50mm Telescope - $12.96 Reg. $49.99 @ TSCC

[lincoln]

Hi Guys, I just grabbed one of these this afternoon in London. It's a really nice beginner set. For $13 you can't go wrong!
I've been keeping my eyes open for a cheap beginner to learn on before I make an investment of a 12" aperture dobsonian.
I'll give it a test this evening if we have some clear skies and let you guys know the results. Not a bad little toy.

http://www.thesource.ca/images/Online/63/6318001l.jpg (http://www.thesource.ca/estore/Product.aspx?language=en-CA&catalog=Online&category=Telescopes&product=6318001)

http://www.thesource.ca/estore/Product.aspx?language=en-CA&catalog=Online&category=Telescopes&product=6318001

[funkylist]

It's a 50mm telescope not 500mm.. It's a pretty good price..

[killoverme]

It's a 50mm telescope not 500mm.. It's a pretty good price..

yeah i'm thinking of picking one up

[ihsn]

OP, magnification is 30x or 60x ?

[pawlusho]

Hi,
Would this be stronger than a pair of binoculars?

[ihsn]

Hi,
Would this be stronger than a pair of binoculars?
Depends on the power. (See my post above yours) I've seen regular (not pro) binoculars easily go upto 30x ...

The professionals will always suggest to start with a good binocular over these cheap telescopes.

[funkylist]

Hi,
Would this be stronger than a pair of binoculars?


Depends on the size of the binoculars, but for $13 you can't go wrong..

I wonder if the eye piece removable? I'm hoping to use this with my digital camera to take pictures of the moon.. :cheesygri

[mic2074]

some interesting binocular deals...

http://www.thesource.ca/estore/SearchResults.aspx?language=en-CA&keywords=binoculars&pagenum=0

[lincoln]

OP, magnification is 30x or 60x ?

It has two eye piece lenses so its both 30x and 60x.

50mm aperture and 500mm length

[lincoln]

Depends on the size of the binoculars, but for $13 you can't go wrong..

I wonder if the eye piece removable? I'm hoping to use this with my digital camera to take pictures of the moon.. :cheesygri

Yes it is.

[ihsn]

It has two eye piece lenses so its both 30x and 60x.

50mm aperture and 500mm length
Thanks.

The 50mm aperture looks like the weakest part of it. Still for this price, I shouldnt be complaining in the first place. :razz:

[Handa]

Definitely let us know the quality, and/or the coolness of what you see. :)

[comicbookguy]

so what will i actually be able to see with this? will it just be like using binoculars and looking at the moon?

[Efx]

Just picked one up. Thanks OP, this is a great deal.

I will test it out tonight as well. Hopefully the skies are clear.

[krsolutions]

Just got one. sold out montreal boulevard shopping center

[ihsn]

Hopefully the skies are clear.
If you are in GTA, then you are out of luck.

Thanks OP, I picked the last one up from Markville.

[tasamy]

so what will i actually be able to see with this? will it just be like using binoculars and looking at the moon?

Mostly monitoring the neighbours! :evil:

[AldebaranTech]

Sorry to say, but this telescope is absolute junk. Worthless plastic. You will be throwing your money away on something that is not even worth the packaging cost.

[mahjongmaniac]

some interesting binocular deals...

http://www.thesource.ca/estore/SearchResults.aspx?language=en-CA&keywords=binoculars&pagenum=0

nice find. this one's on clearance for $5

http://www.thesource.ca/estore/product.aspx?language=en-CA&product=6308141

http://www.thesource.ca/images/Online/63/6308141l.jpg

[jonkaho]

thanks

gonna check if they have some!

[killoverme]

Sorry to say, but this telescope is absolute junk. Worthless plastic. You will be throwing your money away on something that is not even worth the packaging cost.

eh i got one, but its plastic =/ damn, i havent opened it yet.

Maybe it will turn into a present instead lol

[ihsn]

Sorry to say, but this telescope is absolute junk. Worthless plastic. You will be throwing your money away on something that is not even worth the packaging cost.
This is not a pro telescope, we already know that.

