Celestron G-8N Newtonian

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Celestron G-8N Newtonian
What a deal!! The optics of this scope is amazing for the price. The short tube,18", is amazing for a f/5 system. The scope gains a lot of contrast,more than a f/4 system with a longer tube. The mount is rock solid and moves very smoothly. Celestron made a teriffic scope with an original scope(with the corector right ahead of the focuser.) What a great value!!!!lol

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Celestron G-8N Newtonian
Optics were terrible and could not be collimated (technically it's a modified Newtonian with a lens between both mirrors). I sent it back to Celestron at their suggestion, and they declared the optics to be bad, with no way of fixing it. It is no longer advertized. To Celestron's credit, they refunded my cost for the OTA (I kept the mount) and original and return shipping costs.

Overall Rating: 3
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Celestron G-8N Newtonian
Love the design, but the execution is bellow any standard. The clear diameter
of the corrector lens (54mm) placed in front of the 2" secondary is too small
being at less than 320mm from the f/2.25 primary. It cuts off more than 5/8"
perimeter at the primary mirror, effectively reducing aperture to little more
than 6.5" (some 30% lower light-gathering power). This also makes checking out
the alignment visually imposible, because one can't see boundary of the primary.
Size of central obstruction is slightly over 73mm (37%), but with the aperture
effectivelly reduced it is actually close to 44%. The 2" focuser, very solidly
built, doesn't have a 2" adaptor ring, so you can use only 1.25" eyepieces.
Celestron's folk hasn't been much helpful. The person I spoke to about this
kept on repeating that all the telescopes went through a strict control
(assuming they are all just fine) and that if I send the scope in, the likely
outcome will be that they will just check it out and send it back to me.
As for the focuser's 2" ring, they said were not supplied by the manufacturer
(talking about "strict control"?!?) and they will send one to me as soon as they
become available. It is well over four months now, and I've lost every hope.
With all said, adding nearly 1/4" thick spider legs, is it wonder that the
scope gives soft images? I decided to keep the scope for its portability and
wide-field potential, but can't really access quality of its optics until it's
been remedied from the deffects mentioned (wouldn't be surprised that the
location of the corrector lens is not optimal, although from where it is now
it does give about the right magnification for an effective 1000mm f.l. as
claimed).

Vlad

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Celestron G-8N Newtonian
I've got the telescope on the test bench and the optics were not that bad at all, after collimating the system (witch is quite hard) there was a slight sferical abberation.
I didn't have time to try and solve that problem but i will try in the near future.
I bought this telescope for photography and the optics are good enough for that.
Because of the large obstruction its les suitable for visual observations but its possible to get some nice views.
I don't like the CG-5 mount so I bought a Vixen GP mount with it and its more stable.
When starting with photography its a nice beginner telescope with a verry nice price.

Overall Rating: 8
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Celestron G-8N Newtonian
I just say WOW! What a compact and great scope! Views are amazing! If you need
a good compact scope which will give great views, at a reasonable price
this is the one to get! You just can´t go wrong with this one! Clever thought out design! Thank´s Celestron!

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Celestron G-8N Newtonian
I just say WOW! What a compact and great scope! Views are amazing! If you need
a good compact scope which will give great views, at a reasonable price
this is the one to get! You just can´t go wrong with this one! Clever thought out design! Thank´s Celestron!

Overall Rating: 10
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Celestron G-8N Newtonian
Okay, I picked up this scope from www.starsafaris.com for $599 US on sale (they advertise it as their "summer sale"). No, I am not in anyway affiliated with them; just wanted to pass on a $100 savings if you're interested. Since the "production freeze" and subsequent "remodeling" of this scope, so far, I am happy. They now include a 2" and 1.25" eyepiece adapter for the 2" focuser, which I might add, is very smooth. They have also supposedly corrected the problems with abberation due to the correcting lens (which allows the shorter tube). So far, so good. I love the finderscope system. It utilizes a spring loaded plunger opposite two adjusting screws. (I believe the Orion XT10 10" Dobsonian uses the same finder system.) In addition, the finder is a large 9 x 50 now, not the small one like you see in the photo above. One of the scope rings incorporates a threaded camera mount for piggyback photography. The scope does not include a polar axis finder scope. I've ordered one (I think it was about $40) as the CG-5 mount allows for the addition of the finder scope. Speaking of the CG-5 mount, I love it; it's plenty capable of handling the OTA. The mount also includes two decent sized weights (not one like pictured above). Both weights are plenty to handle the OTA plus attached camera and finder scope. I've also ordered a Telrad finder, and, as I remember, they're light as a feather. I'll be adding the dual axis drive system for the CG-5 this week and I'll have to update the review once it's installed and running. The scope is assembled in China, but I heard (but don't quote me) that the optics are manufactured in Southern California by a reputable company (possibly Discovery). The 20mm Plossl eyepiece that ships with the scope is of very good quality, and, I believe, got good reviews from Sky and Telescope Magazine. Again, I've ordered a Celestron 7.5mm Plossl and I'll report back on that too. I've heard that these scopes are difficult to collimate. I've also ordered an Orion laser collimator, and I'll have to give it a go. Hopefully, since the redesign, it shouldn't be a problem. As a final note, keep in mind that I am fairly new to this. I don't have much experience with high-end scopes (except for some limited viewing time at star shows and such). So, I really don't have much to compare it to. If you're fairly new like me, I think you'll really enjoy this telescope. By the way, as far as the accessories go, it seems like www.focuscamera.com, out of New York, has the best prices. See, I told you I wasn't associated with Star Safari's.

