Are you contemplating the Celestron C5? Not quite sure whether it’s the right piece of equipment, for you and your needs? Well you’ve come to the right place. This versatile scope will be the subject of review here today.
This versatility has garnered plenty of attention in the astronomy community, but it’s important to understand what it’s capable of to see if it can benefit your viewing experience.
In this Celestron C5 review, you’ll learn everything you need to know about the spotting telescope to see if it’s worth the investment.
Quick Verdict
With a range of features that make it a viable scope for multiple use cases, the Celestron C5 is an excellent piece of versatile viewing equipment. Although it can be used for spotting all kinds of wildlife and even insects due to its extreme detail, it can also be used for viewing objects in outer space. If you are looking for an all-in-one spotting scope, the C5 is a stellar choice.
What I Like About The Celestron C5
There’s plenty to love about this spotting scope, but there are a handful of key features that stand out above the rest. With a quality lens and optics, you won’t have an issue viewing in extreme detail. I also feel its focus ability is unmatched to many other spotting scopes, and its price is quite a bargain when compared to many other similar scopes.
A big part of what makes the scope a viable choice for stargazing is the fact that it can be used in the dead of night without wavering on optical clarity.
The multiple use cases of this scope make the price all the more worth it as well.
Users will appreciate the range this scope has to offer, as you can view objects as close as 20 feet or as far as outer space.
It also has the ability to perform as a telephoto lens that delivers 1,250mm f/10 specifications, giving you the option of exploring astrophotography.
The scope comes with a comprehensive construction that’s able to satisfy novice and more experienced astronomy enthusiasts.
Some other notable features include:
- 25mm (50x) eyepiece
- 6×30 erect image finderscope
- Water-resistant case
- 5” Schmidt-Cassegrain optical design
Even if some people might feel the cost is pretty steep, the scope’s qualities far outweigh the price.
With proper care, it’ll last you for years, and its capabilities will provide a satisfying experience with each use.
It’s also modular in quite a few ways, as Celestron built the scope to keep accessories in mind.
This allows users to expand its capabilities, delivering a more customized viewing experience.
You won’t have to worry about the stability of the scope, as it can be easily attached to a wide range of tripods, and you can utilize its magnification of 50x.
Although it does come with some limitations, 50x is more than enough to view many different celestial objects in our solar system.
- 5" Schmidt-Cassegrain Optical Design
- StarBright XLT Coatings
- 25 mm (50x) Eyepiece
- 45 Erect Image Diagonal
- 6x30 Erect Image Finderscope.Water-Resistant Soft-Sided Case.Limited Lifetime Warranty
What I Don’t Like About The Celestron C5
To be transparent, the pros of the Celestron C5 are more prominent than the cons, but there may be some technical aspects that stick out. At a glance, the size and weight of the spotting scope are pretty substantial. It may not be too much to handle, but it’s still regarded as a fairly large spotting scope. This makes it all the more crucial to use a tripod that provides ample support.
The cost of this spotting scope may be fair considering the quality and number of features that come with it, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t somewhat expensive.
Some high-quality telescopes cost less than this spotting scope alone, and some people may find it to be out of their budget.
When you understand what 50x magnification is capable of, there are some obvious limitations here.
You’ll be able to see star clusters and even the moon, but there may not be as much detail as you’re hoping for.
There won’t be any definition of the moon’s terrestrial qualities, and you won’t have much luck viewing other planets.
This might make you question the cost of the telescope, but its versatility and modular design play into that price.
Regarding its size, the scope may be portable, but it’s still much bulkier than many other similar products.
This alone can be somewhat of a nuisance for those looking for a more portable scope, and when you consider the scope’s weight, it’s seen as a relatively clunky piece of equipment.
What Can You See With The Celestron C5?
Aside from the amount of wildlife you can capture with the Celestron C5, it offers a pretty decent magnification that allows you to view objects in the night sky. It should be noted that you’ll be limited to viewing star clusters and a close-up shot of the moon. However, if you modify the scope, you can expand its capabilities to provide better magnification and more detail in your view.