If you have a better deal, please share.

[baumann93]

Got one at Steels and Dufferin location. It is cheaply made but for the price it is great :) Thanks.

[Spud72]

This is not a pro telescope, we already know that.

Of course not, but it's not even an amateur.

If you have a better deal, please share.A better deal would be not throwing your money away.

If you want to peep through your neighbors windows, it might not be bad I suppose, but for anything astronomical you're better saving your $12 to help cover the shipping of a real scope. If anything, it'll set a novice up for disappointment and possibly turn them off of buying a real scope.

[7jaii]

Got one at Steels and Dufferin location. It is cheaply made but for the price it is great :) Thanks.

What's the address? I didn't know it was at that intersection, it just shows Promenade or Centerpoint Mall.

[ihsn]

Of course not, but it's not even an amateur.
What's amateur then? The ones from XSCargo? :lol:
A better deal would be not throwing your money away.
Yes, in your opinion. What may look like a deal to you, may look like wasting money to others.
If you want to peep through your neighbors windows, it might not be bad I suppose,
Coming from experience I guess. :lol:
but for anything astronomical you're better saving your $12 to help cover the shipping of a real scope. If anything, it'll set a novice up for disappointment and possibly turn them off of buying a real scope.
See my second post in this thread.

[Shazam]

wouldn't 500mm be better than 50mm (because its larger in diameter so it allows more light in)?

Also, to add a digital camera, dont you need to have a specialing attachment on lens, otherwise pic wont come out good?

(i remember seeing in costco a fancy telescope that had a special bracket (or something) for adding a digitial cam)

[bogey]

This spotting scope was on sale at Canadian Tire a few weeks ago for $50.00 (60mm 20-60X zoom):

http://images.canadiantire.ca/media/images/products/images/Assortments/PrimaryAssortments/Recreation/BinocularsTelescopes/Binoculars/0761086_450_CC_7383d.jpg (http://www.canadiantire.ca/browse/product_detail.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=140847439 6672991&bmUID=1212785539632&PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524443282495&assortment=primary&fromSearch=true)

Some Canadian Tire may have or is clearing this Celestron scope ~$80.00 (65mm 30-90X zoom)(possible SKU#: 76-1099-0):

http://www.adorama.com/images/large/CNC65WP.JPG (http://www.celestron.com/c2/product.php?CatID=30&ProdID=195)

Cannot vouch for quality (don't own either one).

[ihsn]

wouldn't 500mm be better than 50mm (because its larger in diameter so it allows more light in)?

Also, to add a digital camera, dont you need to have a specialing attachment on lens, otherwise pic wont come out good?

(i remember seeing in costco a fancy telescope that had a special bracket (or something) for adding a digitial cam)
Yes and yes.

[jakeer]

Yeah, seriously guys, just because something is inexpensive doesn't mean it's a great deal. I guess the best example that I can come up with is that in terms of overall quality, this telescope would be analagous to the earbud headphones you find in dollar stores - they're cheap, and they more or less do the job, but not well.

Now, if you're the type of person who thinks those earbuds sound great and can't tell the difference between them and a $150 pair of Etymotics or Shures, then ya, this telescope may be for you :lol:

I agree with the poster who said that a poor telescope may frustrate you to the point where you're no longer interested in astronomy. You are far, far better off getting a *good* pair of binoculars to begin with (i.e., not the $5 ones that are on clearance), and I guarantee you'll be able to see more with them than with this telescope. Magnifications (like 50x, etc.) really aren't important when you're dealing with astronomy and don't reflect the quality of the optics - they are essentially marketing tools to fool buyers who don't know any better (which is why you'll see claims like 500x on some telescopes - search around for telescope buying guides for more info on this).

[killoverme]

Yeah, seriously guys, just because something is inexpensive doesn't mean it's a great deal. I guess the best example that I can come up with is that in terms of overall quality, this telescope would be analagous to the earbud headphones you find in dollar stores - they're cheap, and they more or less do the job, but not well.

