Bushnell Northstar 300 x 90mm Motorized Telescope w/ Real Voice Output

by Bushnell

Product Features

• 1250 by 90-millimeter Motorized Maksutov-Cassegrain telescope with computerized "GoTo" technology and remote control module
• Magnifications of 50 and 312.5x; red dot LED finderscope
• 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 25-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. Combining high-quality optics with computer-driven location technology and a built-in database of 20,000 celestial objects, the NorthStar unveils 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:

• 1250 by 90-millimeter Motorized GoTo Maksutov-Cassegrain
• Magnifications: 50x, 312.5x
• 4 and 25 millimeter eyepieces
• Erect image diagonal mirror for land viewing
• "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

Maksutov-Cassegrain Design
This design utilizes a spherically curved front lens element in conjunction with a similarly curved primary mirror, providing sharp images in a compact folded-light path package. The total optical system provides a focal length much longer than the actual optical tube body length.

"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

Computer-driven 90 mm Maksutov GoTo NorthStar Telescope with remote automatically finds planets and more. SAVE BIG BUCKS! Explore deep space without guesswork! Amateur astronomers can now locate hundreds of deep-space celestial bodies up-close and personal with simple push-button control. Powerful Scope has on-board computer-assist tracking with warp speed and precision. Along with a built-in data base of 20,000 celestial objects, you simply call up your "target" on the hand-held controller. Enter an easy "Go To" command. And presto, the NorthStar computer does all the rest, hassle free. Look, there's Jupiter's moons. How about a glimpse of Saturn's rings? Once locked on, tracking an object for prolonged viewing is automatic. It's the next generation of cutting-edge viewing! Plus, you can focus on saving, thanks to my special overstock purchase! Details: Real Voice Output provides a fun, interactive way to explore the sky; 1,250 mm focal length; Includes 4 mm and 20 mm eyepieces; Erect image diagonal mirror for land viewing; 1X wide-angle red dot LED finderscope; Remote, hand-held controller has red backlit buttons and a red LCD read-out for easy viewing at night; Full size, quick-release tripod; GoTo computerized tracking uses a 9V battery (not included); Kinematic mount; Accessory tray; Weights: Body: 3 3/4 lbs., Remote: 1 1/2 lbs. and Tripod: 8 1/2 lbs. Space, the final frontier. Discover the fun, now made easy as pie. Order Today! NorthStar 90 mm Maksutov GoTo Telescope

See all Product Description

Product Details

Product Manual [3.54mb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 1 x 1 x 1 inches ; 10 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 27.4 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: B0001GMIS0
• Item model number: 78-8890
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #69,029 in Sports & Outdoors (See Top 100 in Sports & Outdoors)
  • #9 in Electronics > Camera & Photo > Binoculars, Telescopes & Optics > Telescopes > Catadioptric

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Satisfactory optics...completely lacking documentation..., March 20, 2007

By 

Amateur Astonomer (Upstate New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bushnell Northstar 300 x 90mm Motorized Telescope w/ Real Voice Output (Electronics)

All in all a great backyard scope for those getting interested in Astronomy. The optics are good for planet viewing and star gazing. Deep sky objects will be faint so don't expect Hubble clarity. Moon gazing is unbeatable and Saturn is quite clear even without any filters. A good filter/lens kit really makes this scope go a long way. Once set up the "Go To" software works pretty good. Sometimes it says we are there and it requires a little hunting and pecking to find as it is just out of the field of view. For the money (Sam's club had these for as little as $200 on sale) this scope is a great starter. The cons are the complete lack of documentation included for set up and alignment procedures as well as total lack of any kind of support on Bushnell's web site. Even the astronomy links on the site are bad (as in do not work). Shame on you Bushnell for not properly supporting what is an otherwise very good product for the money. Value 10/10 Construction 10/10 Ease of use 7/10
Portability 10/10 Optics 9/10 Included accessories 6/10 Documentation 2/10
Website 0/10. Hope this helps. I really like it and would recommend it for the 200 - 300 price range but no more.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not bad for beginners..., July 29, 2011

By 

Holeintheworld - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bushnell Northstar 300 x 90mm Motorized Telescope w/ Real Voice Output (Electronics)

I am not sure why people are saying they had trouble with the stand and couldn't focus the telescope. Perhaps the company had some faulty ones, but the 78-8890 Bushnell telescope I received was really simple to assemble and stands straight and still. Also not sure why people say it won't focus...they do know that there is a part that they turn to focus it right?...of course it isn't instant and you have to get used to it but astronomy isn't exactly a thoughtless quick hobby. Also if people want to see things way farther then the moon then they are going to have to spend more than a thousand on a telescope, so this one is good for people who just want to take a peek at the night sky once in a while. I honestly don't use the remote much so I can't vouch for that cause personally I want to find stuff for myself.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Better than department store quality, July 20, 2009

By 

Daniel C. Houser "houseman" (Glenmoore, Pa United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Bushnell Northstar 300 x 90mm Motorized Telescope w/ Real Voice Output (Electronics)

This is a decent telescope for the money and is a great instrument for a beginner or an amateur who needs a light weight portable scope that can perform reasonably well. Its a cut above those department store, Tasco specials. The 25 mm eyepiece that comes with scope is nice but the 4 mm is a joke because with the focal length of this telescope, it would magnify at 300x, which is way beyond its capabilities. I suspect they included that so they could advertise 300x for the uninformed. The 1.25 inch eyepiece adapter means you can upgrade to better eyepieces, if you so desire. I use a 12 mm eyepiece which I bought from Orion that gives me 100x and can really do the job on the moon, planets and the brighter Messier objects.

The red dot finder needs to be aligned at first, of course, and works well on brighter objects up to magnitude 2. Its a bit tricky on fainter objects since they cannot be seen through the plastic lens of the finder. You need to align to an area rather than the object and use your 25 mm lens to scan.

The biggest beef I have is with the GoTo unit. It often is inaccurate and takes you to an area close to the target and you end up scanning anyway. The worst thing is the red backlit LCD display with black letters. The red is so dark you can't see the letters in the dark so you end up using a white flashlight to read it which defeats the purpose. The voice narration is also annoying, after a while. The GoTo, is however, good for tracking objects as the drift across the sky.