Many would consider the spotting scope to be a great entry-level piece that’ll outlast many other similar products due to its physical and optical quality.
Even if the telescope seems limited, this is far from the truth, as the night sky is vast, and there’s plenty to gaze at.
Even if you can’t see every planet in our solar system, the spotting scope provides more than enough satisfaction for those who are new to astronomy.
Celestron built this scope with accessories in mind, which means you can enhance your view by upgrading certain parts of the scope.
You’ll have to keep in mind that even with a few upgrades, the spotting scope will always be limited to some degree.
Nevertheless, most astronomy enthusiasts are more than happy with the view this scope has to offer.
For those who are looking to capture some excellent photos, this scope is also more than capable of astrophotography.
There may be some discrepancies in the overall quality of the photos, but they’ll still be impressive nonetheless.
Even with the vast capabilities of this scope, it still may not be the best choice for everyone, as it serves a specific view and overall user experience.
Who Is The Celestron C5 Best For?
There’s no doubt that the Celestron C5 is best for novice astronomy enthusiasts, although experienced users also see the qualities it has to offer. Due to the spotting scope’s versatility, it’s a viable choice for many different interests regarding astronomy. It’s also an excellent choice for those who aren’t too worried about their budget, as it can be seen as relatively expensive to some people. If you’re searching for a scope that can handle close-up and far-away objects, the Celestron C5 would be an excellent buy.
Considering the overall build quality of the scope, you’ll also get years of consistent quality out of it, even with the ever-changing technology in the market.
Many people appreciate a scope that comes with a modular design, and the C5 provides more than enough for those who are relatively new to stargazing.
Thankfully, outer space has an endless number of objects to observe, and even with the 50x magnification the scope comes with, you’ll be able to see a wide range of objects in greater detail.
Some spotting scopes provide capabilities that are only suitable for one scenario, whereas the Celestron C5 is built to satisfy multiple use cases.
If you decide to tack on new accessories and upgrade the scope’s capabilities, you’re bound to rack up additional costs.
However, this is great for people who like to experience different views with the same equipment instead of having to invest in a brand-new scope.
Its camera and tripod are adaptable, and it even comes with minor water resistance making it perfectly safe for outdoor use in a range of different environments.
Who Is The Celestron C5 Not Good For?
The first pain point with this telescope is the cost, as many people aren’t looking to spend over $700 on just a spotting scope alone. It can be a hurdle for some people, especially if they aren’t too interested in the scope’s modular design. Regarding the magnification, you might feel it’s too limited, and the overall size of the scope is considered to be quite bulky. If you’re looking for a cost-efficient option with a slim design and higher magnification, the Celestron C5 may not be the right fit for you.
Some users have mentioned that it’s pretty heavy as well.
The scope by itself weighs six pounds, and when you add on accessories and a tripod, the full setup can be quite cumbersome.
One minor aspect that stands out is that the C5 isn’t nitrogen filled, which means you may struggle with fog.
Nitrogen-filled scopes offer more durability and clarity in cold or humid climates.
Depending on where you plan on using the C5, fog could become an issue for your viewing experience.
This characteristic may not be a deal breaker, but it’s something you’ll have to manage if the weather causes your view to fog up a little.
The scope isn’t the greatest choice for people hoping for a high-quality terrestrial view.
Although the C5 can see the moon with a decent magnification, you won’t be able to see much detail on the surface.
This can be somewhat of a letdown, but this can be enhanced by taking advantage of the scope’s modular design.
If you don’t feel the Celestron C5 is right for your needs, but still want a spotting scope, then you should check out my guide here. That will offer you other great alternatives.
Hey, my name is Jeremy. I’m a passionate and seasoned astronomer who loves nothing more than observing the night sky. I also love researching, learning, and writing all things Space and the Universe. I created Astronomy Scope to share my knowledge, experience, suggestions, and recommendations of what I have learned along the way while helping anyone to get into and maximize their enjoyment of the hobby.