Deciding between the Celestron Starsense Explorer LT 80az and 114az? Wondering if the 114az’s higher price offers enough value? Or if the 80az meets your stargazing aspirations?
This guide will clear the cosmic dust.
We’ll compare key specifications, highlight the differences, and note the similarities to help determine the best fit for your budget and needs.
We’ll explore features like optical design, aperture size, focal length, light-gathering power, and more, equipping you with the knowledge to make an informed choice.
Quick Verdict
The Celestron Starsense Explorer LT 114az is the telescope to get.
Its Newtonian Reflector design, 42.5% larger aperture, 11.1% longer focal length, and 102% greater light-gathering power outshine the 80az’s performance.
The steel construction enhances durability, making it a worthy investment despite its 92.6% higher weight.
In essence, the 114az offers superior celestial viewing experiences.
Celestron Starsense Explorer LT 80az vs 114az
Differences Between The Celestron Starsense Explorer LT 80az vs 114az
Optical Design: Newtonian Reflector vs. Refractor
The Celestron Starsense Explorer LT 114az features a Newtonian Reflector design, while the LT 80az adopts a Refractor design.
This fundamental distinction affects the telescope’s performance and the nature of the viewing experience.
A Newtonian Reflector, like the 114az, uses mirrors to gather and focus light, allowing larger apertures.
This type of design is excellent for viewing fainter, deeper sky objects like galaxies and nebulae.
Conversely, the Refractor design of the 80az uses lenses to bend light to a particular point, which often results in sharper images, making it more aligned for planetary observation.
In this comparison, the 114az’s Newtonian design edges out the 80az’s Refractor due to its greater light-gathering ability and higher resolution.
Aperture
The aperture of a telescope is critical because it determines how much light the telescope can gather.
In this regard, the 114az, with its 114mm (4.5″) aperture, has a distinct advantage over the 80az, which has an aperture of 80mm (3.1″).
This 42.5% increase in aperture size means the 114az can gather more light, allowing for brighter and clearer images of distant celestial bodies.
Focal Length
Focal length influences the magnification and field of view of a telescope.
The 114az boasts a focal length of 1000mm (39.3″), compared to the 900mm (35.43″) of the 80az.
This 11.1% greater focal length allows the 114az to provide higher magnification, making it a better choice for viewing smaller, distant objects.
Highest Useful Magnification
The highest useful magnification indicates the maximum power at which a telescope can enlarge an image without compromising its quality.
With the 114az’s magnification reaching 269x compared to the 80az’s 189x, the 114az offers a significant 42.3% increase.
This allows observers to view celestial objects in greater detail, including the craters on the Moon or the rings of Saturn.
Light Gathering Power
Light-gathering power determines the brightness of the image seen through the telescope.
The 114az’s light-gathering power of 265x, in comparison to the 80az’s 131x, is a colossal increase of 102%.
The 114az’s ability to gather twice as much light means that images will be significantly brighter and clearer, enhancing the overall viewing experience, especially for dimmer objects.
Optical Glass Coatings
The quality of optical glass coatings significantly impacts a telescope’s image clarity and brightness.
The 114az uses glass mirrors coated with aluminum and SiO₂, whereas the 80az only employs Fully Coated glass optics.
The aluminum and SiO₂ (silicon dioxide) coating on the 114az’s mirrors enhances light reflectivity and protects the optics from the environment.
This dual coating minimizes light loss, delivering brighter and sharper images compared to standard coatings.
In contrast, the 80az’s Fully Coated optics, while providing decent light transmission, can’t compete with the superior reflectivity and durability offered by the aluminum and SiO₂ coatings of the 114az.
Optical Tube Materials
The optical tube materials can greatly influence the durability, weight, and thermal properties of a telescope.
The 114az uses a steel optical tube, while the 80az is built with aluminium.
Steel, used in the 114az, is known for its strength and durability.
It can endure harsh environmental conditions, providing a robustness that guarantees longevity. However, this toughness comes at the cost of increased weight, as seen in our previous comparison.
On the other hand, the aluminium used in the 80az offers a lightweight alternative.
It’s easier to transport and handle, which might appeal to the mobile stargazer.
Aluminium also has excellent thermal properties, reacting quickly to temperature changes, thus reducing the time needed for the telescope to acclimate and provide clear, stable views.
Weight
Despite its superior performance, the 114az is also heavier, weighing 10.4 lbs (4.71kg) compared to the 80az’s 5.4 lbs (2.45 kg).
This 92.6% weight increase might be an important factor to consider depending on how you intend to use and transport the telescope.
However, for static observations or if portability is not a significant concern, the added weight is a small price to pay for the 114az’s superior optical performance.
Similarities Between the Celestron Starsense Explorer LT 80az vs 114az
Mount: Manual Altazimuth on Both Models
Both the Celestron Starsense Explorer LT 114az and 80az feature a Manual Altazimuth mount.
This type of mount allows for movement in two directions – altitude (up and down) and azimuth (left and right).
The addition of a sliding rod for altitude slow motion adjustment makes it much easier to manually track celestial bodies across the sky.
