BARSKA Magnus ED 560x80 Refractor Telescope with Hard Case

by Barska

Product Features

• 93.33x Max Power with 80mm Objective lens
• Fully multi-coated optics maximizes light tresmission
• 2" Crayford focus system
• Refractor optical system
• Bonus accessories includes hard case

Product Description

Max power: 93.33x, Focal Length (mm) 560, Focal Ratio: 7 Eyepiece: PL6mm, 8-24, Diagonal 2" 90°

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 16 x 16 x 5.1 inches ; 15 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 14.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B0018CZ52W
• Item model number: AE11120
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #819,667 in Sports & Outdoors (See Top 100 in Sports & Outdoors)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars 80mm Apo built like a tank - and weighs and looks like one, June 11, 2011

By 

Jim Brant - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: BARSKA Magnus ED 560x80 Refractor Telescope with Hard Case (Sports)

To say that there are a lot of excellent quality 80mm Apo's on the market is, well, an understatement. They're small, lightweight, and look like works of art with beautiful anodized tubes and precision fittings.

Then there's the Barska 80mm f/7 - which is not small, heavy, and has numerous cosmetic challenges in its finish, so it really stands out from the others. But you get a lot of scope for the money - I got mine in March, 2011 at $474, and it included an enhanced 2" Diagonal and premium Zoom eyepiece! Price now is $599.

It does have a few caveats though. On my scope, the large knurled lock which permits you to rotate the focuser was so stiff at first that I thought it would never release. It was really tight! Once it was loosened, everything was just fine. But the ability to rotate the focuser isn't even mentioned in the instructions! There is no finder provided and no provision for easily attaching one that I can see (but there are two holes drilled in the top of the focuser that might work for attaching some reflex finders). And as mentioned, there are numerous cosmetic blemishes and scratches in the finish, which are my only real disappointments with the scope (along with a very inadequate metal carrying case).

If you're looking for a gorgeous finish like on a TeleVue or most other APO's, you won't find it here. The tube has a flat black "fuzzy" sandpaper-like finish, which I touched up with GLOSS black enamel spray paint, and glossy (and scratched) anodized accents. But the Barska 80ED has incredible Triplet optics, comes standard with a 2" Diagonal and a really good (no kidding) 8 to 24mm Zoom eyepiece. It's just heavy and ugly, and in bulk reminds me of many 4" f/6 models. No camera tripods for this beast - it needs an equatorial mount! But one look through these Triplet lenses and you just might forget about its weight and appearance.