catadioptric

be careful...the title says telescope only---even tho the product specifications indicates there is a tripod included, there isnt. I was even assured it came with a tripod before i placed my order....just "not the deluxe tripod". so count on having to buy a tripod unless you already have one.

Easy to set up, and great views - really high quality for the money...

------wishing you clear skys-------

The Celestron Nexstar 11GPS is a very good telescope for beginners and advanced users alike. It is very easy to use and has excellent optics. If you want a scope that can get you up and running and shows you galaxies, nebulas, star clusters and planets your first night out, this might be the scope for you. The downside to the scope is the price, although reasonable for what you get and the weight. This is not a light telescope at 93 pounds including the tripod.

This scope is worth every penny. It's now been out for a while so all of the "bugs" in the first ones have been fixed (and there were very few issues even with the first N11 models). The scope is incredibly easy to set up with a genuine "can't miss" alignment procedure that only a moron could screw up. Once aligned (it takes no more than a minute or two) the scope will find every object you ask it to find. Not only will it find the stuff (and it finds EVERYthing) but it will put them right in the middle of the eyepiece just about every time. I can use an 8mm Meade Ultra Wide and the scope still puts everything in the middle of the eyepiece - - incredible. In addition, the tracking is fantastic. You can go to an object, view it for a while . . . go away for hours and when you come back it's still there - - right in the middle of the eyepiece.

The optics are great too. To beat this scope you would have to make a huge investment. I comparison shopped this scope and the equivalent Meade scopes and came to the conclusion that this was the hands down winner (and I was a dedicated Meade user before buying this instrument). It's one of the most satisfying purchases I have ever made.

I haven't used this or any scope for astrophotography, but it's tailor made for that kind of application as well.

It's only drawback is the obvious one - - it's big, heavy and not a lot of fun to cart around. That's not a knock on the scope - - it would be an issue for any large scope of any design. Despite it's size and weight I find it comfortable to transport to dark sky sites and fairly easy to set up. If you're used to little 5" SCTs this will be a big change, but once you look through the thing you will gladly endure the minor workout that comes with lifting and moving the scope.

I highly recommend getting the JMI case that fits this scope - - another worthwhile investment. You should also consider investing in a high quality 2" star diagonal and a set of very good 2" eyepieces for the instrument as well (i.e. Meade Ultra Wides or Naglers). The big eyepieces through this scope are like going on a spacewalk.