Customer Reviews

BARSKA Magnus ED 560x80 Refractor Telescope with Hard Case

5 star:		(0)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.