The name Celestron has long been associated with our classic orange tube Schmidt-Cassegrains. We have brought back and updated the classic orange tube with our new Special Edition 8i. This model combines classic looks, legendary Celestron performance and our finest optical coating - StarBright® XLT High Performance Optical System.

Simple and friendly to use, the NexStar 8i Special Edition is a fully portable system weighing only 24 pounds (excluding tripod). The NexStar 8i Special Edition features 8" aperture optics with StarBright® XLT multi-coatings, and renowned NexStar software that makes navigating the night sky easier than ever. With features like AutoAlign, a sky tour feature, a database of over 40,000+ celestial objects and easy to use hand control, this telescope is the perfect combination of power and portability.

• Celestron orange tube with special edition logo.

• StarBright® XLT High Performance Optical System.

• Now includes SkyAlign technology! – Pick three stars, any stars -- and with our new SkyAlign technology, the telescope knows which stars they are!

  Introducing Celestron's Revolutionary SkyAlign. Aligning your telescope is easier and faster than ever. Simply input the date, time and your location (the CPC has a built-in GPS that does this for you) and then align the telescope to three bright stars of your choosing. You do not need to know the names of the stars -- you could even pick the moon or bright planets! The NexStar Computer system will automatically figure out which stars were chosen and then align the telescope.

  There is no need to point the telescope North or to level the optical tube -- the initial position of the telescope is irrelevant. This makes for a fast and very easy method for aligning the telescope.

  How does it work?

  The NexStar® software with SkyAlign calculates the angles measured between the objects and then compares them to the known angles between objects. Using this method, the telescope determines what objects were chosen. The display will tell you which three objects you aligned to for confirmation.

  Only two of the alignment objects will actually be used for calculating the model of the sky. The third object is needed to provide a positive identification of the other two. Therefore you should make sure that at least two of the three alignment objects are widely spaced in the sky by at least 60 degrees if possible. And select a third object that does not fall in a straight line between the first two alignment stars.

• 40,000+ object database – The expanded, programmable user database includes the complete Messier, NGC, IC and Caldwell catalogs. Customized lists of all the best galaxies, nebulae and other deep-sky objects. Room for hundreds of user defined objects.

• Database Filter Limits – User-defined so that only objects visible above the horizon are displayed on the hand control.

• User-Defined Slew Limits – Prevents the telescope from slewing beyond the user-defined horizon in altazimuth and equatorial mode.

• Hibernate – This power saving device allows you to power down the telescope without losing your alignment. All you have to do is enter the correct time. Hibernate allows you to look for planets in the daytime after having used the telescope the night before or to observe night after night without having to re-align.

• Wedge Align Algorithm – Automatically aligns the telescope to the celestial pole. Essential when you are performing a polar alignment on an equatorial wedge.

• Anti Cord Wrap – Prevents the telescope from wrapping its cords when attaching optional accessories.

• Patented fork arm with ergonomically designed integrated hand control cradle.

• Only weighing 24 lbs. the NexStar 8i is the perfect combination of power and portability

• Dozens of Other Powerful Features

• Take a 3D Tour of the 8i SE!

• Download the Instruction Manual (PDF, 3198K) and become an expert at your leisure.