The Celestron Inspire 100AZ is a 100mm aperture refractor telescope part of the Inspire series from Celestron. This particular series unlike many others from Celestron is comprised of only 3 telescopes in total. Beside the 100AZ model the other two models are the Inspire 70AZ telescope and the Inspire 80AZ telescope. One main characteristic of this series which you will notice right from the start is the optical tube which is painted in a beautiful blue color.
Celestron Inspire 100AZ Refractor Smartphone Adapter Built-In Refracting Telescope, Blue (22403)
5 used from $228.77
Features
- Easiest setup of any entry level scope. With the folding accessory tray you just pop the tripod legs open, turn the lock knob and you’re ready to go.
- Bold new design - The main telescope lens cap comes with a fully integrated smartphone adapter built-in, perfect for the budding astrophotography.
- Red LED flashlight - Stowed in the center of the mount head, the flashlight can be used to gently illuminate the accessory tray or can be removed for use as a spotlight when needed.
- Focus micrometer - Allows quick return to a specific focus point for specific targets (bird nests, infinity focus, etc.)
- The asymmetrical mount design offers light weight and incredible stability. Erect image optics enables a fully correct image for easy viewing day or night, terrestrial or astronomical.
Celestron Inspire 100AZ Review Card
Product Name: Inspire 100AZ
Brand: Celestron
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Brand - 9.9/10
9.9/10
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Optics - 9.5/10
9.5/10
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Value - 9.1/10
9.1/10
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Portability - 9.4/10
9.4/10
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Mount - 9.2/10
9.2/10
Summary
If I was starting out in astronomy, this is a telescope I would like to purchase. It’s a high level entry telescope with very good optics. Since it’s a refractor there is very little to no maintenance for it and if kept under the right conditions it will last you a lifetime. It’s lens cap also acts as a smartphone adapter which means you can start taking some nice photos with your smartphone pretty much from the get-go.
Pros
- Wide 100mm aperture for the ability to see the Moon, planets as well as deep sky objects
- Beautiful blue color optical tube and overall very nice aesthetics
- Smartphone adapter included for easy viewing digiscoping (part of the lens cap, so you will never forget it)
Cons
- Lacks in terms of being budget friendly
Full Technical Specification
| Optical Design: | Refractor |
| Aperture: | 100mm (3.94″) |
| Focal Length: | 660mm (25.98″) |
| Focal Ratio: | f/6.5 |
| Optical Coatings: | Fully Coated |
| Focal Length of Eyepiece 1: | 20mm (1.25″) |
| Magnification of Eyepiece 1: | 33x |
| Focal Length of Eyepiece 2: | 10mm (1.25″) |
| Magnification of Eyepiece 2: | 66x |
| Star Diagonal: | Erect image 90° (1.25″) |
| Finderscope: | StarPointer™ Pro red dot finderscope |
| Resolution (Rayleigh): | 1.37 arc seconds |
| Resolution (Dawes): | 1.14 arc seconds |
| Light Gathering Power: | 212x the unaided eye |
| Highest Useful Magnification: | 241x |
| Lowest Useful Magnification: | 15x |
| Limiting Stellar Magnitude: | 12.5 |
| Optical Tube Length: | 436mm (17.2″) |
| Optical Tube Diameter: | 100mm (3.93″) |
| Optical Tube Weight: | 4.9 lbs (2.2 kg) |
| Dovetail: | CG-3 Dovetail bar |
