Product Description

Look to the stars and explore past, present, and future, together. NorthStar telescopes offer amateur astronomers state-of-the-art computer-driven location and tracking capability with simple, push-button control. With a built-in data base of 20,000 celestial objects, you simply call up your target on the hand-held control module, enter a simple "Go To" command and the NorthStar computer does the rest. Once locked on, tracking the object for prolonged viewing is automatic. An innovative RVO (Real Voice Output) feature provides a fun, interactive way to explore the night sky. The remote, hand-held control module features red, backlit push buttons and a red, illuminated LCD read-out for easy viewing without impairing your night vision. The telescopes also feature our new 1x wide-angle, red dot finderscope. Additional features include a quick-release tripod and accessory tray for fast, easy assembly. Offers the amateur astronomer state-of-the-art computer-driven location and tracking capability with simple, push-button control with over 20,000 celestial objects within an internal database Simply call up your target on the Bushnell NorthStar hand-held control module, enter a simple go to command and the Northstar computer does the rest

Product Details

• Color: red
• Brand: Bushnell
• Model: 788846
• Released on: 2003-09-15
• Dimensions: 9.75" h x 18.25" w x 43.50" l, 25.00 pounds

Features

• Ideal for first time astronomers and experienced astronomers
• Computerized Star Locator stores over 20,000 astronomical objects, with real voice output
• Kinematic mount for precise movement
• Magnification: 675x
• Objective lens: 4.5 inches

From the Manufacturer
A quantum leap for computerized telescopes, the North Star offers novice telescope users a plethora of celestial views at the touch of a button. Advanced motorized "go to" technology enables the computer to automatically find and follow any object from its 20,000 object database. Includes a remote control handset with red illuminated LCD readout and red backlit buttons. Also features the new wide-field red dot finderscope, which utilizes a red LED projection. This 1x finderscope will easily allow any user to quickly sight in an area of the sky and find night sky objects quickly. Additional features include quick release accessory tray and tripod legs for an easy two-step assembly.

Specifications for this Bushnell telescope include:

• Power/Obj.: 675x4.5"
• Style: Reflector
• Focal length: 900mm
• Features: 20,000 Object Onboard Starfinding Computer With Real Voice Output, Kinematic Motion, Quick-Release Adjustable Aluminum Tripod, 1.25" Format Eyepieces, Barlow Lens, Red Dot LED Finderscope, Accessory Tray, Camera Adaptable, 2-Step Assembly

Tech Talk
Magnification (Power): The magnification of a telescope is determined by dividing its focal length by the focal length of the eyepiece being used. For example, a 500mm telescope with a 5mm eyepiece would magnify objects 100x. Thus, a telescope can provide nearly any magnification required depending on the focal length of the eyepiece used.

Objective Lens Size (or Aperture): The size of the telescope’s objective lens, or aperture, limits the amount of power that can be used effectively. As the magnification of an object increases, the brightness of the image decreases. This is because the light gathered by the telescope is being spread over a larger area.

Reflector: The optical system in a reflector uses a primary mirror to reflect the light from a distant object such that it can be focused to a point and magnified by an eyepiece. Popularized by Sir Isaac Newton in the 17th Century, it is sometimes referred to as a Newtonian reflector.

Focal Length: The measured light path of the optical system (tube length), typically measured in millimeters.

"Go To" Computerized Star Locator: Utilizes an on-board computer to find over 20,000 astronomical objects. Educational descriptions of the objects are provided at the touch of a button. Plus "go to" advanced motorized technology, where the computer automatically finds and follows any object from its 20,000 object database.

Customer Reviews

Everything bad you've read is true...
I've got the 3 inch version of this telescope, but the comments apply here as well (so I figured I'd save someone some trouble by posting here, too):

Everything bad you've read in the other reviews is all 100% true. From the lack of tracking, poor go-to (because it doesn't keep the time after you've set it), to the way over exaggerated magnification claims, shaky mount-- all true.

I've had one of these scopes for about 4-5 years (got it as a gift). I used it once or twice but couldn't do anything but look at the moon with it. It went in the attic (where most cheap scopes end up) after a short time...

Then I gave it to my sister (she kept it when I moved-- I was going to throw it away). She gave it back after about a year because she couldn't get it to focus. Only useful for the moon she says (couldn't get the computer to work at all-- her fault there-- read on).

Since that time, however, I learned a lot about telescopes in general. So when I got it back, I figured out why it wouldn't focus with the included 4mm eyepiece or the supplied 3x barlow. It was WAY out of collimation. Collimation wasn't even mentioned in the manual at all. They assume it is always in collimation. If a scope gets out of collimation it is useless so it is strange not to put it in the manual at all.

So I take out the primary mirror and mark the center spot with a red sharpie (you need to mark the center of the primary mirror for collimation-- this one doesn't come pre-marked). I put it back in and use a cheshire eyepiece (used for collimation) to line up the optics. Now I knew why there were no instructions on collimating. This thing is almost impossible to collimate! The secondary mirror basically falls out when you loosen any ONE of the set screws! Anyway after about an hour and fifteen minutes I got it in very good collimation.

However, even in good collimation, the 4mm eyepiece will not come into a sharp focus and NOTHING in the 3x barlow will come to focus AT ALL. This is definitely due to very, very poor quality of the supplied eyepieces. I've tried other eyepieces which make this scope perform much better so I know it is the eyepieces. The 3x barlow is 100% useless and it is also 100% plastic (I think it even has a plastic lens). The *only* reason the barlow is in the box is so they can advertise 525x magnification (700mm/4mm * 3 for the barlow = 525x). But the useful magnification for any scope maxes out around 60x the aperture (in inches). In this scope's case that is 180x.

The computer works like it is supposed to (except it doesn't keep the time once you enter it which makes it pretty useless). The problem with the computer and "go-to" in general is the user has to know a bit about the sky before it is useful because you have to line up the scope manually on two stars to set the computer. The novice probably can't do this properly. Note, too, that the second star must be found fairly quickly after the first or the settings won't be very accurate (hard, again, for the novice). The most useful part of the computer is using the direction arrows to manually keep an object in view since they slew the scope at a fairly slow rate.

So, the user should know a bit about the night sky before attempting to ever use ANY go-to system.

First of all, the best way to do that is to buy NightWatch: A Practical Guide to Viewing the Universe (Spiralbound) by Terence Dickinson. That'll get you oriented in the night sky and give a good starting point.

Second, pick up a good starter scope. A good starter Newtonian (same style as this scope) with an object locator (doesn't automatically move the telescope, though) is an Orion SkyQuest XT6. It has twice the aperture of this scope. If you get the XT6 without the intelliscope option it is even cheaper. General rule is buy the bigest aperture scope that your budget allows.

Personally, I don't think you need a go-to at first. It is much more fun to be able to read start charts and star hop your way to find those deep sky objects. Very much like the difference between watching a movie vs. reading the book.

Telescope Shortcomings
The telescope is dissappointing. It is difficult to focus and the magnification is much less than I anticipated. I have yet to be able to use the extension eyepiece.