Bushnell NorthStar 900x114mm Motorized "Go To" Reflector Telescope

by Bushnell

Product Features

• 645-millimeter x 4.5-inch reflector telescope with power-boosting Barlow Lens, computerized "GoTo" technology, and remote control module
• Magnifications of 45x, 135x, 225x, and 675x; red dot LED finderscope; camera adaptable design
• Computerized "Go To" tracking technology with a built-in database of 20,000 celestial objects
• Hand-held remote control offers push-button control and Real Voice Output (RVO)
• Comes with 4 and 20-millimeter eyepieces, quick release tripod, kinematic mount, and accessory tray

Product Description

Amazon.com

The NorthStar Telescope from Bushnell makes it possible for amateur astronomers to identify, locate, and track celestial objects with simple, push-button control. The 645-millimeter x 4.5-inch reflector model features a power-boosting Barlow Lens for increased magnifications of 45x, 135x, 225x, and 675x. These powerful optics combine with the computer-driven location technology with a built-in database of 20,000 celestial objects, to unveil the mysteries of the night sky. The telescope comes with a hand-held remote control module that allows you to call up your target by entering a simple "Go To" command. The NorthStar computer then locates the target, and once locked on to the target, tracks it automatically for prolonged viewing. Meanwhile, the innovative RVO (Real Voice Output) feature on the remote provides a fun, interactive way to explore the night sky. The telescope also features a 1x wide-angle, red dot, finderscope that allows the user to quickly sight in on areas of the sky and find objects quickly. The NorthStar Telescope comes complete with a quick-release tripod, kinematic mount, and an accessory tray for fast, easy assembly.

Features and Specifications:

• 675-millimeter by 4.5-inch Motorized GoTo Reflector
• Magnifications: 45x, 135x, 225x, 675x
• 4 and 20 millimeter eyepieces
• Length: 900 millimeters
• Power-boosting Barlow lens
• "Go To" computerized tracking technology
• Red Dot LED finderscope
• Remote hand-held control module with Real Voice Output (RVO)
• Camera adaptable
• Quick release tripod
• Kinematic mount
• Accessory tray

Reflector Optics
The optical system in a reflector uses a primary mirror to reflect the light from a distant object so that it can be focused to a point and magnified by an eyepiece. Popularized by Sir Isaac Newton in the 17th Century, it is sometimes referred to as a Newtonian reflector.

Barlow Lens
The Barlow Lens is an auxiliary lens that increases the power by a factor to increase the magnification power of the telescope.

"GO TO" Computerized Star Locator
The Go To Star Locator utilizes an on-board computer and advanced motorized technology to allow you to quickly locate and automatically follow over 20,000 pre-programmed astronomical objects with the touch of a button. Educational descriptions of each object are also provided.

Talking, Hand-Held, Remote Control Module
The hand-held control module features red, backlit push buttons and a red, illuminated LCD read-out for easy viewing that won't impair your night vision. The talking feature of the remote describes the night sky with the touch of a button, in a real human voice.

Kinematic Mount
This simple yet high-precision altaz mount features three points of contact in both the horizontal and vertical planes for optimum shape so that you can set up your view quickly, easily, and accurately.

Product Description

Bushnell Northstar 788846 Telescope 78 8846 140

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Product Details

Product Manual [1.46mb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 43.5 x 18.2 x 9.8 inches ; 25 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 28 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: B0000A0AIY
• Item model number: 788846
• Average Customer Review: 1.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #222,493 in Sports & Outdoors (See Top 100 in Sports & Outdoors)
  • #8 in Electronics > Camera & Photo > Accessories > Telescope Accessories > Motor Drives

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Everything bad you've read is true..., October 4, 2006

By 

A. Murray (NC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Bushnell NorthStar 900x114mm Motorized "Go To" Reflector Telescope (Electronics)

I've got the 3 inch version of this telescope, but the comments apply here as well (so I figured I'd save someone some trouble by posting here, too):

Everything bad you've read in the other reviews is all 100% true. From the lack of tracking, poor go-to (because it doesn't keep the time after you've set it), to the way over exaggerated magnification claims, shaky mount-- all true.

