Top positive review
15 people found this helpful
Heavy but love it.
By Analog Nerd on Reviewed in the United States on February 2, 2016
I'm giving it five stars because of bang for buck. I bought it after reading Gustav Mahler review and I'm not sure I can add to that review but I will try.First it came very well boxed three times in fact. There was a instruction booklet and for me the assembly was easy. I must say at first un-packing it it did seem intimating but the pictures help (stick to the pictures) because the side RA was turn 180 out to make packing possible. There were nine easy steps. There was a screw driver left over that looked like a part I missed. (Look says screwdriver on it). I didn't need a screw driver. I suggest you do not go any tighter than you need to and that is not tight. Too tight can do damage and many people tend to over do that. Its your baby go easy. Con's - I was not happy with the finder scope. I think that could have been improved. The tripod was OK. It had points on the tips and not rubber feet. I have a Galileo tripod I use for a small 400mm-70mm scope I do bird watching with and I think I like that one better. Pro's - I like the slow motion knobs. I thought I give them a try because too often in my pass I used a short scope with high power lens on a solid base to lessen the shaking due to moving it and near by earth movement, such as trucks going by when out on a patio. Those were better for those earthy harmonics than the long tube type. But with out the slow motion cables I over come the resistance that held the scope at aim and when it broke that hold the scope would over shoot and I would be way off my target. This cable knob type may be the lesser of the two evils and it gives me power like I never had. The lens tray has a lip on it so I can just place my lens in that with there case's on. It came with two CD disks. One instructions that was good but for the Polar alignment I like U-Tube. On that CD I couldn't get into accessory to see what the dove tail fastener was met for. I think its an optional digital camera holder. The second CD ( not II ). Asked for me to download a set up soft ware and I do not down load strange exe. In short, it was like a telescope that cost twice what I paid. That and reviews is what drives Amazon I think... IMPORTANT... This is a heavy scope with lots of cast iron to it. 18 Lps. It is a bad boy so if your female (like me) or not up to moving that weight, it may not be for you. I plan to back-pack the counter weight & my lens if I'm going too far with it. I wouldn't want a scope any more heavy than this. There you have it. Not sure I did better than the Gustav Mahler review. He is right, optics are great. Five stars. I can't believe I got a scope this good for this cost. I have four telescopes now. This one is the power house but I still in-joy the others. They have there place.
Top critical review
3 people found this helpful
A review from a average Joe
By BenderUnit on Reviewed in the United States on February 5, 2014
Now I'm not a astronomer, just a causal viewer since I got this for my kids. They really wanted to see the stars up close, you know like the way NASA would show the stars. Now keeping in mind the price point for this telescope, you already know you're not going to get the best images. After setting up the telescope, you can see the stars closer but it's not in much detail, after all it's they are millions or billions of miles away. But the moon is a different story. When there is a full moon, you can see a lot of detail but you may get the same results looking through a pair of binoculars. Likes: It's a great looking telescope, good sturdy platform. Come with lens cover so that dust won't get all over the optics. The instructions for assembling was easy to understand. No problem with shipping, it is well protected. Dislikes: Adjusting the telescope is not easy at times, the nobs seem to get in the way when you have the telescope at a steep angle. I always get grease on my hands when adjusting the focus, you have to remember to keep you hands away from the barrel as it comes out when focusing. Odd: The telescope comes with a magnifying eye piece. Couldn't really get it to work, not sure when to use it.
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