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Celestron G-8N Newtonian
overall a very nice scope

Overall Rating: 8
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Celestron G-8N Newtonian
I researched this scope heavily before I bought it in July, and I was concerned about all of the different reviews that I was reading about it. They were either really good or really bad.I knew that I wanted an EQ mount and I did not want to spend a lot of money so I thought that I would put my trust in Celestron. I also purchesed two Celestron Ultima eyepeices. My first impressions of the scope were very good. The CG-5 mount is very solid and does work very well with the tube. I did replace the 9x50 finder with a telrad. The finders upside down inverted image is very hard to work with. For star hopping you cant beat a telrad. you just need good charts.I live high up in the mountains in Colorado so dark skies are not a problem for me. My first impressions of the optics were mixed. Things just didnt snap into focus and they were just so dim then what I expected with an 8 inch scope.I was not pleased with the ultima eyepeices. They were like looking through a little keyhole in a door so I borrowed a friends Pentax XL eyepeice and the difference was amazing. The scopes performance improved 100 percent!. The view was much sharper and vivid.I know that the secondary obstruction is very big on this scope so I think you really need the top of the line eyepeices for this scope to perform well. Its a good scope. It just needs alittle push with quality eyepeices.I have also since bought the duel axis motor for the CG-5 mount and it works very well.This scope has kept my interest in astronomy up and I now have a Discovery premium DHQ 10 inch dob on order and for that Im going too give my Celestron G8N a rating of ten.

Overall Rating: 10
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Celestron G-8N Newtonian
I bought this scope (G-8N) when it first became available (December 2000) and found the optical images to be extremely poor--very disappointing! I couldn't send it back to the retailer fast enough. I had to write several letters of explanation, but finally got rid of the pig. As a further note, I must say that Celestron's customer support is non-existent! I own a Compustar 14, which Celestron never produced a fix for the noncompliant Y2K computer problem. They just don't care. As a result, I will never buy a computerized telescope from Celestron again.

Overall Rating: 1
Optics:2 Mount:3 Ease of Use:8 Value:1
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Celestron G-8N Newtonian
I bought from a retailer ($959) and still consider it a good value. You MUST let the mirror reach working temperature or the images double. It's easy to tell when it's right (you hear a curious little "pop" if you happen to be there when this happens) and -- if you're watching at the time -- the images just magically resolve all at once. Collimation is spot on, but recollimating might be a problem if needed because both the primary and secondary adjustments are potted with silicone adhesive. I have trucked this thing all over Texas and never had to tweak it, though. Very bright views due to fast f/ratio. Jupiter and Saturn are remarkably good, even at higher powers. Best when limited to about 200mm (probably due to the large central obstruction). Very good optics, with sharply defined diffraction rings on bright stars. Sirius is so bright it actually hurts to look at it. Venus has a discernible disk but the heavy secondary spider provides distracting "star points" and a visible diffraction pattern ... curious. Star clusters (especially M13) are absolutely amazing. Weak point is the mount. It comes with 2 11-lb counterweights and you MUST carefully balance this scope. You should fill the tripod legs with something (sand or spray foam insulation) and put c-clamps on each leg between the spreader and the top of the mount. Otherwise, it takes almost 20 seconds to stop vibrating if you tap the tube. Wind is a problem because the mount is just not steady. With the above improvements (which are "dirt" cheap) you can get the vibration down to under 5 seconds. I purchased encoders and a JMI MicroMax, as well as the Celestron dual-axis drive with PEC, and this mount tracks like a demon. I can visually observe Jupiter or Saturn for a full 15 minutes without pulsing the drive. Celestron recently upgraded the bearings in the CG-5 mount and it's a big help. I like this scope. However, at about $1,500 with the drives and MicroMax there are a number of mail-order and Internet alternatives in the 8" SCT range that offer better mounts and larger computer databases. This is my "big" scope (I have a 5" Mak, a 3" Short-tube refractor, and a 4.5" Meade Newt) and I agonized over the purchase. I feel I got good value for the dollar given the excellent optics, but if I don't move up to a 12" SCT in the near future I will have to invest in a CI-700 or Vixen GP mount to be happy.

Overall Rating: 7
Optics:9 Mount:7 Ease of Use:8 Value:7
Weight: 6 (Veritable Vote)
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Celestron G-8N Newtonian
This was my first scope and I had high hopes for it when I bought it in July of 2001. But from day one it was a major pain. Collimation was difficult and the eyepeice position was always in the wrong spot, and the views were fair at best. That fall I bought a stellarvue AT1010 and a Televue diagonal and a Bogen Tripod for about the same price, and that 80mm setup totally blew that 8 inch reflecter away. The G8n was brighter (slightly) but what does that matter when the overall image in terms of sharpness and ease of use and the fun of observing just is not there. Since then I have falling in love with refracters, and have a vixen APO and a 120 Orion and viewing the night sky became fun. I would not recommend a G8n. I think the Celestron employee who thought up that telescope must have been stoned that day.
Have fun BG

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Celestron G-8N Newtonian
un alcance realmente comodo ,cromatismo leve ,estrellas puntuales,importente dejar enfriar y sobre todo colimacion perfecta.

Overall Rating: 9
Optics:8 Mount:6 Ease of Use:8 Value:8
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