Celestron Nexstar 11 GPS

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Celestron Nexstar 11 GPS
I dont see how the S&T review of the scope could make someone not want to buy it if you were interested. The review was littered with raves. Just my opinion but I would not have taken that review and said... Man I dont want to buy this scope.

Overall Rating: No Vote
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
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Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=54176

Celestron Nexstar 11 GPS
wonderfull scope and in the uk its a saving of over $1500 on the 10inch meade gps alot more for a yet tried scope in the uk have owned meade for years but have to hand it to celestron true winner plus extra inch of aperture for much less cash .

Overall Rating: 10
Optics:10 Mount:8 Ease of Use:10 Value:10
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
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Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=74244

Celestron Nexstar 11 GPS
Beatiful scope better of the meade.

Overall Rating: 10
Optics:10 Mount:8 Ease of Use:10 Value:10
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
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Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=74298

Celestron Nexstar 11 GPS
Great scope - plus Celestron backs up their products! My dealings with Tech support have been very good.

Overall Rating: 9
Optics:10 Mount:8 Ease of Use:8 Value:10
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=82248

Celestron Nexstar 11 GPS
I have owned three of these Nextstar 11" telescopes since they came out in the fall of 2001. The hand controllers are faulty about half the time. The optics are very good but the visual back is not 2" - you have to buy the Eye-opener in order to get the benefit of 2" eyepieces. The go-to capability equals meade telescopes, but has a lot more glitches. Celestron does have good service if your telescope is not up to snuff. They replaced mine.... twice. Third time's the charm. I suggest you buy a Meade instead of Celestron.

Overall Rating: 6
Optics:8 Mount:8 Ease of Use:5 Value:4
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
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Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=82611

Celestron Nexstar 11 GPS
On the first night of use I opened up Norton's and ticked off 27 out of the 34 nebulae, clusters & galaxies listed on the page. Fantastic!!!

Overall Rating: 9
Optics:10 Mount:6 Ease of Use:10 Value:10
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
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Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=89523

Celestron Nexstar 11 GPS
Celestron had a few minor bugs to work out with this scope, mostly with the software/firmware, but it is now pretty much "there," (though Celestron continues to improve and update the firmware)--it's very reliable and very impressive.

I down-checked the scope slightly on the "mount" category due to the fact that the standard heavy-duty tripod shipped with the scope is just a little light for CCD imaging. But with the supplied vibration reduction pads, it is more than adequate--and is outstanding for visual use.

My greatest praise for the scope, though, has to do with its elegant simplicity. Sure, bells and whistles, GPS and computers, are nice. But what really makes this scope a winner is its ease of use. To look at M51, for example, hit the "M" key, type "051," and hit enter. The scope hums and goes there--no menus to navigate, etc. My scope easily puts any object I request in the field of a 12mm Nagler at 220x.

The NS11 is both solid and attractive, with its carbon fiber tube getting a lot of second looks, and the C11 optics set is definitely the best its ever been. My other favorite scope, a 1994 Ultima C8 has what I consider outstanding optics, but the 11 bests it.

Finally, no scope is worth a hoot if it's so hard to move and set up that you won't use it. Admittedly, a C11 is a big SCT, but combine the excellent ergonomic handles on the NS11 with the ability to mount the scope alt-az, and it is NOT a hassle to get erected.

I've owned a lot of SCTs over the years, and this has the signs of becoming my favorite one so far! Two thumbs up. If you want a larger aperture goto scope, this is my recommendation: go get an NS11 before Celestron raises prices, which I'm guessing they will do.

As far as the competition goes, the new Meade LX200 GPS also shows signs of being outstanding...BUT...having only been on the market a little while, it's not quite as far along the development path as the Celestron scope.

