Evaluation:  
Conclusion: nice, small telescope
Review: Well, first of all, I think most of these "reviews" are fake. I don't like that at all.
This is a fine, small telescope which can show you planets like Jupiter and Saturn. It gives very faint views of messier objects, like open clusters. You need good eyes to see those.
When it arrived in the mail, I was baffled by all the parts, which didn't look like the parts in the pictures. A skilled carpenter assembled it for me, and he had to use several tools, which I wouldn't have known how to use. So, assembly is complicated.
I now use the telescope every night. I have been looking at the Double Cluster in Perseus recently. The weight is good and makes it very moveable. I am considering getting a larger scope in this series, because the 4.5 inch mirror is small.
Evaluation:
Conclusion: Fantastic telescope!
Review: Performs as advertised, easy to assemble and use, great price, a great start for someone new to backyard astronomy.
Evaluation:
Conclusion: A great start
Review: I am new to astronomy, and this was my first telescope. It was easy to assembly, and I have been enjoying it very much. I can now see the 4 moons of Jupiter, and the rings around Saturn, and to view the moon is totally awesome. This is a great beginner scope at a reasonable price!
Evaluation:
Conclusion: Excellent for beginners, fine for many experienced users
Review: This is a great scope for beginning astronomy--and beyond. It is sturdy and simple to operate. It has enough light-gathering power (more important than magnification) to reveal dim star clusters, nebulae, and galaxies and good enough optics to show you the surface of planets like Jupiter, Saturn, and Mars. Affordable as this scope is, there is no reason to give so much as a glance at the trashy 60mm refractors with exaggerated magnification claims that litter the market.
Some advice on selection. Dobsonians come in a range of sizes; the bigger the instrument, the more you will see. A long-focus 114mm (4 ½") like this one is a fine instrument, especially for children and others whose ability to carry large objects is limited. A teen or able-bodied adult should consider going up to a 150-200mm (6-8") scope. Bigger Dobsonians (250-300mm and above) are too heavy and bulky for some people.
Some advice on use. Viewing through a telescope is less like playing a CD and more like playing a guitar. Finding objects takes a little bit of practice. To simplify it, I would suggest supplementing the finder supplied with this scope with a "red-dot" finder to aid in initial pointing. You will also need to buy a star atlas (Sky & Telescope's Pocket Sky Atlas is the best available), a red flashlight to read it without blowing out your badly-needed night vision, and a guidebook to lead you to interesting objects. These investments will greatly add to your enjoyment.
What more can I say? This is the kind of scope that experienced observers have been trying to steer novices towards for decades. Although, I recommend that you do your homework before buying any scope--learn the sky and get to know experienced stargazers who can advise you--when it comes time to purchase, this scope is a fine choice.
For more advice, see my encyclopedic guide here on Amazon, "So you want to buy a telescope."
Evaluation:
Conclusion: Great telescope for kids and adults
Review: We received the SkyQuest XT 4.5 about two weeks ago and we absolutely love it. My six year old daughter and I opened the two boxes, put it together, and within 15 minutes we were out in front of our house looking at the moon, start clusters, the moons and cloud bands of Jupiter, and the Andromeda Galaxy. It is big enough to see all of these things from a big city yet it is small enough to easily fit in a closet.
If you are looking for a light weight scope you can pull out of the closet on a whim, big enough to see the items mentioned above, and easy enough for a kid to use, this is the one.
|
