I remember my first telescope. A hand-me-down manual refractor that spent more time pointed at a neighbour’s roof than at the Andromeda Galaxy. The frustration was immense. Poring over star charts, trying to “hop” from one dim star to the next, only to lose my target with the slightest nudge. It’s a rite of passage for many amateur astronomers, but it’s also a significant barrier that causes countless would-be stargazers to pack their scopes away for good. The universe is vast and beautiful, but finding its treasures can feel like searching for a specific grain of sand on an infinite beach. This is the exact problem that computerised “GoTo” telescopes were designed to solve, promising to replace frustrating searches with awe-inspiring views at the push of a button.
- COMPUTERISED AUTOMATIC TELESCOPE: Automatically locate 4,000 celestial objects with the GoTo mount and hand control, using star locating technology found on more advanced telescopes
- TAKE THE SKY TOUR: If you’re not sure of what to observe, the Sky Tour button will do the work for you; Simply press the button and your computerised telescope will generate a list of the best...
What to Consider Before Buying a Computerised Telescope
A computerised telescope is more than just an optical instrument; it’s a key solution for bridging the gap between cosmic curiosity and actual observation. It automates the most challenging part of amateur astronomy—locating celestial objects. By entering a target like “Jupiter” or “Orion Nebula” into a hand controller, the telescope’s motors slew into position, placing the object directly in your eyepiece. Its main benefits are speed, convenience, and a vastly accelerated learning curve, allowing you to spend your precious time observing, not searching. This technology transforms a potentially frustrating hobby into an accessible and rewarding experience, perfect for sharing with family and friends.
The ideal customer for this type of product is someone facing the initial daunting challenge of learning the night sky. This includes curious beginners, parents looking for an educational and engaging activity for their children, or casual observers who want to quickly enjoy the highlights of the cosmos without a steep learning curve. However, it might not be the best fit for those who enjoy the “thrill of the hunt” and the traditional method of star-hopping with charts. Furthermore, serious astrophotographers might find the Altazimuth mount on many entry-level GoTo scopes limiting for long-exposure photography, preferring a more robust German Equatorial mount instead.
Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:
- Dimensions & Space: A telescope’s power is tied to its aperture (the diameter of its main mirror or lens), but bigger isn’t always better. Consider where you will store it and how you will transport it. The beauty of a model like the Celestron LCM 114 Newtonian Reflector Telescope is its balance of a respectable 114mm aperture with a highly portable, lightweight design that makes it easy to carry into the garden or pack in the car for a trip to darker skies.
- Capacity/Performance: Look beyond just aperture. Focal length determines magnification, and the GoTo system’s object database size dictates your tour options (4,000 objects is a fantastic starting point). Also, consider the quality of the optics; coatings like Celestron’s StarBright XLT significantly improve light transmission, resulting in brighter, clearer views. The type of telescope (Reflector, Refractor, etc.) also impacts performance on different celestial objects.
- Materials & Durability: The telescope’s longevity depends on its construction. An aluminium optical tube is standard and robust, but pay close attention to the mount and tripod. These are the foundation of your viewing experience; a wobbly tripod or a fragile plastic mount can ruin an otherwise great telescope. Metal components are generally preferred for key structural parts over plastic, especially in the mount’s gearing and base.
- Ease of Use & Maintenance: While GoTo technology simplifies finding objects, the initial alignment process can still require some patience. Look for systems with user-friendly alignment procedures, like Celestron’s SkyAlign. For Newtonian reflectors, you’ll also need to periodically collimate (align) the mirrors, so understanding this basic maintenance task is part of long-term ownership.
With these factors in mind, you can make a much more informed decision, ensuring your new window to the universe is a source of joy for years to come.
While the Celestron LCM 114 Newtonian Reflector Telescope is an excellent choice, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:
- High quality optics: Our F30070 astronomical refracting telescope with Phone Adapter an aperture of 70mmand a focal length of 300mm,and a large objective lens plus multi-layer broadband coating, can...
- 🌕🌕 EXPAND YOUR FIELD of VIEW 🌕🌕 The astronomical telescope has a 70mm aperture and a 400mm focal length, which provides a wider and clearer field of view than 60mm/50mm focal lengths....
