Great building platform for learning and a bargain at $999. - Celestron NexStar 8 SE Telescope

Its compact focal length at 2032mm and easy go setup make this one arm Alt-Az mount a great gift for beginners to Intermediate. The 8SE computerized mount can slew, goto, track, [I have tracked the moon without adjustment] to objects in the sky with its easy two star alignment, its mount has remote guide and aux port for wifi and HC direct RS232C control using Skyportal or Stellerium. Another great feature I like, this model has many features from Celestron to build on; one I can make this Alt-Ax mount function as a german equatorial with celestron 8se wedge where I get the best of both worlds; Alt-Az and GEMs for astrophotography. Second, I can mount a guidescope using celestron piggy back mount, mount DSLRs with T Ring adapters increasing camera focal length, the list goes on. Great buy!