Celestron Evolution 6 or Nexstar 6se?

[Starslayer]

Hi. Can somebody please explain to me the difference between these two packages?  I understand that other 6" packages have eq mount etc but these two are confusing me.   Thank you

[Starwatcher2001]

The evolution has Wifi built in, and also has a built in rechargable battery which makes setting up a lot easier. The evo also has a more sturdy mount - but they are both alt-az.

Edited July 9, 2021 by Starwatcher2001
spellink

[Starslayer]

All basically the same 6" sct tube though as my Starsense explorer dx 6" 

[Starwatcher2001]

Yeah, I think the tubes are the same. It's just the mount and tripod that differ.

 

[Cosmic Geoff]

If you are thinking of buying, rather than just asking, the Evolution is a better quality mount but the tripods may be of similar gauge and stiffness. In photos the tripods look much the same.

[Shimrod]

26 minutes ago, Cosmic Geoff said:

If you are thinking of buying, rather than just asking, the Evolution is a better quality mount but the tripods may be of similar gauge and stiffness. In photos the tripods look much the same.

On the Celestron website, the Evolution tripod weights 5.4kg vs 4kg for the SE, so probably a bit more stiffness - both have the same leg diameter.

 

 

4 hours ago, Starslayer said:

Hi. Can somebody please explain to me the difference between these two packages?  I understand that other 6" packages have eq mount etc but these two are confusing me.   Thank you

 

I've done a side-by-side comparison and all the details are below - key points are:

• 2 eyepieces vs 1 - slightly better as a starter package
• different finderscope -
• higher mount load and dovetail on the evolution give a bit more flexibility if you want to buy another OTA in the future
• Evolution will has greater range in height setup - might be important if you are tall
• 4 ports on the Evolution - easier to add gizmos (but you can buy a £25 splitter for the Nexstar)
• Evolution nearly twice the weight - important if you have to move it up/down stairs.

 

	Evolution		Nexstar SE
Optical Design:	Schmidt-Cassegrain		Schmidt-Cassegrain
Aperture:	150mm (6")		150mm (5.91")
Focal Length:	1500mm (59")		1500mm (59")
Focal Ratio:	f/10		f/10
Focal Length of Eyepiece 1:	40mm (1.57")		25mm (.98")
Magnification of Eyepiece 1:	38x		60x
Focal Length of Eyepiece 2:	13mm (0.51")
Magnification of Eyepiece 2:	115x
Finderscope:	Red Dot Finderscope		StarPointer™ red dot finderscope
Star Diagonal:	1.25" Star Diagonal		1.25" Star Diagonal
Optical Tube:	Aluminum		Aluminum
Highest Useful Magnification:	354x		354x
Lowest Useful Magnification:	21x		21x
Limiting Stellar Magnitude:	13.4		13.4
Resolution (Rayleigh):	0.93 arc seconds		0.93 arc seconds
Resolution (Dawes):	0.77 arc seconds		0.77 arc seconds
Light Gathering Power (Compared to human eye):	459x		459x
Secondary Mirror Obstruction:	56mm (2.2")		56mm (2.2")
Secondary Mirror Obstruction by Diameter:	37%		37%
Secondary Mirror Obstruction by Area:	14%		14%
Optical Coatings:	StarBright XLT		StarBright XLT
Optical Tube Length:	406mm (16")		406mm (16")
Optical Tube Diameter:	184.15mm (7.25")		181mm (7.1")
Optical Tube Weight:	10 lbs (4.54 kg)		8 lbs (3.6 kg)
Dovetail:	CG-5 Dovetail bar
Mount Type:	Computerized Altitude-Azimuth Single Fork Arm		Computerized Altitude-Azimuth Single Fork Arm
Instrument load capacity:	25 lbs (11 kg)		12 lbs (5.44 kg)
Height adjustment range (includes mount and tripod):	1193.8mm - 1752.6mm (47" – 69")		965.2mm - 1422.4mm (38" - 56")
Tripod Leg Diameter:	38.1mm (1.5") Stainless Steel		38.1mm (1.5") Stainless Steel
Mount Head Weight:	16 lbs (7 kg)		11 lbs (5 kg)
Accessory Tray:	Yes		Yes
Tripod Weight:	12 lbs (5.44 kg)		9 lbs (4.08 kg)
Slew Speeds:	9 slew speeds - max speed 4°/second		9 slew speeds - max speed 5°/second
Tracking Rates:	Sidereal, Solar and Lunar		Sidereal, Solar and Lunar
Tracking Modes:	Alt-Az, EQ North and EQ South		Alt-Az, EQ North and EQ South
GPS:	N/A		N/A
Dovetail Compatibility:	CG-5 saddle plate		CG-5 dovetail
Number of Auxiliary Ports:	4 AUX Ports (Hand Control can use any of the AUX Ports)		1x AUX Port
Autoguide Port:	No		Yes
USB Port:	Yes, Hand Control input and Mount output		Yes, Hand Control input
Power Requirements:	Internal 9 6V, 4 5Ah lithium iron phosphate battery (LiFePO4), charge battery with 12VDC, 5 0Amps		8-AA batteries (not included) | 12 VDC-750 mA (Tip positive)
Motor Drive:	DC servo motors		DC servo motors
Alignment Procedures:	SkyAlign, 1-Star Align, 2-Star Align, Auto 2-Star Align, Solar System Align, Quick-Align, Last Alignment, EQ North / EQ South Alignment (EQ align requires an equatorial wedge)		SkyAlign, 1-Star Align, 2-Star Align, Auto 2-Star Align, Solar System Align, EQ North / EQ South Alignment (EQ align requires an equatorial wedge)
Periodic Error Correction:	No		No
Computerized Hand Control:	2 line x 18 character backlit Liquid Crystal Display, 19 LED backlit buttons, USB 2.0 Port for PC connection		Double line, 18 character Liquid Crystal Display with 19 fiber optic backlit LED buttons
NexStar+ Database:	Over 40,000 including 220 of the best deep sky and solar system objects		40,000 objects, 200 user defined programmable objects. Enhanced information on over 200 objects
Software:	Celestron Starry Night Special Edition Software | SkyPortal App		Celestron Starry Night Special Edition Software | SkyPortal App
Total Kit Weight:	38 lbs (17.23 kg)		21 lbs (9.5 kg)

[Shimrod]

4 hours ago, Starslayer said:

All basically the same 6" sct tube though as my Starsense explorer dx 6" 

If you are happy with the 6" OTA and just want a goto mount, it would be cheaper to buy a new mount on its own rather than a whole new kit. Second hand Evolution and Nexstar mounts sometimes come up second hand in the for sale section, or you could buy a goto mount from one of the other brands like Skywatcher.

[Starslayer]

Thank you all for the time and effort gone into some of these replies. I am not looking to replace what I already have ( well not just yet ).  Just novice curiosity really.  I did spot the wifi and internal battery bits after posting.