Love the telescope, but quality control from the factory was horrible. - Celestron NexStar 4SE Telescope 11049 - 4" Special Edition Maksutov - Cassegrain Computerized Telescopes

Let me start by saying that this is a wonderful telescope for a beginner. We gave it to our 15-year-old daughter for Christmas, and she loves it. We appreciate that you can enter in whatever you want to watch, and the motor will track the object all night long.

We also appreciate the heavy-duty tripod. It seems to be the same one used on the much larger and heavier models, so it was a nice bonus on this smaller 4" unit.

We did purchase an adapter ring for her camera, but we have not used it for that kind of photography yet. I understand it helps in photographing fainter in that it allows you to stitch together longer exposures, but I cannot say yet how well, or easily, it work, only that the camera fits well to the telescope with it installed.

Our only complaint is the QC, but it is a major one. When we received the telescope, the battery pack did not have all the connectors in it, so the unit was useless. We ended up ordering the external pack, which is almost a necessity as I understand the AA batteries won't last very long with the motor running, and once they go, you have to start the setup process over.

When we called to inquire as to proper resolution, OpticsPlanet gave us the number for Celestron. Upon reaching them, they immediately shipped out a new pack, but now it's up to us to disassemble the telescope and install it. Maybe we could have sent it back for repair, but they said it would be easy; it was not, so we're still running only on the external pack.

Absent this one issue, the telescope is perfect. Unfortunately, this experience has tainted our view of the manufacturer.