New to astronomy but want to get up to speed? This Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 114AZ telescope deal may be just the ticket.
The best binoculars can cost a fortune, and with so many to choose from, it can be hard to know where to start. The Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 114AZ is a great first binocular that pairs with your phone and offers a variety of smart aids to help you capture the stars and anything else you can see.
It’s seen some discounts in recent years, and it’s not cheap (it was under $170 last year), Amazon offers it for $199.95 — a savings of 17% off MSRP and definitely helps with a newbie’s budget.
The StarSense app from Celestron (available for Android and iOS) takes the guesswork out of cataloging the stars and aligns the telescope to your heart’s content in a couple of turns.
Arguably, it’s less appealing to traditional astronomers, especially since it can’t compete with more expensive telescopes in optics. Still, at this price, it’s hard to complain.
In the box, you’ll find two eyepieces, a 2x Barlow lens, a red dot finderscope, and a tripod. That means you have everything to look forward to right off the bat.
Key Features: App-controlled star tour function, accessories included in the box, easy to set up and use.
Product Launched: September 2022
Price history: We saw it for under $170 last year and $150 the year before that, but it’s still a good savings on a smart telescope.
Price Comparison: Walmart is currently price matching AmazonBut it may not include free postage depending on your location.
Reviews Consensus: While not a very accurate telescope without it, this smartphone app-enabled Newtonian reflecting telescope will scan the sky for your chosen target if you’re happy to use it. Making it a great choice for beginners, it offers plenty of opportunities to learn about the universe.
space: ★★★ | Digital Camera World: ★★★
Buy if: You want to get stargazing while using a really smart app. You need to add all the parts.
Don’t buy this: You want something more accurate without the need for a sturdy pair of binoculars or a smartphone.