Bushnell Northstar 300 x 90mm Motorized Telescope w/ Real Voice Output
Optics : Bushnell Northstar 300 x 90mm Motorized Telescope w/ Real Voice Output and Customer Reviews
Maksutov-Cassegrain telescope with powerful imaging in compact body
Built-in database of 20,000 celestial objects
Remote hand-held control with computerized tracking
Real voice output for fun, interactive night viewing
4mm and 20mm eyepieces
List
Price: $549.99
New, lowest price : $277.19
Product Description
Bushnell North Star Goto 90mm Maksutov-Cassegrain Compact / Real Voice Output / Eyepieces Included: 4mm (300x) and 20mm(60x) / 1200mm Focal Length 1x wide-angle, red dot finderscope. Quick-release tripod and accessory tray for fast, easy assembly. Once locked on, tracking the object for prolonged viewing is automatic User Level - Intermediate Mount - Kinematic Focal Length - 1200mm Eyepiece Format - 1-1/4 Inch Inches / Lens Coating - Standard Eyepieces Included - 4mm (300x) and 20mm(60x) Camera adaptable for astrophotography with separately purchased Bushnell 780104 photo adapter combined with separately purchased T-mount matched to your camera body lens mount
This had the potential to be a nice way for my daughter and I to explore the night sky. But I cannot recommend this scope for several reasons. First, it is almost impossible to align the tracking scope with a centered object in the main scope making the next steps impossible. Second, the backlight LED display for the handheld computer is a very dark red and impossible to see - even in my very dark backyard. I fail to understand Bushnell's point in using a display you cannot see.
Save your pennies and purchase a wider aperature telescope if you really want to see celestial bodies.
All in all a great backyard scope for those getting interested in Astronomy. The optics are good for planet viewing and star gazing. Deep sky objects will be faint so don't expect Hubble clarity. Moon gazing is unbeatable and Saturn is quite clear even without any filters. A good filter/lens kit really makes this scope go a long way. Once set up the "Go To" software works pretty good. Sometimes it says we are there and it requires a little hunting and pecking to find as it is just out of the field of view. For the money (Sam's club had these for as little as $200 on sale) this scope is a great starter. The cons are the complete lack of documentation included for set up and alignment procedures as well as total lack of any kind of support on Bushnell's web site. Even the astronomy links on the site are bad (as in do not work). Shame on you Bushnell for not properly supporting what is an otherwise very good product for the money. Value 10/10 Construction 10/10 Ease of use 7/10
Portability 10/10 Optics 9/10 Included accessories 6/10 Documentation 2/10
Website 0/10. Hope this helps. I really like it and would recommend it for the 200 - 300 price range but no more.
