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Unusual Toy Telescopes
United States
Приєднався 23 січ 2018
Zhumell Z100 Telescope
This is a 4 inch reflector on a small Dobsonian mount. It is nearly identical to the Orion Skyscanner with the only meaningful difference being the eyepieces. It is the lowest cost Newtonian with a parabolic mirror, which is vitally important. The cheaper Newtonian telescopes with the inferior spherical mirrors do not perform well. The Z100 is a good optical performer!
I am a retired Astronomy Professor. I do not make any money or benefit in any way from my recommendations. Unlike many UA-cam reviewers, I am not an Amazon affiliate. I make nothing when you make a purchase. I purchased these scopes with my own money. Nothing was given to me.
Another trustworthy review of this scope: ua-cam.com/video/LxpHJRC_LNE/v-deo.html
Best Beginner Telescopes:
studio.ua-cam.com/users/videoBlzKZ28P7sY
How to Select a Beginner Telescope:
ua-cam.com/video/0SIjhcePcNM/v-deo.html
Zhumell Z100:
www.amazon.com/Zhumell-Portable-Altazimuth-Reflector-Telescope/dp/B07CD3MS17/
Orion Sky Scanner (same as Z100):
www.telescope.com/Orion-SkyScanner-100mm-TableTop-Reflector-Telescope/p/102007.uts
My Review of the Celestron Starsense Explorer DX102 AZ:
ua-cam.com/video/8pnoA6M8dMI/v-deo.html
Celestron Starsense Explorer DX102 AZ:
www.amazon.com/Celestron-StarSense-Smartphone-App-Enabled-Compatible/dp/B083JP3QYJ/
Orion Starblast:
www.telescope.com/Orion/Orion-StarBlast-45-Astro-Reflector-Telescope/rc/2160/p/102010.uts?keyword=starblast
Astronomers Without Borders OneSky:
shop.astronomerswithoutborders.org/collections/telescopes/products/awb-onesky-reflector-telescope
See my review of the Astronomers Without Borders OneSky telescope here: ua-cam.com/video/PEXjk8ChJ5c/v-deo.html
Sarblue Mak 60 Review: ua-cam.com/video/MLnlEPmq9NY/v-deo.html
Other Links:
Unbiased and well-qualified telescope reviews:
telescopicwatch.com/
ua-cam.com/video/tY-QybUExzo/v-deo.html
Here’s A simple tripod base you can build for a table top Dobsonian:
ua-cam.com/video/HsGD9mU8cR0/v-deo.html
I am a retired Astronomy Professor. I do not make any money or benefit in any way from my recommendations. Unlike many UA-cam reviewers, I am not an Amazon affiliate. I make nothing when you make a purchase. I purchased these scopes with my own money. Nothing was given to me.
Another trustworthy review of this scope: ua-cam.com/video/LxpHJRC_LNE/v-deo.html
Best Beginner Telescopes:
studio.ua-cam.com/users/videoBlzKZ28P7sY
How to Select a Beginner Telescope:
ua-cam.com/video/0SIjhcePcNM/v-deo.html
Zhumell Z100:
www.amazon.com/Zhumell-Portable-Altazimuth-Reflector-Telescope/dp/B07CD3MS17/
Orion Sky Scanner (same as Z100):
www.telescope.com/Orion-SkyScanner-100mm-TableTop-Reflector-Telescope/p/102007.uts
My Review of the Celestron Starsense Explorer DX102 AZ:
ua-cam.com/video/8pnoA6M8dMI/v-deo.html
Celestron Starsense Explorer DX102 AZ:
www.amazon.com/Celestron-StarSense-Smartphone-App-Enabled-Compatible/dp/B083JP3QYJ/
Orion Starblast:
www.telescope.com/Orion/Orion-StarBlast-45-Astro-Reflector-Telescope/rc/2160/p/102010.uts?keyword=starblast
Astronomers Without Borders OneSky:
shop.astronomerswithoutborders.org/collections/telescopes/products/awb-onesky-reflector-telescope
See my review of the Astronomers Without Borders OneSky telescope here: ua-cam.com/video/PEXjk8ChJ5c/v-deo.html
Sarblue Mak 60 Review: ua-cam.com/video/MLnlEPmq9NY/v-deo.html
Other Links:
Unbiased and well-qualified telescope reviews:
telescopicwatch.com/
ua-cam.com/video/tY-QybUExzo/v-deo.html
Here’s A simple tripod base you can build for a table top Dobsonian:
ua-cam.com/video/HsGD9mU8cR0/v-deo.html
Переглядів: 1 847
Відео
Orion Starblast Telescope
Переглядів 2,6 тис.8 місяців тому
This is a very highly regarded beginner telescope for many good reasons. It is far superior to many telescopes in the same price range and is a sure-fire winner for a beginning astronomer. I am a retired Astronomy Professor. I do not make any money or benefit in any way from my recommendations. Unlike many UA-cam reviewers, I am not an Amazon affiliate. I make nothing when you make a purchase. ...
