"The most user-friendly binoculars ever" - that's how the Celestron NexStar Evolution series, a significantly improved version of the NexStar SE binoculars that have become so popular overseas, can be described. The designers were motivated by maximum portability and ease and comfort of use. The middle member of the series is a high-quality 200mm Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope, ideal for the amateur astronomer looking for both portability and high light gathering power.
The Evolution series is the first Schmidt-Cassegrain binocular to feature a built-in wifi adapter. So now there's no need for a wired hand-held controller - although of course it's still standard. Celestron's own free planetarium app can be downloaded to your Android or iOS smart device and you can set up your GoTo in a few minutes using the SkyAlign technology built into the app. This is a particularly useful feature for beginners, as you don't need to know the names and locations of the stars, simply set three bright stars to learn the mechanics. You can then tap the touchscreen and Evolution will readily lock onto the objects you've chosen. NexStar Evolution's database stores data on nearly 40,000 objects and can be pointed at any one of them.
A significant development is that instead of using replaceable batteries or an external power source, engineers opted for a built-in power supply. Thanks to the rechargeable lithium-ion battery, you can detect for up to 10 hours in a row. In addition, the system automatically switches to energy-saving mode when the charge is low. Other benefits of the Evolution series include manual clutches that allow manual movement of the tube and two eyepiece trays with space for 7 eyepieces in total. The company's proprietary StarBright XLT coating significantly increases the scope's light-harvesting capability and also improves the contrast of the image seen.
Thanks to improved motors and controls, tracking celestial objects has become so accurate that bright deep-sky objects (such as the Orion Nebula) can be captured in alt-azimuth mode with our DSRL camera. Long exposure astrophotography is also possible with the optional Pro HD equatorial wedge.
A Starpointer viewfinder, two Plössl eyepieces (40 mm and 13 mm) and a 1.25" zenith mirror are also included in the basic package.