Celestron · Newtonian
Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 114AZ
App-guided star-finding meets real optical performance in a beginner reflector that actually points itself.
Performance Scores
Overview
The StarSense Explorer LT 114AZ is a 114mm f/8.8 Newtonian reflector that pairs decent optics with Celestron's genuinely clever smartphone navigation system. The StarSense app does not rely on gyroscopes or compass data like typical planetarium apps. Instead, it uses your phone's camera to photograph the actual sky, match star patterns, and calculate where your telescope is pointed in real time. The result is a system that reliably guides you to targets using on-screen arrows, which is a meaningful advantage for beginners who struggle to star-hop.
The 114mm aperture and 1000mm focal length give you enough light-gathering to resolve the rings of Saturn, the cloud bands of Jupiter, the Orion Nebula, and brighter deep-sky objects like the Andromeda Galaxy. Dark skies will unlock more, but the scope performs adequately from suburban backyards. The manual altazimuth mount is lightweight at under 5kg total, making it portable and quick to set up. Keep in mind there is no motorized tracking, so you will manually nudge the scope as objects drift through the field.
This is a real limitation for longer observing sessions or sharing views with others. Overall, for the price, this is a strong entry-level choice if the app guidance sounds useful to you.
At a Glance
114mm
Aperture
f/8.8
Focal Ratio
4.72kg
Weight
1000mm
Focal Length
Specifications
Key Features
- StarSense app uses actual star pattern recognition, not just phone sensors, making it far more accurate than typical sky apps
- 114mm aperture gathers enough light for planets, bright nebulae, and galaxies like Andromeda under suburban skies
- The f/8.8 focal ratio keeps planetary views sharp and makes collimation less critical than faster Newtonians
- Lightweight overall package under 5kg sets up quickly and travels easily to darker sites
- App generates a curated target list based on your exact location and time, useful when you do not know where to start
- No motorized tracking means objects drift through the eyepiece and you must nudge manually to keep them centered
- Backed by a 2-year warranty and US-based support from an established optics company with a long track record
Customer Reviews
1,440 reviews
Light weight. Works fantastic. Easy to use. Clear viewing. Has a red dot which makes centering on moon, stars easy. Took some time to put together, but easy to follow directions. Love that it comes with multiple lens.
We chose this as our first telescope. A major factor was to view the eclipse on April 8th, from Waco, TX (we have people from across the country joining us). The "Eclipsesafe Lense" was available for $20. I watched a pair of reviews, and the Setup guide from Celestron, and had no issues assembling, ...
Overall The product is good and the application is a nice addition. The movement once the telescope is set up is a little finicky. It is hard to make small changes.