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[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Celestron 102mm Nexstar GT Refractor

A Celestron retailer made an announcement a couple of weeks ago about a close-out clearance sale on these 102mm GT Nexstar Refractors.

It intrigued me as I researched the specs of this OTA - 4" of coated glass is a respectable amount of aperture with enough light gathering ability to seek out some DSOs and the promise of decent imaging capabilities.

Interesting.

I searched for reviews, but they were for the more recent shorty tube 102mm refractors, usually attached to a one-arm assembly. I did find some old Cloudy Night reviews and they were all positive. But still....I didn't bite.

Time went by and I kept checking to see if any changes, kinda hoping that they did not sell out....'cause it was still on my radar.

Some one bought one and posted a review....

Review Date: 1/19/2013
Reviewed By:
Fantastic for the price

"Went out for first light with the moon in the 1st qtr. It looked razor sharp at 65x. Was easily able to split castor, and made out the main 4 stars in the trapezium in M42. Going up to 105x was a bit too much, but I didn't expect a "$ " scope to be able to. Got a fantastic shot of he moon with my DSLR."

Now, my 90mm Meade refractor is doing a good job as not only a finder scope for the C11, but as a stand alone scope on a CGE motorized mount. 12 more millimeters is always good, and it would be a good test between Meade and Celestron optics. (Some say the Celestron glass beats Meade)

So....I ordered one.

Got the package deal with a right diagonal...

It also has a dovetail rail attached to the tube, decent metal focuser and the 2" to 1.25" adapter.

I have been using the 90mm as a quick grab & go scope with pleasing performance....as it's just too cold now to take the time and set-up the C11 beast. It'll certainly perform well for lunar & solar work..but let's see how it'll do with Comets ISON & PANSTARRS.

Updates soon after it arrives...

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

The arrival of the 102mm Refractor...

Arriving during a bitterly cold day, I found the 102mm Celestron refractor waiting for me on my doorstep. It's solidly built and light... surprisingly. It's a all metal tube, except for the Dew shield...which is plastic.

I mounted it on the CGM the next evening for a very quick trial run on an equally bitterly cold night...

The dovetail is a short one, meant for the single arm of the Nexstar mount - where this OTA line was originally mated with. The placement of the dovetail bar is on the "left side" of the OTA and for this set-up apart from the Nexstar, is placed too far back, causing a imbalance rearward. Snugging the clutch keeps the tube steady, but puts unwanted strain on the mount. The position of the dovetail also puts the focuser knobs in 90 degree awkward manner - straight up and down. It's no big deal, but just aesthetically annoying.

I also popped in a 9x20 finder scope that I have laying around in the built in dovetail slot on the focuser.

The 4" aperture is clear and flaw-free and sits in an all plastic housing and rings...

The focuser is tight and solid. It ain't no dual speed Crawford, but it's well made...

The focuser knobs are textured with a rubber grip and feels good. There is no play in the draw tube nor flex.

I splurged for the 2" right diagonal and makes a nice fit. For this preliminary test, I popped in the 2" to 1.25" adapter and used the Zhumell Zoom eyepiece that was in the 90mm, just a scant few feet away...

I slewed over to Jupiter, now riding high at sunset, but again having to punch through my trees, made it a difficult dodge. But, I did make out Jupiter, good banding and pin-points of Jovian satellites. There is a bit of chromatic aberration, but I don't yet if it's mostly optics or the tree branches.

Until I get a clear angle and the weather warms up a bit, (12 degrees and wind chill), I was near my winter tolerance...but, let's slew this scope to the Microwave tower - about 1/2 mile away...

The 102mm refractor brought in the tower bright and sharp.

The evaluation is still in limbo, as this is no APO scope, but for less than $100, it'll do nicely. I would like to do a side-by-side shoot-out between these Celestron 102mm and the Meade 90mm refractors...and compare qualities. I think it'll make a good solar/lunar scope.

We will just have to wait for a clear and warmer night to fully test this scope out.

[-=CROMAN=-]

I just picked up one. Hopefully it will be delivered by the end of the week. Not to shabby for $59! I need to get a decent diagonal though.

[wwpierre]

Was looking at this myself, but the cost would pretty much double by the time I got it here, and then double again by the time it was pimped out. I really don't need another scope. I swore the Questar would be the last. (I think the count is over 20 by now)

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

I'm very satisfied with the 102 and it delivers good sharp views - a great grab & go scope with a wide field at 1000mm Focal length. It's produced some pretty nice solar, lunar and wide star fields.

Some Chromatic Aberration, but it's not an APO and acceptable.

You'll dig it.