Bushnell Deep Space 525 x 60mm Refractor Telescope

by Bushnell

Product Details

Product Manual [273kb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 33.8 x 10.2 x 6.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B00007973P
• Item model number: 78-9514
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #36,642 in Camera & Photo (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: October 18, 2002

Product Description

Amazon.com Review

Amazon.com Review Bushnell has been making excellent beginner telescopes for years, and the Deep Space 525x60 does not fail to live up to their usual standard. Developed for both the beginning astronomer and the nature lover, this telescope has many features that will surely impress both crowds. As an astronomical telescope its high-power lens is capable of resolving detail on the moon, the rings of Saturn, and beyond. For the nature lover, this telescope comes with a more user-friendly Altazimuth mount, which moves fluidly up, down, left, and right (as opposed to the circular movement of most astronomical telescopes). This means tracking far off objects, or just checking out the scenery is much, much easier.

It's easy to switch among the three included eyepieces

This is a standard 60mm refracting (lens based) telescope, but what sets it apart is its dual-use mount and design, as well as its generous accessory package. With this telescope you get three quality eyepieces, a 5mm (140x), 12mm (58x), and a 20mm (35x), as well as a Barlow lens that effectively doubles the magnification of any eyepiece it is used with. Unfortunately these are .96" accessories, not the general standard of 1.25", but that should not prove to be much of a problem. It should also be noted that magnification is not always the answer; many of the most breathtaking objects in the sky actually look better with lower magnification levels. Along with the eyepieces, there is a 5x24mm finderscope, a sturdy, adjustable tripod with the previously mentioned Altazimuth head.

This telescope is not only versatile, it is also a complete light-weight package. And in my opinion, portability is the key to getting out night after night and enjoying your equipment. But what can you actually see? Well, for starters, the moon alone can keep most astronomers busy for a life time. A bit further away, you can resolve the reddish disk of Mars, the rings of Saturn, and track the major moons of Jupiter. Outside the Solar System, there are literally thousands of clusters, double stars, and nebula visible in this telescope. Its longer focal length (f/11.6), however, means that this telescope was really designed for the moon and planets, and this is clearly where it will excel. A long focal length means that the telescope is capable of more power, but does so at the expense of the size of the viewing area, which is inherently limited by the small objective lens (60mm). A small lens simply does not allow as much light into the telescope, meaning high power views will be dim. The best eyepieces to use with this telescope are the lower-power 20mm and 12mm eyepieces. Lower powers with small telescopes guarantee sharper and brighter views. --Curt Irwin

Pros:

• Versatile Altazimuth mount
• Complete package of accessories
• Sturdy, portable build

Cons:

• Longer focal length not great for deep space views
• 60mm aperture is on the small side
• Inadequate .96" accessories

From the Manufacturer

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. Include 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.: 525x60mm
• Style: Refractor
• Focal length: 700mm
• Features: Yoke Mount, Vertical Stabilizer Bar, Diagonal Mirror, Barlow, Erecting Lens, Finderscope, Universal Coding System

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 Deep Space 525x60 Refractor

60mm Objective Lens Stabilizer Bar Mounting Screw Altazimuth Yoke Mount Azimuth Lock Screw Tripod Leg Tripod Leg Middle Section Accessory Tray Brace Accessory Tray Tripod Leg Lock Screws Vertical Stabilizer Bar Vertical Fine Adjustment Screw Rack & Pinion Focus Mechanis m Diagonal Mirror Eyepiece Finderscope Mount Finderscope Focus Adjustment Finderscope Finderscope Adjustment Screws Altitude Lock Knob Telescope Main Tube