- Beginner telescope: Explore the Moon's craters and star clusters in vivid detail with a 70 mm glass lens, sparking curiosity and enhancing every stargazing moment.
Unboxing the Celestron LCM 114: First Light and Initial Thoughts
Upon opening the box, we were greeted with a set of well-packaged components. The immediate impression is one of thoughtful design for the entry-level market. The main optical tube, finished in a sleek silver, feels solid and well-constructed thanks to its aluminium body. Assembly was a breeze, taking us less than 20 minutes from unboxing to a fully assembled telescope, a fact confirmed by many users who noted its quick setup. The pre-assembled tripod and the quick-release dovetail mount for the tube make the process intuitive, even for those who have never handled a telescope before. The package includes everything you need for your first night out: the telescope itself, the computerised mount, a tripod with an accessory tray, a StarPointer red dot finderscope, and two Plossl eyepieces (25mm and 9mm). While the optical tube inspires confidence, our initial inspection of the single-arm motorised mount revealed a significant amount of plastic construction, particularly at the base where it attaches to the tripod. While this keeps the weight down—making the entire setup incredibly light at just 13.2 pounds—it immediately raised a question mark in our minds about long-term durability, which we would explore in further testing. You can see the full kit and its components here.
What We Like
- Fully computerised GoTo mount finds over 4,000 objects automatically
- Excellent portability and lightweight design for easy transport
- Bright, clear optics with StarBright XLT coatings
- Very quick and straightforward assembly, perfect for beginners
Drawbacks
- Plastic mount base has serious, documented durability issues
- Included tripod can be wobbly, affecting image stability
Performance Under the Stars: A Detailed Analysis
A telescope’s true worth is only revealed under a dark, clear sky. We took the Celestron LCM 114 Newtonian Reflector Telescope through its paces over several nights of testing, focusing on its core features: the GoTo system, its optical capabilities, and its overall build quality in a real-world setting. The results were a mix of impressive technological achievement and some concerning physical limitations.
The GoTo Mount and NexStar+ Hand Control: Your Personal Celestial Tour Guide
The star of the show is undoubtedly the computerised Altazimuth mount. This is the feature that elevates the Celestron LCM 114 Newtonian Reflector Telescope from a simple manual scope to an automated stargazing platform. The heart of the system is the NexStar+ hand controller, which, once aligned, becomes your tour guide to the cosmos. The initial alignment, however, is a critical step that requires some patience. We used the “SkyAlign” method, which asks you to center any three bright celestial objects in the eyepiece. For a complete novice, telling a bright star from a planet can be tricky, and we found, as some users reported, that there is a learning curve. As one user noted, “I had some difficulty getting it to ‘skyalign’ I was able to align to Jupiter no problem.” This is key advice; using a very bright, obvious object like the Moon or Jupiter for a simpler one- or two-star alignment can be an easier starting point. We recommend new users watch a few online tutorials, which dramatically demystifies the process.
Once we achieved a successful alignment, the experience transformed. We commanded the scope to find Saturn, and with a gentle whir of motors, it slewed across the sky and stopped, placing the ringed planet squarely in the field of view of the 25mm eyepiece. This is the “wow” moment. The automated tracking, which keeps the object centered as the Earth rotates, is a game-changer. One user perfectly summarised this benefit: “The best thing about it is the automated sky tracking. The telescope will track with most objects for quite a while before getting off.” This feature is invaluable for relaxed viewing, especially with kids, as you don’t need to constantly nudge the scope to keep your target in sight. Exploring the 4,000-object database and using the “Sky Tour” feature, which suggests the best objects currently visible, made us feel like seasoned astronomers, effortlessly hopping from star clusters to distant galaxies.