Now, if you're the type of person who thinks those earbuds sound great and can't tell the difference between them and a $150 pair of Etymotics or Shures, then ya, this telescope may be for you :lol:

I agree with the poster who said that a poor telescope may frustrate you to the point where you're no longer interested in astronomy. You are far, far better off getting a *good* pair of binoculars to begin with (i.e., not the $5 ones that are on clearance), and I guarantee you'll be able to see more with them than with this telescope. Magnifications (like 50x, etc.) really aren't important when you're dealing with astronomy and don't reflect the quality of the optics - they are essentially marketing tools to fool buyers who don't know any better (which is why you'll see claims like 500x on some telescopes - search around for telescope buying guides for more info on this).

if there that bad, it will be a good kids, tree house or something present =),

[Spud72]

What's amateur then? The ones from XSCargo? :lol:

An entry level "real" scope or binoculars from a real optics store. Hint: It won't cost you $50 even on sale. Optics are coming down in price but still expect to pay over $100. You don't buy a specialty precision instrument like a telescope at the same place that sells Playstation games or remote control cars.

Yes, in your opinion. What may look like a deal to you, may look like wasting money to others.
No, it is wasting money. I've seen scopes like this. They are garbage. However, if you like buying garbage with your money, go right ahead.

Coming from experience I guess. :lol:
I wish, all my neighbors are ugly. Besides, my wife would probably not like that much.
See my second post in this thread.
I already answered your "insightful" second post: A better deal is not buying one at all. Period. Nadda. End of story. Donate the $13 to charity or buy yourself lunch. At least it would go to something worthwhile.

The only way this is a remotely good deal is if you want to knowingly buy a hunk of crap to give to someone you don't like or someone you know that'll break it right away anyhow.

If a person buys this with plans to do astronomy, you will be disappointed. You might see some better detail on the moon (upside down on top of it all) but that's it.

[doorbellring]

No, it is wasting money. I've seen scopes like this. They are garbage. However, if you like buying garbage with your money, go right ahead.

I already answered your "insightful" second post: A better deal is not buying one at all. Period. Nadda. End of story. Donate the $13 to charity or buy yourself lunch. At least it would go to something worthwhile.

The only way this is a remotely good deal is if you want to knowingly buy a hunk of crap to give to someone you don't like or someone you know that'll break it right away anyhow.

If a person buys this with plans to do astronomy, you will be disappointed. You might see some better detail on the moon (upside down on top of it all) but that's it.

+1


You might see some better detail on the moon (upside down on top of it all) but that's it.

there's no upside down in space! :cheesygri It's only upside down relative to the view with our eyes!

hehe, i can just imagine using the max magnification on a scope with a tripod as flimsy as this one.... outer space would become blurry.:lol:

[AldebaranTech]

As SPUD72 says, it is better to not buy anything than waste your money on this useless piece of junk. I have 37 years experience in astronomy and have seen this "telescope". The scopes listed earlier in this thread from CTC were decent deals. A good pair of binoculars can be had for $50. One can get a cheap pair of Meade 7x50 binoculars that are just OK from Efston Science (escience.ca) for $30.

Please everyone, save your money even if it is only $13.

[philelmo]

what's the minimum specifications to see jupiter or saturn? :)

[AldebaranTech]

what's the minimum specifications to see jupiter or saturn? :)

We are getting way off topic here. I would be happy to discuss telescopes in the "Off Topic" forum.

I have started a thread to discuss telescopes:
http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/showthread.php?p=6932214#post6932214

[billymadison]

Guys..

This telescope is absolute garbage, even for a beginner. A decent beginner scope will run you about $250.00 (Skywatcher). The optics on this scope will be horrendous, and the mount+tripod will be absolutely unbearable. Believe me, I am an avid backyard astronomer in Toronto. Department Store telescopes are terrible.

Please please please, do NOT use this scope as a launching pad before you buy a more expensive scope (ie. 12" dobsonian)

If you are really interested in getting a good beginning scope, go to "Gifts from the Earth" on the Danforth. The store owners name is Peter, great guy, and has good beginner scopes.