Newtonian Telescope Collimation for Absolute Beginners
Переглядів 17 тис.8 місяців тому
Here are simple instructions that will do what you need nearly every time. In some cases you might need to get more involved with adjusting the secondary but try to avoid that if possible. Most of the time you will just need to tweak the primary mirror a little and you will be good to go. Many well-meaning instructors will have you adjust the secondary as the first step in collimating your tele...
Newtonian Collimation Part 2
Переглядів 2,2 тис.8 місяців тому
This video is about adjusting the secondary mirror of your Newtonian telescope. This should not be done by a beginner until they have mastered the skills shown in part one: Newtonian Collimation for Absolute Beginners. The techniques show in this video should not be used unless your secondary mirror is very far out of alignment, perhaps due to a disastrous accident. The secondary has to be very...
Celestron Starsense DX 102AZ
Переглядів 6 тис.8 місяців тому
This scope is a very nice option for a beginner. It has enough aperture to be acceptable. Performance will be comparable to a 5 inch Newtonian and it does not require the confusing-for-beginners collimation. The optics are not bad, especially for this price range. The mount is tolerable. The most important factor for a beginner is the revolutionary plate solving software you use with the scope....
Getting the most out of your Celestron Starsense telescope
Переглядів 2,3 тис.8 місяців тому
This video is designed to help a beginning amateur astronomer who has purchased one of the Celestron Starsense Observer telescopes. The technology is wonderful and very friendly but getting the most from it, especially under a light polluted sky, can require a bit of understanding. These tips will help! I am a retired Astronomy Professor. I do not make any money or benefit in any way from my re...
Best Beginner Telescopes
Переглядів 12 тис.8 місяців тому
This video shows the best beginner telescopes priced less than $400. I am a retired Astronomy Professor. I do not make any money or benefit in any way from my recommendations. Unlike many UA-cam reviewers, I am not an Amazon affiliate. I make nothing when you make a purchase. I purchased these scopes with my own money. Nothing was given to me. How to select a beginner telescope: ua-cam.com/vide...
How to Select a Beginner Telescope
Переглядів 4788 місяців тому
Here are a couple of simple basic facts that will help you avoid the pitfalls of “hobby killer” telescopes. The aperture is the diameter of the main lens or mirror of the telescope. It is closely related to the size of the front opening of the telescope and I use this characteristic to simplify the concept in this video. Aperture is always the first number you see in the specification of a tele...
Beginner Binoculars for Astronomy
Переглядів 6888 місяців тому
This is a brief introduction to selecting binoculars for astronomy. Aimed at the beginner, the advice is mostly what NOT to buy. Avoid wasting your money and time on useless and expensive gimmicks. I am a retired Astronomy Professor. I do not make any money or benefit in any way from my recommendations. Unlike many UA-cam reviewers, I am not an Amazon affiliate. I make nothing when you make a p...
