Celestron SkyProdigy (Celestron's answer to Meade LightSwitch ?)

[johninderby]

This could be interesting competition for Meade's LightSwtch scopes. Although this is a lighter mount how long before Celestron makes it available in the bigger mounts?

Celestron SkyProdigy

http://celestronsites.com/skyprodigy/

PDF at http://www.celestron.com/c3/images/files/downloads/1311634416_skyprodigy.pdf

Outline

A truly revolutionary product with ground breaking technology, SkyProdigy™ is the product of a culmination of decades of telescope advancements. It combines electronic motors, an intelligent on-board computer, a digital camera and StarSense™ technology to create an automatic, instant alignment telescope that requires no input from the user. Simply turn it on, push a button and enjoy the view! It’s that easy.

No knowledge of the night sky is required. One touch innovation turns anyone into an instant astronomer!

The SkyProdigy’s automatic alignment process takes only a few minutes, then you will be ready to select from thousands of objects to view. Not sure what to look at? Select the Sky Tour option; this feature offers a customized list of the best objects in the sky to view for your exact time and location anywhere in the world!

John

Just a thought. Put the 127 Mak OTA on this mount and they could sell quite a few.

[garethmob]

this sounds very promising! i wonder if theyd sell the mount on its own. wish they would make a EQ model though, would be perfect for astrophotography for beginiers

[johninderby]

this sounds very promising! i wonder if theyd sell the mount on its own. wish they would make a EQ model though, would be perfect for astrophotography for beginiers

A CGEM SkyProdigy mount perhaps , although the 6SE / 8SE mount would be the next likely one.

John

[garethmob]

mmmmm tastey

do you think a skywatcher version could be on the way (as their both owned by synta) althrough premting the reply.... skywatcher still use the annoying 3 star allignment where celestron got the all star

i wish it was cheaper more "skywatcher" price

[johninderby]

The SkyWatcher version of "All Star Polar Align" is supposed to be released soon.

SkyWatcher has been slow to get some of the Celestron features so their version of SkyProdigy could be quite a while coming. I'd like to see Celestron bring out an HEQ5 equivalent.

John

[garethmob]

The SkyWatcher version of "All Star Polar Align" is supposed to be released soon.

John

is it? oooo will it be a software update or a controller update do you know?

a HEQ5 version could be very nice and at a nice price range, celestron does seem a lot more expensive CG5 is alot more than a EQ5 with synscan

[johninderby]

is it? oooo will it be a software update or a controller update do you know?

Back in June SkyWatcher apparently said it would be out in a few months. I think it'll be just a software update.

John

[johninderby]

Just found out they should be available 2nd half August 2011.

John

[garethmob]

ooooo thanks john

[johninderby]

Just found out they should be available 2nd half August 2011.

John

As of this morning Celestron now says October availability for all three scopes in the UK

I've asked one of the German dealers about the situation there.

John

[johninderby]

Just got this back from the dealer in Germany.

"The desired product is expected to be available in late September/early October."

John

[asteria]

The price of these looks pretty steep. This seems to be an odd way to introduce new technology. Usually it comes in on the hi-end equipment and is then filtered down. This looks like its starting at the bottom! Pricey scopes for what they are.

Celestron SkyProdigy 90 Computerized Telescope £ 700.00

Due August : Order Now To Get It First : RRP £729 : You Save £29

Ed