I've had one of these scopes for about 4-5 years (got it as a gift). I used it once or twice but couldn't do anything but look at the moon with it. It went in the attic (where most cheap scopes end up) after a short time...

Then I gave it to my sister (she kept it when I moved-- I was going to throw it away). She gave it back after about a year because she couldn't get it to focus. Only useful for the moon she says (couldn't get the computer to work at all-- her fault there-- read on).

Since that time, however, I learned a lot about telescopes in general. So when I got it back, I figured out why it wouldn't focus with the included 4mm eyepiece or the supplied 3x barlow. It was WAY out of collimation. Collimation wasn't even mentioned in the manual at all. They assume it is always in collimation. If a scope gets out of collimation it is useless so it is strange not to put it in the manual at all.

So I take out the primary mirror and mark the center spot with a red sharpie (you need to mark the center of the primary mirror for collimation-- this one doesn't come pre-marked). I put it back in and use a cheshire eyepiece (used for collimation) to line up the optics. Now I knew why there were no instructions on collimating. This thing is almost impossible to collimate! The secondary mirror basically falls out when you loosen any ONE of the set screws! Anyway after about an hour and fifteen minutes I got it in very good collimation.

However, even in good collimation, the 4mm eyepiece will not come into a sharp focus and NOTHING in the 3x barlow will come to focus AT ALL. This is definitely due to very, very poor quality of the supplied eyepieces. I've tried other eyepieces which make this scope perform much better so I know it is the eyepieces. The 3x barlow is 100% useless and it is also 100% plastic (I think it even has a plastic lens). The *only* reason the barlow is in the box is so they can advertise 525x magnification (700mm/4mm * 3 for the barlow = 525x). But the useful magnification for any scope maxes out around 60x the aperture (in inches). In this scope's case that is 180x.

The computer works like it is supposed to (except it doesn't keep the time once you enter it which makes it pretty useless). The problem with the computer and "go-to" in general is the user has to know a bit about the sky before it is useful because you have to line up the scope manually on two stars to set the computer. The novice probably can't do this properly. Note, too, that the second star must be found fairly quickly after the first or the settings won't be very accurate (hard, again, for the novice). The most useful part of the computer is using the direction arrows to manually keep an object in view since they slew the scope at a fairly slow rate.

So, the user should know a bit about the night sky before attempting to ever use ANY go-to system.

First of all, the best way to do that is to buy NightWatch: A Practical Guide to Viewing the Universe (Spiralbound) by Terence Dickinson. That'll get you oriented in the night sky and give a good starting point.

Second, pick up a good starter scope. A good starter Newtonian (same style as this scope) with an object locator (doesn't automatically move the telescope, though) is an Orion SkyQuest XT6. It has twice the aperture of this scope. If you get the XT6 without the intelliscope option it is even cheaper. General rule is buy the bigest aperture scope that your budget allows.

Personally, I don't think you need a go-to at first. It is much more fun to be able to read start charts and star hop your way to find those deep sky objects. Very much like the difference between watching a movie vs. reading the book.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Telescope Shortcomings, September 19, 2005

By 

Mountain Man (Luray, VA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bushnell NorthStar 900x114mm Motorized "Go To" Reflector Telescope (Electronics)

The telescope is dissappointing. It is difficult to focus and the magnification is much less than I anticipated. I have yet to be able to use the extension eyepiece.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars mislead, January 23, 2011

By 

jacob - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Bushnell NorthStar 900x114mm Motorized "Go To" Reflector Telescope (Electronics)

i received this telescope in what appeared to be in pretty condition. little did i know, the eyepiece i was supposed to view the sky with was damaged and i am unable to get repair parts for it. thanks for nothing.