Orion Observer 134 Telescope
Переглядів 6 тис.9 місяців тому
Orion Observer 134 Telescope Review Features of the Scope GOOD: • Great optics! Comparable to a superb 4 inch Ed Apochromat! • Eyepieces are “OK” • Finder is “OK” BAD: • Horrible mount. Very shaky even with the suggested modifications. • Awkward slow motion knob positions. Some configurations are physically impossible! • Strange projecting focuser. Designed for cheaper shipping? • Not suitable ...
Review of the Acuter Newtony 50mm telescope
Переглядів 3,1 тис.9 місяців тому
This cute little telescope sells for about $50. It’s not available in the U.S. but Celestron has their own version that is almost identical called the Celestron Kids Scope ($45 plus shipping). It’s not a great telescope but it’s a fun size for a kid and it does deliver a reasonable image comparable to similar larger scopes. And the fact that you can open it up is very cool. A kid can see inside...
Sarblue Mak60 Telescope Review
Переглядів 4,2 тис.9 місяців тому
I do not make any money or benefit in any way from my recommendations. I purchased the telescopes shown in the video. Nothing was given to me or loaned to me. This little scope comes in at least three versions: Version 1 basic scope ($130): www.amazon.com/s?k=sarblue mak60&i=electronics&crid=38X6OB2B7LQAF&sprefix=sarblue mak60,electronics,109&ref=nb_sb_noss_1 Version 2 with full length tripod a...
Sun Moon Earth Toy Orrery
Переглядів 1,4 тис.9 місяців тому
This is a Tellurian Orrery which is a simple model of the Sun, Moon and Earth. For a toy it is a very good demonstration! It is not precisely correct in all respects but it does a fair job of representing some important astronomical phenomena: the cause for the seasons (the 23.5 degree tilt of the Earth’s axis), the relative orbital periods of the Moon around the Earth (a month) and the Earth a...
Two Toy Reflector Telescopes
Переглядів 4706 років тому
Here are two of the most common mid-century toy telescopes. They have all the seductive charm an unsuspecting parent could require to make the purchase but deliver very little to the hapless kid who gets one.
Astronomers Without Borders OneSky telescope
Переглядів 27 тис.6 років тому
Astronomers Without Borders OneSky telescope
Hi have you ever make a video to show how to use the AWB OneSky Reflector Telescope to see stars? I am a real beginner. Got this telescope as hand me down and the user manual is missing. Watched UA-cam and learned to set it up. Now I need some basics tips to know what to do next so I can see stars. Can you let me know please?
Love the look of the green open truss telescope!
Do you ever even mess with the secondary mirror screws on the OneSky? (Assuming I'm looking in the right place) They appear so deep I don't think I could ever get a screw driver on them, much less an Allen key if it was called for. Can't even tell what kind of head they've got on them.
Need a better description of how to collimate.
Fantastic video and explanation! Thank you for making this it worked like a dream!
Astronomy has been one of my hobbies since I was 10 yrs old (now 75) and I have many telescopes in my scope shed. From 4" to 16" but the bigger scopes take some time and muscle to set up. Many nights I just want to view for 30 mins or so which leaves out the setting up most of the larger scopes. A grab and go telescope makes for a better choice for a short viewing time sooooo I bought one of these Astronomer Without Borders scopes used for $100 and it has been one of my best buys ever. Lite to carry and fast to setup and get viewing. Small mirror, yes but very capable for a quick look at the night sky. Images are very good if collimated well. I worked at an observatory for 20+ years with 32" and 24" telescopes so I believe that I can give a fairly decent review. This 5" telescope is limited for sure but for it's size it is remarkable in what it can do. I believe it is the best beginner scope and at a great price. I used mine just last night in fact and got good views of Saturn and Jupiter and a few brighter globular clusters. 8/29/2022
I ordered one and await delivery. *Everyone* characterizing it as a 'beginner' scope, is not instilling me with confidence. I chose between this, a Zhumell z130, a Skywatcher 150p and an Orion XT8. My #1 is still an early 90s Meade 4500 I built a lightweight dob mount and stool/tripod for. I would've preferred a 6" but decided that the 8 would get far less use than any of them and the 150 would be an uncomfortable medium that would leave me wishing Id gone with the 8. I couldn't really find anything in between the 8 and the 130s that I wanted to make the spend on. My prime location doesnt give a single clear view and if Im out for more than a couple hours, I end up moving a couple times. So, I chose this model specifically for portability and simplicity and it seemed the most bang for the buck of the similar choices. I was really interested in the Zhumell, but knew nothing about them. Turns out, they're made by the same OEM as Orion.