Peace,
Rod Mollise
Author of _Choosing and Using a Schmidt Cassegrain Telescope_
http://members.aol.com/RMOLLISE/index.html

Overall Rating: 10
Optics:10 Mount:8 Ease of Use:10 Value:10
Weight: 40 (Reputable Vote)
Date:
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Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=92234

Celestron Nexstar 11 GPS
Best goto scope I ever used - and I have a Meade LX200 also (but not for long). The optics are excellent. Accuracy of the drive is more than I expected. And it is quiet.

Overall Rating: 10
Optics:9 Mount:9 Ease of Use:8 Value:10
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=102003

Celestron Nexstar 11 GPS
After all the bugs were work out this scope is a keeeper

Overall Rating: 10
Optics:10 Mount:10 Ease of Use:10 Value:10
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=106458

Celestron Nexstar 11 GPS
A very nice unit overall. It isn't quite as stable as the Nexstar 8GPS on the same tripod, but more than adequate visually and have had no problems with short-exposure CCD imaging. Very accurate goto and easy to align. MUCH better ergonomics than the LX200's I also use; no cables dangling and better handle placement. It feels much lighter than the 10" LX200, and the difference between this and the 12" LX200 is simply amazing. I would rather set this one up every night than either LX200 once a week.

Overall Rating: 9
Optics:10 Mount:8 Ease of Use:10 Value:10
Weight: 10 (Trustworthy Vote)
Date:
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Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=112611

Celestron Nexstar 11 GPS
Really like this scope. Has better optics than my last 11 ota
which many people thought had really great optics.The controls work just fine and it allways puts the object in the ep. I give a 9 only because nothing is perfect and thats
true with this scope as well. Needs a little better tripod.
Great value and great scope.

Overall Rating: 9
Optics:9 Mount:9 Ease of Use:9 Value:9
Weight: 5 (Veritable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=135599

Celestron Nexstar 11 GPS
The only problem I've ever had with the C11GPS was mounting the
scope to the tripod, trying to align the teeny hole at the base with the
small protrusion on the tripod. Now, with the purchase of the "Landing Pad"
from starizona.com, it's incredibly easy and the screws line up with a "click"
on the Landing Pad (note, if you get this accessory, change the mount
number rating from 8 to a 10. An incredible scope, fast to
setup, and super easy to use. You want a scope? Get this one.
If you can't afford it, start saving. It's worth it
totally

Overall Rating: 10
Optics:9 Mount:8 Ease of Use:10 Value:10
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=139969

Celestron Nexstar 11 GPS
I had an early model with a few problems that were promptly addressed by Celestron. Now it is the best scope I have ever owned. I expect it to last for a long time.

Overall Rating: 9
Optics:9 Mount:9 Ease of Use:10 Value:10
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=153440

Celestron Nexstar 11 GPS
Unbelievable Value for money

Overall Rating: 10
Optics:9 Mount:8 Ease of Use:10 Value:10
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=167179

Celestron Nexstar 11 GPS
I have had a Nexstar 11" GPS for over a year now, replacing a Meade 10" LX-200. The Nexstar is simply the best telescope I have ever used. None of Meade's "UHTC coatings at extra charge" stuff, the Nexstar has UHTC-quality coatings included.

The GPS function is remarkably quick and easy to use, and the scope sets itself up, slewing to the first of 2 alignment stars (well, you have to centre them in the eyepiece, and I suggest using a crosshair ep for accuracy). Whereas the Meade LX-200 Autostar 2 controller stops working below 12°F, the Nexstar operates flawlessly even at below zero temperatures (I live in Canada and should know!).

Moreover, Celestron's service department is prompt and very friendly. None of the haughty indifference, excessive cost and lengthy delays one experiences with Meade.

Let's hope Meade doesn't drive Celestron out of business right away. The Nexstar scope would be one of the first things we'd all miss.


If I have one criticism of the Nexstar 11", it's the extremely poor quality and overpriced "superwedge" you need for imaging. Don't buy it. Have a wedge made from solid aluminum, or buy a Megawedge from a competitor. The Celestron wedge is terrible.

