We’re big fans of Celestron at Space.com with recent reviews of the Celestron Advanced VX 8 Edge HD and the Celestron StarSense Explorer 8-inch Dobsonian both reaching five stars in our tests. Their binoculars are also great, with the Celestron SkyMaster Pro 15×70 binoculars scoring 4.5/5 stars in our recent review. We think the savings on the Celestron 114LCM are worth getting. With the ability to automatically navigate and track celestial objects with the click of a button on the NexStar+ controller, the Celestron 114LCM is fully motorized, meaning you’ll get a great view of the night sky without having to manually recalibrate or position the telescope while viewing. Ideal for both beginners and intermediates, the 114LCM has a Sky Tour button and the telescope automatically suggests the best objects currently visible in your area and time. The 114mm (4.49in) aperture is actually the largest of the LCM family of telescopes that drink in more light than any of the others, making stargazing even better. It comes with two eyepiece eyepieces, a 25mm and a 9mm, ideal for shooting wider view as well as closer detailed crops, respectively. Designed with portability in mind, the Celestron 114LCM weighs only 13.2 pounds (5.9 kg) assembled and features a lightweight aluminum tripod to keep the instrument stable without adding extra carrying weight like steel tripods. Easy to install, the telescope can be assembled quickly without the need for tools. A quick release plate on the stand makes it quick to set up and the fully motorized stand can monitor in both Alt-Az, EQ North and EQ South modes for full functionality. Navigate the night sky by selecting one of the 40,000 celestial objects stored in the NexStar+ database or make measured and precise controls using the controller thanks to nine rotation speeds with three tracking rates (stellar, solar and lunar). If you’re looking for another telescope that’s rich in quality but lower in price, why not check out our roundup of the best budget telescopes under $500? Or, if you’re just starting out, our guide to the best telescopes for beginners can help. Those with young astrologers may also want to find one of the best telescopes for kids.
