Bushnell 78-9512 Deep Space 420 x 60mm Refractor Telescope

by Bushnell

Product Details

Product Manual [271kb PDF]

• Item Weight: 7.1 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 8 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B00005AXJ2
• Item model number: 789512
• Average Customer Review: 2.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #24,716 in Camera & Photo (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: March 27, 2001

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

Bushnell Deep Space Telescopes are a great value for both the beginner and intermediate astronomer. Fully featured for night after night of fun and excitement exploring deep into space. With all-metal optical tube assembly, high-quality glass optic objectives for crisp clear views, full-length variable height tripods, metal yoke mounting systems, all-metal accessory trays, rack and pinion focusing mechanisms and patented universal coding system, they can help you take a voyage to hundreds of far-away galaxies, learn about the moons of Jupiter, and explore the craters of the Moon. Meticulously engineered, the advanced optics of Bushnell Telescopes deliver amazing detail and will keep viewers enjoying the wonders of the universe for many years to come.

Refractors     This is a refractor telescope. Refractors (also known as a dioptrics) capture light with a lens at the front of a long tube and send it to an eyepiece at the other end. They look, in other words, just like what most people think of when they hear the word "telescope."     Refractors offer--potentially, at least--the cleanest images of any telescope design. They are simple and reliable (the sealed tube is maintenance-free), and are good for both celestial and terrestrial viewing.     Read more about different telescope designs in our buying guide

Specifications for this Bushnell telescope include:

• Power/Obj.: 420 x 60mm
• Style: Refractor
• Focal length: 700mm
• Mount: Yoke
• Key Features: Land Eyepiece

Some useful tech terms:

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.

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

Yoke Mount: A u-shaped altaz mount. Altaz mounts move up-down and left-right.

Finderscope: On most astronomical telescopes a lower powered finderscope with a wider field of view lets the user quickly locate the object to be viewed by the high-magnification main telescope.

The Nuts and Bolts of the Bushnell 420x60 Refractor

60mm Objective Lens Telescope Main Tube Altazimuth Yoke Mount Azimuth Lock Knob Tripod Legs Tripod Leg Middle Section Accessory Tray Brace Accessory Tray Tripod Leg - Lock Screws Rack & Pinion Focus Mechanism Diagonal Mirror Eyepiece Finderscope Mount Finderscope Focus Adjustment Finderscope Adjustment Screws Finderscope Altitude Lock Knobs

Product Description

420 x 60 refractor

Focal length: 700

Eyepieces: 5 20

Magnifications: 35 105 140 420

Yoke mount

Vertical stabilizer bar

Barlow

Erecting lens

Finderscope

Universal coding system

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars NOT a good first telescope, February 21, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Bushnell 78-9512 Deep Space 420 x 60mm Refractor Telescope (Electronics)

Nothing will kill a beginning astronomer's interest quicker than this flimsy "department-store" telescope. Never buy a telescope based solely on claims like "420x!". The highest magnification this telescope can realistically provide under the best of viewing conditions is about 50-60x per inch of aperture, or 120-140 power in this case. Light-gathering ability is by far the most important consideration when purchasing a telescope. A much better choice for a first scope would be a 4-inch dobsonian mounted reflecting telescope, available for just a few more dollars; you DO get what you pay for.

95 of 116 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Perfect for stargazing on a budget, April 13, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Bushnell 78-9512 Deep Space 420 x 60mm Refractor Telescope (Electronics)

Bushnell always makes quality products that are still affordable for the everyday Joe, no exception here. This is a very nice telescope and a great baragain at its price. This is a perfect way for children (or adults) to learn more about stars, planets and everything else that lies out there in the universe. I highly recommend this product. You'll be amazed at what you've been missing out there. :o)

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Horrible, August 18, 2005

By 

kone "kone" (USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 50 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Bushnell 78-9512 Deep Space 420 x 60mm Refractor Telescope (Electronics)

This scope is NOT a good starter scope for anyone interested in astronomy. Here's why:

1. The objective is too small, only 60 mm, 2.36 inches, so it is too small to bring in the light necessary for even a beginning look at the universe. I suppose it is adequate for the moon, but that is it. The planets will appear as very small disks. One will be able to see Saturn's rings, but the image will be very small. Forget it for deep sky objects, clusters, galaxies, etc.

2. The mount is an altazimuth, which will not follow the celestial object in the sky. The earth is rotating, and anyone focusing on a star or moon will quickly find the object drifting out of the field of vision. A better mount is an equatorial mount which makes it much easier to track objects.

3. The mount will vibrate when touched, which will cause the image in the eyepiece to "shiver", which is very frustrating.

Even for the low price, don't be enticed by this scope; it has too many flaws. Save your money for a larger scope with a better mount.

Jim "Konedog" Koenig, astronomy buff