- MJ Spicer
Hamilton Centre
Royal Astronomical Society of Canada

Overall Rating: 10
Optics:10 Mount:9 Ease of Use:10 Value:10
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=185876

Celestron Nexstar 11 GPS
This is my 'last telescope' (well, at least that's what I promised my wife). It's the largest aperture I can haul around without destroying my back. And what an instrument!

The optics are superb, The GOTO excellent, and the tracking virtually perfect. It's also very easy to use. With GPS, setup is fast and easy. I'm strictly a visual observer, and find the mount and tripod more than adequate - damping time after hitting the OTA is less than one second. Similarly, focusing produces no vibration. The drive motors are very quiet, and when tracking, they are nearly silent.

One of the more amazing things (to me) is the accuracy of it's GOTO's. One night, at around 9 pm, I had it slew to Mars, which was well below the horizon. Later, around 3am, I went out ot look, and there was Mars, dead center in the field of view! Doesn't get any better than this.

Gotta give this baby a 10!

Overall Rating: 10
Optics:10 Mount:10 Ease of Use:10 Value:10
Weight: 7 (Veritable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=241003

Celestron Nexstar 11 GPS
This is a very fine telescope. The GPS is a great feature, and the pointing accuracy is outstanding. I have used the scope for about 6 hours, and it has never failed to put the desired object well within the field of a mid-power eyepiece. For a telescope of this weight it is surprisingly easy to carry and set up. This is an instrument that any observer would be happy to own.

Overall Rating: 10
Optics:9 Mount:10 Ease of Use:10 Value:10
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=332960

Celestron Nexstar 11 GPS
The telescope is wonderful!! Just one MAJOR porblem. That is the electronics. If you plan on purchasing this (or any fully electroinc telscope) expect big potential problems with the electronics. The optics are great, ease of use is great, go to is great, gps is great. The mount is very stable. BUT that all goes out the window when the drives don't work or the electronics have a mind of their own. I had the scope for two months and used it only a dozen times and now the scope is lifeless. Of course it is under warranty, BUT I must send it to California from Chicago. The scope weighs 65 pounds, the box is huge and the expense is all mine. I really do not enjoy the thought of having spent $3300 on this scope including the XLT coatings and shipping to have problems with it. My advice. Make sure you have at least one telscope that is fully manual so you can view the skys when your electronic scope is in the shop. If I could do it again, I would buy a Takahashi FS102 ($1900) and put it on an Orion SkyView Pro mount ($325). This would be a great scope on a very adequate mount.

Overall Rating: 0
Optics:8 Mount:9 Ease of Use:9 Value:6
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=336793

Celestron Nexstar 11 GPS
I love this scope.

You just gotta love these Meade and Celestron go-tos. They put more expensive systems to shame.

Very easy to setup.

Once perfectly collimated the optics are outstanding. I very easily see the 6 stars in the Trapezium.A great companion to my Tak FS152. Very bright.

Tripod is not so good nor is the way you mount th escope to the tripod - very poorly designed. Made a lot easier by the long tripod bolts from ScopeStuff.Tripod is too lightweight and not stable enough.

This scope is basically the biggest scope I could handle physically for maximum usable aperture that I can haul around without too much strain. 12 inch LX200 seems a lot heavier and thus not portable.I have looked through a 10 inch LX200 and this NX11 leaves it for dead so perhaps more comparable to the Meade 12 inch.


Overall I am very happy with this scope and it seems to me the optics, the Carbon Fibre tube and the XLT coatings are very superior. I prefer Autostar controls and the Meade clutches. The clutches are also poorly placed o the NX11.

But the handles for picking it up are perfectly placed. Focuser knob is quite smooth, tracking good.

Greg.

Overall Rating: 9
Optics:10 Mount:8 Ease of Use:10 Value:10
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=421256

Celestron Nexstar 11 GPS
I have had 4 of these and all were among the best telescopes I have ever owned (and I have howned over 100 scopes)

Overall Rating: 10
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=425366

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