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Celestron
Celestron NexStar Evolution 5
The NexStar Evolution 5 is Celestron's five-inch SCT in the premium Evolution alt-az GoTo lineup — the version with built-in WiFi, a lithium-ion battery in the base, and full app control via Celestron's SkyPortal app. At 125mm, this scope sits below the more popular 6SE and 8SE, but it makes up for the aperture difference with noticeably better portability — the whole system weighs under 12kg including the mount. Saturn's rings are beautiful at 150×; Jupiter's equatorial bands are clear; the Orion Nebula fills the field of view with a wide eyepiece. For balcony observers, urban astronomers, or anyone wanting a premium all-in-one scope they can set up in five minutes, the Evolution 5 is compelling.
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What you'll see
The provided forum discussions focus exclusively on firmware updates, hand controller connectivity, software drivers, and technical support procedures for the Celestron NexStar Evolution 5. No actual observational reports, eyepiece impressions, or sky viewing experiences are documented in these threads. The discussions do not contain information about what owners actually see through the telescope, target performance, or observing experiences under various sky conditions. To provide accurate guidance on observational capabilities, targets, and viewing experiences, discussions containing actual observing reports would be required.
Worth knowing before you buy
Firmware update process is complex and poorly documented by Celestron, requiring multiple steps including Windows driver installation, Java setup, and specific cable connections that are not clearly explained in official materials.
StarSense camera firmware updates require both the camera and hand controller to be connected to the mount AND independently connected to the PC via separate mini-USB cables, which is not intuitive and causes false 'update successful' reports when cables are missing.
Newer hand controllers with mini-USB ports require installation of PL2303 serial drivers that are not included or documented, causing connection failures that users must troubleshoot independently.
Head to head
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Full Specifications
Optics
| Aperture | 125mm |
| Focal Length | 1250mm |
| Focal Ratio | f/10 |
| Optical Design | Schmidt-Cassegrain |
| Coatings | StarBright XLT multi-layer coatings |
Mount & Tracking
| Mount Type | GoTo (Computerised) |
| GoTo (Computerised) | Yes |
| Tracking | Yes |
Focuser
| Focuser Size | 1.25" |
| Focuser Type | SCT rear-cell focuser |
Physical
| OTA Weight | 3.2kg |
| Total Weight (with mount) | 11.5kg |
| Tube Length | 305mm |
| Tube Material | Aluminium |
Included Accessories
| Eyepieces | 40mm and 13mm eyepieces |
| Finder Scope | StarPointer Pro red dot finder |
| Diagonal | Yes |
Smart Telescope Features
| Built-in Camera | No |
| App Controlled | Yes |
| WiFi | Yes |
| Battery Included | Yes |