Celestron AstroMaster 114 EQ Reflector Telescope
Item#: HN-CELE248
Sale Price:
$149.98
60%
Product Summary
Foster the interest in the sky of any budding astronomer with this telescope. The setting circles let you focus on a specific object and then track that object across the sky, but the telescope is also suitable for viewing objects on land. Its easy-to-use design makes it great for beginners, and it also comes with features designed for advanced astronomers. An accessory tray gives you extra storage for items, so you don't need to worry about losing any smaller objects.
What's Included
Telescope, Tripod, 2 Eyepieces, Finderscope, Planetarium software
Description
Our Best Selling Telescope!
The Celestron AstroMaster 114EQ Telescope is available here at the best price anywhere. If you're looking to get started with astronomy this is our favorite choice under $200. Perfect for astronomers of all ages!
If you're looking for a dual-purpose telescope appropriate for both terrestrial and celestial viewing, then the Celestron AstroMaster Series is for you. Each AstroMaster model is capable of giving correct views of land and sky. The AstroMaster Series produces bright, clear images of the moon and planets.
You won't believe how easy it is to see the moons of Jupiter and the rings of Saturn with every one of these fine instruments. When used for astronomical viewing, AstroMasters yield breathtaking views of the moon, Saturn with its ring structure, Jupiter and its belts and moons, nebulae, and star clusters.
The Celestron AstroMaster 114 EQ Reflector, in particular, is ideal for the novice skywatcher. It features all-glass optical elements, smooth operating steel tripod mountings with manual motion controls, and coated optics for enhanced image brightness and clarity. Quick-release, no-tool dovetail attachment makes setup a breeze, and a rugged pre-assembled tripod with 1.25-inch steel tube legs provides a rigid and stable platform.
A deluxe accessory tray provides convenient storage of accessories, and the included "The Sky" Level 1 planetarium software features a 10,000-object database and enhanced images.
This telescope combines the best in intricate technology and ease of use, and makes a great gift for any budding astronomer, young or old.
AstroMaster 114EQ Features:
- Quick and easy no-tool setup
- Permanently mounted StarPointer
- Erect image optics - Ideal for terrestrial and astronomical use
- Quick release dovetail attachment - no tool setup
- German Equatorial Mount with Setting Circles - to accurately locate and track sky objects
- Rugged pre-assembled tripod with 1.25" steel tube legs - Provides a rigid and stable platform
- All coated glass optics for clear, crisp images
- Deluxe accessory tray for convenient storage of accessories
- The Sky Level 1 planetarium software with 10,000 object database and enhanced images
Motor Drive Accessory Available
The Celestron Astromaster 114EQ also offers a motor drive accessory sold separately. The motor drive will allow the telescope to continuously track an object without the need to touch the telescope. The motor drive automatically turns the telescope at a pace to counter the movement of the Earth. This means if you are looking at Jupiter, there is no need to continue to turn the telescope tracking knobs to keep it in your eyepiece for viewing. With the motor drive, the object you are viewing stays in your eyepiece the entire time.
Dimensions & Specifications
Aperture
114mm
Brand
Celestron
Eyepiece 1
20mm (50x)
Eyepiece 2
10mm (100x)
Features
Equatorial Mount
Finderscope
Fixed StarPointer
Focal Length
1000mm
Focal Ratio
f/9
GoTo
No
GPS
No
Highest Useful Magnification
269x
Lens Coating
Aluminum
Model Type
Without Motor Drive
Mount Design
CG-2 Equatorial
Optical Design
Reflector
Recommended Usage
Viewing Galaxies/Star Clusters, Viewing Nebulae, Viewing the Moon, Viewing the Planets
Star Diagonal
1.25 Inch
Telescopes Series
Celestron AstroMaster Telescopes
Warranty
2-Year Limited
Weight Complete
17 lbs.
Documentation
Download Celestron AstroMaster 114 EQ Instruction Manual
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REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviews(based on 935 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
94%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Pros
- Strong construction (652)
- Accurate (539)
- Quality lenses (519)
- Compact (342)
- Easy to use (277)
Cons
- Difficult to use (100)
- Difficult to focus (92)
- Unstable (70)
- Heavy (67)
- Poor lens quality (41)
Best Uses
- Astronomy (816)
- Bird watching (168)
- Bright conditions (76)
- Travel (57)
- Low visibility (47)
- Reviewer Profile:
- Casual/ recreational (803), Avid adventurer (101), Professional guide (8)
- Was this a gift?:
- No (317), Yes (222)
Most Liked Positive Review
Excellent all around starter scope!
The finderscope is the only thing I can honestly complain about. I solved that by installing a Celestron Star Pointer Finderscope. Now it's simple to find objects.
I have seen nice...Read complete review
The finderscope is the only thing I can honestly complain about. I solved that by installing a Celestron Star Pointer Finderscope. Now it's simple to find objects.
I have seen nice views of the moon, the bands of Jupiter, the Flame Nebula, and many other wonders. Once I got the feel for using an equatorial mount, things became much easier.
The images submitted were my first try at imaging. Jupiter in the 10mm Eyepiece was much brighter and sharper.
VS
Most Liked Negative Review
Excellent optics/mount, bad finderscope!
I'm an amateur astronomer and have a good deal of experience with more advanced telescopes. I bought this for my nephew as an introductory scope. Overall, I'm very pleased with the mirror optics and...Read complete review
I'm an amateur astronomer and have a good deal of experience with more advanced telescopes. I bought this for my nephew as an introductory scope. Overall, I'm very pleased with the mirror optics and mount. It delivers good views of the planets and the Orion Nebula. The mount and focusing are stable. The telescope seems mostly rugged and is relatively lightweight.
