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11 reviews
Plenty of Potential, But With Caveats
The Celestron FirstScope 76mm tabletop "Baby Dobsonian" is normally listed as a beginners telescope. It is easy to use, but there are some minor issues with the design.
First, the location of the focuser. In the earlier design, like this one, it is located perpendicular to the altitude axis. While this seems like it would be easy to use, in fact it isn't; you have to lean over the instrument to look into the eyepiece. On the later models this was corrected by rotating it 45°, which makes it far easier.
The other issue with this version are the included eyepieces, a 20mm H and 4mm SR. While the 20mm eyepiece is somewhat usable, the 4mm is not. For a "fast" (that is to say, short) telescope like this, you want lower power eyepieces (also, due to the mirror's shape you are somewhat restricted). While the literature that first announced this telescope said that it was capable of up to 180x magnification, in practice that is far from the case. I would hesitate to take it above 50x, which means using a 6mm eyepiece.
However, when used with lower power eyepieces, such as a nice 20mm Plossl or Kellner, the views are good. Even a 6mm Plossl will allow you to see Jupiter's Galilean moons and Saturn's rings, though of course not in great detail.
There is also no finder scope included, though there is a mount for one.
My advice when purchasing this telescope is to buy better eyepieces, perhaps some inexpensive Plossl's and Kellner's, with no less than 6mm focal length. and no higher than 25mm.
The newer models rectify some of the design flaws, but there are still plenty of older ones out there, and with simple changes, it has the potential to be a nice little sky sweeper.Read full review
Verified purchase: Yes • Condition: new • Sold by: palmbeachupscale
missing parts, not happy
perfect size ,secondary mirror had a big finger print on it, didn't come with the 4mm eye piece or finder
scope.
Verified purchase: Yes • Condition: pre-owned • Sold by: entity31
Good, for what it is.
I tried to review this yesterday at ebay's request, and I was prompted to start over again twice, including signing into the site again. Sorry, not doing a detailed review again. I like it for what it is. It's a cheap scope that works. Best part is no flimsy tripod. You'll need to replace the bad eyepieces unless you already have better ones like Plossls. Views are pretty good for a 3" mirror once decent eyepieces are used. Read full review
Verified purchase: Yes • Condition: pre-owned • Sold by: v2harley
Love it works great
It works awesome seen venus and couple of galaxy s first time ever seeing that pretty kool thank youl ooking to get into astronomy now and the lens are a great set good quality
Verified purchase: Yes • Condition: pre-owned • Sold by: animealways
My first scope
Great first scope . I have seen moon craters as well as Jupiter and its moons . Very pleased with my purchase. Also seller shiped very quickly.
Verified purchase: Yes • Condition: pre-owned • Sold by: smatthews1078
great value for a first telescope
I bought this telescope for my 4 yo son. I was pleasantly surprised with the quality of the image.
Verified purchase: Yes • Condition: pre-owned • Sold by: slone1495
Great telescope for the price and with a small footprint
just a toy as some might think. But I think the price went up over 35% a few days after I bought it.
Verified purchase: Yes • Condition: new • Sold by: american-qualit...
Best first scope for little kids! We love it!
Best first scope for little kids! We love it!
Verified purchase: Yes • Condition: pre-owned • Sold by: cedarvintage12
Simple and works
Have only used it a couple of times but worked good.
Verified purchase: Yes • Condition: pre-owned • Sold by: kemmerllc
Celestron Firstscope
This is a great starter telescope.
Verified purchase: Yes • Condition: pre-owned • Sold by: redaiv