Optical Performance: Viewing the Moon, Planets, and Beyond
With a 114mm (4.5-inch) primary mirror, the Celestron LCM 114 Newtonian Reflector Telescope has enough light-gathering ability to provide impressive views of many celestial objects. The optics are enhanced with Celestron’s proprietary StarBright XLT coatings, which genuinely make a difference in image brightness and contrast compared to uncoated mirrors. Our first target was the Moon. Using both the 25mm (28x magnification) and 9mm (78x magnification) eyepieces, the views were stunning. We could clearly make out sharp details in craters along the terminator, vast lunar maria, and mountain ranges. This sentiment was echoed across user feedback, with many praising the “clear crisp images of the moon” and sharing impressive photos taken with just a smartphone held to the eyepiece.
Moving to the planets, we were able to distinctly see the four Galilean moons orbiting Jupiter and even hints of its cloud bands. Saturn’s rings were clearly visible and separate from the planet, a sight that never fails to elicit a gasp. As one happy observer confirmed, “Jupiter and its moons can be observed. Rings of saturn can be clearly seen.” For deep-sky objects, the scope’s performance is what you would expect for its aperture. We were able to locate the Andromeda Galaxy (a faint, fuzzy patch), the Pleiades star cluster (a glittering spray of blue stars), and the Great Orion Nebula (a ghostly, glowing cloud). It brings these distant wonders into view, but don’t expect Hubble-like images; they are faint, and their beauty is subtle. The scope’s optical capabilities are impressive for its class, but it’s worth noting, as a more experienced user pointed out, that it uses a Bird-Jones design. This design incorporates a corrector lens in the focuser to create a long effective focal length in a short tube. While this contributes to its compact size, it can make precise mirror collimation more challenging for advanced users.
Build Quality and Portability: A Tale of Two Components
This is where our review becomes one of two distinct halves. On one hand, the optical tube assembly (OTA) is excellent. The aluminium tube is lightweight yet strong, and the internal components, including the mirror and focuser, performed flawlessly during our tests. Its compact nature is a huge asset. As one user aptly put it, the scope is “fairly compact which is great when going through a doorway.” The entire setup weighs just over 6 kg, making it a true “grab-and-go” instrument that you’re more likely to use frequently because it isn’t a chore to set up.
On the other hand, the motorised mount and tripod are a significant point of concern. While the motors operated smoothly, the mount’s housing is almost entirely plastic, including the critical base that bears the entire weight of the telescope. During our testing, we handled it with care, but we cannot ignore the alarming number of user reports documenting catastrophic failures of this specific part. One user shared a photo and wrote, “The unit was sitting on the tripod, not over tightened, knocked or bumped and the base cracked… making the telescope unusable.” Another had the exact same experience: “Second time we were going to use it and we found that the motor mount in pieces.” This appears to be a critical design flaw where the plastic becomes brittle or cannot handle the sustained load, cracking spontaneously. The tripod, while functional, is also on the lighter side and prone to vibrations, especially when extended. A user’s suggestion of adding weight to the accessory tray to improve stability is a good one. This weak link in the build quality is a major drawback to an otherwise fantastic beginner’s package and something any potential buyer must seriously consider.
What Other Users Are Saying
After compiling our own findings, we scoured user reviews to see how our experience compared to the broader community. The sentiment is sharply divided, almost entirely along the lines of the mount’s durability. On the positive side, there is widespread praise for the telescope’s core concept and performance. One user, upgrading from a large, heavy 1970s telescope, was “blown away,” stating that while his old scope could see deeper, the Celestron LCM 114 was not only more portable but provided an even “cleaner viewing experience.” Many beginners call it an “excellent little telescope” and find the GoTo system turns a potentially difficult hobby into an accessible joy. One person summed it up nicely: “I really recommend this telescope for amateur astronomers.”
However, the negative feedback is consistent and alarming. The recurring theme is the failure of the plastic motorized mount base. Multiple users reported the base cracking or shattering with no misuse, rendering their £300+ telescope a “hunk of garbage.” As one devastated owner stated after just three uses, “Avoid this product, it is not fit for purpose.” Beyond this critical flaw, other complaints include receiving units that appear to be pre-owned or have minor cosmetic damage, and frustration with the initial alignment learning curve.
How Does the Celestron LCM 114 Compare to Its Top 3 Alternatives?