[billymadison]

what's the minimum specifications to see jupiter or saturn? :)

This scope will give you a terrible/garbage/disappointing view of Saturn/Jupiter.

Get a 900mm refractor, 3.5" aperture. Perfect for City viewing, you won't let in too much light pollution, and the long focal length will really help you resolve Saturn/Jupiter.

Good Eye Pieces are also important. $65/eye piece minimum for some decent glass.

The mount is equally important. I would suggest an elliptical mount (Like an EQ-1). This way, align the mount to Polaris, and then for the rest of the night you just need to adjust one knob to follow objects in the sky, rather then fiddling with 2 knobs

[humayoon]

What's the address? I didn't know it was at that intersection, it just shows Promenade or Centerpoint Mall.

It shows up as Riocan Marketplace, 81 Gerry Fitzgerald Dr Unit #3
North York ON, M3J 3N4 (416) 665-4657 in the store locator.

The distance calculated to this store is very off for some reason even though the address is correct.

[ENT]

I picked up a couple - great deal for $13. Thanks OP!

[billymadison]

I picked up a couple - great deal for $13. Thanks OP!

These are TERRIBLE telescopes. Be prepared to be disappointed.

[nogoro]

I've seen this telescope debate before. There's another debate about why people shouldn't buy $100 bicycles because they are garbage. Is this the same thing? I have ridden cheap bikes for leisure (1hr/wk) and it's not gotten me disinterested in leisure cycling. Is this more or less the same thing?

[billymadison]

I've seen this telescope debate before. There's another debate about why people shouldn't buy $100 bicycles because they are garbage. Is this the same thing? I have ridden cheap bikes for leisure (1hr/wk) and it's not gotten me disinterested in leisure cycling. Is this more or less the same thing?

No. Trust me 100% on this one. Department Store Telescopes are all garbage. They do not contain any quality optics whatsoever, and at 50mm focal length, you're not going to get anything worthwhile out of it.

But hey, if you want to waste your money, don't let me stop you :)

Check out the following, and see Mortfield's First Rule of Telescope Buying. Also see the first bullet in "A few key things to remember:"

http://www.backyardastronomer.com/pages/scopes.html

From personal experience, I can tell you right now you will be VERY frustrated/disappointed using one of these scopes. With bad optics comes a bad picture. You won't even resolve any sort of interesting detail whatsoever.

All I can say is that if you're REALLY interested in getting a beginner telescope, get a Skywatcher 900mm refractor, this is an excellent beginner scope. Also, go pickup a copy of the book "Night Watch" by Terence Dickinson, this is the best introductory book on backyard astronomy

[catastrophe]

Is there any in Missisauga sotres?

[Hippak]

Of course not, but it's not even an amateur.
A better deal would be not throwing your money away.

If you want to peep through your neighbors windows, it might not be bad I suppose, but for anything astronomical you're better saving your $12 to help cover the shipping of a real scope. If anything, it'll set a novice up for disappointment and possibly turn them off of buying a real scope.

I've been an amateur astromer for about 10 years now. And I've got to agree 100%. If anyone is thinking of being this thing as a gift, you're doing them a diservice and likely completely turning them off to amateur astronomy.

If you're looking for a gift, or buying something for yourself to get into the hobby do yourself a favour and spend the money on a book called "night watch"

[ENT]

Wow, what a bunch of astronomy bigots. :lol: For $13 I still think it's a great deal.

[smacd]

Basements are full of $49 or $13 scopes that do nothing but turn people off of the night sky. +1 for these scopes are garbage!

[majorbabu]

if the telescope doesn't turn people away from the night sky, the price tags for the aforementioned "Starter" scopes certainly will.
$300 for a beginner scope? pass.

[Hippak]

if the telescope doesn't turn people away from the night sky, the price tags for the aforementioned "Starter" scopes certainly will.
$300 for a beginner scope? pass.

