Product Details

Accessories

Meade 25mm Modified Achromatic Eyepiece (1.25" O.D.)

Price: $39.00

Meade 20201 Reviews

Think before buying this scope
by Doug Rice from Twin Falls, ID USA, 2007-02-05

The Telestar NGC-60A is better than the numerous trashy scopes on the market in that the manufacturer has omitted the ridiculously high power eyepieces along with the exaggerated claims. The scope also has the convenience of computerization. But the fact remains that a telescope is only as good as its optics, and this is a low-end model. What, then, should you expect with this scope and what should you not expect?

What you should not expect is an easy ticket to stunning views like those in picture books. Those pictures were taken with time exposures. In an amateur telescope, most celestial objects are dim smudges whose vague glow is barely visible against the sky background. This is especially so for a scope as small as this one. In it, some star clusters will show up dimly but decently; most galaxies and nebulae will be barely visible, if at all.

What you can expect is a partial bypass of the often frustrating process of finding objects in the sky. Given how miserable that task is with the inferior eyepieces and finders so prevalent on mass-market telescopes, there is something to be said for go-to scopes like this one.

But finding is only one of the challenges you face in stargazing. Looking through an astronomical telescope is a learned skill, less like playing an MP3 file and more like playing a guitar. The more time you spend training your eyes to see detail just barely at the edge of visibility, the more you will get out of observing. You will also see a lot more if you take the time to get to a relatively dark observing spot and dark-adapt your eyes for a half hour or more. If all this disappoints and deters you, do not even consider this scope.

If, instead, you are fascinated by this prospect, this scope may possibly be for you. But before buying it, think about what you really want from astronomy and consider the alternatives.

If computerized finding attracts you, is it because you simply want to see the wonders of the sky without investing too much effort? Maybe a better alternative would be to contact your local astronomy club and attend a star party. The members love sharing their hobby, and their scopes will show you far more than you will see in a 60mm model like the Telestar NGC-60A.

Or are you attracted by the price and see this scope as a way to get started in a fascinating hobby without spending too much? Prices are often not what they seem. For example the 9mm (high-power) eyepiece supplied is pretty cheap, definitely not wide-field as claimed; you will probably want to spend extra to upgrade it. If resources are limited, you might be better off forgetting computerization and investing in better optics. For under $290 (plus maybe $70 to upgrade the finders), you could get a new noncomputerized 150mm (6") Dobsonian--available here on Amazon from Celestron and other manufacturers--that would offer nearly 3 times the useful magnification, (more importantly) gather 6 times the light, and keep you busy for years. You could even get a used one on the Astromart website for not very much more than you would pay for the Telestar NGC-60A.

Another affordable alternative is 10x50 binoculars with a tripod and mounting bracket. For most objects, they will show every bit as much as a 60mm scope like this one. In fact, binoculars are the best way to get started in astronomy. The Amazon website offers some good choices in binoculars.

Maybe you want computerization and money is not an object. Then I suggest you skip the low-end stuff and get a computerized 125-200mm (5-8"). Amazon also sells these.

Have I flooded you with too many things to think about? Well, this is precisely the point. You need to do your homework before you buy. Buying a telescope without prior experience is like buying a car without knowing anything about cars or driving. I suggest you start by learning the sky with your unaided eye, a chart, and a night-vision-saving red flashlight. Your local astronomy club is a valuable source of experience and advice. Learn to view with binoculars. Before you buy a scope, try out different ones.

For more information on buying telescopes, see my encyclopedic guide on Amazon: "So you want to buy a telescope."

Great for the beginner or casual celestial observer!
by Kyle Clark from Victoria, TX, 2006-01-30

This is not the best telescope on the market, but for the price, you definitely can't go wrong. I was amazed at the quality and clarity. With the 9mm lens, you can easily see the rings of Saturn as well as the clouds of Jupiter. With the purchase of a stronger lens and even a magnifier, you are able to get even more definition of celestial objects including but not limited to planets, nebula, and lunar craters. If you are a beginner, or just enjoy the night sky as I do, this is a great way to enhance the experience and maybe learn something along the way.

Note: As for delivery, the item arrived in the scheduled delivery timeframe in perfect condition. The only problem was the software was missing but has been sent as I write this review.