Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 5" Smartphone App-Enabled Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope
Advanced Stargazing—Made Simple
The StarSense Explorer DX 5” is a powerful and portable telescope that combines Celestron’s premium Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with the revolutionary StarSense Explorer app. Just dock your smartphone, launch the app, and enjoy a guided tour of the cosmos with step-by-step navigation to planets, nebulae, galaxies, and more—no prior experience required.
Key Features
📱 Smartphone-Guided Astronomy – Uses patented StarSense technology and your smartphone to accurately determine telescope position and guide you to celestial objects in real time.
🌌 125mm (5”) Schmidt-Cassegrain Optics – High light-gathering power with StarBright XLT coatings for brighter, sharper images of the Moon, planets, star clusters, and deep-sky objects.
🧭 Manual Alt-Azimuth Mount – Smooth slow-motion controls on both axes for precise object tracking and alignment.
🧠 Patented StarSense Sky Recognition Technology – Uses the same advanced Lost-in-Space Algorithm (LISA) as orbiting satellites for unmatched pointing accuracy.
🪐 Two Eyepieces Included – 25mm (50x) and 10mm (125x) for wide and high-powered views.
🌍 Erect Image Diagonal – Ideal for both astronomical and daytime terrestrial observation.
🔭 StarPointer™ Red Dot Finderscope – Quickly centre objects manually or use without a smartphone.
🧰 Sturdy, Full-Height Tripod – With accessory tray and adjustable aluminium legs for stable, convenient setup.
How It Works – Dock. Launch. Explore.
Dock your smartphone into the StarSense bracket.
Launch the app and align your phone to the telescope’s optics.
Select a visible target from the app’s real-time list.
Follow the on-screen arrows to guide the telescope.
When the bullseye turns green, you’re locked on—start observing!
The StarSense Explorer app, powered by SkySafari™, guides you to your chosen object with far greater accuracy than gyroscope-based apps. No star charts. No guesswork. Just intuitive sky navigation.
Smartphone Compatibility
iPhone 6 and newer
Android devices (2016+) running 7.1.2 or later
For the latest compatibility information, visit Celestron’s website.
High-Performance Schmidt-Cassegrain Optics
This 5” Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope delivers exceptional image quality with a compact, portable design. You can expect to see:
Jupiter’s moons, cloud bands, and Great Red Spot
Saturn’s rings and Cassini Division
The Orion Nebula’s glowing gas and trapezium stars
Andromeda Galaxy, Hercules Cluster, and more under darker skies
All air-to-glass surfaces are treated with StarBright XLT coatings for improved brightness and contrast—ideal for both planetary and deep-sky observations.
Specifications
Optical System
Optical Design: Schmidt-Cassegrain
Aperture: 125mm (5")
Focal Length: 1250mm (f/10)
Eyepieces:
25mm (50x)
10mm (125x)
Diagonal: 90° Erect Image (1.25")
Finderscope: StarPointer™ Red Dot
Max Useful Magnification: 295x
Limiting Magnitude: 13.0
Resolution:
Rayleigh: 1.11 arc seconds
Dawes: 0.93 arc seconds
Light Gathering Power: 329x
Coatings: StarBright XLT
Secondary Mirror Obstruction:
Diameter: 51mm (16.6%)
Area: 40%
Optical Tube Material: Aluminium
Tube Length: 330mm (13")
Tube Diameter: 171.45mm (6.75")
Tube Weight: 5 lbs (2.26 kg)
Dovetail: CG-5
Mount & Tripod
Mount Type: Manual Alt-Azimuth with slow motion controls (both axes)
Max Height: 1320.8mm (52")
Tripod Leg Diameter: 31.75mm (1.25") steel
Accessory Tray: Included
Tripod Weight: 9.6 lbs (4.35 kg)
Software
StarSense Explorer App
Celestron SkyPortal App
Starry Night Basic Edition Software
Total Kit Weight
14.6 lbs (6.62 kg)
Included in the Box
Schmidt-Cassegrain Optical Tube (125mm)
Alt-Az Mount with Slow Motion Controls
Preassembled Tripod with Accessory Tray
25mm and 10mm Eyepieces
90° Erect Image Diagonal (1.25")
StarPointer™ Red Dot Finderscope
StarSense Smartphone Dock
Software Downloads
Important Safety Notice
Never observe the Sun without a certified solar filter. Permanent eye damage or blindness can occur. Always supervise telescope use around children.
