Auto tracking telescopes are those that can automatically track different objects in the sky, without you having to manually adjust the telescope every so often. They are also known as motorized computerized telescopes, and they use a mounting system known as the GoTo mount.
This mount features electric motors for both axes, allowing it to move and adjust so that it can keep tracking the object, as it is connected to a computer and a GPS system.
They’re absolutely great for tracking different sky objects, without you having to do any of the adjustments or the work, which leaves you to just sit back and enjoy the observation hassle-free.
Beginners that aren’t sure of moving and adjusting their telescope will especially benefit, as well as those that are into astrophotography and recording the night sky.
There are plenty of auto tracking telescopes available in today’s market, especially as technology keeps advancing and more innovations are integrated into home-use telescopes to make the sky observations better and easier.
The problem is, that with so many options and with so many technical concepts, it can be tricky to determine which product is truly the best and most suited to your needs and preferences, especially if it’s your first time purchasing one!
To help out, we’ve compiled a list with our top five picks for the overall best auto tracking telescopes, and you can choose the one you like most!
In a hurry?
An auto tracking telescope, also known as a motorized computerized telescope, will allow you to track objects in the sky without having to constantly manually adjust the telescope to keep viewing it.
It’s ideal for watching moving objects, or for keeping the telescope focused on a particular object that might move throughout the night.
If you’re in a hurry to get the best possible auto tracking telescope, we recommend you check out our number one top choice: the Celestron NexStar 130SLT Computerized Telescope.
The Celestron NexStar 130SLT Computerized Telescope is an excellent option that has made it our top pick thanks to how reliable, high-quality, and popular it is, with a great number of positive reviews and ratings to back it up.
It has a database with over 40000 stars, galaxies, nebulas, and other night sky objects.
It can then locate and automatically track night sky objects with incredible accuracy, making the sky observation super easy and simple! With its compact and portable design, it’s ideal for taking on trips to observe the sky, as well as storing away quite easily when not in use.
With the 130mm aperture, it will allow you to see things within the Solar System, and beyond, with a clear and crisp image. Overall, it is a truly amazing product that includes plenty of handy features, making it the best!
Here are the main features:
- Highly popular and reliable brand
- Includes a database with over 40000 night objects
- Automatically locates and tracks night sky objects with incredible accuracy
- 130mm aperture, compatible with 2-inch eyepieces
- Free starry night software included
- 2-year warranty and unlimited technical support included
OUR TOP PICK
Celestron is a highly popular and reliable leading brand when it comes to telescopes, and all of the products it offers are high-quality with amazing features.
It is no wonder, therefore, that we’ve included not one but three of their telescopes on our list!
Our top pick is the Celestron NexStar 130SLT Computerized Telescope, which is an excellent choice backed by many positive reviews and ratings.
It is a computerized star locator telescope that includes a database with more than 40000 stars, galaxies, nebulas, and more.
It can locate an object of your choosing with incredible accuracy, and can then track it automatically.
It has been designed to be compact and portable so that you can take it with you wherever you want, easy to transport to the locations where you can best observe the night sky.
The Newtonian reflector optical design that it features has a 130mm aperture which gathers enough light to see the Solar System and beyond. It is also compatible with 2-inch eyepieces.
It also features a SkyAlign function for a faster setup, as you can simply center any three bright objects in the eyepiece, and the NexStar SLT will align it to the night sky so that you can easily locate different night sky objects.
As a bonus, this product includes a free starry night software that is compatible with starsense technology and Wi-Fi.
And on top of that, it includes a 2-year warranty as well as unlimited access to the Celestron technical support, so that they may resolve any issues or questions that you may have.
Pros:
- Highly popular and reliable brand
- Includes a database with over 40000 night objects
- Automatically locates and tracks night sky objects with incredible accuracy
- 130mm aperture, compatible with 2-inch eyepieces
- Free starry night software included
- 2-year warranty and unlimited technical support included
Cons:
- Requires a few accessories for optimal setup
EDITORS CHOICE
Second on our list, we have our second top pick from the Celestron brand, another excellent and highly reliable product: the Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope.
