The NexStar Evolution 9.25 is the largest, and most advanced, of Celestron’s technologically savvy Schmidt-Cassegrain telescopes. The scope possesses the same characteristics that distinguish Celestron’s other telescopes, such as ease of use, advanced optics, and simple set up. However, the Evolution 9.25 takes the features even further than the company’s other scopes. For instance, it possesses integrated WiFi, a mobile device app with sky layouts and educational information, improved structural design, and one of the company’s largest apertures for maximum light gathering.
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Telescope Specifications
Item number: 12092
Price: About $2,100
Weight: 47.2 pounds
Aperture: 235 mm (9.25 in.)
Eyepiece magnification: 59x
ASIN: BOOK6E1VUS
Mount: Single fork arm altazimuth
Warranty: 2-year warranty on the telescope for damage and defects
Focal length: 2350mm
Eyepiece size: 40mm
Focal ratio: 10
Highest useful magnification: 555x
Max slew speed: 4 degrees/second
Materials: Stainless steel
Alignment: SkyAlign, 3-Star Align, Solar System Align
Objects in database: More than 4,000
REVIEW
The NexStar Evolution 9.25 is one of Celestron’s leading edge GoTo telescopes. As such, it possesses the best of the company’s design features, optical features, and technology features. For instance, the telescope is specifically designed for ease of setup, even for inexperienced observers. In general, observers report setting up the scope in 10 minutes or less. Relevant design features include carrying handles in the mount that create the ideal way to transport the telescope, and two accessory trays that make storing and transporting extras such as eyepieces more convenient. The convenience of the telescope is further improved by the presence of a USB port built directly into the mount that allows the observer to plug in mobile devices while they are using the telescope. Perhaps the greatest convenience feature of this telescope is the presence of a built-in lithium battery that provides 10 hours of continuous operation and that can be recharged for further use. Observers can now enjoy extended stargazing sessions without worrying about running out of power and no longer need to find alternative sources of power, such as power packs and batteries, that can have shorter lives or hinder portability.
CUTTING EDGE TECHNOLOGY
In addition to its convenient design features, the Evolution 9.25 sports cutting edge technology in its operation and use. This technology consists of its built-in WiFi capabilities that enable observers to connect with the telescope using their mobile devices. In addition, Celestron provides a mobile device app, called SkyPortal, that observers can use with the integrated WiFi to control their Evolution 9.25 without the use of a handheld controller. SkyPortal, which works with iOS and Android operating systems, automatically draws up a celestial map of visible stars and planets tailored to the location and time at which the observer is using the GoTo telescope. In addition, it offers a number of educational resources to enrich the observer’s stargazing experience. For those who prefer to control their telescope the old fashioned way, Celestron includes a handheld controller, but the Evolution 9.25 can be operated fully without using this controller. The Evolution 9.25 is one of the first scopes to utilize WiFi and a mobile device app to provide telescope control.
HIGH QUALITY OPTICS
Among Celestron’s Evolution models, the 9.25 receives the highest praise for its optics. In part, these excellent optics are the result of the telescope’s large, 9.25-inch aperture that allows the scope to gather the most light to create crisp, clear images of the nighttime sky. Because of this large aperture, the telescope allows the observer to see deep into the nighttime sky, obtaining images of objects such as the Orion Nebula. In addition, its superb light gathering abilities make the telescope a good choice for conducting astrophotography. All that the scope requires is the addition of a DSLR camera to provide shots of deep sky stars and planets. Other features of the telescope that contribute to its optics include worm gears that improve the scope’s ability to track nighttime objects, Starbright XLT coatings, and FASTAR optics capabilities.
DESIGN
Besides its cutting edge design features and superb optics, the Evolution 9.25 boasts a number of other features that add to its overall value and positive reputation. For instance, it possesses Celestron’s SkyAlign technology. This technology allows the scope to align itself based on any three objects in the nighttime sky, allowing even amateur observers unfamiliar with celestial objects to align the scope relatively easily. In addition, it contains a USB port that allows consumers to plug in their mobile devices while using the telescope.
The NexStar Evolution 9.25 is one of Celestron’s leading telescopes for a reason. Its advanced technology, convenient SkyPortal app, and numerous design features make it an ideal choice for anyone looking to explore the nighttime sky in more detail.
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