturn- sharps images. And for deepsky large field amd many light, with my newton 130/650 i'm happy, small telescope but high quality.
Loved the video! Unfortunately, I'm still unsure which telescope to buy! This is so difficult... Three years later, this telescope costs 339 euros, with discount.
If you’re in Europe you could get one of my favorite telescopes! Just need to add the mount of your choice. (They recommend the Nano): www.bresser.de/en/Astronomy/BRESSER-Messier-AR-102s-600-Hexafoc-OTA.html?mtm_campaign=Doofinder&mtm_kwd=4802600&mtm_source=English&mtm_medium=OnSite&mtm_cid=GreatBritain&mtm_group=SiteSearch
You use a phone riding on top of this telescope with this app to find targets! artyom-beilis.github.io/astrohopper.html
@@LearnToStargaze I like it! Thank you so much! :D
@@evitapepperoni1980 if you get it, let me know how it goes!
@@LearnToStargaze I will! :D
Awesome video! Thanks so much, I might consider getting one of these telescopes. I have on myself, but don't like it. I knew you used a Barlow lens for that pic of Saturn. I took a pic of Saturn with about the same magnification and it looked exactly the same!
Thanks! Yes, this makes a great first telescope. If you're looking for an upgrade from a pervious scope, you might consider the Starsense 130Dx from Celestron, that way you have the go-to (push-to) capability.
Beautifully explained. Thank you from across the Pond :)
I have "Celestron Inspire 90Az". There isn't much difference between 90 and 100 mm aperture. There is also not much difference in magnification if you compare using 20mm eye piece. Both telescopes are costly. For beginners, yes it's good but it suffers from chromatic aberration. The alt azimuth mount is really frustrating while doing casual Astrophotography with this. After adding a barlow lens i find it really difficult to find objects. One also has to keep changing eye pieces and adjust focus. Its a good Telescope for a beginner but price is high. The pan handle is a bit tight. Orion Nebula looks like a dot...so disappointing. If you live in a light polluted city which has a Bortle scale 7 or 8 then you will only be restricted to Moon and 5 planets. You cannot see any deep space objects. A beginner will be happy to see this scope but will be sad to see how limited visual Astronomy they can get with it. It's better to go for a reflector telescope with EQ mount. My recommendation "Celestron Astromaster 130".
That’s interesting… I’m trying to decide between reflector or refractor for my first telescope. Understanding very little from what I’ve researched I think the refractor is going to be the best choice for me considering light pollution and I’ve heard you get better planetary clarity (if that’s the word for it) because reflectors have that center pice obstructing your light slightly. Basically… I want a semi portable telescope for Jupiter and Saturn mostly and whatever else I can see is a bonus. I’ve heard the cooldown is significantly quicker with the refractor also. I’m sure there’s pro’s and con’s with each but refractor is gonna be my first telescope but I don’t want a department store-ish telescope. I probably wouldn’t buy this exact model as it seems like they give you subpar optics and equipment with these so called beginner bundled telescopes. I’m nervous to buy on Amazon because you *often get used products at new prices* unfortunately. Being a beginner I probably wouldn’t know. Most importantly, *so many UA-cam reviews are biased and basically bought IMHO. Have to watch the videos where they aren’t pushing their affiliate links and just give honest reviews. Not as easy to find as you think but they’re still out there
@@greg6162 hi Greg,
just wandering through the wonderful world of You Tube and came across this vid and your comment.
Don't know if you settled on a scope yet, but if it's any help after lots of reading I eventually settled on the Skywatcher Heritage 130p. I'm not disappointed, but maybe Google other reviews and forums etc.
Re bundled eyepieces, everything I read suggested these are always sub par, but as a beginner I was satisfied and got some nice views.
I still find myself checking out other scopes etc on UA-cam and Google tho, so beware, it could be a bit of a money pit hobby, haha.
Good luck with it.
Great Video! Thank you so much!
So much I don’t know about star gazing with a telescope....👍👍👍
Thank you for this ❤️
I wish they provided the red flashlight for the starsense one. That would be a good additional.
This is the best video out there for this telescope. Based on this, i have bought it and I am really satisfied! Go John!
Great to hear!
