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The Celestron Astromaster 114EQ reflector telescope is a powerful instrument perfect for beginners who want to observe terrestrial and celestial objects with clear and bright images. With a 4.5″ mirror, the Astromaster 114EQ can capture views of the moon, planets, and dozens of deep-sky objects like the Orion Nebula, the Andromeda Galaxy, and the star cluster in Hercules.
But what sets this telescope apart from other beginner telescopes is its equatorial mount, which allows for easy tracking of objects across the sky throughout the night.
This review will look at its specifications, accessories, pros, cons, and overall performance to help you decide before purchasing it. So if you’re curious about this exciting hobby, read this first to learn more about this fantastic telescope from Celestron!
Celestron Astromaster 114EQ telescope specifications
The Celestron Astromaster 114EQ Telescope is a reflector telescope with the following specifications:
| Objective lens/mirror | 114 Millimeters |
| Eyepiece 1 | Plossl |
| Focal length | 1000 mm (39.37”) |
| Aperture | 114 mm (4.49 in) |
| Magnification | 50x, 100x |
| Mounting system | CG-2 equatorial Mount |
| Apparent Field of View | 1° |
| Linear Field of View | 53 feet @ 1000 yards |
| Focus adjustment mechanism | Built-in StarPointer |
| Optical coatings | Aluminum |
| Image quality/Resolution | 1.02 arc seconds – 1.22 arc seconds |
Celestron Astromaster 114EQ kit
Celestron Astromaster 114EQ bundle includes a lightweight frame, two eyepieces (20mm and 10mm), an Optical tube, and a StarPointer red dot finder.
It also has a rugged, pre-assembled tripod with 1.25-inch steel tube legs, which provides a stable platform for hours of safe use, and an accessory tray that provides a convenient place to store eyepieces and other accessories.
Celestron Astromaster 114EQ has everything you need except a collimation tool for planetary observations.
However, since it isn’t collimated, you will need to collimate the telescope or align its mirrors before every use. You can do this using a laser collimator or a collimation cap.
We recommend using a collimation cap for the 114EQ. A collimation cap does not come with the kit; fortunately, it is affordable. A good Collimation cap is the Celestron Cheshire Collimation Eyepiece.
Other accessories that come with the telescope include:
Celestron Astromaster 114EQ eyepiece
The Celestron Astromaster 114EQ Telescope has two eyepieces: a 20mm “erecting” eyepiece with 50x magnification and a 10mm eyepiece with 100x magnification.
These magnifications can be further increased using a Barlow lens or decreased using a focal reducer.
Celestron primarily includes these eyepieces to sell in nature and science stores under the premise of being capable of terrestrial viewing.
The 20mm lens is ideal for framing the moon, producing sharp, contrasted-quality images. The 10mm eyepiece allows you to zoom in on lunar craters or other planets. The 10mm eyepiece is also helpful for viewing Saturn’s rings.
While the eyepieces included with the Celestron Astromaster 114EQ Telescope are suitable for beginners, more advanced observers may want to upgrade to higher-quality eyepieces like the Celestron 8mm-24mm Zoom Eyepiece for better performance and clarity.
Celestron Astromaster 114EQ reflector telescope planetarium software
Available for free with the Astromaster 114EQ is the Starry night planetarium software. With a 36,000-object database, this software will help you learn about space and plan your trips to dark sites.
Enhanced images of stars, exoplanets, and galaxies will show you what objects can be seen the best in the sky at a particular time.
If you don’t have your laptop with you during an observation session, you can use the Sky Portal app from Celestron as an alternative.
Lastly, you can easily print out sky maps from the software depicting how your sky will look on any given night.
Motor drive for Celestron Astromaster 114EQ
Celestron AstroMaster 114EQ Telescope w/Motor Drive 31042-OP-DS has a compact black device that can be easily attached to the Right Ascension drive and requires a 9V battery (not included).
Once it is properly installed and turned on, the motor drive will cause the right ascension gear to rotate at the appropriate speed to keep up with the movement of the stars as the Earth rotates.
This feature is handy because, without tracking assistance, objects can move surprisingly quickly through the field of view in your eyepiece.
Carry bag for Celestron Astromaster 114EQ
Celestron offers an official carrying case (Celestron Astromaster 114EQ carry case) for the Astromaster series telescopes, including the 114EQ. The durable nylon case protects your telescope and can be carried as a shoulder bag and handbag.
Additional accessories for the Celestron Astromaster 114EQ
The Celestron Astromaster 114EQ reflector telescope is a great beginner telescope for anyone interested in astronomy.
