comments:
StarSense Explorer is great! I love how much it has sped up my ability to hop from target to target and knock out more targets in a night than I ever could before. However, two things: Celestron way over-charges for SSE (I linked to the SSE 8" and AD8 a couple comments above); and I am really glad I learned to use my telescope without it, because there are little things about using a dob that I am glad I had to get comfortable with while hunting for small, dim objects, that I can tell while using SSE I wouldn't have become anywhere near as comfortable with (like making minor adjustments with the inverted image in the eyepiece). Regarding the cost, I don't know if the prices have changed, but at that time last year the value difference - ignoring the nice-to-have things and sticking strictly to the eyepiece and finder scope differences - the overall cost of SSE over an AD8 was nearly $330. But those nice-to-have things really are great and I'd bet, with your stated budget, you're already thinking about the kinds of accessories/upgrades you'll want to get, the ones included are ones you'll be looking to anyway! I'd say, if you are at all someone who wouldn't mind doing minor DIY mods (like getting 3D printed parts and screwing in some magnets), it's so much cheaper to watch your local used market and buy an SSE LT telescope when someone looks to sell it, for somewhere less than $150 (I saw one sell near me for less than $80). There are two that go cheap: the LT 80AZ and LT 114AZ; the 80AZ is actually a good little refractor on a terrible mount, but the 114AZ is so flawed, its only lasting value is really just the phone cradle. You can get one, contact Celestron with proof that you own it (a photo) and they'll send you an app code, and then use minimal 3D printed parts and magnets (or just a 3D part to put it in a standard finder shoe), and have the best of both worlds for a lot less money. BUT, maybe that's just too much to deal with! In that case, as long as you know you're trading extra money for SSE, buy the SSE 8" and then spend some of your budget on some of the accessories and upgrades! For sure you'll need collimation tools, so a cheshire tube and/or a laser collimator (which itself requires double-checking the collimation and adjusting as-needed). And then definitely buy an additional, higher-power eyepiece. I'd strongly suggest the Svbony "redline" 9mm or Agena Starguider Dual ED 8mm as a great higher power for starting out. The Redline is internally the same as a "goldline" and sold under many different labels, but are all basically the same and Svbony usually has the best price for the rubberized one (it's a couple dollars more than Agena's version without the rubber but which inclues a free case). The Starguider Dual ED is also sold under a few different labels; the Agena one comes with a free case as well and seems to me to be the best-priced one as well. I'd also suggest RACI finder scope to replace the red dot finder. Wait on buying the much recommended telrad until you decide if that method of starhopping - with the reticle - is what you want to do. Or perhaps, like me, you'll want a low-power green laser. These are more for when you use your telescope without the app, so keep that in mind. And finally, a good upgrade for the SSE 8" is a dual-speed mechanism for the focuser. A good place to get it in North America is David Astro in Quebec, and if in the US this is the simplest way to deal with the current tariffs situation.
20mm is going to be better than the 4mm, but it's not really enough magnification for planetary viewing. Consider buying one of these. It's a bargain price for a fairly good performing eyepiece, and it will get you enough magnification to see details on the Jupiter assuming the telescope's optics and conditions linked above, hold true.
What a great deal you got! I know your budget is $200 and you really hit it out of the park with this, even though, as someone else said, the $350 full price was good as well. The one thing you'll need to solve is the missing tension springs on both sides of the tube and base (someone else posted a photo to show them). I have a 10" dob with springs, but I suspect you are correct and you just bought an 8" and I don't know if the springs are different. (An 8" dob has a roughly 10" tube diameter and a 10" dob has a 12" tube diameter). Your best bet is to ask here or on cloudynights.com for the specific dimensions of someone else's 8" dob tension springs. They are available on Amazon, referred to as "tension" OR "extension" spring. If you do have a 10", let me know and I'll measure mine and let you know the dimensions. Someone else also mentioned that you'll want an eyepiece, like a 25mm plossl. That's a good starting point for a low-magnification; for a higher magnification (which you'll eventually want for planets) a very good budget option is the 6mm or 9mm "Redline" eyepiece from Svbony: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07C6HDR58 I have both versions (with other company labels, but they're well-known for being the same manufacturer with different sellers and Svbony is usually the best-priced). The 6mm is more magnification, but the 9mm "performs" better. They have good eye relief (meaning you can keep your eye a little further from the eyepiece and see the image), but can sometimes frustrate people because your eye has to be in the right general spot (when not in the right spot, they have an effect called kidney beaning, which means the image blacks out from your perspective). For the price at under $40 each, they can't really be beat. (If you buy both, or with other accessories that would get the free shipping on $50+ from Agena Astro, that would be a better value because they come with free cases: https://agenaastro.com/agena-9mm-enhanced-wide-angle-ewa-eyepiece.html https://agenaastro.com/agena-6mm-enhanced-wide-angle-ewa-eyepiece.html) Enjoy your new telescope!