Celestron 102 mm AstroFi Maksutov-Cassegrain Telescope
While Celestron may not be revolutionizing our understanding of Astronomy, they are certainly changing the way observers relate to the night sky. The Celestron AstroFi 102 mm Maksutov-Cassegrain telescope is a fully equipped instrument that can be operated via your smartphone or tablet with Celestron’s free SkyPortal app. The SkyPortal app supplants the customary hand control, providing a complete wireless experience. Simply hold your device up to the night sky, locate a target you want to see, and touch the screen. The Astro Fi 102 will then automatically slew to your desired object, with the screen showing helpful information about it. The Celestron AstroFi 102 mm makes exploring the universe more fun than ever!
The AstroFi 102 produces its own wireless signal for interaction with smart devices even in isolated places where WiFi or cellular coverage may be spotty at best and non-existent at worst. Celestron’s award-winning SkyAlign technology makes for quick, effortless observing preparation. Your telescope will automatically determine its position when you center any three bright objects in the eyepiece. There is even a Sky Tour option that will show you all the best celestial highlights based on the current time and your precise location. Learn more about AstroFi telescopes in the comprehensive video below!
Proven Celestron Optics
Although cutting-edge WiFi technology drives the Astro Fi 102, it’s the internal optics that confirm it’s from Celestron. They have been industry leaders in optical technology for more than 50 years and put that expertise into the AstroFi 102. This 102 mm Mak-Cass features fully coated optics and provides sensational views of the Moon’s craters, Saturn’s rings, Jupiter’s Great Red Spot, the Orion Nebula, and a lot more.
Celestron AstroFi 102 Maksutov-Cassegrain Highlights
- Operates through built-in WiFi via Celestron’s free SkyPortal app for Apple and Android devices.
- 102 mm Maksutov-Cassegrain features fully coated glass optics for sensational views of the Moon and planets as well as brighter deep space objects.
- Accessory tray holds two 1.25″ eyepieces, various accessories, and has a dedicated rubber-lined area for smart phones and small tablets.
- Comes with a StarPointer Finderscope, 10mm and 25mm Kellner eyepieces, and 1.25″ mirror star diagonal.
- An auxiliary port is included for users who want to use their own hand controller.
John F. Verified Buyer –
I purchased this scope with the intent of letting grandkids use something that they could control with a iPhone while the parents and myself were setting up larger scopes. While I suspect that the Astro Fi system works very well, there were several reasons why I returned this product.
1. While children are very capable of using a cell phone o
r ipad to control something, the real estate on a mobile phone is just not big enough to allow young children to work this.
2. The scope is quick to set up and very light (23 pound total). Too light to allow children to focus it (the focus was stiff) without risk of knocking over or simply too much movement to allow viewing. I had considered using an imager instead of an eyepiece to allow them to view on screen, but the focus would still be an issue.
3. The scope is not sufficient quality as an adult or adolescent “first scope” to justify even the low cost, comparatively. I suspect there are much better “first scope” options. As a child scope I judged it too flimsy to let them work with it without frustration. Maybe one of the other configurations (refractor or reflector) would work better, but I was not going to gamble on making a switch.
The High Point team was very understanding about my return and handled it promptly and without quibbling. I took an in-store credit as I expect to order more from them, due to their service after the sale.