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In-depth review
Updated September 2026 · Written by the TelescopeReviews.co.uk test team
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.5/5 — RECOMMENDED
The best planetary telescope we have tested at this price point. Three months of UK testing confirmed the Maksutov optics deliver genuinely outstanding views of Saturn, Jupiter and the Moon, while the app-controlled Wi-Fi GoTo makes finding targets effortless for beginners.
| Optical design | Maksutov-Cassegrain |
|---|---|
| Primary aperture | 102mm |
| Focal length | 1,325mm |
| Focal ratio | f/13 |
| Mount type | Computerised GoTo alt-azimuth (Wi-Fi) |
| Control | Smartphone/tablet via free SkyPortal app |
| Object database | 120,000+ objects |
| Power | 8x AA batteries or 12V DC |
| Eyepieces included | 10mm and 25mm Kellner (1.25 inch) |
| Finder | StarPointer red dot |
| Weight | 7.3kg (assembled) |
| UK warranty | 2 years (Celestron UK) |
The Astro Fi 102 is one of the most pleasant telescopes to live with that we have tested. The Maksutov tube is short, sealed and remarkably compact — at just 38cm long it fits in a small rucksack, and the sealed optical path means no regular collimation and almost no maintenance. After three months of use including several damp UK evenings, the optics remained pristine.
The single-fork Wi-Fi mount is sturdy and quiet in operation. The integrated smartphone dock on the fork arm is a thoughtful touch — your phone sits securely while you control the telescope. The tripod is the familiar Celestron steel design: adequate at mid-height, slightly flexible at full extension under high magnification.
🔧 Build Highlights
Unlike the NexStar 130SLT, there is no hand controller — everything runs through the free SkyPortal app. Here is exactly what first-time setup looks like:
Step 1 — Download SkyPortal
Install the free Celestron SkyPortal app on your phone or tablet before your first session. It works on iOS and Android.
Step 2 — Level the tripod
Set up on flat ground and level the tripod. This takes 2-3 minutes and directly affects GoTo pointing accuracy.
Step 3 — Connect to the telescope's Wi-Fi
Power on and join the telescope's own Wi-Fi network (shown in your phone's Wi-Fi settings). The app connects in seconds.
Step 4 — Align on any two bright objects
SkyPortal suggests bright stars or planets currently visible. Centre each one in the eyepiece and confirm in the app. This took 4-5 minutes in our testing.
Step 5 — Tap and observe
Tap any object in the app's sky map or search the 120,000-object database. The mount slews there automatically.
💡 Our App Experience
Across 10 testing sessions, the SkyPortal app connected on the first attempt nine times out of ten. The sky map is genuinely excellent — tapping Saturn and watching the mount slew across the sky in 10 seconds never stopped feeling impressive. One session required restarting the app after a connection drop, but it reconnected without losing alignment.
Verdict: Superb — this is the sharpest lunar performer we have tested at this price.
Verdict: Outstanding — the long f/13 focal ratio delivers the best Saturn views of any telescope in our round-up.
Verdict: Outstanding — planetary detail that genuinely surprised us from a 102mm instrument.
Verdict: Very good — among the best Mars views achievable without spending significantly more.
Verdict: Good but not the strength — the 102mm aperture and long focal length favour planets and lunar over faint deep-sky.
We observed Saturn and Jupiter through every telescope in our main round-up on the same nights. Here is how the Astro Fi 102 compared:
| Telescope | Focal Ratio | Planets | Deep-Sky |
|---|---|---|---|
| Celestron Astro Fi 102 (Maksutov) | f/13 | Excellent — sharpest we tested | Good — aperture limited |
| Celestron NexStar 130SLT (Newtonian) | f/5 | Very good | Very good |
| Sky-Watcher Heritage 130P (Newtonian) | f/5 | Good | Very good |
| Sky-Watcher Skyliner 200P (Dobsonian) | f/6 | Very good | Excellent |
⚠️ Why f/13 Matters for Planets
Long focal ratios deliver high magnification with comfortable, forgiving eyepieces, and Maksutov optics produce exceptionally high contrast — exactly what planetary observing demands. The trade-off is a narrower field of view and less light gathering, which is why faint deep-sky objects are the Astro Fi's relative weakness.
✅ YES — Buy the Astro Fi 102 if:
❌ NO — Consider alternatives if:
Sky-Watcher Heritage 130P FlexTube
More aperture and better deep-sky views for less money — but manual, with no GoTo tracking.
Celestron NexStar 130SLT
More aperture and a hand-controller GoTo — a better all-rounder if deep-sky matters as much as planets.
Sky-Watcher Skyliner 200P Dobsonian
200mm of aperture for dramatically brighter views. Manual, but the best visual performance per pound.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.5/5 — The Celestron Astro Fi 102 is the planetary specialist of our test programme. The Maksutov optics produced the sharpest Saturn and Jupiter views of any telescope we tested at this price, the Wi-Fi GoTo and SkyPortal app are genuinely beginner-friendly, and the sealed, compact design means years of maintenance-free observing. Its only real compromise is deep-sky performance — if faint galaxies are your dream, choose a larger reflector instead. For UK beginners whose eyes light up at Saturn's rings, this is the telescope we recommend most often.
Also see our beginner telescope guide, best telescopes for planets, and Celestron UK brand guide.