Was the Celestron Origin Intelligent Home Observatory Smart Telescope worth the wait?

21 November 2024Being in the upper quartile of life, my need was not only to move on to try and see deeper than planets, but also to avoid difficulties I had with standing and using the eyepiece.  When I read about the Celestron Origin Intelligent Home Observatory Smart Telescope 12 months ago, I was so excited, as this seemed to fit the bill precisely.  It was a long, frustrating wait until it was available in the UK and I took delivery.  Was it worth it in both terms of cost and doing what I required?   The answer to that is most definitely a very big YES. Whilst the initial cost is big, one has to consider what you get for your money in relation to buying a cheaper telescope and then adding all the extras separately.  It then does not seem so costly. Does it achieve my need?   Got to give it absolutely top marks on this one. I set it up easily and whilst my time using it sadly has been very limited due to the weather my results have been amazing when one considers the sky was not totally clear of cloud, it was from my garden with houses and trees limiting the horizon, and each exposure I did was only for 5 mins (30 images), its alignment is spot on, the app works a treat on my iPad and being able to sit and see what happens as it happens to me is exciting.  My first image was to send to the Dumbbell Nebula and wow, what an outcome (did not have a nebula filter then).I have since tested the Celestron Origin with the M2 star cluster, Capella, Aldebaran, M92, M$45 (Pleiades -7 sisters, Andromeda Galaxy, California, Fireworks, flaming Star and Bubble nebulas all to me very good especially when one considers the short time of imaging.  I have also tried it with planets i.e. Jupiter, Uranus, and Saturn with again, for me, very pleasing and exciting results especially Saturn which was just a blob until I enlarge my iPad screen and the ring appeared.  I have also used it on terrestrial objects and whilst I was only doing trees it was again successful. I have not been able to do the Moon yet due to its position and weather. I have also left it in the garden and gone into the house and streamed it on to the TV, my wife and I were amazed as the star cluster appeared.  - Bubble NebulaA lot to learn yet, and I have no doubt I will get a lot more impressive images, which with time will get even better. For me not having to stand and look through an eyepiece and for what I can now get to observe, it is a superb purchase and well worth my investment even at this early…