Push to Dobson

Push To Dobson: you point, you push

A Push-To Dobsonian has no motors. Instead, the telescope knows where it is pointing and an app on your phone tells you which way to push. As soon as the object is in the eyepiece, the app signals. You keep the simplicity and silence of a Dobsonian, but you don't need to know the night sky by heart. For beginners under light-polluted city skies, where few reference stars are visible, this is often the best choice.

Two systems, two philosophies

• Celestron StarSense Explorer. Your phone clicks into a holder with a mirror on the tube. The app photographs the starry sky and recognizes what the telescope is pointed at. No encoders, no alignment procedure. Works with a modern iPhone or Android phone. Available as 130 mm, 150 mm, 203 mm, 254 mm and 305 mm.
• Omegon Push+. Encoders in the base measure the position and transmit it via Bluetooth to a planetarium app like SkySafari. Align once on two stars, after which it works for any part of the sky, even during the day. Available as Push+ Mini Pro 150/750 and Push+ 203/1000.

Our recommendations

• Celestron StarSense Explorer Dobson 203 mm8 inch opening with the simplest navigation on the market. Our top pick in this category.
• Celestron StarSense Explorer Dobson 150 mmmore compact and lighter, same app.
• Omegon Push+ 203/1000: for those who prefer using SkySafari and want a shorter tube.

Push To or GoTo?

Push To doesn't need power, weighs less, and costs less. GoTo tracks an object automatically, which is nice for planets at high magnification and necessary for astrophotography. If you want the telescope to move by itself, check out GoTo Dobson. If you want the cheapest route to many mirrors, then the classic Dobson the better choice.

With every Push To Dobson, we recommend a laser collimator. You can find more information about navigation systems on our Celestron brand page.