Comet Enthusiast

Sale Price: $99.99

Description

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.

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

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.

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

Description

Celestron Telescope Astrophotography T-Adapter - 1-1/4in Universal 93625

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

Sale Price: $19.99

Description

The Moon's disk, even at partial phases, is intensely bright with reflected sunlight. The glare washes out most of the craters, rilles, and other surface details from view. Our 1.25" Orion 13% Transmission Moon Filter reduces the glare, allowing transmission of only 13% of the reflected light. Not only will you see more surface features, but you can study them in greater comfort. The filter reduces irradiation, which is the distortion at the boundary between light and dark areas, such as along the lunar terminator. The Orion Moon Filter is especially useful to owners of large-aperture scopes, in which the Moon's brightness can be overwhelming. It uniformly reduces light over the entire visible spectrum. Screws into threaded eyepiece barrel.

Features

• The Orion 1.25" 13% Transmission Moon Filter reduces glare so you can see more lunar detail and surface features with your telescope
• Threads directly into the 1.25" barrel of your telescope eyepiece
• Especially useful for large aperture telescopes through which the light of the Moon can be extremely overwhelming
• Telescope eyepiece filter transmits only 13% of the incoming light, boosting contrast and ability to discern detail on the Moon
• Perfectly neutral color will not alter the natural color of the Moon

List Price: $241.95
Sale Price: $120.95
You save: $121.00 (50%)

Description

Celestron Accessory Kit

Features

• Five superior grade Plossl eyepieces, all fully multi-coated for maximum contrast and resolution
• 2x, 1.25-inch Barlow lens gives you a total of ten power combinations
• Six colored eyepiece (planetary) filters
• 1.25-inch Moon filter provides maximum enjoyment of the moon especially during the brighter phases
• Items in this kit are valued at over $700.00 if purchased separately

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: $599.99

Description

Orion's SkyQuest XT8i Intelliscope Dobsonian Computerized Telescope combines powerful 203mm-diameter reflector optics with point-and-view simplicity in a nicely portable package. With the included IntelliScope Computerized Object Locator, the amateur 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 8" (203mm) 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. One-year limited warranty.

Features

• Large Dobsonian reflector telescope with 8" aperture allows you to see faint deep-sky objects such as nebulas and galaxies, in addition to fantastic views of the Moon and planets
• Locating those faint deep-sky objects is simple with the IntelliScope Computerized Object Locator - it includes more than 14,000 objects in its database, and points you right to each one
• Select the object you wish to view from the IntelliScope database, then simply follow the directional arrows displayed on the hand controller by moving the telescope until the object is right in the eyepiece field of view - it's easy!
• The ultra-stable Dobsonian telescope base keeps the reflector optical tube perfectly balanced for easy point-and-view use
• A precise Crayford focuser allows use of larger format 2" telescope eyepieces - the bright, wide-field view of the Andromeda galaxy in a low power 2" eyepiece is jaw-dropping!

List Price: $129.99
Sale Price: $109.99
You save: $20.00 (15%)

Description

Our Observer 70 is the perfect telescope for that budding astronomer in your family. This scope excels in both quality and performance. Its 70mm multi-coated achromatic objective lens - focal length 700mm focal length (f/10) - gathers 36% more light than a 60mm. And it's made of glass, not plastic, as you'd find in many department store models. The optical tube is supported on a sturdy aluminum tripod with accessory tray. This altazimuth model can also be used for terrestrial viewing. Standard accessories include a 10mm (70x) Explorer II eyepiece, a 25mm (28x) Explorer II eyepiece, 90-deg mirror star diagonal, and an EZ Finder II finder scope. One-year limited warranty.

Features

• Entry-level refractor telescope for beginners.
• 70mm (2.75-inch) aperture lens captures the vivid night sky.
• The Observer 70 AZ's altazimuth mount and the adjustable tripod helps panning motion.
• 2 X Explorer II 1.25-inch eyepieces (25mm, and 10mm focal lengths), an EZ Finder II reflex sight, and a 90-degree mirror diagonal
• Also suitable for daytime terrestrial views with a correct-image diagonal (sold separately.

List Price: $161.95
Sale Price: $99.94
You save: $62.01 (38%)

Description

Celestron C70 Mini Mak 25-75x Zoom Angled Spotting Scope, Black w/ Table Tripod 52238

Features

• Maksutov-Cassegrain optical design with multi-coated optics
• 45° eyepiece - zooms up to 75x
• 1.25" eyepiece adapter allows usage of any 1.25" eyepiece
• Table top tripod
• Soft carrying case

Sale Price: $24.95

Description

This is a 58mm thread to a T-mount (42mm) thread adapter. It allows all 58mm threaded cameras to be used with telescope and spotting scopes, through the use of a scope T-adapter. Most scope to T-adapters are available through the scope manufacturer.

