Comet Enthusiast

Sale Price: $99.99

Description

Orion's surprising little Spaceprobe 3 has been picked by independent reviewers as one of the best telescopes in its price class. Unlike similar telescopes seen in discount stores, Orion has refined the Spaceprobe 3 by paying attention to the little details, and that make this telescope a great value. The Spaceprobe 3 comes with an unusually complete set of accessories. The package includes two very good Explorer II eyepieces (25mm and 10mm), an adjustable altazimuth tripod, a good red-dot finder, a student edition of "The Sky" planetarium program, and a well written manual. The package even includes the tools you'll need to assemble the telescope and align the optics. The Spaceprobe 3 is a Newtonian reflector. That means it uses mirrors instead of lenses. Newtonians are primarily used for astronomy because the images are upside-down. Orion includes a collimation tool and good directions for aligning the mirrors. The reward for aligning the mirrors is seen in images that snap into sharp focus. My Spaceprobe 3 arrived properly aligned right out of the box. With its Explorer II eyepieces, this telescope consistently delivers fine views. Using the 25mm eyepiece (28x magnification) the Pleiades cluster is simply wonderful, showing dozens of stars. From a rural location with a dark sky, the Orion Nebula is a big ghostly glow, and when I zoom in with the 10mm eyepiece, the Trapezium resolves into four tiny pinpoints. The double star Gamma Andromeda becomes two beads of light, one gold, the other one pale blue. Moon and planet images are crisp, with none of the false color I see in low cost refractors. When I look at the Moon I see mountains and terraced walls inside the larger craters. With the 10mm eyepiece (about 70x), Saturn's rings are sharply separated from the planet, and I can even pick out the planet's shadow on the rings. The Altazimuth mount included with this telescope is light and easy to use; it may be the best choice for a young astronomer. If you want motorized tracking of the stars and planets, Orion's Spaceprobe 3 EQ is available with an equatorial mount, and Celestron sells essentially the same optical system with the computerized NexStar 76GT. -Jeff Phillips Pros: Best in class optical performance Two good Explorer II eyepieces Complete accessory package Cons: Small 76mm aperture Upside-down terrestrial images

If you're looking for an affordable entry-level telescope for that beginning astronomy enthusiast, our SpaceProbe 3 Altaz is the perfect choice. Great for all-around stargazing, this highly portable, uncomplicated scope is just the right size and weight for the entire family, and just the right price for parents. This is a quality telescope, with a 3" (76mm) glass primary mirror mounted in a sturdy Neptune Blue Metallic aluminum tube. The rack-and-pinion focuser accepts standard 1.25" eyepieces. Two Explorer II eyepieces, a low-power 25mm (28x) and a high-power 10mm (70x), are included. An EZ Finder II finder scope mounted on the tube helps zero-in on the sky target. The altazimuth mount is lightweight and easy to use. To aim it, simply move it up or down or left or right. An adjustable, aluminum tripod with accessory tray is also included. One-year limited warranty.

Features

• A fantastic beginner telescope that's lightweight.
• 76mm aperture reflector telescope is large enough for wonderful views of the Moon.
• The included EZ Finder II makes finding celestial objects a breeze.
• Includes two 1.25" telescope eyepieces, EZ Finder II reflex sight, smooth rack and pinion focuser.

Description

Options Explained:There are two option menus you need to select when purchasing this product. First the Model Type asks with or without the adjustment stage. A Tripod is needed for using this set up. Some people have tripods with built in fine adjustment controls and some do not have this feature. The Fine Adjustment Controls are needed for acurate collimation - so a choice is given to buy it with or without this feature.You also have the choice of Model Size. Simply choose 1.25" or 2" focuser for your telescope. This reflector mirror goes into your telescopes focuser and is available in your choice of sizes. "This is a very clever device. By using three perfectly aligned laser beams it simulates the parallel rays coming from a distant star. The beams then pass through the telescope twice to amplify any error in the entire system making even small miscollimation errors readily seen and fixed. David's done his homework on this one coming up with a very ingenious answer to daytime collimation of an SCT." Craig Stark Ph. D. Associate Professor and Founder of Stark Labs & PHD Guiding"We have used the HOTECH Advanced CT Laser Collimator on our CDK Telescope to set the initial primary to secondary collimation with good result. HoTech's elegant design and high quality construction allows for ease of setup and makes this an invaluable tool for collimating a Cassegrain Telescope." Allan Keller PlaneWave Instruments Innovation brings Affortable and Portable Collimation into RealitySince the invention of the Cassegrain Telescope in 1672 by the French sculptor Sieur Guillaume Cassegrain the Cassegrain Telescope has evolved into various derivative designs such as the more popular Ritchey-Chr� tien Dall-Kirkham Schmidt-Cassegrain and Maksutov-Cassegrain. The designs have gained their popularity because of their compact and simple to produce design. With different designs star collimation is and has always been the only effective method to collimate for Cassegrain telescope

