One year Review of the Celestron C9.25 

Brings back lots of memories. I worked at Celestron from 1990-1995 back when we first designed the 9.25. The odd size is because when we went from traditional "blocks" to caternary blocks we found that our old 8" corrector tooling could now make up to a 9.25 corrector. The "block" is a 10" mirror blank (might have been 10.1") that is ground and polished with the same curve that is needed for the corrector plate. A hole is drilled through the middle of the 10" blank and it is then mounted on a spindle in a polishing machine. The unprocessed corrector plate is vacuumed down onto the block and then you polish out the corrector while it's "flexed" against the block. When you finish, the corrector plate takes on the curve that was on the 10" mirror blank. As someone who has made thousands of Celestron optical systems, only the nearly unheard of 22" is something I'd want more than a 9.25.

Ollie: My first thought when I opened this video was "my god he put that 9.25 scope on an HEQ5!" Glad to hear you actually use the scope on a mount with a much higher payload capacity. Thanks for a great review.

That was an awesome long term view of the 9.25, Ollie! Really enjoyed that and your images at the end are superb...you've convinced me that I need an SCT in my life...but my wallet hates you now! Lol! Have a great weekend, mate!

Great review Ollie! It's an awesome scope and you've done great work with yours :)

Very interesting review Ollie with some cool and good-to-know details and personal experience. Also thought to get something like this size. Very versatile scope, big and relatively (!) cheap when you look at the other scopes of this series. Thanks a lot and clear skies

Great review Ollie , unboxing and firstlights are good but our views are sometimes clouded by our excitement for our nice new shiney scope, we get much more accurate review after the scope as been use for some time that way we get to know about it's strength and weakness first-hand , thanks for taking the time to make these video mate

Nice run through on the scope after a descent time of usage. Yep these SCTs can be damn heavy to move around, so my 10” Meade lives permanently in the obsy.

Nice review Ollie I think the 9.25 is a great scope I'd love one myself, I think Ed Ting did a video about pretty much all Celestron SCT's & he reckons yours hits the sweet spot, by what you've imaged with it I couldn't agree more. As for shooting at F2 it's great when it's dialled in but can be a real pain when problems arise.

I have a Celestron 9.25" made in USA I got long ago obviously. I then moved up to the 11" HD and used it twice before I sold it. I am unable to lift it and mount it without much effort as you imply. I figured I'm never going to use it so sold it and kept with my 9.25 but it is old and cannot use hyperstar is the only drawback. I do have an 8" with hyperstar.

The odd ball scope size make it very versatile. I think I remember you saying you were thinking bout selling it. I've seen others who do and then regret it after wards.. it is a wonderful scope. never sell it!! CS

Excellent review. Where is that accent from? Sounds like the home country?! I have one on an EQ6 - I am currently using it for EAA utilizing a flip mirror from Meade to switch between 2”eyepiece and camera. I am using the ASI A+ which, for me as a beginner, is a kind of turnkey solution. I am staggered at those planetary images. How did you get them? All my efforts at planetary so far have been a dismal failure. my used package came with a hyper star which I have tried a couple of times and it is truly amazing. So fast! Again, excellent review clear skies to you!

Good review of the scope. Do you have any issues with mirror flop?

Awesome thanks Ollie I heard mixed reviews on this saying there was some coma on the stars and it was recommended to get the edge version because of this. Looking at yours I can’t see coma or fringing have you had any issues like that? Thanks

Great review Ollie. Knowing what you know now, would you have purchased the Esprit 120 scope, or would you have gone for the Celestron instead of the Esprit. Do you still use your Esprit 120 scope. I am considering purchasing a 120 scope (I currently have the Sky Rover 102 on an AZ-EQ6 mount), however I am concerned that it might be a waste of money and I should get an Celestron 8" instead.

It’s Ed Tings favorite SCT. I believe if I had another go at SCT’s I would get this one.

I had one for planetary viewing and at that stage wasn't doing any deep sky, I sold it for a ts130 APO I sometimes have seller's regret knowing how far Ive gone since I started.

Just bought Hyperstar v4 for my C925. Gamechanger for deep sky imaging.

I've recently purchased a Celestron OAG and ASI174MM for my C8 to use with an ASI071MC Pro (APS-C sized sensor). I also have tha Celestron 6.3 focal reducer. Have you noticed when looking down in the OAG guide sensor hole it appears the edge of the OAG body adapter is obscuring the light path in the prism. I've noticed this with the SCT Adapter and M48 female.I use a Blue Fireball SCT to M48 male adapter on the M48 adapter. I think you said you had to use the M42 adapter for the Starizona focal reducer. I don't see a perfectly round illuminated hole, one edge is affected. Even with the Celestron focal reducer on I notice this, since its glass is only 40mm in diameter. What is the diameter of the glass on the Starizona focal reducer. I've set my prism down to the lowest position. it still clears the sensor by 3mm. I guess the workaround is to rotate the guide scope so the longest side of the sensor is parallel to the obstruction. I also noticed the guide camera barrel is slightly larger so the guide camera can tilt a little unless the two screws are evenly tightened. I assume you are using PHD2. Have you notice you get guide stars throughout the guiding window and they seem to be all in focus? Looks like the Baader Click Lock is the way to go with the Starizona. I'm thinking of getting one of those. Thank you.

Hi I have the same scope and as ASI224MC camera. I have been trying to decide if I should go with a 2X 2.5X or 3X Barlow or Powermate and was curious on your opinion?

Why does everyone only take photos of planets with this telescope?