I am interested in your advice on eyepiece accessoriries for th Celestron Omni AZ 102 Telescope. Please provide the brand and lens diameter for Plossl and 2X Barlow eyepieces and what I should purchase for filters to complement my new purchase. Your videos and comments have been very informative and I am looking forward to enjoying your books. Thanks
Lots of good eyepiece combinations for this, but much is personal preference as you learn your telescope. The Celestron X-Cel LX would be a good place to start. The 5mm version for planets, and the 25mm for everything else. There is an Omni 2x Barlow that should pair well with the telescope.
wow nice you have a book greta. I too have an astro channel mostly visual 7 reviews. good points and good video cheers joe
This does look like the perfect first scope.
This is an old video, the price has gone up and there are now beginner scopes with better features. The Nat Geo 102, the Omni Az102, or the StarSense 102 DX are what I would recommend now.
You got me sold! Thanks! I can remove my comment if youd like, and thanks for correcting me, and your dog is pretty.
Thanks for the video. Can you see Saturn's rings without the added Barlow through this telescope?
Absolutely! I viewed Saturn’s rings last night using just the 20mm eyepiece, it appears small but clear as a bell.
@@LearnToStargaze Thank you, that's really helpful :)
you nailed it on this scope. any eyepiece video you would like to demo also? thank you for sharing Sir.
It’s hard to demo eyepieces on video. I usually just recommend 25mm plossl eyepiece or 25mm-8mm eyepieces for folks who own telescopes like these.
Yep, I have this scope it's good. I have videos on it.
g
Hey John, thank you for your review, I have been looking for hours and days and getting confused on which I should be looking for.
I wanted one to be easy travel with, see planets and more and have a decent view. Is there any other telescope you would highly recommend?
Thanks for your review again
Hi! It’s really a question of budget. I LOVE my travel scope, but it cost around $700. It may seem expensive, but it’s worth it for the joy it brings on every trip. It’s a Mak Cas telescope on the Skywatcher AzGTI mount.
@@LearnToStargaze thanks for your review and personal preference :) it’s hard trying to work out what to get. It’s difficult to know if you are spending the money and getting a good item.
I own the 90mm inspire. It has issues mainly with mount. It has good sharp views and high targets like with all refractors is not as practical. It is okay but think there are better scopes for beginners but my Orion XT8g is big and bulky so it makes a good quick view scope.
Agreed, I generally recommend the XT8 as a beginner telescope. The 100Az was the best sub-$300 telescope for beginners on a budget (at the time).
Alright John you got a new sub, I really like your content, and when I can afford it, I will buy your book to keep me busy 🗿
Very good review Mr.
Do you think a DSLR camera could be attached to this awesome introductory Scope.
Yes, but without adding a $2000 mount, you’re not going to get good images of deep sky objects. Plus, you’re limited by the 1.25 inch opening for the eyepiece. You’d be better off with just an iPhone.
This telescope went up in price like you said it would, seen only one left on Amazon today for a little over 400 , checked it again sold out. Most sites are sold out .
What do you think about this one vs Skywatcher Heritage 150P Tabletop Dobsonian ?
That 150 wins on the aperture front. I’m not personally a fan of tabletops, but my kids like them a lot.
@@LearnToStargazeI ended up buying the Orion Observer 134mm cuz the Skywatcher was out of stock everywhere haha. Thanks!
Just got my 100AZ!!!
I'm going to order the Barlow Lens thanks for the tip!
So, I had ordered this telescope, but what I received was the celestron 90AZ. I noticed you didn't mention that one. I'm not 100% sure how I feel about this, as I had wanted the 100, but this one is already here. I've got it set up and ready to go to the best of my ability (I am a beginner) and look forward to seeing what it can do. Any recommendations you have for this one are welcomed.
The 90 has a much narrower field of view than the 100 (for a given eyepiece). The 100 is designed for wide field views of deep sky objects, the 90 is designed primarily for the Moon and planets. In either case, a proper 20mm or 25 mm plossl eyepiece is the best thing you can do to improve the view (Tele Vue is the best, budget around $120). Get a book like 110 Things To See with a Telescope and start working through the list of targets. Good luck!
What about the 90az? Where i live is the only one i can get. I want to buy it as a gift for my son who never had one. Thanks a lot for the review!
The issue with the 90az is the focal ratio, at 11 its going to be much more difficult to get it fixed on a particular target. It's also a long scope, which means it will be inherently unstable. See if you can find an Omni 102az, or a 6 inch dobsonian. You should be able to find one of these around the same price.
I heard that the rotation from right to left or vice versa is a bit harder compared to the up and down movement even if the knob is completely loose. When you turn it you also have to hold the tripod otherwise everything will move
Yeah, it seems it could use a bit of an adjustment to loosen up that axis.