First of all, there's a difference between being a bigot, and being informed.

Nobody told you to buy a 300 dollar beginner scope. If you're interested in the hobby and want to pursue it. Get yourself a good book like nightwatch and a pair of binoculars. You'll be able to see tons of stuff and learn about the skies. If the hobby interests and you grow out of the binoculars, then start saving and buy a decent scope.

Astronomy isn't a hobby for everyone, most people believe that you'll just point a scope somewhere in the ski and see what the hubble space telescope images. You wont, infact it pretty much all looks like specs of dust in black and white aside from the planets and the moon. Starting out with a good book and binoculars will give you a better idea of what the hobby is all about and what you can actually expect to see.

If you're interested in getting frustrated, being put off from astronomy, or for that matter, putting a young potential amateur astronomer off (which would be an utter shame) by all means, buy one of these scope.

[dreadknot69]

I purchased a $10 scope like this from Wal-mart for my kids. It had a little tripod and everything. I tested it myself, before giving it to them, just to make sure it was worth getting them all excited.

Good thing I did. It was a horrible waste of time. It was like trying to find something by squinting though a keyhole.

I'm just waiting for the Meade scopes to go on sale at Costco again sometime. I missed the last sale and are really hoping they'll bring them back again. Those scopes are able to rotate to a given object in the sky, automatically. I'm not sure about the optics, but at $150, I think it'll do just fine for kids.

[AldebaranTech]

Wow, what a bunch of astronomy bigots. :lol: For $13 I still think it's a great deal.

if the telescope doesn't turn people away from the night sky, the price tags for the aforementioned "Starter" scopes certainly will.
$300 for a beginner scope? pass.

You can ignore information provided by people with experience, it's your prerogative. I am sure The Source will be grateful for your charity.

A less than $300 telescope can be found, like the ones mentioned that had gone on sale at CTC. The $300 one I have recommended in this thread:
http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/showthread.php?t=596955
is the best buy in a really good telescope that won't disappoint with what you can see through it.

One last time... this telescope is junk, useless plastic pretend to be a telescope junk. At least the $99 bicycles actually work as bicycles.

[doorbellring]

One last time... this telescope is junk, useless plastic pretend to be a telescope junk. At least the $99 bicycles actually work as bicycles.

Definatly agree about this and that binoculars are the way to go at the beginning, and I'd recommend the great book "Turn left at Albireo" to any beginners getting into the hobby.

+1 on the bike though, I've ridden mine twice a day (or more) since i got it, and its still working fine. ;)

Also to note, when my sister was much much younger she was given a crappy meade retractor in the same league as this one by our dad, advertised with something crazy like 10 000x magnification. This put her off the hobby and she's had no interest since. I started with good books, binoculars and moved on up to get a better scope after I had saved up some money (I was a lot younger), and I still love astronomy to this day. I don't think that's a coincidence.

[lor74]

I agree 100% with the opinions on these "garbage" telescopes! I won one in a contest, retail value was somewhere between $50-$100. What a piece of garbage! The only usefull thing about it was the magnifier for daylight viewing, but I couldn't see anything but light when looking at the night skies.

[nogoro]

The anti-garbage-scope crowd would have my vote if somebody could give a brief list of celestial bodies that can be seen with a cheapo scope.

If I can get this to check out the rings of saturn etc $13 is worth it.

[oakville]

i agree with you, people driving a BMW3 may calling a Chev Malibu garbage, but for people who only need a car to commute, what's wrong with saving 15K for a something less appealing. same for the argument here of a less than $100 bike, less than $30 cordless phone (i use 2 vtec cordless phones and used them happily, bought them when someone post deals here, while some other people simply call the phone garbage, without reasoning).

i dont really see many people here outline any real reason / proof to support their judgment, simply calling it garbage, because it did not carry a hefty price tag, simple is that.


The anti-garbage-scope crowd would have my vote if somebody could give a brief list of celestial bodies that can be seen with a cheapo scope.

If I can get this to check out the rings of saturn etc $13 is worth it.