This Celestron telescope features the original Celestron iconic orange tube design, but it has some additional updated technology so that it can keep up with the latest innovations, therefore becoming a high-quality telescope that is ideal for both beginners and experienced night sky observers.
The 8-inch aperture gathers enough light to provide you with clear and crisp images of night sky objects within the Solar System, and it is completely compatible with both Starsense technology and Wi-Fi, so you could pair it up with some stargazing software.
It features a database with more than 40000 celestial objects, and the GoTo mount of this telescope allows it to automatically locate and track the objects so that you don’t have to adjust it manually.
The single fork arm design and the sturdy steel tripod are very easy to assemble and break down so that you can easily take it apart for an easier transportation or storage when needed.
The SkyAlign technology that it includes then gets your telescope aligned and ready in just a few minutes, making it a struggle-free setup.
As a bonus, this product comes with a free starry night software, providing you with an interactive sky simulation. It also includes a 2-year warranty and unlimited access to the Celestron technical support.
Pros:
- Highly popular and reliable brand
- Database with over 40000 celestial objects
- Iconic Celestron orange tube design with updated technology
- 8-inch aperture - provides clear images within the Solar System
- GoTo mount for automatic location and tracking
- 2-year warranty and access to the Celestron technical support
Cons:
- The build of the telescope is not the highest quality
BEST VALUE
Our last Celestron product, and our third top pick on the list, is another great choice that is highly popular amongst customers: the Celestron 114LCM Computerized Newtonian Telescope.
It can automatically locate and track over 40000 celestial objects, by using the motion of the GoTo mount that it features, as well as using star locating technology that is usually found on more advanced telescopes.
It features a Sky Tour button, which will automatically generate a list of the best celestial objects that are currently available to view in the sky where you are, which is ideal for when you don’t know what to look for.
The telescope also comes with everything that you need for optimal stargazing, including an adjustable aluminum tripod, 2 high-quality eyepieces, and a star pointer red dot finderscope. You can also download the SkyPortal app on your phone or tablet for more!
As a Celestron product, it comes with a bonus free starry night software, for an interactive sky simulation, as well as a 2-year warranty and unlimited access to the Celestron technical support.
Overall, it’s a highly reliable and efficient telescope, able to automatically track objects so that you can just sit back and enjoy the observation!
Pros:
- Highly popular and reliable brand
- Automatically locates and tracks over 40000 celestial objects
- It features a Sky Tour button - an automatic tour of the best current celestial objects
- Includes all the accessories needed for optimal stargazing
- Includes a starry night free software
- 2-year warranty and unlimited access to the Celestron technical support
Cons:
- Not as durable as other telescopes
RUNNER UP
Another great and reliable option, especially for beginners that are looking to get into night sky observation, is the Solomark 130EQ Professional Newtonian Telescope.
It is a powerful reflector telescope, and it is especially suited to beginners thanks to how easy it is to use.
With fully-coated glass optics and a 130mm objective lens, it provides great views of the planets and moon, as well as galaxies, nebulas, and star clusters.
The large and stable equatorial mount that it has offers slow motion controls that make tracking different celestial objects incredibly easy and smooth.
The lightweight frame allows it to be very easy to transport, as well as it being very easy to assemble and setup.
That means that you can easily take it with you to a better sky observing spot and that you can set it up quickly without struggling, which is just what beginners need.
As a bonus, this telescope includes 2 eyepieces, a 1.25-inch 13% Transmission Moon Filter, a Cell Phone Adapter, a Finder scope, an adjustable tripod, and a few other bits and pieces.
Essentially, it comes with all of the accessories that you need for stargazing!
Pros:
- Especially suited for beginners - very easy to set up and use
- Fully-coated glass optics and 130mm aperture
- Smooth and simple tracking
- Lightweight frame for easy transportation
- Comes with all the accessories needed for stargazing to a high standard
Cons:
- Not suitable for more advanced stargazing
RUNNER UP
Last but not least on our list of top picks, is a highly reliable and handy telescope that is also very popular amongst customers: the SkyWatcher Flextube Computerized GoTo Telescope.