this looks lovely. Thank you. is there a mount for a webcam or cell phone to get continuous video shots, and/or night vision scope in addition to this telescope? i have an ad astra II (oldie!) and use my cell and get awesome Moon shots, but want something i can connect or rig up (with pvc piping and twist ties if i have to!) a way to get good digital footage on my laptop with a better result. any suggestions? Thanks- wixx
You have a good one. I bought mine in 2018. The secondary mirror is angled a bit too low on mine. I would have had to bend the little pole it hangs from forward to get it right. However, I'd risk breaking it if I do that, so I can never really collimate it dead on center. Also, when the pole is screwed all the way in, the 2nd mirror is turned off to the side. For that mirror to be straight, the pole has to be loose, so the mirror constantly wobbles and has to be swung back into place every few minutes. That is easy enough to do. It does, however, collect a lot of light for a $200 telescope and is easy to use (if there are no quirks) and carry around. The images of brighter, bigger objects, such as Jupiter, are pretty clear, even with my alignment issues. Even the moons of Jupiter and Saturn can be seen on a clear night from my porch in my small city.
I’m (much) older and I’ve purchased this as my first telescope. I’m so excited, I feel like a kid again. Thanks for the review.
Great video, nice and simple. Looks like a great scope for someone curious and handy to get a better look at the planets. I have a couple of things of concerns before I'd take the plunge and buy one: A. Collimation (a brief video on this would be great) which I don't quite understand from the instruction manual or this video. Many are instruction-manual challenged so a visual guide would be really helpful. B. If I could somehow attach a camera to get photographs. Best is my Canon M3 or as second choice an iPhone. Thank you.
Nice video. I have a question related to astronomy and I thought someone here might know. Is there a prominent star that someone could follow from anywhere in the States that would guide them to Old Crow in the Yukon? I'm researching a story I'm attempting to write that is the reason for this question. Thanks for any advice you can give.
I don't need subscribers..I don't even say subscribe my channel..I just wish pls watch my videos and chear me ua-cam.com/video/r165S9NAwMc/v-deo.html Here's my handmade 6" telescope lunar view
Crappy focuser and finder aside - a great telescope, for beginners and travellers alike.
Back in early to mid 2018, when I was deciding on what telescope to buy, I somehow missed this video. My needs were, beginner telescope, light weight for carrying up and down 2 stories, and small footprint for use on my apartment balcony. That made for a very short list. SkyWatcher Heritage 130P/AWB OneSky. I bought my 130P in late July 2018, and it's been a brilliant buy. It's an entry level telescope which straddles the border between the high end of beginner/entry gear, and the lower end of the more serious and larger intermediate stuff. The moon, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, obvious and easy targets. Add a better quality/more powerful eyepiece, and splitting doubles is do-able. But straight out of the box, this is a _good_ scope.
I have been looking for a good table top for a while now. This solves my problem on which one. A great scope and a great cause.
thank you I feel like I got a lesson from Walt white
Annoys me that they won’t ship here, how is it without borders
It is sold elsewhere as the Skywatcher Heritage 130P. There is an explanation about why they cannot ship elsewhere in the AWB order page under General FAQ
ocelotl456 thanks, good to know
Ok astronomer I love
during collimation the adjusting screws popped off and now i can't get them back on. this is ridiculous! terrible manufacturing!!!
thank you for the wonderful review. very informative and you have a *wonderful* manner and presence.
great video! I bought one a few months ago and inadvertently loosened the locking bolt you mentioned too much resulting in the need for my first collimation after it fell off the mount and hit the deck. prior to that I didn't have to make any adjustments even though I used it numerous times. i'm a noob at all of this, lol. I love the telescope and didn't realize just how much I could see with it, like the coloration of Jupiter and the moons of Jupiter.