[doorbellring]

The anti-garbage-scope crowd would have my vote if somebody could give a brief list of celestial bodies that can be seen with a cheapo scope.

If I can get this to check out the rings of saturn etc $13 is worth it.

You might be able to see a ring around Saturn through this, however due to that nature of the tripod it wouldn't stay put and the scope would be perpetually wobbling. And even then the optics inside this thing are probably made of cheap plastic and suffers from severe chromatic abberation (colour fringing) so that it wouldn't look like anything at all.

The rings of Saturn are quite easy to view even with decent binoculaurs, however, the difference you get from moving from binoculars to a good telescope is in the number of rings you can see. A bigger instrument will start to separate them more so that the bands between the rings are visible.

i agree with you, people driving a BMW3 may calling a Chev Malibu garbage, but for people who only need a car to commute, what's wrong with saving 15K for a something less appealing. same for the argument here of a less than $100 bike, less than $30 cordless phone (i use 2 vtec cordless phones and used them happily, bought them when someone post deals here, while some other people simply call the phone garbage, without reasoning).

i dont really see many people here outline any real reason / proof to support their judgment, simply calling it garbage, because it did not carry a hefty price tag, simple is that.

I'm not trying to argue to say that to enjoy the night sky you need to spend a lot of money, but this thing WILL NOT work a a telescope, I'm pretty sure Chev would get a lot of complaints if their cars featured square wheels to cut costs, or they could only go at a speed of 20 km/h

[dhamilton]

i agree with you, people driving a BMW3 may calling a Chev Malibu garbage, but for people who only need a car to commute, what's wrong with saving 15K for a something less appealing. same for the argument here of a less than $100 bike, less than $30 cordless phone (i use 2 vtec cordless phones and used them happily, bought them when someone post deals here, while some other people simply call the phone garbage, without reasoning).

i dont really see many people here outline any real reason / proof to support their judgment, simply calling it garbage, because it did not carry a hefty price tag, simple is that.


That's a terrible analogy; a proper analogy is you want to buy a car but you found a fantastic deal on a bike without any tires. Sure, it may have been cheap but it's not going to get you anywhere.


Price is just an indicator of what you're getting and not the reason you shouldn't buy it....no one is stopping you from going out and buying it, they're just warning you that you're buying a POS that won't let you see anything decent.

[gouki556]

Thanks nice price!

[doorbellring]

Thanks nice price!

i guess you can use this in iraq once someone gives you a job? but what videogame have you played that teaches you astronomy skills?

[SPARTACVS]

nice find. this one's on clearance for $5

http://www.thesource.ca/estore/product.aspx?language=en-CA&product=6308141

http://www.thesource.ca/images/Online/63/6308141l.jpg

Absolute junk. That kind of very very cheap stuff is good to initiate a child in science. But that's it. Personally I don't see the point of having such cheap stuff. Most peoples will carry it for bird or nature watching. If you do so, there is some excellent mid-range binoculars in Nikon (not BMW, more like a basic Toyota or Honda). Otherwise, peoples just leave them at home.

But if you really want something inexpensive, takes the Bushnell 8x25 (don't go with the 10x) H2O series that can be found ~50$. They are the lowest peoples should buy for a amateur (use a few times/year for spotting something).

[bogey]

I am not an astronomy buff, but I've peer through cheap optics, and you do not need rainbow effects around the edges of your image, nor distortions that squeeze, stretch, rotate, and flares it.

While this $13 scope may not be that extreme optically, there is also a second consideration.

The second point is mechanical quality. I've peer through scopes at objects on the ground, that because of the distance and magnification, were simply useless unless you steady the scope against something immovable.
A rickety tripod is not going to cut it when a breeze blows over your new scope.

Saturn from the ground is not much more than this even with a good telescope:

http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/9118/saturn3302008d09352kb6.jpg

It won't take much distortion/vibration to ruin the experience.

