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Within the Celestron SLT range of computerised telescopes, the 114 comes across as a first glimpse into something with real astronomical use. Price positioned between the 80 SLT and 102 SLT refractors, 114 SLT’s price point is indicative of just how much more cost-efficient the newtonian design of the 114L SLT is over the 80 and 102 SLT refractor designs. It’s a no-brainer choice for astronomical use, but forget about terrestrial observation – you’ll struggle with right side up image orientation.

At about R1000 more the step up to the 130 SLT seems well worth, particularly considering it’s about 18% more in price tag for about 30% more image brightness, however an extra R1000 is till an extra R1000 and there is a focal length disadvantage in the 130SLT as it sits at 650mm as opposed to 1000mm on 114SLT.

As a beginner in astronomy my expectations were somewhat raised by the popular imagery of great clouds of bright cosmic gases and crisp 3 dimensional perspectives of the planets. In reality, these colours do exist, although the photographs do use a lot of software and colour filters to create the images we’re familiar with. You’re not going to get that kind of imagery either with the naked eye or with a camera on this scope. Actually you’re not going to get anywhere near that kind of detail with most consumer telescopes under 8 inches in aperture.

After being initially impressed at the ease of use of the computerised telescope (it’s actually fun to play with), then getting over the disappointment that what the telescope told me was Jupiter appeared as only a smudgy looking small disc, I started to develop an interest in what I was doing. It wasn’t the glamour of searching for alien life on the neighbouring rocks around the sun, but the power and awe of a telescope comes when first you see what looks like just a bright star with the naked eye, then turn your telescope on it with your remote control and realise that you’re actually looking at a double star. With thousands of objects in the night sky and at least 4000 programmed on the telescope, it’s a hobby with a great potential for longevity. Plus, with power outages likely in South Africa for the next few years it’s a great hobby for when the lights are turned off and the sky is bright with stars!