Here are some of its most popular accessories to enhance your viewing experience:
Celestron Astromaster 114EQ camera attachment
Although the Celestron Astromaster 114EQ astronomy & land telescope does not come with a camera attachment or a T-ring adapter, which is necessary to connect a camera to the telescope, a camera can be attached.
To attach a camera, you must purchase a T- adapter compatible with your camera’s make and model.
An excellent recommendation for your Astromaster 114EQ is the Celestron 93625 1.25 Inch Universal SLR or DSLR Camera T-Adapter, Silver/Black.
This T- adapter will connect to your DSLR camera’s lens mount, and the other end will attach to the telescope’s focuser tube. Once the camera is attached, you can capture images of celestial objects.
Even though a camera can be attached to the Celestron – Astromaster 114EQ Newtonian telescope using a T-string adapter, this further disrupts the telescope’s balance and strains the CG-3 mount.
Celestron Astromaster 114EQ solar filter
The Celestron Astromaster 114EQ Telescope does not have a solar filter, but you can purchase one separately to observe the sun safely with the telescope.
A solar filter is a special filter designed to block most of the Sun’s light, allowing you to observe the Sun.
Celestron Astromaster 114EQ Barlow lens 5x
A Barlow lens is an accessory used to increase a telescope’s magnification power.
A 5x Barlow lens, as the name suggests, multiplies the magnification of your telescope’s eyepiece by a factor of 5.
With a 5x Barlow lens, the 20mm eyepiece included with the Celestron Astromaster 114EQ Telescope will magnify 250x, while the 10mm eyepiece will magnify 500x.
However, it’s important to note that the higher the magnification, the more difficult it can be to achieve sharp and steady views of celestial objects, mainly if atmospheric conditions are poor.
When choosing a Barlow lens for your telescope, it’s essential to try them out first to see what they offer.
A high-quality Barlow lens can help to maintain image quality and minimize aberrations, resulting in sharper and more detailed views of celestial objects.
With a 5x Barlow lens, you can increase the magnification of your Celestron Astromaster 114EQ Telescope and explore the night sky in even greater detail.
Still, for brighter deep-sky objects, like the Andromeda Galaxy or some star clusters, it can be too much magnification to get a wide enough field of view.
In such case, you should use the Starboosa Multi-Coated 0.5X Telescope Focal Reducer for your 1.25 Inch Telescope Eyepieces. It reduces the overall power to 1x.
Celestron Astromaster 114EQ moon filters
Moon filters enhance lunar viewing by reducing the moon’s brightness, improving contrast, and making faint moon details easier to observe.
Celestron offers a range of moon filters compatible with the Astromaster 114EQ telescope.
One option is the Celestron Moon Filter, designed to reduce glare and increase the contrast of the moon. Moon filter is also useful for extra bright planets and terrestrial viewing over sand or snow.
Another option is the Celestron Variable Polarizing Moon Filter, which helps you cut the moon’s bright glare by up to 40% improving contrast and making faint details easier to observe.
With this filter, you can adjust the brightness reduction from 1% to 40% without altering the color of the object you’re watching, making it an excellent choice for stargazing wildly when gazing at the moon’s surface.
Celestron Astromaster 114EQ setup and ease of use
Setting up the Celestron Astromaster 114EQ is straightforward. The telescope tube simply needs to be attached to the mount and the tripod legs extended and locked into place.
Unlike a simple alt-azimuth mount, The mount on the Celestron Astromaster 114EQ features slow-motion adjustment cables that let you make fine adjustments to the telescope’s position.
This feature makes it easy to track objects as they move across the sky and is especially helpful when viewing planets or other moving objects.
The adjustable tripod is sturdy and provides a solid base for the telescope. It can be adjusted to different heights and leveled using the built-in bubble level.
How to collimate the Celestron Astromaster 114EQ
To collimate the Celestron Astromaster 114EQ, start by adjusting the secondary mirror via the following steps:
- Remove the eyepiece and use the focusing knobs to rack the focuser tube in completely.
- Look through the focuser at a reflection of the secondary mirror projected from the primary mirror.
- Insert the collimation cap into the focuser and adjust the secondary mirror screws until the periphery of the spherical primary mirror is centered in your view.
- Do not adjust the center screw in the secondary mirror support.
- After adjusting the secondary mirror, change the primary mirror screws to center the reflection of the small secondary mirror. The silhouettes of the mirrors should look concentric.
- Use a star test to fine-tune the collimation. Point the telescope at a bright star and defocus it slightly. Adjust the collimation screws until the star is in sharp focus.