The large aperture that it features provides a bright and bold viewing experience, at a fraction of the cost of other optical designs that other telescopes have.
It features an innovative collapsible design that makes it really easy to carry around, transport, or even store away when not in use.
The SkyWatcher telescope comes with in-built Wi-Fi, so that you can easily control it by using a smartphone or a tablet, making the setup a lot easier.
It also features a SynScan Dobsonian function, combining it with the automated tracking of celestial objects, for high-quality and bright images.
It also comes with a database of 42000 celestial objects, allowing you to explore the night sky almost to completion.
As a bonus, it comes with some accessories to further optimize your stargazing experience, including a 2-inch Crayford-style focuser with a 1 ¼ inch adapter, 2 super wide-angle eyepieces, and a straight-through finder scope.
With how lightweight and easy this telescope is to use, it’s ideal for beginners!
Pros:
- A bright and bold viewing experience
- Innovative collapsible design - easy to transport and store away
- In-built Wi-Fi - controllable through your smartphone or tablet
- Database of 42000 celestial objects with automated locating and tracking
- Many accessories included for an optimized stargazing experience
Cons:
- No significant downsides
Best Auto Tracking Telescope Buying Guide
Auto tracking telescopes, better known as motorized computerized telescopes, are ideal for both beginners and advanced night sky observers, and they overall just make observing the sky a lot easier, as you don’t have to manually adjust the telescope to keep track of a certain celestial object.
They can also automatically locate certain celestial objects, and they often come with a huge database of celestial objects so that you can choose and view them in the sky where you are.
There are plenty of options available in the market, especially as computerized telescopes are becoming increasingly popular and accessible. So much so, that it can actually be a bit overwhelming to try and choose from all the options.
It’s important to aim for a high-quality and reliable telescope, with the best accuracy possible when it comes to the automatic tracking of celestial objects.
You can check out our list of top picks, but we also wanted to share the basic factors that we like to take into consideration when comparing products to determine which ones are the overall best.
Aperture
The aperture of the telescope is vital for determining its quality when it comes to observing the night sky.
The larger the aperture is, the brighter and better defined the images will be, and therefore, the better the telescope is for observing the celestial objects.
Database
Auto tracking telescopes usually come with a database that has the coordinates for many different celestial objects. The average database will have around 40000 celestial objects that it can automatically locate and track, just by choosing them.
The bigger the database of your telescope, the more celestial objects you will be able to observe.
Connectivity, software, and ease of use
Some computerized telescopes come with in-built wi-fi so that they can be controlled from a smartphone or tablet, which can make the entire set up process a lot easier and a lot simpler, especially for beginners.
It can also allow for the combination with more advanced software so that you can view the sky in a more advanced manner.
Transportability
Quite often, you will have to travel to different locations to get the best view of the night sky.
That is why it is super important to aim for a telescope that is easy to transport, or easy to assemble and break down so that it can be carried to different places.
It’s also good if the telescope is lightweight, as it will make it a lot more manageable.
Accessories
As a general rule, the more accessories you have for your telescope, the better your stargazing experience will be because the more possibilities you will have to adapt the sky observation to your needs and preferences.
Telescopes that come with many accessories also end up having a higher value too, as all the bonus items could end up being rather expensive if bought separately!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a computerized telescope?
A computerized telescope is a telescope that features GoTo technology with an automated equatorial mount.
It comes with software with which you can input certain coordinates, and the telescope will then use a GPS system to adjust and point the telescope towards those coordinates so that you can view them.
It essentially locates and tracks celestial objects for you, so that you don’t have to manually move and adjust the telescope, finding whatever it is you want to look at within minutes so that you can sit back and simply enjoy the observation when it has been set up.
Is a computerized telescope worth it?
A computerized telescope is 100% worth it, and honestly, it has absolutely no downsides whatsoever.
It’s especially useful for beginners, as it will locate many more celestial objects than you’d be able to find by yourself manually.
It also comes in extremely handy when the sky is clouded or polluted, and it is, therefore, harder to find the celestial objects yourself.
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