At 11:05, Clark Kent becomes... (wait for it) Telescope Man!!!!!! Although why he revealed his secret identity, I'll never know.
Also, we talked a bit on another video thread, I like this telescopes features a lot more than the 70az lt that I have, so I think I'll upgrade to this, but I wanted to know from you (granted this would be my only telescope for quite a while) what exactly would you recommend upgrading on this telescope as money becomes available? Eyepieces and 90 degree? I really like the finder scope design on this one.
I think the Omni AZ from Costco is the way to go. In the US I hear that it’s $139 right now (not online, you have to go into the store). The Omni uses the same lens as this scope, but you get slow motion controls on the mount, and a two inch focuser.
@@LearnToStargaze really? We just got a new Costco by my house in AZ so I think I'll do that then, thank you for the recommendation!!
@@Fatal_Inertia hopefully they still have it!
@@LearnToStargaze I can't find any mention of it on their website so I will go to their store and report back within a few days! If I can't get ahold of that one, would the inspire still be worth getting?
@@Fatal_Inertia yes, it’s never been on their website. Yes, I like the inspire. I miss the slow motion controls though. The inspire is also a bit heavier.
Thanks for this brilliant video
So now that we know that Omni AZ 102 is available, and you have reviewed both that scope and this scope, which one gets your final vote and why?
It seems to me that the Inspire 100 AZ scope might come with slightly better/cooler accessories...but my gut says the Omni 102 is a slightly better base scope.
To that end I wanted to ask the expert. :-)
Well, technically it is the same lens. And I don’t think they still make the Omni 102 (it is now the Starsense 102), but yes, the slow motion controls on the Omni make it a better option (if you can find it).
Its strange everyone keeps saying Magnification is the least important property.... For me, someone who is wanting to purchase a telescope and get started in the hobby, All I want it for is to get Jupiter and Saturn as big as I can so I can see everything as close as possible. Isn't magnification the only way to achieve this? It doesn't impress me to see Saturn the size of a pencil tip and barely seeing the rings, I want to see the individual color of the bands on Jupiter or the different colors in the rings of Saturn. What would I want to buy if this is my goal?
Magnification doesn’t increase resolution. Taking a small telescope and adding magnification is like taking photograph and pushing it up to your face. You can push it as close as you want, but it’s not going to look good. If you want to magnify planets AND maintain a quality image, you would need the telescope with the widest aperture. I get great “up close” views of Saturn with my 12 inch dobsonian, although a c14 SCT would be ideal. Budget $1000 for a dobsonian, $5000 for a large SCT.
This telescope is north of 370€ as of Aug 2022. Here in Europe, we've been hit hard by inflation and the consequences of the War in Ukraine. Nonetheless, this will be my choice for my first telescope! Thank you very much for the review!!!
Thank you!
Awesome video John!
Thanks, Lee!
This telescope is bigger than I thought do you think you could do a unboxing of a celastron power seaker 70 az please thanks
Can we see saturn ring clearly with given eyepieces .( Without using Barlow)
Yes
Very helpful video! Which scope is better & more capable. The sky watcher start travel 102 or this one in the vid?
They both use the same lens, however the star travel is a much higher quality build.
(Sorry similar lens) if I recall the star travel has a slightly shorter focal length).
telescopic aimer better than red dot helps find fainter objects easier and more resistant to dew also cant run out of battery power
Hey great video, are you from NS by chance?
Thanks! Yup!
Bought this telescope months ago and I really love your review!!
I just want to ask if I can use a 5X Barlow lens for this telescope?
Just wondering how you like this. Want to get one but I'm reading a lot of mixed reviews
Excelente conteúdo! Obrigado pelo vídeo!
Recently injured my back but had to check whether or not my new 102az came with the 90 degree one
My chiropractor would hate if i told him im using a 45 degree (forgot what its called lol)
Very Nice review! Thank you very much. I live in a small town in the countryside in the south of Brazil, and the sky here is incredbly clear. I am considering on having a telescope, I found the 102 model same brand as yours here. Will I need to be in the complete dark for getting good results with it?
Not quite sure what you mean by complete dark. The planets and Moon can be seen from any city. Galaxies and nebulae typically requires "dark skies" which mean away from city lights and on a date where the Moon is minimally bright, or not in the sky at all. You can use a map like this to find the dark skies nearest you: darksitefinder.com/maps/world.html#6/-25.041/-47.220
Like! Does the 100AZ have a bigger stronger mount / tripod than the 70AZ or is it the same size but with a different design ?
