If you’re interested in astro-imaging, the 8-inch NexStar Evolution is an excellent and affordable way to get started.
Manual clutches in both altitude and azimuth offer greater flexibility to manually point the telescope when powered off. During setup, leg etchings will help you adjust your telescope to the perfect height. The all-metal tripod features a metal accessory tray with indentations for storing and carrying the tripod. Setting up your NexStar Evolution is quick and simple. Your telescope will go into power-saving mode when it senses low battery life to keep power running for as long as possible. In addition, use NexStar Evolution’s USB charge port to top off your other electronic devices that need to stay powered on during observation. It now includes its own built-in battery! With this long-lasting lithium-iron-phosphate battery, enjoy stargazing marathons for up to 10 hours on a single charge.
Once you know how to do this, then it only takes a few minutes. Just input your latitude and longitude (or alternatively, select the closest city to you from their database), put in the date and time, then select 3 bright sky objects, by centering them one at a time in the eyepiece and entering them into the controller, then let the controller calculate and align the scope to your sky and you are ready.
The one I use is the 3 Star Align method. The NexStar controller has several quick alignment modes. Its default mount and tracking is Alt-Azimuth, but you can purchase a wedge accessory for the 2 equatorial tracking modes and use it for astrophotography. It has 9 slewing speeds and 6 tracking modes (Alt-Azimuth, North and South EQ, Sideral, Solar and Lunar). It contains a user defined portion in its database and provides info on objects you have selected. The NexStar controller gives you several alignment options as well as multiple ways of selecting objects. The boxes it came in can be used for storage and transport. This allows you to create clearance between the OTA back and the single fork-arm assembly base. The OTA is not only detachable (simple clamping with a knob handled screw), but can be adjusted forward and backward of the fork-arm to maintain balance if you have heavy eyepiece assemblies or a camera. If you store it with the Optical Tube Assembly (OTA) attached to the single fork-arm, then all you have to do is grab the OTA/fork-arm assembly and the tripod, step outside, connect the tripod to the OTA/fork-arm assembly via the 3 screws attached to the tripod, power up and viola you are ready to view planets, stars, nebula, and galaxies (if you have decent seeing conditions). Settles in 2-3 seconds after a normal bump.
It is lightweight, portable and pretty stable on its tripod. It even comes with a small bubble level to level the tripod. Out of the box collimation was excellent. Optics are good quality with no imperfections or dust. I have milked 4 hours out of them before. Since the single fork-arm must power motor(s) and the controller, the AA batteries will not last long if you do a lot. Can use 8 AA batteries or connect an external source via 12 Volt connector (12 Volt car accessory or AC adapters are available as accessories). Manual and quick start guide are well written. Comes with 6 element 25 mm 1.25" Plossl' eyepiece, 1.25" diagonal, 1.25' visual back, easy to use finderscope, aperture cover, tripod, and accessory/eyepiece tray.