If you are considering the Celestron EdgeHD 8 then this review and guide will be taking an in-depth look at this telescope, what you can expect from it and if it is going to be the right choice for you.
We’re going to be taking a look at the specification and some of the main pros and cons behind this Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope (SCT) from the prestigious Celestron brand.
Bottom Line
The Celestron EdgeHD 8 is a premium Schmidt Cassegrain Telescope (SCT) that combines premium Celestron technology with ease of use, portability and great optics.
With an 8″ aperture, it provides aberration-free images across a wide visual field of view. Other features of note are the reduction in an off-axis-star coma and increased ability to focus on stars at the edge due to the flatter focal plane (3x flatter than equivalent Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescopes).
You’ll also be benefiting from rounder sharper images of stars through better resolution and limiting magnitude.
The StarBright XLT optical coatings give you maximum light gathering ability. Moreover, this EdgeHD has been redesigned with Mirror Clutches, Tube Vents, and Faster Versatility to improve imaging, scaling, durability, resolution, and power.
When you consider its specification, performance, and design, you’re not going to find much better SCT’s on the market than this.
✔️ The corrector optic component in the focuser tube enables a very flat field that is superior to the performance of other “Coma Free” design telescopes.
✔️ The HyperStar attachment provides a wide-aperture f-2, wide-field scope while also enabling extreme narrow field (f-10), ideal for deep-space imaging.
✔️ Removal of the secondary mirror at the front of the scope and replacing it with the HyperStar adapter is effortless – can be done even in very dark conditions. You can also store the mirror in the HyperStar storage compartment that comes with the adapter.
✔️ The secondary mirror holds its collimation settings perfectly even with multiple removals and replacements.
✔️ Great for general viewing, being a Schmidtt-Cassegrain you will get image that are both inverted and reversed.
✔️ You can use a DSLR camera at the rear prime focus position and this results in upright images of unrivaled clarity.
✔️ Celestron’s premium StarBright XLT coatings provide maximum light transmission
✔️ Comes with a 9×50 finderscope, 1.25” mirror diagonal for more comfortable viewing, and 40 mm Plössl 1.25” eyepiece.
❌ If you are using this scope for imaging, the Celestron T-Adapter will be required. Also, the back-focus distance of the imaging chip from the rear face of the telescope has to be within 1mm of the prime focus or images do not come to focus. This means you need to accurately get the right spacers for each camera.
❌ If you require a slightly wider field of view, you will also need to purchase the Celestron reducer. The reducer however is not parfocal.
Celestron EdgeHD 8 Review
Optical Design: EdgeHD
Aperture: 203mm (8″)
Focal Length: 2032mm
Focal Ratio: f/10
Focal Length of Eyepiece 1: 40mm (1.57″)
Magnification of Eyepiece 1: 51x
Highest Useful Magnification: 480x
Lowest Useful Magnification: 29x
Light Gathering Power: 849 x the unaided eye
Secondary Mirror Obstruction: 64mm (2.5″)
Secondary Mirror Obstruction by Diameter: 31%
Secondary Mirror Obstruction by Area: 9.77%
Optical Coatings: StarBright XLT
Optical Tube Length: 432mm (17″)
Optical Tube Diameter: 238mm (9.37″)
Dovetail: Vixen/CG-5 Dovetail bar
What Is A Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope?
A Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope (SCT) uses both mirrors and lenses (also known as Catadioptric Optics) to produce an image.
From a technical perspective, light is collected through a thin Aspheric Schmidt correcting lens, from there it hits a spherical primary mirror.
This then reflects it back up the tube to a small convex spherical secondary mirror. It is this that then reflects the light toward the eyepiece where the image is formed for you to see.
Catadioptric Optics are some of the most popular and in demand due to their intuitive design and increased light gathering ability.
✔️ Considered the best all-around, all-purpose design for a telescope. Combines the optical advantages of both lenses and mirrors while overcoming their respective disadvantages.
✔️ Fantastic for deep sky observations and Astrophotography with fast films or CCDs. Also perform well for Lunar, Planetary and Binary Star observing.
✔️ Excellent near-focus capability when you compare them to other telescope optical designs.
✔️ The Focal Ratio of f/10 is brilliant for photography. A Reducer/Corrector Lens can be used for faster photography.
✔️ The closed tube design limits air currents that degrade images.
✔️ Typically compact, portable, versatile, easy to use, durable and maintenance free.
✔️ Can purchase Large apertures for reduced prices when compared to equivalent Aperture Refractors
✔️ Lots of additional accessories available.
❌ Aesthetically, the tube is small and shorter. Doesn’t look like your typical telescope.
❌ Small loss of light gathering ability when compared to Refractors due to minor secondary mirror obstruction
Celestron EdgeHD 8 Telescope Performance
The Celestron EdgeHD8 is a compact and versatile SCT, which is marketed as the ‘ultimate entry-level Astro-imaging telescope’. It’s definitely at the premium end of Celestron’s range.
Compared to more basic designs and telescopes, the EdgeHD provides considerably more diffraction-limited field of views than standard SCTs. This results in clear views of the stars.
The VX German Equatorial mount was only recently released, and its easy to use due to being fully computerized.
You can use auto-guiding and periodic error correction functionality along with tapping into its extensive database of objects to observe. It is very solid and sturdy and does not appear to be overloaded even when the 200mm OTA is attached.
The EdgeHD is delivered in a few large well padded boxes, and unpacking/ set-up is relatively straightforward even for a complete beginner.
With the mount, you just need to enter certain details like date, time, latitude, and longitude. From there you select your alignment method and then you may need to manually adjust the mount the center of the stars for optimal polar alignment. You can expect to do all of this in around 30 minutes.
Regarding observations, the optics appear flush with clear diffraction patterns on both sides of focus.
At high power, stars appear at full-clarity – there is no observable astigmatism or other optical issues.
On all objects , whether it is planets like Jupiter (and its cloud belts) or the spiral galaxy NGC 891 in Andromeda, you’ll get fantastic clear and concise views.
Final Words and Verdict
Overall, The EdgeHD 8 is an excellent SCT that will provide several years of viewing and imaging pleasure.
Being so user-friendly makes it a very practical telescope and ideal for amateur astronomers. With its relative power, ease of use, portability, and sleek design you’re going to struggle to find a better telescope at this price point.
Whether you are interested in observing planets or the Deep Sky you will not go far wrong with the Celestron EdgeHD 8.
Pricing And Where to Buy
The Celestron EdgeHD8 telescope is available for a great price over at Opt Corp – the telescope authority since 1947.
They routinely offer discounts on this particular scope, and others on the site.
I suggest you head over there and take a look at the other customer reviews!
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.