Celestron CPC 9.25-Inch
June 9, 2008
Celestron CPC 9.25-Inch Telescope Review
General Info
Class: CPC GPS Schmidt Cassegrain
Best Uses: Planets, stars, galaxies & excellent for Astrophotography!
Recommended Experience: Experienced - Professional
Overall Rating: 8.8/10
Official Review: If you’re looking for a new scope that’s great all-around, has excellent range, and is perfect for detailed Astrophotography, the Celestron CPC 9.25 Inch is a great pick! Typically sold at around $2,500-$3,000, this scope is best for experienced stargazers.
However, it’s high-tech feature set justifies the price, and the CPC 9.25 inch was made with perfect balance between bells & whistles and functionality in mind, and in my opinion: Celestron hit the mark.
Pros: Great GPS system, amazing for Astrophotography, 40,000 programmed objects & has SkyAlign
Cons: Somewhat heavy, complicated features for beginners & fairly expensive for just a hobby
Click here to check out the Celestron CPC 9.25-Inch on Telescopes.com!
Important Details
Usability: 8.9/10 - Very easy to use for experienced stargazers
Comfortability: 9.1/10 - Comfortable eyepiece, ergonomic design
Durability: 8.7/10 - Heavy-Duty steel construction
Battery Life: 8.1/10 - Standard Celestron battery life (Comes w/ car battery adapter)
Backlash: 9.5/10 - Virtually none
Warranty: 9.1/10 - 2-year limited through Celestron
Storage: 7.5/10 - Fairly heavy at 77lb total weight; Small ergonomic design
Accuracy: 8.6/10 - SkyAlign, 555x Magnification & sturdy mount
Setup: 8.5/10 - Easy for experienced users; Could be tough for beginners
Check out more customer reviews of the 9.25-Inch CPC!
Tech Specs
Aperture: 235mm
Magnification (Lowest Useful - Highest Useful): 3x - 555x
Focal Length: 2,350mm
Focal Ratio: f/10
Resolution: 0.59 Arc Seconds
Angular Field of View: 0.7°
Tracking: Altazimuth, EQ North & EQ South
Click here to learn more about the 9.25-Inch Celestron CPC!
Telescope Construction
Optical Design: Schmidt Cassegrain
Viewfinder: 50mm w/quick release bracket
Eyepiece: 40mm
Tube: Aluminum
Mount Design: Dual Fork Arm Altazimuth
Weight: 58lb (77lb total)
Tripod: Heavy-Duty Steel Adjustable
Power Supply: 12VDC 1.5A
Lens Coating: Starbright Coating
Other Equipment: Celestron Remote control
Recommended Accessories: 925 Solar Filter, AC Adapter & 1.25in Eyepiece/Filter Kit
Extra Features
GoTo: Yes
GPS: Yes
Computerized: Yes
Alignment: SkyAlign, Auto Two-Star Alignment, Two-star Align, SolarSystem Align, EQ North Align, EQ South Align, One-Star Align
Remote: Yes
Object Database: 40,000+ pre-programmed objects. Enhanced information on over 200 objects.
Programming Options: 400 user-defined programmable objects.
Summary: If you’re into Astrophotography, and you’re fairly experienced with telescopes, this might be just what you’re looking for. A fantastic pre-programmed 40,000-object database, SkyAlign technology, a well-built machine, and an ergonomic design makes this scope tough to beat in its price range.
That said, I would recommend the CPC 8-Inch if you’re not a professional and/or the 9.25 inch is out of your price range, as this will save you about $500 with very little loss of quality.
Click here to order the Celestron CPC 9.25-Inch from Telescopes.com!
Zhumell 10-Inch Dobsonian
June 1, 2008
Zhumell 10-Inch Dobsonian Telescope Review
General Info
Class: Dobsonian Reflector
Best Uses: Stars, Galaxies & Nebulae
Recommended Experience: Beginner - Casual/Recreational, Enthusiast
Overall Rating: 8.7/10
Official Review: While it’s heavier than other “light buckets”, the Zhumell 10-Inch Dobsonian has a MUCH larger magnification and clearer focus than others in its price ranges. If you’re not sure about the bulky Dobsonian-factor, keep in mind that these scopes are a bit large and difficult to store. However, they are very easy to breakdown and setup, so if you have a decent place to keep it, you’ll be just fine.
That in mind, the major advantage with the 10-Inch Dobsonian is the 600x magnification! You’ll be able to view objects that are much farther away than with the vast majority of other scopes available, even those that cost double the Dobsonian, which is typically sold for about $500!
Pros: HUGE magnification, easy setup & breakdown, very accurate & comfortable
Cons: Somewhat large, 60lbs, no computer-based features, manual tracking, not ideal for lunar/planetary viewing
Click here to check out the Zhumell 10-Inch Dobsonian on Telescopes.com!
Important Details
Usability: 8.5/10 - Extremely simple to use
Comfortability: 7.7/10 - Great eyepieces; Some dislike the size of Dobsonians
Durability: 8.2/10 - Sturdy mount & durable tube design
Battery Life: n/a - Not computerized! Use it forever…
Warranty: 8.2/10 - Great Zhumell “No-Fault Repair” policy; Costs $15 to send to Zhumell for repairs
Storage: 7.1/10 - Easy to breakdown, but might be too large to store easily
Accuracy: 9.0/10 - Extremely accurate scope for its price range!
Setup: 9.1/10 - Simple setup
Check out more customer reviews of the Zhumell 10-Inch Dob!
Tech Specs
Objective Lens: 254mm
Magnification (Highest Useful): 600x
Focal Length: 1,250mm
Focal Ratio: F/4.92
Limiting Magnitude: 14.52
Tracking: Manual (Simple w/ the Crayford focuser & 8×50 RACI finderscope)
Click here to learn more about the 10-Inch Dobsonian from Zhumell!
Telescope Construction
Optical Design: Reflector
Viewfinder: 8×50
Eyepiece: 1.25in. 9mm Plossl and 2in. 32mm Plossl
Tube: Black optical w/ lightweight, durable design
Mount Design: Traditional Dobsonian
Weight: 60lbs
Tripod: N/A (Dobsonian Mount)
Power Supply: None Necessary!
Lens Coating: 10in multi-coated
Other Equipment: Bonus eyepiece
Recommended Accessories: None needed!
Extra Features
GoTo: No
GPS: No
Computerized: No
Alignment: Easy
Summary: If you’re looking for a solid scope to view primarily stars & galaxies, that won’t cost more than $600, the Zhumell 10-Inch Dobsonian is an amazing deal!
If you’re trying to decide on the best Dobsonian for you, I would highly recommend the 10-Inch over the 8-Inch because of the much higher magnification and clarity upgrade for the small price increase.
Click here to order the Zhumell 10-Inch Dobsonian from Telescopes.com!
