Celestron NexStar 4SE Computerized Telescope Review

If you are an amateur astronomer and looking for a telescope to enjoy just the visual objects of the galaxy in a simple way, you need to have a glance at Celestron’s NexStar 4SE Computerized telescope. This telescope won't drive you to any complicated issue such as collimation, complexity in setting up, etc.

Celestron’s NexStar 4SE is one of the versatile scopes of the SE range. Though this one is not as big as the other scopes of this range like Nexstar 6SE or 8SE, it will definitely help you have a good start as a beginner. 

Today we are going to review this 4SE along with its every detailed piece of information and tell you whether it will be worth buying or not. Just stay with us and you will get what you looked for.

For Whom Is Celestron’s NexStar 4SE?

NexStar 4SE is for those who are new at astronomy and looking for a device to enjoy the celestial objects such as the planet or moon. It's also for those who don't want complicacy in their scope observation. 

So if you want to avoid the collimation or such other difficulties and are interested to enjoy the sky casually in a very simple way, then NexStar 4SE can definitely be an ideal choice for you.

What Can You See With a Celestron NexStar 4SE?

You can see the stars, the moon, and the planet with a Celestron NexStar 4SE. We have already said that this scope is only for brighter objects. If you want to observe the high or medium magnified objects, use the smaller eyepieces for your 4SE. 

NexStar 4SE will also reveal the clear views of the galaxy such as the Uranus, Mars, Neptune, Jupiter, Venus, or the Galilean moons. So don't worry about the short focal length or the small eyepiece, you are still able to observe the sky objects. 

Consider These Things Before Buying a NexStar 4SE telescope

When you intend to buy a NexStar 4SE, you will probably look for the qualities it contains. So what's there to know whether it is high quality or not. Here we are discussing some several things that you should consider before buying a Celestron NexStar 4SE.

• First, this NexStar 4SE is to observe the night sky. 
• This telescope has the capability of showing 40,000-night sky objects that might not even be possible for you to observe throughout your whole life.
• You need to select an object amongst these 40,000 objects.
• You will get a motorized mount that will move to focus the object you have selected. 
• And then the eyepiece will help you track it to have the best view.
• So if you are interested in enjoying the objects just by seeing them, not by finding out, then NexStar 4SE is perfect for you. Consider whether you are looking for it to use casually or not.
• The more light your telescope gathers, the brighter objects you see. But this telescope with 4-inch might not provide you all of the 40,000 objects clearly. In this case, you need to consider the size of the aperture.

Features & Benefits of Celestron NexStar 4SE

Build quality

The NexStar 4SE is a Maksutov-Cassegrain telescope. That means it's a catadioptric or a compound telescope. It's designed by mirrors (reflective optics) and correcting lenses(refracting optics). This telescope is also known as the “Spot Cassegrain” telescope in the field of astronomy.  

Along with the refractive and the reflective optics, there is a corrector plate at the front of the telescope that folds the light paths. This telescope uses high-density plastic in its construction. The body is made of metal and there is a substantial rubber-made grip with the mirror flip control.

There is a holder in the eyepiece that is made of prism because it has to magnify the object by turning the light. This prism passes the light to the back of the tube where you attach the camera. 

Though the focuser is a little light, the overall weight of the telescope is heavier than it looks like. And though the telescope is heavier than its size, it won't break down easily.

Optical quality

Basically, this hybrid telescope is the mix of the optical qualities of both a refractor and a reflector. The spherical mirror is used to gather light and the curved lens is to protect the observation from chromatic aberration.

In a Celestron NexStar 4SE, first, the incoming light that produces from a distant object goes through the corrector plate. Then the primary mirror reflects it into focus. And the light passes towards the secondary mirror where it is reflected for the second time. Finally, after the second reflection, the light comes back to the primary mirror through the tube. And the eyepiece is located there to make the object visual to your eyes by magnifying it. 

Mount performance

The motorized GoTo mount of the NexStar 4SE is steady enough. The optical tube of this telescope contains a dovetail for which it can be put on other mounts as well. Still, it is most suitable for this mount. This “alt-azimuth” mount is categorized as single-arm “fork” mounts. 

The Dual-axis servo motors of the mount will provide you accuracy in tracking. Don't worry about vibration. There will be no vibration as the 2” diameter legs of the steel tripod will make the mount an unshaken platform for this small size telescope. 

Besides, when you will move this mount manually, it will control the alignment precisely. The mounted movement is recorded by the optical encoders for the improvement of GoTo accuracy. There is also a built-in wedge setting that will allow you to use the scope in astrophotography.

Setting up process

The setting up process of NexStar 4SE is very simple. There are only three parts to assemble. The tube, the mount, and the tripod. These parts are easy enough to move around and stable enough to remain steady.

As the telescope is small in size, it's not difficult to set it up and also it takes a little space. So you get an opportunity to use any little space for your observation. 

In an overall view, the 4SE is easy to use, quick to set up, and simple to carry out.

What it includes

Now you know that this telescope provides an alt-azimuth mount along with the optical tube. But you will get more pieces of equipment in the box. There is an eyepiece, a red dot finderscope, and software. It also includes a connector lead that will allow you to run the PC and control the GoTo motor. You just need to set up the finderscope properly.

How Do You Use NexStar 4SE? 

Though the focusing method of NexStar is exactly not the same as a refractor or reflector, it's not much different. Just a little difference here, let's see. 

• First, find out the focusing knob. If you get a small knob on the back of it, you are at the focusing knob.
• Here you don't have to move your eyepiece back and forth against the telescope. 
• You just need to move the primary mirror backward and forward. 
• By doing this, you can have a long throw of focus. 
• And one more thing, now it's ready to accept any kind of various cameras or eyepieces.
• Target the object, focus it, and have the best view of it.

What is the focal length of the Celestron NexStar 4se telescope?  

The focal length of Celestron NexStar 4SE is 1325mm along with the 4-inch ( 102mm) aperture. And the Focal ratio is f/13 along with the 1.37 arcseconds resolution limit.

Performance in Astrophotography

You cannot use a camera on NexStar 4SE for astrophotography. If you think that any telescope that can track is perfect to use in astrophotography, then you are wrong. Just a little correction here. 

Only a tracking scope cannot be used in astrophotography. Along with the tracking quality, it needs a wedge and polar alignment of the scope. Otherwise, there's a chance of the scope to occur a periodic error. So look for alternatives for astrophotography.

User's Experience

Some beginners shared their experience that they found the accessories and the power bank of this telescope good enough to enjoy the sky objects. 

Some users appreciated the capability of this scope of revealing brighter objects. They could have the brightest view of the moon, the sun, and some other few planets. 

An astronomer said that he could focus on all the discs of the moon and thus got the best lunar photos. Even it feels handy during the Red moon eclipse in 2019. In a word, NexStar appeared to them with excellent quality and value.

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Final Verdict

NexStar 4SE is best for the starters. It will provide brighter views for the celestial objects that aren't from the deep sky. You can casually use this scope and enjoy the night sky without facing any difficulties.   

So, If you want a ‘grab and go' telescope, we would like to recommend this one. Just check out the mentioned things before buying, have a good start, and enjoy your celestial journey.

We tried to include everything you require to know when it comes to the Celestron NexStar 4SE Review. But If will miss anything or if you think we can add more here in our article, let us know. We would like to have your reviews.