The 100az tripod is quite a bit heftier if I recall (I’ve since given away both scopes).
Thank you for good informative video. Celestron Inspire 100AZ is costing £457 on Amazon UK, I suppose this telescope is not worth it at this price range. Is Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 70 AZ Refractor Telescope any good for beginners ? Which one do you recommend. Please assist. thank you.
The explorer 70 only passes 1 of the 5 tests to determine if a telescope is worth considering. (It has a red-dot finder). In the UK it seems as if Bresser makes the best telescope at the beginner price point.
@@LearnToStargaze Thanks for quick reply, which Bresser model will you recommend?
Here are a few options from Bresser that would make for a passable entry level telescope: www.bresser.de/en/Astronomy/Telescopes/BRESSER-Messier-6-Planetary-Dobson-Telescope.html
www.bresser.de/en/Astronomy/Telescopes/BRESSER-Messier-6-Dobson.html
www.bresser.de/en/Astronomy/Telescopes/BRESSER-Messier-5-Dobson.html
www.bresser.de/en/Astronomy/Telescopes/BRESSER-Messier-AR-102s-600-Hexafoc-OTA.html (az mount sold separately on this last one)
I've heard of Costco, but what is it? Also you forgot stacking barlows and 5x
maybe a weird question what do u see when observing green light in norway.
Wow I didn't know this scope used to be $200. Now they are charging $350. The price increase on telescopes is insane. I've decided I'm just not buying anything until prices go back down because every scope out there right now is a rip off. But I did enjoy the review.
Yes, I’m tempted to make a video on how to make your own telescope now. That’s also why I buy so many of my telescopes used.
i have celestron 114 lcm telescope, so far i saw saturn,moon and jupiter,and it was beautiful and one more think i m glad i bought telescope with computer,beacuse i hard to find moon with telescope.If i get one of these telescope's probably i just quit my astronomy adventure in the beginning.
Thanks!
Think I’m going to get this one for Christmas as my first telescope. Do you know of any specific moon filters that would fit this telescope? I’ve already got a Barlow lens picked out as well.
I never really use moon filters, I'm guessing any basic moon filter will do. Thanks for watching the videos!
Hi I'm looking to add to my lenses. I got the inspire 100AZ for Christmas. I'm mainly wanting to use it to see planets as close and focused as possible (Saturn ect). I can see saturn but when i take a photo its blurry with ring outlines.
I'm looking at the 4mm lens and the Barlow x2.
I'm not clued up on all the numbers and wording etc but told these would be good to have. Would these two pieces be a good addition to the collection? 🤔
Would greatly appreciated any advice on what would help 😁👍🏻
Is the astromaster 102az the same scope? It looks very similar. Does it perform similarly at least?
Same lens. Different accessories.
@@LearnToStargaze apparently no phone adapter. Good to know it's a look-alike. Thank you for the review.
Any achromatic refractor is a beginner if you have enough money to buy one.reflectors are good intermediate scopes and if ur want to get into professional astrophotography then an apo refractor is the best
If my goal was to solely look at the solar system’s planets and the moon would it be better to buy a telescope with a bigger focal length?
Sort of? Aperture is the determining factor in terms of resolution. High focal length gives a telescope a higher natural magnification, but a telescope needs the aperture to support it. Maximum useful magnification is 2X the aperture. 4 inch and higher SCT telescopes tend to be the popular choice for people who are serious about planetary observation. Ideally 8 inch versions.
Isn’t the Explore Scientific First Light 102 F10 better because of it’s higher focal length / ratio and less chromatic aberrations?
I like the F10, but it’s long, which makes it shaky on most mounts.
I've just gotten this scope for my son. Before I buy a Barlow lens would you recommend a x2 or x3? Thanks
2x. Cheers!
Hi John. Great video and channel and congratulations as you've convinced a novice astronomer like myself in the UK to buy the 100AZ. I've purchased a barlow lens but just wanted to know if I should get any additional eyepieces for this scope along with the 10mm and 20mm already supplied. If so which ones do you recommend?
High quality eyepieces would make a big difference. I just tested a 5mm X-Cel eyepiece and it really brought out the detail in the planets.