Description

Options Explained:There are two option menus you need to select when purchasing this product. First the Model Type asks with or without the adjustment stage. A Tripod is needed for using this set up. Some people have tripods with built in fine adjustment controls and some do not have this feature. The Fine Adjustment Controls are needed for acurate collimation - so a choice is given to buy it with or without this feature.You also have the choice of Model Size. Simply choose 1.25" or 2" focuser for your telescope. This reflector mirror goes into your telescopes focuser and is available in your choice of sizes. "This is a very clever device. By using three perfectly aligned laser beams it simulates the parallel rays coming from a distant star. The beams then pass through the telescope twice to amplify any error in the entire system making even small miscollimation errors readily seen and fixed. David's done his homework on this one coming up with a very ingenious answer to daytime collimation of an SCT." Craig Stark Ph. D. Associate Professor and Founder of Stark Labs & PHD Guiding"We have used the HOTECH Advanced CT Laser Collimator on our CDK Telescope to set the initial primary to secondary collimation with good result. HoTech's elegant design and high quality construction allows for ease of setup and makes this an invaluable tool for collimating a Cassegrain Telescope." Allan Keller PlaneWave Instruments Innovation brings Affortable and Portable Collimation into RealitySince the invention of the Cassegrain Telescope in 1672 by the French sculptor Sieur Guillaume Cassegrain the Cassegrain Telescope has evolved into various derivative designs such as the more popular Ritchey-Chr� tien Dall-Kirkham Schmidt-Cassegrain and Maksutov-Cassegrain. The designs have gained their popularity because of their compact and simple to produce design. With different designs star collimation is and has always been the only effective method to collimate for Cassegrain telescope

Description

Options Explained:There are two option menus you need to select when purchasing this product. First the Model Type asks with or without the adjustment stage. A Tripod is needed for using this set up. Some people have tripods with built in fine adjustment controls and some do not have this feature. The Fine Adjustment Controls are needed for acurate collimation - so a choice is given to buy it with or without this feature.You also have the choice of Model Size. Simply choose 1.25" or 2" focuser for your telescope. This reflector mirror goes into your telescopes focuser and is available in your choice of sizes. "This is a very clever device. By using three perfectly aligned laser beams it simulates the parallel rays coming from a distant star. The beams then pass through the telescope twice to amplify any error in the entire system making even small miscollimation errors readily seen and fixed. David's done his homework on this one coming up with a very ingenious answer to daytime collimation of an SCT." Craig Stark Ph. D. Associate Professor and Founder of Stark Labs & PHD Guiding"We have used the HOTECH Advanced CT Laser Collimator on our CDK Telescope to set the initial primary to secondary collimation with good result. HoTech's elegant design and high quality construction allows for ease of setup and makes this an invaluable tool for collimating a Cassegrain Telescope." Allan Keller PlaneWave Instruments Innovation brings Affortable and Portable Collimation into RealitySince the invention of the Cassegrain Telescope in 1672 by the French sculptor Sieur Guillaume Cassegrain the Cassegrain Telescope has evolved into various derivative designs such as the more popular Ritchey-Chr� tien Dall-Kirkham Schmidt-Cassegrain and Maksutov-Cassegrain. The designs have gained their popularity because of their compact and simple to produce design. With different designs star collimation is and has always been the only effective method to collimate for Cassegrain telescope

Sale Price: $99.99

Description

Orion's surprising little Spaceprobe 3 has been picked by independent reviewers as one of the best telescopes in its price class. Unlike similar telescopes seen in discount stores, Orion has refined the Spaceprobe 3 by paying attention to the little details, and that make this telescope a great value. The Spaceprobe 3 comes with an unusually complete set of accessories. The package includes two very good Explorer II eyepieces (25mm and 10mm), an adjustable altazimuth tripod, a good red-dot finder, a student edition of "The Sky" planetarium program, and a well written manual. The package even includes the tools you'll need to assemble the telescope and align the optics. The Spaceprobe 3 is a Newtonian reflector. That means it uses mirrors instead of lenses. Newtonians are primarily used for astronomy because the images are upside-down. Orion includes a collimation tool and good directions for aligning the mirrors. The reward for aligning the mirrors is seen in images that snap into sharp focus. My Spaceprobe 3 arrived properly aligned right out of the box. With its Explorer II eyepieces, this telescope consistently delivers fine views. Using the 25mm eyepiece (28x magnification) the Pleiades cluster is simply wonderful, showing dozens of stars. From a rural location with a dark sky, the Orion Nebula is a big ghostly glow, and when I zoom in with the 10mm eyepiece, the Trapezium resolves into four tiny pinpoints. The double star Gamma Andromeda becomes two beads of light, one gold, the other one pale blue. Moon and planet images are crisp, with none of the false color I see in low cost refractors. When I look at the Moon I see mountains and terraced walls inside the larger craters. With the 10mm eyepiece (about 70x), Saturn's rings are sharply separated from the planet, and I can even pick out the planet's shadow on the rings. The Altazimuth mount included with this telescope is light and easy to use; it may be the best choice for a young astronomer. If you want motorized tracking of the stars and planets, Orion's Spaceprobe 3 EQ is available with an equatorial mount, and Celestron sells essentially the same optical system with the computerized NexStar 76GT. -Jeff Phillips Pros: Best in class optical performance Two good Explorer II eyepieces Complete accessory package Cons: Small 76mm aperture Upside-down terrestrial images

