Celestron Celestar 8

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Brand and Model:Celestron Celestar 8
Price ($USD):discontinued
Type:Schmidt-Cassegrain
Attributes: un-checked Go-To un-checked PEC
Aperture:203mm (8")
f Ratio:f/10
Focal Length:2032mm
Finder:6x30
Electric Power:9V
Mount:Wedgepod
Tripod:Wedgepod
Weight (lbs):37 lbs.
Dimensions (w/h/d):
Description:Wedgepod is wedge and tripod combined into a single unit.

Comes with 25mm SMA Eyepiece, Star Diagonal, and visual back.

Needs optional hand controller for Southern hemisphere operation.

About $1000 used.

Vote Highlights Vote
Celestron Celestar 8
My scope is a "hybrid". Before the Celestar Deluxe version came out, the dealer (S&S Optica) offered an upgrade to the heavier duty tripod and equatorial head now used by the Celestar Deluxe. Optically excellent,my only issue is that the focuser resistance seems to increase right at the point of focus--I do manage to get a good focus but it is irritating. I am told that this is an issue that can be rectified by an adjustment. The drive tracks very well for visual use (all I will be using it for). The scope has been upgraded using an 8x50 finder on a removable dovetail mounting (won't fit in the case otherwise). This has created some problems in balancing the scope which is my major gripe. Most of the time I dispense with the finder and use a lighter telrad and NGC-Max to locate objects. Highly recommended for the visual observer--the primary optics are this scope's strength.

Overall Rating: 9
Optics:10 Mount:8 Ease of Use:8 Value:9
Weight: 10 (Trustworthy Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=47462

Celestron Celestar 8
I have used this scope and compared it to a Meade LX 50 (about same price range). There is no comparison, except for optics. The Celestron wins hands down.

1) The C8 is a lighter OTA and fork assembly - much easier to transport and yet built just as well. I think the Meade forks are heavier, but the C8 is just as sturdy.

2) The wedgepod is much easier to use than the Meade tripod and wedge assembly. The Celestron wedgepod tray on top really helps hold stuff, too but the Meade does not have one. The Meade is much more difficult to set up.

3) Optics were virtually identical. Very good. Neither had dark dark background and were typical SCT optics. Can't beat the price for 8" of aperture and the ability to keep an object in view. You can find the C8 used for around $700-$750 and Meade a little more here in 2003. BTW - I think dobs are dumb. But, maybe it's me. I just like to be able to put an object in fov and watch it for a long time even at high power without moving scope constantly. That's why I think the C8 is a great buy on used market for 8" of aperture.

4) The Meade RA lock seems to be better. Give the edge here to Meade.

5) Based on ease of use, the mount, and weight - I give the edge to the C8. Optics were the same. I think the entire C8 scope and mount are a well engineered combination.

Overall Rating: 10
Optics:9 Mount:10 Ease of Use:10 Value:10
Weight: 5 (Veritable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=180170

Celestron Celestar 8
This is a great general purpose work horse scope. The SMA 25mm eyepiece is crude - I replaced it immediately with a Tele Vue 20mm Plossl. Armed with a Telrad, this is a very easy to use scope - just point and shoot. Love the 9V battery operation - it's SO much better than jamming 8 AA's into the console! I wish the wedge pod had adjustable legs (for height), but other than that, no complaints. The optics were pretty good and gave good images of planets as well as deep sky objects. Star images always seemed a bit "spikey" on mine (could have been a collimation issue - it was my first serious scope), but the focal reducer made things look real pretty in a hurry. VERDICT - Recommended.