@@confidentstreetlamp1762 hi! This would be a good first telescope for under $200. Over that and other telescopes become better options. In the UK I really like the Bresser 102. This is highly upgradable (you can add a better tripod, two inch diagonal and eyepieces, etc).
www.bresseruk.com/Astronomy/Telescopes/BRESSER-Messier-AR-102-600-NANO-AZ-Telescope.html?mtm_campaign=Doofinder&mtm_kwd=4702605&mtm_source=English&mtm_medium=OnSite&mtm_cid=UK&mtm_group=SiteSearch
@@confidentstreetlamp1762 I have the one with the 1000mm docs length too. It’s an absolutely beautiful instrument. www.bresseruk.com/By-manufacturer/Bresser/BRESSER-Messier-AR-102-1000-Hexafoc-Optical-Tube-assembly.html?mtm_campaign=Doofinder&mtm_kwd=4802100&mtm_source=English&mtm_medium=OnSite&mtm_cid=UK&mtm_group=SiteSearch
@@confidentstreetlamp1762 like what?
@@confidentstreetlamp1762 those are great as well. The startravel is an older model, but still quite good. The starquest is EQ, so be aware of that, and it looks like more of the components are plastic.
I would like this one to have the starsense capability.
That’s the 102DX. It’s the same lens.
@@LearnToStargaze but an entire different finderscope :/
Great video!
What was the highest mag power you were able to achieve that was clear? And using what EP? Thanks!
What app would you recommend for finding these clusters, stars and planets in the sky at night? Cheers bud.
The best/easiest app would be Stellarium. But an even simpler method would be to use the book 110 Things to See with a Telescope.
Hi can you please share a link to buy this telescope or something similar in Ontario Canada? Thank you
Go to your local Costco and see if they still have the Omni AZ 102 telescope (it does not show up on their website, you have to go in store). I’ve heard from many folks in Canada they have seen this scope for around $200.
Is this the Same optics as the 102 az offered in the starsense Explorer Series?
thanks
Which would you choose between this and the Sky-Watcher Startravel-102?
The star-travel, but note that the star-travel is a more premium telescope, and will typically be priced higher.
You know I'm reading a lot mixed reviews on this telescope. I want to get it but now I'm not sure.
Really depends on your budget and the current price of the telescope. A 6 or 8 inch Dobsonian would be better, and in some cases around the same price. Also, 100mm telescopes on the AZ-GT mount (which is incredible) are currently under $500 which is a great deal.
3x barlow is better than 2x for saturn view?
3x barlow would fix in this telescope?
Please tell....
Thanks! Great review
I see that Celestron also does a 102/660 Astromaster AZ scope and this 100/660 Inspire AZ scope....which is the better scope, the 102 as its bigger aperture, or is the 100 inspire a better build?
It’s probably all the same lens. The Omni is the best built, followed by the Inspire, followed by the Astromaster. I’m guessing they are simply rounding the inspire down to 100 since the focal length is the same.
Should I invest in a telescope if I live in a city with Bortle Class 9 light pollution?
If you are interested in exploring the Moon, planets, and double stars, then absolutely! These objects are, for the most part, unaffected by light pollution.
Question..Can you use this telescope in very cold weather without damaging the lens?
Yes.
Please provide links to some of the accessories you mentioned or reviewed (ie cell phone adapter).
Done. A few links added to the video description.
I have made video of getting Saturn (using the 100az scope) and I also processed it ua-cam.com/video/yHrnkGS6jt8/v-deo.html
Not sure if I missed it....how many objective lens elements are there?
I believe it is an achromatic doublet. So, two.
Hello I'm weighing up buying the 100AZ vs a Meade ETX80 - can anyone advise which is better? I can get for roughly the same price. The Meade is older I know but has the automatic robotic object finder. Is the Meade the better option? Thanks for any help! Liam
Hi, which telescope do you consider to be better the inspire 100AZ or the Celestron Omni XLT AZ? Thanks.
The Omni is better (mainly due to the slow motion controls on the mount), but I don't believe it is still in production. Costco still had some inventory, but there's probably not many left. I could be wrong....
What's the difference between the Inspire & the Astromaster AZ 102?
Pretty sure the astromaster is an older version of the same scope. The Inspire has an upgraded mount (with built-in red light) and an upgraded finder.
I Want to buy a telescope
Between this 2 options .,,,Wich would you buy : Celestron Omni 150 mm XLT vs el Skywatcher 150 mm EQ3
Thanks
I don’t think either would be particularly enjoyable. To much going on there with the manual eq mounts and Newtonian optics.
@@LearnToStargaze and what of buying a 8 inch dob skywatcher