It would have been nice if you explained what you were doing and how to center the ?dot?. It's great that you have done it hundreds of times, but this is telescope for beginners and that is why I am watching.
That's because this isn't a howto on colimating a Newtonian telescope using a Cheshire eyepiece.
@@t4N9410oR Alright wise-guy. A quick explanation would have been helpful. This is a beginners telescope, which means people come to this video with next to no experience with them.
@@nullobject5943 So you are saying that viewers are unintelligent enough to come looking for a review, and expecting it to also be a How To ? That is thoroughly wrong thinking.
@@t4N9410oR I'm not sure how you came to that conclusion, nor do I care. I'm not here to argue with someone on the internet.
@@nullobject5943 Your original comment on this video, as well as your initial reply to me. Both are saying that this review, should have been a How To for beginners, and that beginners would _expect_ such How To infotmation to be in a review video.
Thanks for the video! Very informative.
Hi Dave, great video thank you for your review. I'm a bit confused, and google is failing me. I want to be able to put my DSLR on this (or any "first telescope" I buy). Can you shed some light on how that works? Do I just need a "T" adapter for my camera mount? Or does a camera lens need to be used in place of the eyepiece? I'm pretty much set on getting this, but some clarification on taking photos with it would be helpful, just if you have any insight. Thanks man.
t adapter, yes
Did you get this one and did you attach your camera? Mine is now being shipped and I want to attach my camera as well.
Thanks! - really interested in getting this as my first and only telescope! What I really want to do is connect this to my Olympus OMD camera...IF that is even possible? Need to find exact step-by-step instructions. Just starting out.
Did you attach your camera? I ordered this on New Year's Eve and just got the shipping email! I want to attach my camera as well, please let me know if you did and how did it go.
Is it possible to show the kind of sky that can be seen with this?
I love the telescope and didn't realize just how much I could see with it, like the coloration of Jupiter and the moons of Jupiter. i'm in the northern hemisphere so other than the moon Jupiter is the most detailed object I've viewed so far.
Should you store this telescope with the base not resting directly on the mount? Thinking the screws might scratch the mount.
Hi There, would you be able to show how to separate the telescope from the stand ?
Its rather simple loosen both knobs and slide the scope off the dovetail mount
@@xsauce3858 Thank you so much. Happy New year
Love that 123-Contact scope. I think I will build one since they are no longer available. 3" f/4 would be about the right size for a functioning table top model. Thanks so much for sharing these wonderful curiosities.
With that collapsing system, high power is out. This is an intro scope for use in third world countries. It is a community demo scope. Unistellar's eVscope will serve this function when it comes out next year (May, 2019). The eVscope stands to revolutionize amateur astronomy. Worth checking out.
It's not a toy. Trust me. You can CLEARLY see the Cassini division, and in good seeing, the shadow transit of Jupiter's moons on the face of the planet.
the Unistellar eVscope costs $3,000
The wonderful world of cheapies. Not all are bad, there is a luck factor.
Excellent presentation ! Liked/Subscribed !
i have another question, whats the highest magnification you would go with this telescope and what eyepiece would you have to buy in that case? If i understood correct, the scope only offers x65 with the included eyepiece.I gotta say that a little bit disappointing allthough i know magnification isnt all.
Ive seen people on fourms say that 130* would be its best max magnification
130mm reflector dob seems to be the way to go for ambitioned beginners. Seems there are quite a few decent ones for 200 dollar. Originally i wanted to get a refractor as my 1st teleskop, but i wanted to go 90-100 mm at least, but the there seems nothing decent in my budget. 70mm at best.
We don't need political statements attached to astronomy.
where is it ?
Nice video! That Hale telescope model is super cool, I used to live near the Palomar Mountain Observatory and would've loved to have a scope like that. Even if the optics are junk it's still a pretty cool model. p.s. The name of the mountain is not "Mt. Palomar" but rather "Palomar Mountain". I don't really mind all that much, but most people in SoCal (especially the people who live on/near the mountain) can't stand hearing that. Just a quick heads up.
