Review of the Celestron 8" Evolution Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope - The Goldilocks Scope does it all
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 20 มิ.ย. 2023
- If you know, you know. This is the venerable Celestron C8. A marvelous telescope, and a 50+ year icon in the telescope world. Only the Questar has been around longer than the C8 as we know it today! Mounted on a NexStar Evolution computerized mount, this telescope is equally at home on lunetary and planetary targets as it is on deep sky objects and very distant galaxies/nebulae. I run my C8 in 3 different focal lengths: 2032mm at f/10 for planetary/lunar, 1280mm at f/6.3 for decidedly larger targets like M42/M45/M31, and -- in an astrograph HyperStar configuration at 390mm at f/1.9... for some of the most convenient electronically assisted astronomy you can do with an Altitude-Azimuth mount. There's so much to say, but suffice it to say -- if you have about $2000 to spend and want one telescope that is jack of all trades, competent at many, a C8 is a very heavyweight competitor to often recommended, larger, all-manual Dobsonian scopes.
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Best review of this telescope I've seen - thank you so much!
Glad it was helpful!
Thanks you. This review was really helpful. I'm planning to pick up a use one of these telescopes, and this helped me make my mind up.
Hi Mike. Great video (as usual). I had that setup, but I sold it (sold it only because I paid close to retail for it and wasn't using it enough). regretted selling it, of course. Found a deal and got that exact setup again. This time I got a good enough deal that I don't feel guilty if I'm not using it frequently. Rule 1: if you have more than three telescopes, one should be an 8" SCT. It doesn't matter if you use it much. You'll have many times where it's the perfect scope. Find an inexpensive used 8" SCT and just never sell it.
❤love your reviews.
Just purchased the EVO8 and waiting to use it. It's going to be snowing for the next several days, so it's been good to read and watch videos. Great overview of the Telescope Mike. Thank you for putting this out. I tossed between the 8 SE or the Evolution and glad I went this route.
Good choice! You’ll love the Evo 8. And yeah, clouds and snow/rain float out of new telescope boxes every time. Seemingly for anyone who doesn’t live in California or the American SW 😆
On the market for my first scope and this is the one I’m saving for. Looks amazing. Reassuring to hear your positive experiences.
You won’t be disappointed!
@@MikeLikesChannelI’ve heard you comment that looking for a used C8 is not a bad idea. What would be a few good places to look online for a gently used one? Thanks!
@@TheStingator my favorite place is CloudyNights classifieds but you need to be a member for 30 days to get access to it. It’s free though 👍
I would get a dobsonian for your first telescope. You would be better served as a novice with the wider field of view and the utterly easy operation. Get the schmidt-cassegrain later down the road, too niche for a beginner imo.
By and large the entire community agrees an 8" dob is the best first telescope and is also one you would own for your lifetime. Even the biggest amateur astronomers out there all own at least one dob scope.
Same here!!!
very helpful review, thanks
Yes, the Evolution mount is a mount worth keeping (I enjoyed many a Nexstar, but the Evolution is very much better). Having clutches allow you to use it without power, which I think is a must for me. If the iOptron AZ Mount Pro had clutches on both axes (it lacks an Azimuth clutch), it would be my go-to az mount (very compact in and out of its case, easy align (of course, the Starsense is a nice plus for the Evolution)).
This is a great video. I got an Evolution 8 in large part because of it, and I'm happy with the choice.
Thanks for the kind words. I love my C8. It's a "buy it for life" telescope.
The advantage of the Evolution over the CPC fork mounted SCTs is that you can easily remove the tube from the mount head and use it on an eq mount for imaging. The CPC is a nightmare to de-fork, and it's better left as is.
I have the 9.25 and even with that, finding accessories is difficult. So going with an 8” is perfect!
I really want one. I gave away my old telescope to a family member, I wish I would have kept it a little longer. This eclipse coming up on April 8 will be my last opportunity to see an eclipse ( I’m stage 5 renal failure ). I don’t mind buying a new scope but there’s no time. I have a couple of lower power scopes but I really need a Barlow lens and of course I waited too long. Is there a site to purchase a used scope or but some new or used eyepieces ?
My astronomy club has two slide-off roof observatories in two parks/campgrounds outside of town and the closest one has a monster Mead LX 200 ACP 406mm/16 inch SCT under a Bortle 4 with B-3 to the West-Northwest. The other observatory is in the City of Rocks State Park, NM and has the same model Mead, but 354mm/14 inch under Bortle 2 sky. Having a 14" SCT scope is a major commitment and expensive even if a University gives them to your club.
