Head-to-head · Best Beginner Telescopes

Celestron NexStar 5SE Computerized Telescope vs Sky-Watcher Dobsonian Telescopes

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

The short answer

Sky-Watcher Dobsonian Telescopes comes out ahead by a clear margin (3.8 vs 4.3). The gap is mostly about value-seeking stargazers — read the strengths below before deciding.

Ranked #4 in Best Beginner Telescopes

Celestron NexStar 5SE Computerized Telescope

3.8

$899as of Jul 6

The Celestron NexStar 5SE is a Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope with a 5" aperture and 1250mm focal length, marketed as astrophotography-capable. Reviewers note its decent optics and sturdy mount but criticize its small aperture, limited eyepiece inclusion, and long setup time. While it offers some value for beginners, experts suggest alternatives like the NexStar 6SE or Sky-Watcher Virtuoso GTi 150P provide better performance for the price. The telescope's large secondary mirror obstructs light and degrades contrast compared to other designs.

Strengths

— Decent optics with 5" aperture and 1250mm focal length
— Sturdy mount with Vixen-style dovetail for easy attachment
— Fairly low maintenance for a computerized telescope

Watch-outs

— Long setup time required for use
— Small aperture limits light-gathering ability and resolution
— Only includes one 25mm Plossl eyepiece

$899 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Higher ratedRanked #3 in Best Beginner Telescopes

Sky-Watcher Dobsonian Telescopes

4.3

$850as of Jul 6

The Sky-Watcher 6" Classic 150P Dobsonian is praised for its great optics, ease of use, and included accessories, making it a solid choice for beginners and hobbyists. Reviewer Zane Landers notes it offers excellent value and capability for its price range, though it's now ranked below newer models like the Apertura AD6 and Sky-Watcher Virtuoso GTi 150P. While the telescope provides good views right out of the box, some users find the finderscope lacking and experience balance issues with heavy eyepieces.

Strengths

— Great optics with 6-inch aperture
— Very easy to use and set up
— Includes useful accessories like 25mm and 10mm Super eyepieces

Watch-outs

— Annoying tensioning handles
— Mediocre finderscope with small aperture
— Balance issues with heavy eyepieces

$850 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

How they stack up

Celestron NexStar 5SE Computerized Telescope

The Celestron NexStar 5SE is more versatile than the Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 80AZ due to its larger aperture and computerized GoTo system, but it's less user-friendly than the Sky-Watcher Dobsonian telescopes, which offer simpler setup and better value. Compared to the ZWO Seestar S50, it lacks smart automation but provides better optics for serious stargazing.

Sky-Watcher Dobsonian Telescopes

The Sky-Watcher Dobsonian telescopes provide better optics and aperture than the Celestron NexStar 5SE, but they're less automated than the ZWO Seestar S50. Compared to the Sky-Watcher Heritage 150P, it offers a larger aperture and better accessories, though it suffers from balance issues with heavy eyepieces that the Heritage model avoids.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	Celestron NexStar 5SE Computerized Telescope	Sky-Watcher Dobsonian Telescopes
Aperture	5 in	6 in
Focal Length	1250 mm	1200mm
Focal Ratio	f/10	f/8
Optical Design	Schmidt-Cassegrain	Newtonian reflector
Mount Type	Computerized Alt-Azimuth	Dobsonian
Eyepiece Included	1 x 25mm Plossl	25mm and 10mm Super eyepieces

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