Celestron 8 NexStar Evolution telescope recommendation request

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Cagdas Arik avatar

Hello friends, do you recommend the Celestron 8 NexStar Evolution?

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estabrook avatar
I think this is a terrific scope, but it's definitely geared more for visual observing than astrophotography.  I enjoyed observing the moon, planets, double stars, and star clusters with my Evolution, and then I added a Hyperstar, which gave me my start in astrophotography.  I've largely (though not completely) moved on from it as an astrophotography scope, but I still enjoy it for visual observing.  Hope this helps!  CS, Matt
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JDJ avatar

I’ve been using a C8 Evo for planetary imaging for many years. I’ve found it to be a great scope that holds collimation well. Highly recommend adding an electronic focus setup. I started with the Celestronic electronic focuser and eventually moved on to a ZWO EAF.

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Cagdas Arik avatar

JDJ · Aug 23, 2025, 06:06 PM

I’ve been using a C8 Evo for planetary imaging for many years. I’ve found it to be a great scope that holds collimation well. Highly recommend adding an electronic focus setup. I started with the Celestronic electronic focuser and eventually moved on to a ZWO EAF.

Ken - Wolf Run Observatory avatar

I have one, take a look at the photo’s I have with it on my page. Here is the good and the bad. The Evolution mount will allow you to image in the one minute range. Anything more is a no go for that mount. The mount is very easy to set up, and very easy to get you moving in this hobby. I wanted more than that mount could do and ended up buying an AVX when it was on sale. The scope mounted directly to the AVX without any issues. Then I bought a StarSense Autoguider and a Hyperstar. I was getting serious. IMO buy it, plan on it being a stepping stone. The scope will grow with you, the mount will not.

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