[lincoln]

Everyone on here is saying don't waste your money, and I just find it hilarious. If you're considering astronomy obviously you're going to want to drop more money on a used scope or a new one. I never posted this scope directed at hobbiests. It's a cheap scope with poor optical quality and should be expected to be this way.

This scope is good for observing the moon. That's all you can expect for $10 and for many people that's all they need it for.

Just because someone wants to look up at the sky one weekend doesn't mean they need to spend $300 to do it ;)
That would be like saying "if you want to watch movies you can't watch them on a CRT because they look like crap, you need to spend $3 grand on a 52" lcd otherwise don't bother watching movies."

I do agree that if you're considering spending money on astronomy as a hobby you should save your money but for the vast majority of people out there this is all they want/need.

[bogey]

I would think even with moon view on high magnification, you'd be looking at a oscillating blob without a steady tripod.

But there were posters earler with some more distant ambitions.

[lincoln]

I would think even with moon view on high magnification, you'd be looking at a oscillating blob without a steady tripod.

But there were posters earler with some more distant ambitions.

LOL I got a laugh out of the sarcastic pun "distant ambitions" :)

[bogey]

Just my opinion that this scope may not be satisfactory for astronomical purposes.
It is also awkward for terrestial applications.

Probably better to blow $13 on something better thought out.

[billymadison]

Listen, go ahead and spend the money if you want. From an astronomy buff like myself, who is trying to help a true beginner get the proper gear, this is not it.

Get some binoculars and the book "night watch". When you can locate objects in the sky with your binoculars, and the book, then get this

http://www.skywatchertelescope.net/swtinc/product.php?id=35&class1=1&class2=103

After 1-2 years if you're still into it, get something better.

[billymadison]

The anti-garbage-scope crowd would have my vote if somebody could give a brief list of celestial bodies that can be seen with a cheapo scope.

If I can get this to check out the rings of saturn etc $13 is worth it.

Argh. You will not get the rings of saturn with this scope. The eye pieces are garbage, the optics of the scope are garbage, the mount is terrible, as is the tripod.

Think about this LOGICALLY. Saturn is incredibly far away. Now, imagine this, and think carefully. You are staring at something very far away, any SLIGHT vibration in the scope due to a bad mount or tripod, and that tiny vibration propagated over the distance to saturn, and all you're going to see is a blurred shaky object. You will not see any rings, you will just get angry.

[billymadison]

i dont really see many people here outline any real reason / proof to support their judgment, simply calling it garbage, because it did not carry a hefty price tag, simple is that.

Will a 13 dollar computer let you surf the internet?

Seriously, quality is absolutely necessary with this sort of stuff. I've been big into astronomy for some time...but, you guys promoting this scope are the experts so, by all means spend 13 bucks, and get ready to post it in your next garage sale for 25 cents.

[dreadknot69]

i agree with you, people driving a BMW3 may calling a Chev Malibu garbage, but for people who only need a car to commute, what's wrong with saving 15K for a something less appealing. same for the argument here of a less than $100 bike, less than $30 cordless phone (i use 2 vtec cordless phones and used them happily, bought them when someone post deals here, while some other people simply call the phone garbage, without reasoning).

i dont really see many people here outline any real reason / proof to support their judgment, simply calling it garbage, because it did not carry a hefty price tag, simple is that.

Actually, I can give you 3 reasons why I'll never buy a vtech cordless again. I bought a set of 3, 5.8 Ghz vtec phones 2 boxing days ago.

1) Phone rings - I press button to answer - wait about 3 seconds because it has to finish ringing on the other 2 phones! Then it takes a few more seconds to actually pick up the call. I mean, c'mon...what kind of phone system has to let the other phones finish ringing before it can pick up the line?!

2) Little kid picks up the phone and puts it 'off the hook', stashes it under his bed. Well, the whole family is now outta luck on using any phone in the house until either the phone dies, or we find it. The stupid phone does not alert us with a beep to help us find it. I try pressing the button to locate the handsets...yeah right, nice try. Can't do that because it's off the hook!