List Price: $2,800.00
Sale Price: $2,520.00
You save: $280.00 (10%)

Description

With Swarovski Optik spotting scopes, you'll always have a balcony view. The Swarovski ATM 80 HD spotting scope, for instance, offers such features as outstanding long-distance focusing, high light transmission, and high magnification power, turning every observation into an adventure. The ATM 80--which is made using state-of-the-art magnesium technology--features an 80mm objective lens diameter and excellent light-gathering qualities, letting you observe objects in razor-sharp detail even at high magnifications and in low-light conditions. The scope also offers an angled chassis, which lets you comfortably watch birds soaring in the air or hanging out in trees without twisting your neck. Best of all for viewers on the move, the scope's magnesium housing is unusually lightweight and extremely rugged, making it a great choice for birdwatchers or travelers who frequently change locations. The ATM 80 is outfitted with fluoride-containing HD lenses, which minimize color fringing (chromatic aberration) and deliver high-contrast images with precise outlines. The HD lenses are terrific for regular viewing, but they're particularly valuable for digital photographers who want to take pictures through the spotting scope (a process known as digiscoping). Every spotting scope in the Swarovski Optik collection is well built and protected from scratches or dents. Swarovski scopes' enhanced Swarodur or Swarotop coatings guarantee lifelike color reproduction and outstanding image brightness even at dusk. The scopes also feature a nonstick Swaroclean coating on the outer surface of each lens. The coating--which helps extend the lifespan of your lens--is particularly effective when you need to remove dried-on mineral residues (such as water marks from condensation), insect repellents, and tree resin. Finally, each Swarovski scope boasts a rubber armoring that protects against shock and noise. Dustproof, waterproof, and submersible to 13 feet, the ATM 80 HD spotting scope carries a lifetime warranty. Swarovski's ATM 80 HD spotting scope features HD lenses with optimized coatings for maximum color fidelity.Swarovski eyepieces are sold separately. Specifications: Objective lens: 80mm Objective and ocular lens focal length: 460mm Shortest focusing distance: 16.4 feet Dioptric correction: Greater than 5 Objective lens filter thread: M82x0.75 Length: 13.98 inches Weight: 45.2 ounces Warranty: Limited lifetime About Swarovski Optik Although founded in 1949, Swarovski Optik's roots actually trace all the way back to 1895, when Austrian Daniel Swarovski--who invented the world's first electric grinding machine for jewelry stones--established the family-owned Swarovski Crystal in the province of Tyrol. Since then, the name Swarovski has become synonymous worldwide with the clearest crystal, precision grinding, and a brilliant spirit of innovation, as the original enterprise continued branching out into additional lines of business. Swarovski Optik owes its rise to Wilhelm Swarovski, son of the original founder and an avid hobby astronomer, who decided to build his own improved binocular in 1935 at a mere 17 years of age. With access to the specialized glass production and finishing technologies already used to manufacture jewelry stones in his father's factory, Wilhelm managed to develop a novel prism fabrication and grinding process that he applied in constructing his first 6x30 binocular. Wilhelm went on to found Swarovski Optik KG in Absam, Tyrol, in 1949, thus laying the foundation for a sports optics company with a global reputation. His company's first serial product, the Habicht 7x42, is still an industry standard in the field of hunting optics and continues to be produced in the best tradition of its founder.

The Swarovski Optik ATM-80-HD Spotting Scope is extremely rugged and unusually lightweight, thanks to state of the art magnesium technology. The large objective lens diameter enables observation in razor-sharp detail due to excellent light-gathering qualities even at high magnifications. Fluoride-containing HD lenses minimize color fringing (chromatic aberration) and deliver high contrast images with razor-sharp outlines. Ideal for digital photography through the spotting scope. The angled scope is eminently suitable for comfortable birdwatching at different heights, such as in the air or in trees. The ATM-80 HD also has Swarovski's latest external coatings for repelling moisture, dust and debris. They stay clean longer and clean easily.

Features

• High-definition magnesium spotting scope with 80mm objective lens diameter
• Excellent light transmission even in low light and at high magnifications
• Fluoride-containing HD lenses minimize color fringing and produce high-contrast images
• Angled body is suitable for observing birds in the air or trees
• Measures 13.98 inches long and weighs 45.2 ounces; lifetime warranty