Who Is This For?
The StarSense Explorer DX 5” is the ultimate beginner-to-intermediate telescope for users seeking premium optics, easy setup, and cutting-edge smartphone guidance. Whether you’re exploring from a city balcony or a dark-sky campsite, this portable Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope delivers stunning views and an intuitive, modern stargazing experience.
Shipping Options
Fast & Reliable UK Delivery
We offer flexible delivery options across the UK, with free shipping available on qualifying orders.
FREE Next Working Day Delivery (Mon–Fri) On all orders £300 and over
FREE Express Delivery (1–3 Working Days) On orders £49.99 – £299.99
Express Delivery – £3.99 On orders under £49.99
Standard Delivery (2–4 Working Days) – £2.99 A great value option for smaller orders
Priority Shipping – £8.99 A fully tracked, guaranteed delivery service, including Saturday delivery options
Order Fulfilment
Some items, as clearly stated on the product page, may be fulfilled directly by our partners or manufacturers. In these cases, your order will be shipped to you straight from the brand’s warehouse. This helps us provide a wider range of specialist equipment and may result in slightly different delivery times.
Returns Policy
If something isn’t right, we’ll always try to help.
Unused items in “as new” condition can usually be returned within the statutory cooling-off period
Please contact us before sending anything back so we can advise on the safest way
For unwanted items, return shipping is your responsibility, and original shipping may be deducted where applicable
If a product is faulty or damaged, we’ll arrange repair, replacement or refund in line with your consumer rights — and we’ll cover reasonable return costs
Telescope shipping is expensive, and specialist — avoidable returns really do impact our business, so we always encourage customers to ask questions before buying. We’re here to help you get it right first time.
Your statutory rights are not affected.
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Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 5" SCT Telescope
£569.99
Frequently Asked Questions
Our FAQ section covers key information about warranties, shipping, returns, and store opening hours. Find details on manufacturer warranty cover, UK delivery options, how to return an item, and when our team is available to help.
Does it come with a warranty?
All our products are UK stock so come with manufacturers warranty
What happens if I don't like it?
We always want you to be happy with your purchase — so if you’re unsure, please ask us first. We’re always happy to give honest advice before you buy.
If the product arrives and you simply decide it isn’t for you, you can usually return it within the cooling-off period — as long as it’s unused, in perfect condition, and returned with all original packaging and accessories.
Because telescopes and optical equipment are large, delicate and expensive to ship, you’ll need to cover the cost of sending it back, and if we originally subsidised delivery, we may deduct our outbound shipping costs from your refund.
We’re a small specialist business, and unnecessary returns genuinely hurt us — so if you’re unsure at all, please talk to us first. We’d rather help you choose the right item than process a return.
How fast is shipping?
We aim to ship in-stock items as quickly as possible.
Most in-stock orders dispatch within 1–2 working days
Delivery usually takes 1–3 working days after dispatch (UK mainland)
Heavier / oversized items and special orders may take a little longer
You’ll receive tracking details as soon as your order is on its way.
Astronomy equipment often requires specialist packing and trusted couriers — we do this to keep your gear safe, not to slow things down. If you need something urgently, just ask and we’ll do our best.
What's the returns policy?
If something isn’t right, we’ll always try to help.
Unused items in “as new” condition can usually be returned within the statutory cooling-off period
Please contact us before sending anything back so we can advise on the safest way
For unwanted items, return shipping is your responsibility, and original shipping may be deducted where applicable
If a product is faulty or damaged, we’ll arrange repair, replacement or refund in line with your consumer rights — and we’ll cover reasonable return costs
Telescope shipping is expensive, and specialist — avoidable returns really do impact our business, so we always encourage customers to ask questions before buying. We’re here to help you get it right first time.