Celestron · Schmidt-Cassegrain
Celestron NexStar 5SE
Celestron's iconic 5SE brings computerized GoTo precision and Schmidt-Cassegrain optics into a genuinely portable package
Performance Scores
Overview
The Celestron NexStar 5SE is a 127mm Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope with a 1250mm focal length at f/10, mounted on a fully computerized single-arm alt-azimuth GoTo system. That combination puts serious optical capability into a rig that most observers can carry to a dark site without much effort, weighing in at just under 8kg complete. The 5-inch aperture is enough to show meaningful planetary detail: Jupiter's cloud bands and the Galilean moons, Saturn's rings and the Cassini Division, lunar craters down to a few kilometers across.
Deep-sky performance is real but modest at this aperture, so expect tight globular clusters and brighter galaxies to reward you, while faint nebulae will need dark skies to show well. The NexStar+ hand controller gives you access to a 40,000-object database, and SkyAlign lets you complete polar alignment using any three bright stars, no prior sky knowledge required. A built-in wedge allows basic equatorial tracking for entry-level astrophotography, though serious long-exposure imaging will eventually outgrow this setup.
At just over $1,000, the 5SE suits observers who have moved past beginner scopes and want reliable automation without hauling a large instrument.
At a Glance
127mm
Aperture
f/10
Focal Ratio
7.98kg
Weight
250mm
Focal Length
Specifications
Key Features
- The 127mm aperture delivers sharp planetary views and resolves globular clusters well under typical suburban skies
- GoTo mount with a 40,000-object database slews to targets automatically, making short observing sessions genuinely productive
- SkyAlign alignment requires only three bright objects and no prior knowledge of constellation names or star charts
- The single-arm fork mount and compact Schmidt-Cassegrain tube keep total weight under 8kg, making transport to darker sites practical
- An integrated wedge supports basic equatorial tracking, giving entry-level astrophotographers a path into lunar and planetary imaging
- The f/10 focal ratio suits high-magnification planetary work but means wider deep-sky fields require additional eyepieces or a focal reducer
- Celestron's accessory ecosystem and two-year warranty with US-based support add long-term value as your skills develop
Customer Reviews
526 reviews
Great telescope for a full year now. I brought the 5'' because it fits my budget and is much more portable than the 6" & 8". The telescope arrived in two boxes and was packaged well. It was quite easy to assemble and was straightforward. But the first night when I tested it the red dot finder failed...
I have had this telescope since June 2019. I am so incredibly happy with it, great quality, amazing views and I'm able to take pictures with my phone up to the eyepiece. I went with the 5se over the 6se not just for price but because it weighs less and I'm able to transport it and carry it around ea...
I have owned five Meade telescopes of the lX series. Three 10 inch, and two 8 inch. The Celestron 5 in with the built in equatorial wedge provides the ability to effectively use a typical DSLR camera. Albeit for short exposures with an intervalometer. Visually this is versatile scope for viewing but...