Overall Rating: 7
Optics:6 Mount:7 Ease of Use:8 Value:7
Weight: 5 (Veritable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=142041

Celestron Celestar 8
This is a real sleeper. I bought it strapped for cash and expected something mediocre to get me by until I could upgrade. Imagine my surprise when the optic tested as good or better than any SCT I have ever owned. Simply amazing, crisp, clear and sharp. But keep in mind, as good as they are they're not going to keep up with a good medium focus newtonian or 6 inch apochromatic refractor. The background is a bit bright as is expected and the contrast is a tad less than other designs.
The drive tracks flawlessly even with a rough alignment and I had a picture of the Hale Bopp Comet published riding a DSLR piggyback on my OTA unguided which speaks volumes of the accuracy. The build quality is solid, the scope is attractive and the Wedgewood was a delight due to space conservation and weight. If you observe seated as most do you won't have any issue with this arrangement.
I ended up installing an Orion first generation Sky Wizard digital setting circle push to device which when set up carefully worked about 70 percent of the time.
I ended up selling this rig to a very nice couple who bought on the spot after one view. This was a telescope that I would not have sold in hindsight. It was perhaps one of the best kept secrets and highest price to performance instrument that I am aware of. If you can find a used one in good condition at a real cheap price snatch it up, trust me. Wonderful rig.

Overall Rating: 9
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=626383

Celestron Celestar 8
This is my first SC. I own two nice Refracters(a Stellarvue and a Vixen), but I decided that I wanted more aperture. I always swore that I would never buy a Celestron or a Meade. The big company lawsuits and BS always turned me off to their products, but I decided that I wanted an 8 inch SC. I wanted something with a motor drive and a focal reducer option and decent optics. I did the research and decided on a Celestar 8 and when I found one on sale I went for it. I've used it now for a couple weeks set up next to my refracters at my house which is a very dark sky site and I have to say that I'm impressed with it. I think the optics are very nice. The wedge mount is shaky. It's going to need a motor focuser, but other than that its very easy to use, and it does go deep. The price has dropped on the C8 ( I think they are being discontinued) so at 1200$ with a reducer and dew shield and power cords it's well worth it.

Overall Rating: 9
Optics:9 Mount:7 Ease of Use:9 Value:10
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=128939

Celestron Celestar 8
I owned a Celestar 8" for two years and sold it for a a bigger apeture scope 10" reflector Orion Optics UK , BUT WISH I NEVER HAD the Celestron Celestar 8" out performed it with no problem , Optics 100% better and Handeling even more better 150% plus the fact I used it much more.......It was so good that I'm going to order yet another one , Brilliant scope indeed , only fault is a little light loss......Bev.west@virgin.net

November 12th 2001

Overall Rating: 10
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=37269

Celestron Celestar 8
So so optics for the price. Not bad for deep-sky visually. Customer support is really bad. After having some problems with the focuser the after sales support was not interested: very tardy response. Got it eventually fixed by a local dealer with hardware support.
It seems that Celestron is learning from its owner TASCO. :-(

Overall Rating: 2
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=37268

Celestron Celestar 8
Very good telescop!

Overall Rating: 10
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=37267

Celestron Celestar 8
Finally after much research I went for the Celestar 8 as my second scope ( also own a Meade 6" F5 reflector EQ). I found it at OPT through Astromart at $899.00.
It arrived well packed in two boxes with packing foam. Collimation was perfect with nice star tests inside and outside focus.
The wedgepod supplied is adequate for visual and probably some short exposure photography, but to be honest it is pretty steady. After a nice tap on the star diagonal, dampering time was about 3 seconds, not bad. Too bad they did not make it adjustable, as the position with the wedge makes it kind of ackward to view objects close to the zenith and to the north.
The drive tracked exceptionally well even with some rough polar aligment.
I'm adding a Telrad finder and probably a focal reducer to F6.3. Eventually I will get a new mount for it. But for the money it's a hard deal to beat.
All and all it's definetely a keeper.

Overall Rating: 9
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=37266

Celestron Celestar 8
Good value for money.
Good optics, stable enough mount and tracking (for visual observing).
Supplied finder pretty useless; replaced it with a 8x50 right angle one.

Overall Rating: 9
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=37265

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