Overview
I’ve had the Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 130AZ for about a year now, so I thought I’d share my thoughts on this telescope, my experiences using it both at home and at public star parties, and a few drawbacks that potential buyers should know about so there are no surprises.
Let me start with my 30,000-foot take. It’s a good little scope that’s beginner-friendly, portable, and easy and fun to use. While it does have some flaws, which I’ll get into shortly, I think it works very well as an entry-level telescope for those new to the hobby and looking to explore the night sky.
Design and Features
The Explorer DX 130AZ is a 5-inch Newtonian reflector mounted on an alt-azimuth mount and enhanced by a smartphone-guided system. It uses Celestron’s proprietary StarSense Explorer app on your smart phone, which allows you to easily locate objects in the night sky. That feature alone is what makes this telescope especially appealing and accessible to both newcomers and seasoned amateurs.