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| Date: |
2-2-2002 |
| Price: |
$119 |
| Design: |
4.5-inch
Newt. Reflector |
| Description: |
Classic
equatorial mounted Newtonian reflector |
The Review
I received this scope. It was easy enough to assemble, but no operating
instructions. I contacted the company, but that wasn't easy. I had to go on
line to find a phone number. When I did contact them they were very kind and
supplied me with what I asked.
I am satisfied with the scope thought being new I have nothing to compare to,
thus I will limit my comments as such. The scope came with 3 eyepieces, a
moon filter, a 3X Barlow lens and software. It comes with an EQ mount.
The mount seems easy enough to use and I have no trouble with working the
controls. It seems to me the scope is slightly out of balance and I believe
the problem is that I need slightly more weight. This has not been a
problem....
When focusing on an object the image tends to dance in the eyepiece. This
does not seem to be a problem with the stand, and is only pronounced at
higher powers.
The objects I can see are as follows:
I can see Jupiter and 2 to 4 bands of gas. The bands appear dark blue. The
planet itself appears pale yellow while the northern portion has a faint red
tint. I can clearly see 4 moons. This is all visible with my lowest power
eyepiece.
When I use the middle powered eyepiece I can see better detail, and the most
powerful eyepiece even more. However I noticed that when I use the Barlow
lens with the highest powered eyepiece I cannot focus the object. This is
probably because of the speed the object is out of view.
My best view is with the middle powered eyepiece and the Barlow.
When looking at the moon I find the Barlow with the highest powered eyepiece
to be usable, but it is hard to bring in focus. I have to be very
deliberate. Of course when trying to focus on an object such as Jupiter that
is out of site so fast it is not possible to be so deliberate. Thus, there
is a problem when using the Barlow and the highest powered eyepiece on
planetary objects.
I have noticed that it is difficult to use the view finder. I aligned it in
the daytime just as suggested, but a slight bump with my eye against the
finder and it was out of alignment. It has proven to be very frustrating.
However, I am very satisfied. I only paid $119 for the scope and $20 a few
days later for a clock drive (which I haven't really used). I have really
enjoyed the scope and I feel it was worth the money.
Submitted by anonymous - USA
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