- Repeat the process until the star is perfectly focused.
- Finally, remove the collimating cap and look into the focuser to see the reflection of your eye in the secondary mirror.
It’s important to note that collimation is a precise process that can take some practice to master. If you need clarification on collimating your telescope, watching instructional videos or seeking guidance from an experienced astronomer may be helpful.
Pros and cons of the Celestron Astromaster
Here are the pros and cons of the Celestron Astromaster 114EQ 4.5” Newtonian equatorial telescope.
Pros
- Easy to set up and operate.
- Good sized aperture
- Suitable for beginners
- Great views of the Moon and planets
- Portable and lightweight
- Affordable
- Comes with some decent accessories
Cons
- Included eyepieces only offer low-power views
- Only suitable for basic astrophotography
- Setup may be confusing for some beginners
- Uses an outdated Bird-Jones optical design
- Low build quality
- The collimation is difficult
What can I see with the Celestron Astromaster 114EQ telescope?
The Astromaster 114EQ telescope can capture views and features of the planets in our solar system, such as the Moon, Venus’ phases, Mars’ dark spots and ice caps, Jupiter’s moons and cloud belts, and Saturn’s rings and moons.
Uranus and Neptune are less distinct, appearing as fuzzy dots. You can view deep-sky objects such as star clusters and some nebulae, but smaller planetary nebulae may be challenging to distinguish from stars.
Galaxies are generally featureless and indistinct, except for a few, like M82, with visible dust lanes. A more powerful telescope with better eyepieces can reveal more details.
Read also: What Can You See with Celestron AstroMaster?
Is the Celestron Astromaster 114EQ good for beginners?
The Celestron Astromaster 114 eq reflector telescope is an excellent choice for beginners, both adults and older children interested in astronomy. The telescope is relatively easy to set up and requires no tools to assemble.
The equatorial mount lets you track objects easily as they move across the night sky.
Its 4.5″ mirror provides clear and bright images of the moon, the planets, and many deep-sky objects like the Orion Nebula, the Andromeda Galaxy, etc.
It is affordable and can be expanded with additional accessories like eyepieces, filters, and Barlow lenses, which can enhance your viewing experience allowing beginners to explore the night sky more deeply.
Is the Celestron Astromaster 114EQ worth it?
If you are on a budget, then the Astromaster 114EQ, which is relatively affordable compared to other telescopes with similar capabilities, is a good option. In addition, it’s easy to use and can be expanded with additional accessories to enhance your viewing experience.
Ultimately, whether or not the Celestron Astromaster 114EQ reflector telescope is worth it will depend on your needs and interests.
Its 4.5-inch mirror provides clear, bright images of the moon, planets, and many deep-sky objects. However, if you want more detailed views of celestial objects, consider a larger aperture telescope like the Celestron Astromaster 130EQ.
Note that it’s always a good idea to research and consider your needs and interests before purchasing.
FAQ about Celestron Astromaster 114EQ
Let’s delve into some additional frequently asked questions.
What solar filter can I get for a Celestron Astromaster 114EQ?
An excellent solar filter we recommend using with the 114EQ telescope is the EclipSmart Solar Filter.
It is dangerous to point the telescope directly at the sun. It can cause permanent eye damage or blindness. Always use a solar filter when observing the sun, even briefly.
What is a good Celestron Astromaster 114EQ replacement lens?
The Celestron Astromaster 114EQ comes with two lenses or eyepieces: a 10mm and a 20 mm eyepiece. A nice 25mm Plossl or a 20-25mm Kellner is a good replacement for these eyepieces
You may also like: How Do Telescope Lenses Work? (Explained!)
Takeaway: Celestron Astromaster 114EQ is a stellar choice for beginner stargazers!
If you’re looking for a telescope that is easy to use, affordable, and suitable for observing the moon, planets, and some deep-sky objects, the Celestron Astromaster 114EQ Telescope may be an excellent option to consider.
With its 114mm aperture, 1000mm focal length, and equatorial mount, this telescope provides good light-gathering power, resolution, and precise tracking of celestial objects.
However, it’s essential to remember that this telescope has some limitations.
For example, the telescope’s 114mm aperture may not gather as much light as some larger telescopes, limiting its ability to view faint objects like distant galaxies and nebulae. It’s a regular need for collimation.
The Celestron Astromaster 114EQ is an excellent telescope for beginner astronomers who want a versatile, affordable, easy-to-use instrument that can provide high-quality images of a wide range of celestial objects.
While there may be better choices for more advanced astronomers who want a more refined viewing experience, its expandability gives it an edge.
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