TheSkySearchers

I got this scope that comes with an object finder app. The LT was easy to setup and very light to carry. However, I have an issue with the app. I keep getting an message that the telescopes location cant be found. I followed all introductions, but no dice with the scope's location problem. I have here a YouTube video covering collimation. Is there anything else I need to know for collimation that is not in the video? The edge of my views with the LT were very soft. Moon craters were very soft, but I only had the LT outside for a few minutes. My main issue is the app problem. Left click the images. Thanks all.

https://www.celestron.com/products/star ... r-lt-114az

I'm so sorry to hear that. The optics a are poor quality. The primary is spherical and the attempt to use a corrector for that is too costly to implement at this price point. We've discussed Jones-Bird telescopes (of which this is an example) as hobby killers. If you can return it, please do so ASAP and get something decent.

It could be nothing wrong with your reflector. I had similar experiences. After been accustomed to sharp contrasty views provided by fracs, looking through a few newts/DOBs I found views too soft for my liking. It will take a well made reflector (not it that price range) to change that.

I agree with nFA. You should return it if possible.

The issue with the app could be your phone settings.
I helped friend with a GPS Bluetooth connected watch.

First make sure your location settings are on, also check those settings under "privacy".

Then you may have to turn off any battery conserving settings.

This fixed his watch app.

But do note that this scope doesn't measure 1000mm in length, so it's a Bird-Jones scope

notFritzArgelander wrote: ↑Thu Nov 11, 2021 12:25 am I'm so sorry to hear that. The optics a are poor quality. The primary is spherical and the attempt to use a corrector for that is too costly to implement at this price point. We've discussed Jones-Bird telescopes (of which this is an example) as hobby killers. If you can return it, please do so ASAP and get something decent.

I really got it for the app not observation. If I could get the app to work I will keep it. Just got back in from doing a star test using Vega. According to what I am seeing on google images, the collimation is perfect or close. Also noticed that Moon craters are not as soft with an acceptable image. Yeah, I knew is was not the best of reflectors. Just hoping I could get the app to work. Thanks nFA

Ylem wrote: ↑Thu Nov 11, 2021 1:24 am The issue with the app could be your phone settings.
I helped friend with a GPS Bluetooth connected watch.

First make sure your location settings are on, also check those settings under "privacy".

Then you may have to turn off any battery conserving settings.

This fixed his watch app.

But do note that this scope doesn't measure 1000mm in length, so it's a Bird-Jones scope

Checked privacy's location section. It has for Starsense allowed only while in use. Battery saver is off. Must be something else.

I created what I called a DSO finder a while ago. Sometimes it will be on target and sometimes it will be way off. The tripod I was using broke. So I never perfected it. If I cant get the LT app to work. I still have my DSO finder gadget to work on. Hunting for night sky targets and finding them has been a lot of fun. However, it takes up a lot of time.

viewtopic.php?f=35&t=15743

I'm afraid this scope is just going to reaffirm to you that you love refractors! To make my point with a Venn diagram, here's what I came up with.
As you can see, that inexpensive LT is way over on the far right side of its circle and nowhere near the "happy" zone. Sorry!

JayTee wrote: ↑Thu Nov 11, 2021 9:33 am I'm afraid this scope is just going to reaffirm to you that you love refractors! To make my point with a Venn diagram, here's what I came up with.


As you can see, that inexpensive LT is way over on the far right side of its circle and nowhere near the "happy" zone. Sorry!

Great Venn diagram. I have noted that the images in my 6" Achro are a bit sharper than the Zhumell. The latter is often due to collimation. It's awfully easy to have the stars exhibit "splayed" characteristics rather than pinpoint perfection.

There's no "App" worth keeping for that hobby killer. I'm sorry to be so harsh but please return it and get your money back. Now if you ant a great little reflector in the $250 range I say go for the Astronomers Without Borders 5" OneSky telescope. https://shop.astronomerswithoutborders. ... -telescope
SkyWatcher and a couple other companies make similar models but I like supporting AWB.