If you're looking for an affordable entry-level telescope for that beginning astronomy enthusiast, our SpaceProbe 3 Altaz is the perfect choice. Great for all-around stargazing, this highly portable, uncomplicated scope is just the right size and weight for the entire family, and just the right price for parents. This is a quality telescope, with a 3" (76mm) glass primary mirror mounted in a sturdy Neptune Blue Metallic aluminum tube. The rack-and-pinion focuser accepts standard 1.25" eyepieces. Two Explorer II eyepieces, a low-power 25mm (28x) and a high-power 10mm (70x), are included. An EZ Finder II finder scope mounted on the tube helps zero-in on the sky target. The altazimuth mount is lightweight and easy to use. To aim it, simply move it up or down or left or right. An adjustable, aluminum tripod with accessory tray is also included. One-year limited warranty.

Features

• A fantastic beginner telescope that's lightweight.
• 76mm aperture reflector telescope is large enough for wonderful views of the Moon.
• The included EZ Finder II makes finding celestial objects a breeze.
• Includes two 1.25" telescope eyepieces, EZ Finder II reflex sight, smooth rack and pinion focuser.

Sale Price: $169.99

Description

Orion’s Observer 70 EQ combines the solid optical performance of a classic achromatic refractor with a German style equatorial mount. The Observer 70 features very good optics and 36 percent more light gathering power than 60mm beginner scopes. The complete accessory package includes high and low power eyepieces, a 90 degree star diagonal, a red-dot finder, illustrated instructions, and Orion‘s Starry Night Special Edition astronomy software. The Observer 70 EQ features very good optical performance. Achromatic refractors have a two piece objective lens, the second lens element compensates for “chromatic aberration”, the false color or blue fringes seen in low cost telescopes. In daylight tests I see very little blue fringing with the standard equipment 10mm eyepiece (70X magnification), and none at all with the 25mm eyepiece (28X). Stars and planets show up very nicely with the Observer 70. The quadruple star in the Orion Nebula known as the Trapezium is cleanly split into four components with the 10mm eyepiece (70X magnification). When I combine the 10mm eyepiece with a 2X Barlow lens for 140X magnification, I’m treated to lovely views of Saturn’s rings and the little orange disk of Mars. My view of the Moon is delightfully crisp and clear; the 25mm eyepiece nicely frames the Lunar disk, and using the 10mm eyepiece I can easily see mountain peaks and terraced walls inside the crater Copernicus. The Observer 70 EQ also features an aluminum tripod and an EQ-1 equatorial mount. The equatorial mount is a little more complicated to balance and align than the Observer 70 AZ , but the reward is better slow motion control and tracking at magnifications over 100X. Simply point the equatorial axis at Polaris, the North Star, and the telescope tracks celestial objects by turning one slow motion knob. This makes it much easier to use a high power eyepiece while viewing the Moon and Planets. The “EZ Finder II” works by shining a red LED on a small window; just look through the window and line up the red spot with your target. This works OK for bright objects like the Moon and planets but not so well for finding galaxies and deep space objects. Orion’s Observer 70 EQ is simply a very good entry level telescope for a student or family. The good quality 70mm optics produce an image that is significantly sharper and brighter than 60mm beginner scopes, and the package includes a solid mount, two good eyepieces, and fully illustrated instructions. --Jeff Phillips Pros: Reliable refractor design Good views of the Moon and planets Complete accessory package Starry Night software included Cons: Finder only works for bright objects

This tried-and-true refractor goes the extra distance in introducing the novice to the wonders of the night sky. The Observer 70 features a 70mm fully anti-reflection coated achromatic objective lens, which provides 36% more light-gathering ability than a 60mm. Its 700mm focal length (f/10) will show you the stark beauty of the lunar surface, Saturn's rings, Jupiter's atmospheric belts, or the billowy clouds of the Orion Nebula. The included EQ-1 equatorial mount comes equipped with dual slow-motion controls for manual star tracking and adjustable aluminum tripod. Includes an EZ Finder II finder scope to help you zero in on your celestial targets, two eyepieces - 25mm (1.25") and 10mm (1.25") - and 90-deg star diagonal. One year limited warranty.