3) This is my favourite. The phones have a feature that let you transfer the call to another handset, should the phone run low on battery, or you just want to send the call upstairs. Sure sounds good, doesn't it? If I'm in the middle of a call when the battery get lows, it sends out a nice BEEP to tell me. Of course, I can't tell the person on the other end what's going because it BEEPS every 2 secs, and cuts the receiver at the same time. Fair enough, I'll just transfer it to another phone. Nope...can't do that because the phone is too damn busy BEEPing to let me actually finish the key sequence to transfer. Okay then....I'll just hang up. NOPE. Can't do that because it's too damn busy telling me the battery is low with it's BEEP!! So, it ends up dying without releasing the call. See point #2 above and that's where we are now. I actually have to unplug the phone from the wall outlet, in order to get it to release the call.

Yep. I love vtech phones. Real quality stuff. Like this telescope.

[laptop-tech]

Forget this scope...look at this picture, taken by me with a disposable camera and a pair of used eyeglasses :



http://www.edwardroach.com/uploads/Saturn_12-31-2004_filtered.jpg

[Pr0metheus]

Forget this scope...look at this picture, taken by me with a disposable camera and a pair of used eyeglasses :



http://www.edwardroach.com/uploads/Saturn_12-31-2004_filtered.jpg

hehe you must have taken the pic of a pic on your PC monitor with my old lenses :razz:

[bittermelon]

[QUOTE=laptop-tech;6938303]Forget this scope...look at this picture, taken by me with a disposable camera and a pair of used eyeglasses :


You must have monster coke bottle glasses. Consider laser surgery, buddy, it may help your social life :)



Thanks, OP. I appreciate the deal to introduce the kids to a closer look at the moon without spending hundreds of dollars. If they are really interested, then this will end up in the basement, but until they show more than a 5 minute interest, it's not worth it to buy more at this time.

[gmark2000]

If anything, it'll set a novice up for disappointment and possibly turn them off of buying a real scope.

I say the very same thing about kites. A cheap kite will possibly turn a person off for life if it doesn't fly. Get a great kite and world opens up many possibilities.

[lincoln]

[QUOTE=laptop-tech;6938303]Forget this scope...look at this picture, taken by me with a disposable camera and a pair of used eyeglasses :


You must have monster coke bottle glasses. Consider laser surgery, buddy, it may help your social life :)



Thanks, OP. I appreciate the deal to introduce the kids to a closer look at the moon without spending hundreds of dollars. If they are really interested, then this will end up in the basement, but until they show more than a 5 minute interest, it's not worth it to buy more at this time.

Exactly

[Writer]

I appreciate the deal to introduce the kids to a closer look at the moon without spending hundreds of dollars. If they are really interested, then this will end up in the basement, but until they show more than a 5 minute interest, it's not worth it to buy more at this time.Ah, so this scope will save you money by turning your kids off astronomy, so you won't have to buy a good telescope later? :)

[SPARTACVS]

Ah, so this scope will save you money by turning your kids off astronomy, so you won't have to buy a good telescope later? :)

I sold many different stuff in outdoor gear stores for a few years. That include binoculars. If there is something I have learned is that I don't insist. I'm sorry but there is some dumb poeples out there. "You don't want to listen my advices?". Not my problem. If I'm on a good mood or I feel the custumer need a bit of some help because he has been brainwashed, want to save money or "buy the best" that won't be appropriate or badly misleaded, then I my say it a second time. But if he/she don't want to listen after explainetions, I let him do what he want. His problem.

[canabiz]

Hello, can anyone recommend a reasonable and decent pair of binoculars or telescope for cruises please. We booked a balcony suite for a December cruise and I would like to have a pair of binoculars handy and/or a telescope to mount on my camera tripod (or do I have to get a separate tripod for it?)

Thanks

P.S: I am not looking to spend more than $30. I am not into astronomy and the telescope/binoculars will be seldom used.

[oldtree]

http://www.thesource.ca/estore/Product.aspx?language=en-CA&catalog=Online&category=2-3.9MP&product=2512754