AstroBee wrote: ↑Thu Nov 11, 2021 8:24 pm There's no "App" worth keeping for that hobby killer. I'm sorry to be so harsh but please return it and get your money back. Now if you ant a great little reflector in the $250 range I say go for the Astronomers Without Borders 5" OneSky telescope. https://shop.astronomerswithoutborders. ... -telescope
SkyWatcher and a couple other companies make similar models but I like supporting AWB.

It has a data base of 30,000 objects. To me it is worth to use this reflector as an object finder. I think the problem is there are not enough stars to show the app. I will try one more time at my dark site. If it fails at the dark site I will return it. Due to coming holidays Best Buy has extended the return til January.

Refractordude wrote: ↑Thu Nov 11, 2021 12:01 am I got this scope that comes with an object finder app. The LT was easy to setup and very light to carry. However, I have an issue with the app.

I did not catch the reference the first time, then I saw the demarcation within the video marquis. You bought a Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 114AZ 114mm (4.5”) Newtonian reflector on an alt-az mount. I googled "telescope LT" because I thought that LT was a technical abbreviation for "light tube" when you said that you got the LT set up easily.

Ignore the nay-sayers. Get what you can from the telescope. I just spent five nights over a couple of weeks with 70-mm entry-level refractors and I got so used to them that when I packed them up and returned to my 102-mm First Light, it was like Mount Palomar. But there is no doubt that whatever the drawbacks to "this one versus that one", you gain what you can from the experience. (And BTW my new 102-mm f/9.8 is also back in its cartons because I discovered that my arms are not long enough to guide the telescope while viewing. It's always something... I will put it on the go-mount later after we move from this house.) The only problems I read in your narrative stem from the app and I cannot help you there. So,thanks for the report.

"Refractordude Buys A Reflector Telescope"

:twitch: Oh, the horror!

pakarinen wrote: ↑Sat Nov 13, 2021 5:19 pm :twitch: Oh, the horror!

I was going to quip about his being seduced to the dark side. Start with the 114 LT and next thing you know, a bespoke open-truss monster lighbucket on a Dobsonian mount... He was not ready to be a Jedi.

Refractordude wrote: ↑Fri Nov 12, 2021 8:10 pm

AstroBee wrote: ↑Thu Nov 11, 2021 8:24 pm There's no "App" worth keeping for that hobby killer. I'm sorry to be so harsh but please return it and get your money back. Now if you ant a great little reflector in the $250 range I say go for the Astronomers Without Borders 5" OneSky telescope. https://shop.astronomerswithoutborders. ... -telescope
SkyWatcher and a couple other companies make similar models but I like supporting AWB.

It has a data base of 30,000 objects. To me it is worth to use this reflector as an object finder. I think the problem is there are not enough stars to show the app. I will try one more time at my dark site. If it fails at the dark site I will return it. Due to coming holidays Best Buy has extended the return til January.

Well, you’re covered then. I once considered doing something similar, using the app on a small cheap goto to orient the mighty Z12. I discarded the idea because of the waste involved. I got the idea (by listening to "nay-sayers") that it would be less expensive to get or make an azimuth circle, a Wixey inclinometer, and use the free (free!) Carte du Ciel app.

But it looks like you may have found an arbitrage opportunity leveraging off your cell phone. Buying the Starsense accessory HW and app from Celestron is near $400! I hope the views in the scope don’t give you the barfies and that it’s a satisfactory solution.

mikemarotta wrote: ↑Sat Nov 13, 2021 5:06 pm

Refractordude wrote: ↑Thu Nov 11, 2021 12:01 am I got this scope that comes with an object finder app. The LT was easy to setup and very light to carry. However, I have an issue with the app.

…..
Ignore the nay-sayers. Get what you can from the telescope.
…..

