Celestron · Maksutov-Cassegrain
Celestron NexStar 4SE
Compact GoTo optics that find and track 40,000+ objects automatically, built for serious lunar and planetary views.
Performance Scores
Overview
The Celestron NexStar 4SE is a 101mm Maksutov-Cassegrain telescope built around two core strengths: sharp, high-contrast planetary views and a fully computerized mount that removes most of the learning curve from finding objects. The long focal length of 1325mm at f/13 makes it well-suited for the Moon, planets, and double stars, where contrast and magnification matter more than wide fields. Deep-sky performance is more limited given the aperture, so expect reasonable views of brighter globular clusters and some nebulae, but do not expect sweeping wide-field views of large objects like the Pleiades.
The GoTo system uses SkyAlign technology, which means you center any three bright objects to align, no star chart knowledge required. From there, the mount slews to and tracks any of the 40,000+ objects in the NexStar+ hand controller database. The single-arm fork mount is lightweight enough to set up solo in minutes, and the whole system weighs just over 10kg.
A built-in wedge also allows polar alignment for basic astrophotography. At $749, it sits at a price point where you are paying for the convenience of automation and the optical quality of the Maksutov design.
At a Glance
101.6mm
Aperture
f/13
Focal Ratio
10.39kg
Weight
325mm
Focal Length
Specifications
Key Features
- The f/13 Maksutov-Cassegrain design delivers high-contrast, sharp views that are particularly strong on lunar detail and planetary surfaces
- SkyAlign requires no prior star knowledge, making first-night setup genuinely straightforward for beginners
- The 40,000+ object database with automatic slewing removes the frustration of manually hunting targets in the dark
- At just over 10kg, the single-arm fork mount is light enough for one person to carry and set up quickly
- The built-in wedge supports polar alignment, making this a realistic entry point for short-exposure astrophotography
- Aperture limits deep-sky performance, so expectations should be set accordingly for faint nebulae or galaxies
- Celestron's 2-year warranty and US-based technical support add meaningful long-term value for new astronomers
Customer Reviews
755 reviews
THIS REVIEW IS FOR THE NEXSTAR 4SE: I don't normally write reviews for most products but since buying a telescope can be trickey I thought I should help others with this process. First of all if you buy this product you will need to buy a 12v power adapter since the only other option is using AA bat...
This is the best quality telescope you can find for the price. Works great and looks super awesome. Not that easy to use but once I got it the siting through the lens is fantastic. You can hook it up to your phone or camera to capture the image you are looking at
First, let me say that this telescope is great. It has a lot of really cool features. Once it is aligned (more on that later) you can zip to any spot in the sky to look at a lot of cool stuff. As far as I can tell, as a novice, the optics are great. All that being said, I want to give a little warni...