Oh yeah 14s are serious pieces of equipment. The rule in astronomy is “heavier gets used less”. I see it with my 8” and 10” often. Most decent nights, I just go with the 8. It’s the sweet spot. Especially in a light polluted Bortle 5-6-7 suburb, the 10” isn’t getting you much.
@@MikeLikesChannel I live 30 minutes from Bortle 2, but usually just go to my son's house Bortle 4/3 depending which way you point. Even at home it is Bortle 6 and less to the North behind my apartment.
How did you change the hand controller holder so it rides with the mount?? I have my new evolution using the tripod leg attachment which i dont like due to possible cord stress.
Ah yes, starizona.com/products/nexstar-evolution-hand-control-bracket
Great video Mike. I have had the big sister 9.25 for 10 years now and never thought about the USB power port on the mount. It's neat that you are using it to power your ASIAIR Mini. Would it be possible to power the ASIAIR Plus using the same method using a 5V to 12V stepup adapter plug or should I stick with a dedicated external power source for the ASIAIR Plus?
I'm not sure if it has the juice to power the Plus, but it's well worth trying. One less power source to bring out is always good =)
If I'm just going to be starting out in planetary Imaging should I start with the Celestron nexstar Evolution 6 or a Celestron nexstar Evolution 8?
I think in that use case it’s certainly worth saving up for the 8”, the 2032mm over 1500mm focal length is a definite gain specifically when doing planetary/lunar work, more optical reach for not all that much more money and scope size. Also, the 8” optical tube has a 3rd mount point for accessories (where I put my ASI Air mini) and a cleverer cover-cap that “locks in” instead of held by friction on the 6”
@@MikeLikesChannel thanks for your response
Can you do a Quick video on your telescope GPS
Is this the exact same evolution mount and tripod as the one that you get with the 9.25" SCT?
Mount is the same. Tripod is heavier duty for the 9.25” to stabilize the additional weight.
Where did you get the Orange Dew Shield?
Hey there! It's just the black one with orange contact paper =)
I just saw a review of the Evolution 8 and he pointed out it cannot reach zenith with a 2" diagonal. I have to have a 2" diagonal with an 8" f10 focal length.
The Evolution uses a Vixen Rail so you can slide the OTA Up to Point Straight Up. You lose the Balance point for a while but it will go Vertical and clear the 2" Eyepieces.
@@billoneil9765 It was pointed out to me he was using the HD version and the back plate on those is thicker and that was why he couldn't clear the 2". I also thought the same thing about just slide the thing up on the Vixen bar, but apparently in the HD model you cannot do that enough. Well I don't need the HD version, I'm more visual than into photography anyway.
@MountainFisher wrote: "It was pointed out to me he was using the HD version and the back plate on those is thicker and that was why he couldn't clear the 2".
But we are looking at a Celestron NexStar Evolution. There is No HD Version and the Mount for the Evolution is extra Tall & attaches to the Optical Tube with a Vixen Dovetail. So you can slide the OTA Up to allow a 2" eyepiece and diagonal to point straight up.
Bill O'
I have the nexstar 8se and I took out the gears and electronics so it would be manual for visual use and it has metal gears so i don't know why you say plastic gears??...unless i heard you wrong?
The 6se has plastic gears. The Evolution has metal ones.
@@MikeLikesChannel the 6se and 8se use the same mount with metal gears, which isn't very good for the heavier 8 incher ...the 6 is probably okay on the Nexstar mount. I wish I had the Evolution, a lot of improvements over the Nexstar.
Edit: there's the 5" version that probably uses the plastic gears you're referring to?
Hi guys! I want to buy this telescope in the future. I need to know what are the dimensions of the box. Not the big box, the small box inside where there sits just the scope in styrofoam. Thanks in advance.
Been a long time since I had my original boxes. Celestron phone support probably has that info somewhere :)
Does it also come with a goto mount?
Yep includes the mount from the video.
I am looking for a telescope that I can connect to my wifi and view my night sky from inside my home thru my computer. I want to be able to take pictures from my desk INSIDE my home. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. my budget would be about 2500. I am a complete novice on this subject but it has always been a facinating subject that I would like to turn into a hobby.
There’s a number of smart telescopes on the market that should meet that budget. I do similar with my rig, but it does lack a few creature comforts like an “all in one, elegant turnkey setup”… lots of wires and such 😆
Nice I wish I had the cash