When used in combination with the StarSense Explorer app, this mount design makes it simple to find and follow the on-screen arrows to your desired target.
Once the bullseye turns green, your target is ready to view in the telescope’s eyepiece, streamlining the celestial tracking process for both novice and seasoned stargazers.
App Compatibility: StarSense Explorer Powered by SkySafari™
Regardless of whether you opt for the 114az or the 80az, both models are compatible with the StarSense Explorer Powered by SkySafari™ app.
This app greatly enhances the user experience by automatically generating a list of objects currently visible based on your location and time.
From the convenience of the city, users can view planets, brighter nebulae and galaxies, star clusters, and double stars.
For those who venture into darker skies, the app provides guidance to view faint, deep sky objects, transforming both the 114az and 80az into powerful tools for stargazing adventures.
Eyepieces and Barlow Lenses Included
Both the 114az and the 80az come equipped with 25mm and 10mm eyepieces, offering a range of magnification options to suit various astronomical viewing situations.
These two eyepieces can be swapped out to increase or decrease the magnification as needed, providing flexibility in observing a wide range of celestial objects.
In addition, both telescopes come with a 2x Barlow Lens.
This lens effectively doubles the magnification of each eyepiece, offering even more detailed views of celestial bodies.
The inclusion of these accessories with both models means that whether you’re observing the moon’s craters, the rings of Saturn, or distant galaxies, you’re well equipped to do so with either the 114az or the 80az.
Telescope Details
Starsense Explorer 114az
- UNLEASH THE POWER OF YOUR SMARTPHONE: Let your iPhone or Android phone take you on a guided tour of the night sky—no telescope experience required. Just follow the arrows to locate stars, planets & more
- PATENTED STARSENSE SKY RECOGNITION TECHNOLOGY: This one-of-a-kind telescope uses patented, award-winning StarSense sky recognition technology and your smartphone to analyze star patterns overhead and calculate its position in real time.
- STARSENSE EXPLORER APP: The app generates a list of the best objects to view based on your exact time & location. View planets, brighter nebulae, galaxies, and star clusters from the city PLUS fainter, deep sky objects from darker sites.
- EASY TO SET UP AND USE: Manual altazimuth mount with slow motion rod makes it easy to follow the on-screen arrows to your desired target. When the bullseye turns green, it’s ready to view in the telescope’s eyepiece.
- HIGH-QUALITY 114MM NEWTONIAN REFLECTOR: The 4.5" primary mirror features highly reflective coatings and enough light gathering ability to view craters on the Moon, Jupiter, Saturn, Mars, and deep sky objects like the Orion Nebula.
Starsense Explorer LT 80az
- PATENTED STARSENSE SKY RECOGNITION TECHNOLOGY: This one-of-a-kind telescope uses patented, award-winning StarSense sky recognition technology and your smartphone to analyze star patterns overhead and calculate its position in real time.
- STARSENSE EXPLORER APP: The app generates a lis tof the best objects to view based on your exact time & location. View planets, brighter nebulae, galaxies, and star clusters from the city PLUS fainter, deep sky objects from darker sites.
- EASY TO SET UP AND USE: Manual altazimuth mount with slow motion rod makes it easy to follow the on-screen arrows to your desired target. When the bullseye turns green, it’s ready to view in the telescope’s eyepiece.
- HIGH-QUALITY 80MM REFRACTOR: Fully coated glass optics provide bright, sharp, clear views of craters on the Moon, Jupiter, Saturn, Mars, and deep sky objects like the Orion Nebula.
- UNBEATABLE WARRANTY & SUPPORT: Buy with confidence from Celestron, a leading telescope brand in California since 1960. Your purchase includes a 2-Year US Warranty and unlimited support from our team of US-based experts.
Final Verdict: Should You Buy The Celestron Starsense Explorer LT 80az or 114az?
When it comes to choosing between the Celestron Starsense Explorer LT 114az and 80az, the decision becomes clear if your budget allows: the 114az is the superior model.
Equipped with a Newtonian Reflector design, the 114az boasts an impressive 42.5% larger aperture, an 11.1% longer focal length, and a whopping 102% more light-gathering power than the 80az.
These features translate into brighter, clearer images and a significantly improved stargazing experience.
The 114az’s steel construction ensures durability, and while it’s heavier than the 80az, this robustness is beneficial for those planning frequent or extended use.
The advanced aluminum and SiO₂ coatings on its optics provide better reflectivity and protect against environmental damage, further improving the 114az’s image quality.
However, the 80az might still be suitable for those just starting their journey in astronomy or those who prioritize portability above all else due to its lightweight aluminum construction.
It’s a competent performer in its own right, but it simply can’t match the 114az’s power and precision.
Purchasing the Celestron Starsense Explorer LT 114az is undoubtedly an investment, but it’s an investment worth making for the significant enhancements it brings to your astronomy observations.
When considering the additional expense, it’s helpful to remember that quality optics pay dividends in terms of improved performance and longevity.
When it comes to your purchase, Amazon is an excellent place to buy these telescopes.
They often offer discounts and provide comprehensive customer reviews to help make your decision easier.
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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.