Home > Consumer Reviews > Celestron Nexstar 114GT 114mm Go-To Reflector Telescope

This scope is certainly the best of the automated 4-1/2" scopes, but at the same time, I think spending that much on such a small scope is really not the best way to allocate your telescope dollars. Adding automation to this little scope more than doubles the price of the scope- and if you can afford that much, you'd be far better off with a larger scope.

For the cost of this scope, you can buy an 8" or 10" "dobsonian" reflector from Celestron, Meade and other suppliers that has much greater light gathering capacity and much higher resolution. There's just no comparison between the views you'd get in a little scope like this and those from a larger scope. Automation is better used on much larger scopes where it's a smaller part of teh purchase price.

This scope is one of the best in the under [a high price] catagory. I bought it because it was a complete package (scope, eyepieces, "go to" computer, and full-sized tripod). It performs well and lives up to the hype on the box. The "go to" feature really works - the sought after object is almost always somewhere in the low power field of view. The only flaw is the battery pack, which seems like an afterthought and is always getting tangled. As another reviewer noted, the tube tends to bump the mount when viewing objects overhead, which forces you to realign unnecessarily...

The Celestron Nexstar 114GT Telescope is wonderfully easy to assemble. From the box to fully assembled takes a matter of minutes. I myself am not a great reader of directions and the assembly process does not require a degree in engineering. The alignment process does require a compass for accuracy. A small level would also be useful. Perhaps this could be considered in an updated version with a small compass and level built into the telescope's framework. The price is competitive and accessories are available for computer aided star alignment. I like it.

The Nexstar 114 GT was very easy to put together and use. I was viewing the moon and Saturn the first night out. Having the built in motor and star database makes this telescope a breeze to use when trying to locate nearly any object. My one complaint is that the plug for the battery pack occasionally slips out of the telescope. Once that happens, you have to go through the alignment process all over again (which takes about 3-5 minutes).

When I bought this scope, I had great expectations. For the most part, it delivered, but as I learned more and wanted to see further, I ran into limitations. The box said I could use the inclosed software to control the scope with a laptop. Almost right. You can use the software, but you have to buy the updated Level 2 version ... plus all the extra cables .... Also, this thing eats batteries, especially on a cold night. If you're serious about star-gazing, invest in the cigarette lighter adapter. The manual has a few errors on some of the handset functions and the scope has a bad habit of hitting the tripod while slewing to an object. This is really annoying because you have to re-align every time it happens. I know this sounds like I'm trashing the scope, but, overall, I'm happy with it. Anyone interested in getting into astronomy could learn a lot from this scope.