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Computerized telescopes can be a fantastic option for beginners because of their ease of use and ability to track much more night sky objects than a beginner could find on their own. The thousands of celestial objects in their database and automatic alignment and tracking make observations more accurate for beginners.
Being a beginner astronomer can be overwhelming at first. There’s a steep learning curve.
Common questions include: What are the best telescopes for beginners? Should I buy computerized telescopes? Can XYZ budget work for me? How do I see specific night sky objects?
You can also end up spending more than necessary. Yet, you may have spent the money on equipment and tools that don’t get you the wanted results.
Because of these challenges, astronomy newbies are always looking for ways to flatten the learning curve. They may join astronomy forums or pay a premium for automated tools like computerized telescopes.
In this article, we examine if computerized telescopes are great for beginners and if you should buy one. We also discuss their advantages, potential drawbacks, and the main features of computerized telescopes.
What are computerized telescopes?
Computerized telescopes are telescopes that use computer technology to point and track objects in the night sky. These telescopes are equipped with motors and a computer control system that allow for automated location and tracking of celestial objects.
This makes it easier for amateur astronomers to observe the stars and planets.
They typically use GPS technology to accurately align themselves with the night sky, and many models come pre-loaded with a database of thousands of celestial objects. With a computerized telescope, all you have to do is select the object you want to observe, and the telescope will automatically point itself in the right direction.
Main features of computerized telescopes
A computerized telescope uses technology to find and “go to” celestial bodies. These telescopes have many features to this end.
Here are some of them:
Motorized mount
A mount allows you to move and point your telescope on different axes in the direction of the intended object. A computerized mount makes this process smoother, particularly after you’ve found the celestial body of interest.
The earth’s rotation means that at every point in time, you’ll have to continue adjusting your mount to keep the object at the center of your eyepiece. A computerized mount does this for you by automatically moving the telescope at the same speed as the celestial body.
So, you spend more time observing the objects rather than fiddling with your telescope every few minutes. This benefit is useful for astrophotography.
Read also: 10 Advantages of Computer-Controlled Mounts for Telescopes
Go-to technology
“Go-to” is the common term used to refer to computerized telescopes. The term envelopes all the technology that enables the telescope to automatically find and follow deep sky objects.
The fundamental features of this technology include a database of celestial objects, a motorized mount, and computerized control.
Star alignment procedures
Think of star alignment procedures as a way of providing your computerized telescope a space landmark. In this case, you’re giving your position relative to 2 to 3 named stars.
The telescope then uses this information to configure your position and map out where any planetary object will be relative to your position per time.
Database of celestial objects
Computerized telescopes come with an in-built database of celestial objects. Depending on the model, the database size can vary from a few thousand objects to tens of thousands of celestial bodies.
A computerized telescope may also come with the ability to receive updates on newer additions to the database.
The Celestron – NexStar 4SE Computerized Telescope has a database of over 40,000 celestial objects.
Tracking capabilities
Using the in-built database, you only need to choose which object you want to view, and the computerized telescope will automatically track the object for you.
Furthermore, it’ll continue to keep the night sky object at the center of your eyepiece as the object drifts. To illustrate, Saturn only stays within your eyepiece for about 5 seconds if you do not continue to track it.
User interface and control
A computerized telescope also comes with a user interface and control to choose objects in the database, complete star alignment, show what object you’re viewing, and for moving the telescope.
Wireless connectivity options
Some computerized telescopes also come equipped with WiFi capabilities. This feature allows you to control the telescope remotely, typically through an app.
If your computerized telescope does not come equipped with WiFi capabilities, you can purchase a compatible Wifi Module and pair it with the telescope. One example is the Celestron – SkyPortal WiFi Module.
You may also like: Celestron SkyPortal WiFi Module – Setup and Review.
Power source and battery life
A computerized telescope requires constant power. If you lose power, you have to restart the whole alignment procedure. That’s why some goto telescopes come with a power source, typically lithium-ion power packs or a 12-volt battery.
The need for a power source and good battery life comes into the fore when you travel to remote locations for clearer skies. In those instances, you’ll need a power source to take you through the night.
Anker produces great power stations, and the Anker 757 Portable Power Station will give you peace of mind for your all-night remote stargazing.
GPS and astronomical software compatibility
A computerized telescope may also come fitted with a Global Positioning System (GPS). Having GPS makes the star alignment process more straightforward.
The GPS automatically tells your location every time you power on the telescope rather than you entering your coordinates and time manually.
Manually entering your coordinate and time may also introduce errors in your observations. So, GPS makes the alignment process more accurate.
The Celestron CPC 925 StarBright XLT GPS Schmidt-Cassegrain 2350mm Telescope has an in-built GPS and is one of the best computerized telescopes.
Benefits of using computerized telescopes for beginners
A computerized telescope (Goto telescope) has many benefits, especially for people new to astronomy. Some of the benefits include
Ease of use
After you’ve set up your computerized telescope, the rest of the work is more straightforward compared to manual telescopes. For the most part, all you have to do is press a few buttons.