I’m not really into collecting quirky things but man I need that space shuttle telescope. One of the most ridiculous things I’ve seen and I love it. You even put your face is the SSMEs!
I had a 3 inch reflector,cardboard tube with a clamp to hold it a chair back rather than a tripod.the first thing I tried it out on was a light bulb on a house on a hill 300 yards away.i just checked that on goggle earth! I spent many nights to find and focus that bulb and when I did it came in really looking like a light on a porch.i fiddled with the nuts on the back and it took months to get it focused again! if nothing else these toy scopes taught a boy in the 50's the value of patience
I bought a Celestron Firstscope merely because it commemorates the year of astronomy and I wanted it for it's keepsake value. I don't have a green telescope (I think it comes in other colors) but always thought it would be handy in an educational setting to show how a Newtonian works.
i bet my $35 cometron 7x50 binoculars are more powerfull than these telescopes...
A good pair of binoculars is a great tool for astronomy!!
Power isnt everything !!!!
Firstscope will show rings of Saturn and more DSO's then the 7X50's. Being on a tripod lets you easily see the moons of Jupiter and barely 2 bands. I have used the Orion Funscope (same thing optically) and surprised what it can do.
its just 200!!!!!!! so cheap!!! now i need $200😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
Thanks for sharing Dave! The Gilbert reflector shows up on Ebay from time to time...
Really nice review! I would get one for myself, if not for the fact that I already have the Bushnell version of it. A serious sized aperture scope, especially for someone like me who uses smaller aperture scopes.
You are most welcome, Terry. Thanks for your comment!
My SkilCraft telescope! In high school, a teacher sparked my interest in astronomy. With little money, I looked to buy a telescope at a yard sale and came on a SkilCraft scope exactly like in your video. The tripod was broken so I couldn't try it out until I got home and mounted it on my dad's camera tripod. If you detach the scope from its ball mount it should fit on a standard camera tripod screw. Optics were beyond terrible. Got a dim view of the moon and that's it. Couldn't even make out Jupiter's moons. The eyepieces were unique. If you unscrew the top you'll see the lens elements are kept in place by a spring. That's right. There is a spring in the eyepiece! After getting rid of this piece of junk, I bought a 60mm refractor, which was the proper beginner scope at the time. Thanks for the trip down memory lane, Dave! (I always thought the SkilCraft was from the 1960's).
You are most welcome, Danel. Thanks for your comment. You may be right about the era, of this scope. I wonder how many others had a similar experience with these scopes. Probably many.
Thanks so much for this presentation. I just ordered one myself and reviews such as yours were very helpful. Cheers!
Glad they were helpful! Enjoy your scope!
already am! great wee scope, and very easy to setup and use and I have no prior experience with telescopes save what I've learned online from folks like you.
Glad you are learning the hobby. You have a nice scope for a beginner!
hi, i'm looking to buy a cheap telescope because i can't afford expensive ones. I want to look at planets, mars, jupiter etc. Will I be able to see them or will it be very blur?
I suggest you read the information on their website for a clear and detailed answer. Happy viewing!
Excellent review, thorough and clearly presented. You sold me. I just ordered one. Thanks!
Glad you like the video, Doug. I hope you enjoy your scope!
Hope you like your AWB scope Doug! BTW, do you still have your Starblast 6?
Stonehill,Road 47 Essex Leigh on Sea England and Santa buy Heritage Celestron Sky Watcher moon and SpaceX Dragon toy stand Space Station big stand toy
I was looking for a scope that was good but still portable(motorcycle camping). This really fits the bill with its collapsability. Benefits a good cause also. Win win. Just wish they weren't in back order till December right now.
Hi Dave, A funny video. I liked the Tasco 20x40, the minute 5:15, very similar to Lafayette. Do you know the model of the Tasco?
There is no number on mine. Sorry.
Great grab'n go! Thanks for sharing Mr Trott!
You are welcome!
Rocket telescope has an outstanding COOL factor Mr Trott! Thanks for sharing!
I agree. Thanks for the comment, John!