No product exists in a vacuum. To give you the full picture, we’ve compared the Celestron LCM 114 Newtonian Reflector Telescope against some popular alternatives—one essential accessory and two different types of telescopes—that might better suit your needs.
1. Celestron X-Cel LX 3x Barlow Lens
- TRIPLE THE MAGNIFICATION OF ANY 1.25” EYEPIECE: Perfect for owners of fast, short focal length telescopes
- BRIGHT SHARP IMAGES: 3-element apochromatic, fully multi-coated optics offer up bright, sharp images with excellent colour correction
This isn’t a telescope, but rather the single most important upgrade for the Celestron LCM 114. The included 9mm eyepiece provides 78x magnification, which is good for viewing the Moon but can leave you wanting more detail on planets. A Barlow lens acts as a magnifier for your eyepieces. This high-quality 3x Barlow will triple the power of both included eyepieces, turning your 9mm into a powerful 234x planetary lens and your 25mm into a versatile 84x lens. If you are set on the LCM 114, consider this accessory an almost mandatory purchase to unlock the telescope’s full planetary viewing potential.
2. Celestron 127EQ Reflector Telescope
- PERFECT BEGINNERS TELESCOPE: The Celestron PowerSeeker 127EQ is an easy-to-use and powerful telescope. The PowerSeeker series is designed to give the first-time telescope user the perfect combination...
- MANUAL GERMAN EQUATORIAL MOUNT: Navigate the sky with our Newtonian Reflector telescope. It features a German Equatorial mount with a slow-motion altitude rod for smooth and accurate pointing. Adjust...
The PowerSeeker 127EQ offers a compelling trade-off. It boasts a larger 127mm aperture, meaning it can gather more light for brighter views of deep-sky objects compared to the LCM 114. However, it is a fully manual telescope on a German Equatorial (EQ) mount. This means there is no GoTo system; you will have to locate objects yourself. The EQ mount is designed for astronomical tracking but requires a more involved setup process called polar alignment. This telescope is the better choice for someone on a tighter budget who wants more optical power and is willing to embrace the traditional, hands-on challenge of learning the night sky.
3. EACONN 80mm Refractor Telescope for Adults and Beginners
- 80mm Large Aperture - EACONN astronomical telescopes have a true 80mm aperture and a fully coated green optics glass lens. The big aperture can capture more light, the high transmission optics lens...
- Using Rough Adjustment and Positioning Gimbal - EACONN telescope is equipped with a rough adjustment and positioning gimbal with scale, it can help you easy to adjust the altitude and azimuth. That...
This EACONN telescope represents a different approach entirely. It is an 80mm refractor, which uses lenses instead of mirrors. Refractors are known for producing sharp, high-contrast views, making them excellent for observing the Moon and planets. While its smaller aperture means it won’t be as capable on faint nebulae and galaxies as the LCM 114, it requires virtually no maintenance (no collimation). This specific package is designed for ultimate portability, including a smartphone adapter and a backpack. It is the ideal choice for the traveller or someone who prioritises supreme ease of use and portability over automated features and light-gathering power.
Our Final Verdict: Is the Celestron LCM 114 the Right Scope for You?
The Celestron LCM 114 Newtonian Reflector Telescope is a product of brilliant ideas and flawed execution. In concept, it is one of the best possible introductions to astronomy for a beginner. The GoTo system works wonderfully once aligned, the portability is outstanding, and the optics are more than capable of delivering those breathtaking first views of Saturn’s rings and lunar craters that hook so many for life. When it works, it is an absolute joy to use, effortlessly transforming the night sky from an intimidating mystery into an explorable playground.
However, we cannot in good conscience ignore the significant and well-documented risk posed by the plastic mount base. The possibility of a catastrophic failure from a non-impact event is a serious gamble. We would recommend this telescope only to those who prize the GoTo functionality and extreme portability above all else, and who are prepared to treat the mount with the utmost care. For many, the risk may outweigh the reward. If you understand the potential pitfall and are captivated by the promise of an automated cosmic tour guide, the Celestron LCM 114 Newtonian Reflector Telescope offers an experience that is, for a time, truly magical.
Last update on 2025-11-09 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API