Features

• A great entry-level refractor telescope at a very affordable price
• Reveals detailed views of the Moon and bright planets such as Jupiter and Saturn
• 70mm (2.75") aperture and 700mm focal length provides great views of bright night-sky objects
• Includes sturdy tripod and equatorial (EQ) mount for convenient manual slow-motion tracking of celestial objects
• Includes two eyepieces, finder scope, focuser, 90-degree mirror diagonal for comfortable viewing
• Free Starry Night astronomy software and DVD, and more!

Sale Price: $729.99

Description

This remarkable scope combines powerful 254mm-diameter reflector optics with point-and-view simplicity in one nicely portable package. And with included Computerized Object Locator, even the first-time stargazer can pinpoint the location of 14,000+ celestial wonders stored in the IntelliScope's databank. It's like having your own personal tour guide to the universe! The optical tube houses an 10" (254mm) parabolic mirror and rides on our state-of-the-art Dobsonian base, equipped with springless CorrecTension friction control for smooth movement and always-perfect tube balance.

Features

• This clever push-to computerized Dobsonian reflector telescope can lead you to more than 14,000 celestial objects with its included IntelliScope Object Locator
• Big 10" (254mm) aperture reflector telescope gathers loads of light for bright views of nebulas, galaxies, star clusters, and close-up study of the Moon and planets
• Stable support provided by the wooden Dobsonian telescope base and CorrecTension adjustment knobs keep the telescope optical tube balanced in any viewing position
• Simple Dobsonian point-and-view ease of use plus IntelliScope smarts equals a reflector telescope for a lifetime
• Includes 2" Crayford focuser, two 1.25" Sirius Plossl eyepieces (25mm and 10mm), a 9x50 right-angle correct-image finder scope, eyepiece rack, collimation cap, and Starry Night software

Sale Price: $529.99

Description

Orion(r) SkyQuest(TM) XT Classic Dobsonians It's no wonder customers heap 5-star ratings on these gentle giants. For not only do their jumbo-sized optics and uncomplicated design bring a "new level of joy to simple observing," raved Astronomy magazine, but they're also the most affordable quality Dobs on the market. SkyQuest XT Classics aren't just good bang for the buck, they're a supernova of telescope value! XT Classics give you the deep-space thrills without the deep-pocket frills. We've kept them lean and mean to keep their prices low for tight budgets. But rest assured, they come fully equipped for adventure, whether you're a beginning stargazer or are graduating to a more capable instrument. All Classics feature an expertly figured parabolic mirror housed in an enameled steel optical tube. The tube rides on a stable Dobsonian base that allows easy point-and-view navigation and has a convenient carrying handle. A 2" Crayford focuser (XT6 has 1.25" rack and pinion focuser), EZ Finder II aiming device, 25mm Sirius Plossl eyepiece (1.25"), and quick-collimation cap are all standard equipment. Setup takes only a minute, leaving the rest of the evening to marvel at the planets, the Moon, and a myriad of deep-sky treasures. Enjoy the fantastic views â?" and savings! One-year limited warranty.

Features

• The Orion SkyQuest XT10 Classic Dobsonian is a big 10" aperture reflector telescope with a small price tag
• Gobbles up light for great views of deep-sky objects such as nebulas, galaxies, star clusters,
• Simple "point-and-view" Dobsonian design reflector telescope is easy and fun to use for the whole family
• Stable Dobsonian telescope base and Orion CorrecTension friction optimization system
• Includes precise 2" Crayford focuser, 25mm Sirius Plossl eyepiece,
• EZ Finder II reflex sight, collimation cap, dust caps, and Starry Night software
• It keeps reflector optical tube perfectly balanced in any position
• And close-up views of more nearby targets like the Moon and planets

List Price: $2,142.99

Description

Expressing classic elegance and traditional sophistication, the Barska® Classic Connoisseur Collection is in a class by itself. These precision-made, high quality brass optics products make a stunning addition to any décor and are as functional to use as they are beautiful to look at.

Description

Shop for Optic Accessories from Telescopes.com! Jims Mobile (JMI) MOTOFOCUS for Meade Lightbridge 8/10/12

List Price: $30.95
Sale Price: $20.95
You save: $10.00 (32%)

Description

Fits (drop in style) any type of telescope that uses a 1.25" focuser or visual back. Allows you to attach your 35mm SLR camera to the prime focus of your telescope or spotting scope. Both a T-Adapter and T-Ring are required to mount a 35mm SLR camera to your instrument.

Features

• Allows attachment of 35mm SLR camera to the prime focus of your telescope
• Great for terrestrial, short exposure lunar and planetary photography
• Use with separate guidescope for long exposure deep-sky photography
• Fits any type of telescope that uses a 1.25-inch focuser or visual back
• Both a T-Adapter and T-Ring are required to mount camera