Well as a die hard capitalist I don't ignore nay sayers, or happy folks. In a truly free market all information has value. In the current corporatist economic system (free market capitalism having died about 1970) I'm sure that our corporate overlords are pleased by your fealty. So welcome to your voyage on:

notFritzArgelander wrote: ↑Sun Nov 14, 2021 12:38 am

Refractordude wrote: ↑Fri Nov 12, 2021 8:10 pm

AstroBee wrote: ↑Thu Nov 11, 2021 8:24 pm There's no "App" worth keeping for that hobby killer. I'm sorry to be so harsh but please return it and get your money back. Now if you ant a great little reflector in the $250 range I say go for the Astronomers Without Borders 5" OneSky telescope. https://shop.astronomerswithoutborders. ... -telescope
SkyWatcher and a couple other companies make similar models but I like supporting AWB.

It has a data base of 30,000 objects. To me it is worth to use this reflector as an object finder. I think the problem is there are not enough stars to show the app. I will try one more time at my dark site. If it fails at the dark site I will return it. Due to coming holidays Best Buy has extended the return til January.

Well, you’re covered then. I once considered doing something similar, using the app on a small cheap goto to orient the mighty Z12. I discarded the idea because of the waste involved. I got the idea (by listening to "nay-sayers") that it would be less expensive to get or make an azimuth circle, a Wixey inclinometer, and use the free (free!) Carte du Ciel app.

But it looks like you may have found an arbitrage opportunity leveraging off your cell phone. Buying the Starsense accessory HW and app from Celestron is near $400! I hope the views in the scope don’t give you the barfies and that it’s a satisfactory solution.

mikemarotta wrote: ↑Sat Nov 13, 2021 5:06 pm

Refractordude wrote: ↑Thu Nov 11, 2021 12:01 am I got this scope that comes with an object finder app. The LT was easy to setup and very light to carry. However, I have an issue with the app.

…..
Ignore the nay-sayers. Get what you can from the telescope.
…..

Well as a die hard capitalist I don't ignore nay sayers, or happy folks. In a truly free market all information has value. In the current corporatist economic system (free market capitalism having died about 1970) I'm sure that our corporate overlords are pleased by your fealty. So welcome to your voyage on:

The scope with app is $179. I really think there is just not enough stars above my town for the app. I will know at the end of the month.

Made a mistake in thinking the Celestron StarSense app has a 40,000 database of objects. It actually has just 4000 objects. The GOTO DOB I was thinking about buying has 14,000 objects in it's database. With the StarSense I could get a DOB without GOTO and cut cost. Back to the drawing board. Will try the StarSense out before the end of the week at one of my dark sites. Even if it works out for me, I may return it to Best Buy. The database is kinda small.

I have had many versions of this BJ scope some were ok but many terrible , I purchase quite a few 114 SLT scopes for really cheap , like 50 us I think well the exchange(in RSA) changes like the weather here so dont know anymore but was cheap
I got 3 and only one was ok.(but the mounts I like)
I also got the Meade 114 for 10 US ,was so bad after fixing the drive (broken gearbox mount) that I gave it away when I sold a scope (2 for the price of one)
I also had a Kway ( 2 of them) 130 BJ scope ( There is no K way manufacture they are an outdoor company in RSA) so basically a rebranded 127 powerseeker I think and it was actually the best , well one was
I am sure there were other but cant remember now
But one must consider the markets , these cheap BJ scopes are like expensive SCT scopes , they are light and therefore work ok on cheap Alt/Az Go To mounts , certainly not as good , but out of the many I had one was close to my 36 year old C5!
So not a scope to get
I also must add this was all pre covid now its all different , prices have gone mad

As far as database your best bet is to look for mount which could be run by SkySafari. This way not only you get the largest data base available but ability to find moving and new targets like comets and asteroids.

I have the DX102AZ refractor version of the StarSense and I enjoy it greatly. Here are a couple of things to try:

+ Make sure your phone camera is centered on the mirror. If it is too far to one side, the app will struggle to find it's location. When I say center, I mean the midline at the top of the mirror.
+ Make sure you are away from building walls, roof corners, etc. Phone camera tend to be fair wide angle and buildings can get in the way.
+Sounds dumb, but stay away from bright lamp posts, etc. The sky does have to be fairly dark past dusk for app to cruise.
+When you set it up and choose your reference star/planet, I like to use the night mode setting and I use my fingers to zoom on the star as I center it on the crosshairs.

What phone are you using?