The main con: I read about people having problems with the finderscope, and can confirm that the finder is absolutely a nightmare. For starters, the battery casing was broken and I could not get the finder to work. Others online recommended taking it apart to solder a wire that tends to break inside the battery compartment. Sure enough, I opened it up and found the wire broken. The finder lit up after I soldered the connector back together. I was shocked to discover that the design of the finder is completely useless for pointing the telescope in the dark. The red dots are not even remotely comparable to better designed Telrad or even Celestron red dot (1x dot projected at infinity) finders. To point the finder, you have to line up two red dots and while your eye is focused on the sky it is impossible to focus on the red dots. So, after trying for several hours, I was unable to calibrate the red dots such that they would help me to point the scope in the correct place. Instead, I had to get it approximately in the correct part of the sky and then scan around. This was frustrating for me, and I know it would be very frustrating for a new user. If you buy this telescope, it is extremely important to also buy and install a finder that works, such as the Celestron red dot finder.
My other complaint concerns the poor quality of the 20 mm eyepiece. It was lightweight, plastic, and inverts the image (bad for astronomical viewing). While the image of the orion nebula was pleasant, the 20 mm does not provide an exceptionally wide field of view. To get the most out of this telescope, consider buying a 40 mm super plossl. You'll be able to see through the scope easier, see the whole moon, and find small objects that are hard to hit with higher magnification. The 10 mm eyepiece was acceptable, but will not deliver a very high level of magnification. Consider also buying a 2x or 3x barlow to enlarge the planets and to use with your 40 mm plossl or just buy a 5 mm plossl eyepiece.
Aside from the finder and the eyepiece, the telescope was a good deal at the discounted price, but I would not recommend buying this scope without also buying a better finder.
Reviewed by 935 customers
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Displaying reviews 1-5
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Pros
- Accurate
- Easy to Use
- Lightweight
- Quality Lenses
- Strong Construction
Cons
Best Uses
- Astronomy
Comments about Celestron AstroMaster 114 EQ Reflector Telescope:
Exactly as expected and very easy to setup. Packaged well and arrived earlier than expected.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Accurate
- Compact
- Easy to Use
- Quality Lenses
- Strong Construction
Cons
- Heavy
Best Uses
- Astronomy
Comments about Celestron AstroMaster 114 EQ Reflector Telescope:
Performance is exactly what you want as someone getting into astronomy. The EQ mount works really well. Tripod is plenty sturdy. Some people complained about it, but there is a universal truth regarding tripods: the further you extend the legs the less sturdy it is going to be. I have had no problems from a sturdiness perspective. Just keep a steady hand and a steady eye. Latitude adjustment makes a world of difference. I have a planets application. I just adjust the latitude for Saturn and then use the sight to key in on it. The sight works just fine. Those who complain about it must not be using it correctly, because I've been zooming in on targets with relative ease. Keep in mind, astronomy takes patience. Just like someone who learns plays the piano, you can't expect to be a pro overnight. With a little bit of effort, determination, and willingness to learn, you will find it to be really fulfilling! This scope has plenty of power to get you started with this lifelong hobby. Celestron offers an exceptional value with this scope. Enjoy!
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Compact
- Easy to Use
- Lightweight
Cons
- Poor Lens Quality
Best Uses
- Astronomy
- Travel
Comments about Celestron AstroMaster 114 EQ Reflector Telescope:
I bought this scope as a back-up to my 8" reflector and since I had a solar filter that I used with a previous 4.5" telescope, I thought the Astromaster would be a good way to make use of the filter. I also purchased the motor drive. It was very easy to setup and within 10 minutes I was making observations of the sun. With the motor drive, it tracked very well. I'm not sure about the built-in barlow which makes the Astromaster a 1,000mm focal length. I think it would be better to let the user use their own barlow eyepiece if needed. The lenses are very cheap and if it weren't for me already having my own quality lenses, I would buy some.
In general, I believe this is a pretty good telescope, especially for the beginner but also for the seasoned user who just wants an extra scope to setup for a quick view of the moon, sun or terrestrial viewing.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Accurate
- Compact
- Easy to Use
- Lightweight
- Quality Lenses
- Strong Construction
Cons
Best Uses
- Astronomy
Comments about Celestron AstroMaster 114 EQ Reflector Telescope:
I am a novice star gazer and this is my first telescope. With very little instruction, on my first night I could see a planet, although I'm not sure which one. I'm sure as I learn more about my new telescope, I will come to find that it can do many things with ease. Kudos to your company for making a great product.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Azimith Time Elevation
- German Equitorial Mount
- Precise Declination
- Quality Lenses
- Software Link
Cons
- Apperature Limits
Best Uses
- Any Far Off Viewing
- Astronomy
- Bright Conditions
- Grid Range Finder
- Spotting scope
Comments about Celestron AstroMaster 114 EQ Reflector Telescope:
The precise German equatorial mount and stand is worth the Hayneedle price by itself. The 'real time' software that comes with the telescope is awesome too,
Add the fact that you can use it terrestrially to view the names of ships miles out on the bay or ocean, using a supplied lens.
You can't see the colors of the nebulas, you would need a much larger unit. This fits in a room by a window and/or is very portable (17lbs total ) Sees about 285x more stars than the human eye.
- Was this a gift?:
- Yes
Displaying reviews 1-5
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