The user-friendly interface and controls make them intuitive, even for the most beginner astronomers. You’ll also do much less work to observe more solar system objects per night than you would when using a manual telescope.
Automatic alignment and tracking
The alignment process is crucial to get accurate night sky observations. In some goto telescopes, you have to complete this process manually. This may be tedious and slightly time-consuming for some.
Many manufacturers have overcome this challenge by introducing telescopes with automatic alignment.
The Celestron – StarSense Explorer DX 130AZ is one of the best-computerized telescopes with automatic alignment. After 3 minutes of pressing the “align” button, it matches three stars to its database.
After alignment, goto telescopes will help you automatically track any of the deep sky objects you select from its database of celestial objects.
Automatic alignment and tracking also reduce the chances of vibrations, which can disturb your observations.
Access to a database of celestial and deep sky objects
Without a database of solar system objects, there can be no automatic tracking. The more objects in the database, the more options you have for your observations.
The database contains all kinds of objects, including bright planets, significant stars, major asteroids, and deep-sky objects.
So, for all the objects in the database, there’s no need for any tedious or persistent work to locate the deep sky objects of choice. Of course, it all depends on the size of your telescope’s aperture, focal length, and focal ratio.
While not always the case, price dictates the size of the database.
Improved accuracy in night sky observations
The primary reason for the star alignment process is to ensure the accuracy of your observations. The process requires alignment with multiple stars to make it more accurate.
Using one star for alignment could distort the accuracy when the telescope is unstable or the time and location data the user entered is incorrect. A 4-minute error in the inputted time may lead to the telescope pointing at least a degree away from the object of interest.
That’s why the 2-3 star alignment process is pivotal. It helps you to improve the accuracy of night sky observations.
Potential drawbacks of using computerized telescopes for beginners
Despite the numerous benefits that a computerized telescope may provide for beginners, it’ll be remiss of us not to tell you of any potential drawbacks.
The potential drawbacks of using computerized telescopes include
Dependence on technology
A computerized telescope has been programmed to do most of what you would have needed to do if you were using a manual telescope.
So, while you may be able to view the moon and Saturn’s rings, you won’t be able to replicate the process unaided by technology.
That’s why it is best to invest time in learning about astronomy before buying a telescope.
At a minimum, you should learn how to manually track night sky objects, how to read star charts and the basics of telescopes (like the difference between a reflector telescope and a refractor telescope).
That way, the technology is only there to assist you.
Cost
Computerized telescopes that work well and provide all the benefits above come at a price. Off the bat, they cost more than manual telescopes.
So budget should be a major consideration, especially if you want to buy a computerized telescope that’ll serve you for a long time. Computerized telescopes can range in price from a few hundred dollars to thousands of dollars.
The Celestron – NexStar 130SLT Computerized Telescope is perhaps the best-computerized telescope value for money. If you are unfamiliar with it, you can check out a complete review here.
On the other hand, the Sky-Watcher Flextube 250 SynScan Dobsonian 10-inch Collapsible is a great mid-range budget telescope.
Potential for malfunctions
With many technology parts and features, one single point of failure can render the “computerized” non-effective.
Additionally, you may need an expert technician to fix some of the issues with these telescopes.
Lastly, you need to be slightly tech-savvy to enjoy these telescopes.
Limited customization options
One of the reasons there’s limited room for customization is that the wrong tweak can cause the telescope to malfunction.
Also, it’s sometimes hard to find external parts that are compatible with your telescope. Most times, you may have to buy a product from the same manufacturer of your telescope if you want to extend its functionality.
Should you buy a computerized telescope as a beginner?
A computerized telescope is a great option for a beginner, especially one interested in astrophotography. They make it easier to track and go to the desired night sky object and also help beginners to improve the accuracy of their observations.
The answer to this question depends on many factors. If you’re getting into astrophotography, a computerized telescope is a necessity.
Another consideration is the cost. How much can you spare? There’s no point in buying a bad cheap computerized telescope because it has computerized features. It will remain a bad telescope despite the mesmerizing goto features.
If you also enjoy the thrill and engagement of chasing down a celestial body more than viewing the same, then maybe a computerized telescope is not for you.
So, putting together all these factors should help you decide if you should get one or not.
If you want a computerized telescope that can serve you forever and your budget is fairly considerate, the Celestron – NexStar Evolution 8 Computerized Schmidt Cassegrain Telescope is a top option.
You may also like: Are GoTo Telescopes Worth It?
Takeaway: Maximize your observing efficiency and do more in less time using a computerized telescope
There’s no denying that a computerized telescope offers tremendous benefits for a newbie astronomer or astrophotographer.
The bottom line is they cut out many manual tasks and give you more time for stargazing. You can make a quick cup of coffee while the telescope tracks and centers the next target.
If your schedule is tight, a computerized telescope is a perfect telescope to get more observations done in less time.
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