The NexStar User's Guide by Michael Swanson Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of The NexStar User's Guide
Book Review: Dept of Redundancy department
Summary: 2 Stars
This is essentially a regurgitation of the owner'e pamphlet. and a rehash of fundamentals of Astronomy....total waste of $$$Book Review: Go to telescopes
Summary: 5 Stars
Found the NexStar Users Guide to be extremely helpful in setting up and using a "Go To" telescope. Most of the information can be applied to any telescope brand that uses this type format.Book Review: Good Information for NexStar owners
Summary: 5 Stars
This review is only for owners of NexStar telescopes, or those thinking about purchasing one. If you are not in this class of people, then there are other books that you might rather consider.
I was, frankly, a little disappointed with this book. I was looking for something that was chock full of "secret tips" on how to use my NexStar telescope, but found that there were few tips available. Much of the information was general information about astronomical topics that an experienced amateur astronomer might already know. It did, however, contain some information specific to the NexStar scopes. And, I did learn some general things that I had not known before. So, if you are a NexStar owner, you spent a good deal of money on your telescope and this is an excellent first accessory, especially if you are a beginner in stargazing.
So, why do I give such a lukewarm review to a book that I awarded five stars?? Well, if you are a NexStar owner, you should know about the web site that author Swanson runs, The NexStar Resource Site, [...]. If you are a NexStar owner and this is the first that you have heard of this site, then you owe it to yourself to check it out!! It has a wealth of current information that you will want to refer to from time to time. So, buy Mr. Swanson's book, if for no other reason than to support his site. And, you may learn some valuable things from the book to boot!
Book Review: Good book but limited on Celetron ASGT
Summary: 3 Stars
I found that the NexStar User's Guide was not very helpful to me since I purchased the Celestron ASGT Advanced Series mount with a 9.25 SCT, which uses the NexStar system. The book did not address this specific configuration, its 3-star alignment programming, or the alignment bug that currently plagues the ASGT system. Also, I had already spent so much time trying to solve the go-to alignment bug that a forced learning curve made the book of marginal value. Therefore, I ended up returning it. I will say that it is otherwise a good book, but it really does not address all NexStar applications. Therefore, I would not necessarily recommend the Guide to ASGT owners until the book as been updated to include the Celestron ASGT Advanced Series mount and the alingment problems.Book Review: Good but very very dated
Summary: 3 Stars
The content of the book may be relevant and useful if you own or are interested in any of the older model Celestron telescopes discussed. Unfortunately the material is dated and I couldn't immediately find any coverage of telescopes in Celestron's current productline (May 2010). I wanted to use the book to help me learn about Celestron's current offerings and also to help me decide on what to buy but it ended up being a chore trying to match the new and current products to those covered in the book either by name, features and capabilities. So I gave up and returned the book.
If you are interested in older Celestron telescope models, the book may be of value to you. If you have some familiarity with Celestron's goto telescopes, you could probably figure out and benefit from the book by applying the content to current models. The book may have a potential and will serve interested buyers well if the author and publisher releases an updated edition.