Customer Reviews

Celestron C5, 5" (127mm) Schmidt-Cassegrain XLT Spotting Scope

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

 

 

I recieved this spotting scope one month ago. Even thought it is made in China (the price already implied that), the quality of the 5" optical tube is very good. The XLT coating is perfect and the focus knob is very smooth and precise. The package comes with a 6x30 erect image finder scope and a 25mm eye piece. The 25mm eye piece contributes 48X image good enough for a bright shape image for terrestial observation. The high light gathering power is excellent for me to observe the night view of Victory Harbour of Hong Kong! Simply replace with a 10mm eyepiece and you can use it as a 125X telescope to observe deep sky and the moon in great details. The image of the moon is simply impressive!

This C5 is absolutely portable and easily mounted on a tripod for birds watching and photography. Remember to use a stable tripod. It is also recommended to use high quality eye piece to match with the excellent optics!

The light-gathering capability of the C5 is exactly what I hoped for in a spotting scope. Able to see considerable detail even at high magnification. Appears to be very solidly constructed. Does require a VERY stable tripod -- don't skimp there. Separately purchased adapter allows simple connection to my digital SLR with good pictures resulting. Carrying case is designed to provide excellent protection.

Works well for what I wanted: looking over the surrounding scenic and marine landscapes. I have not yet tried it for astronomical observation. May be so obvious that there's no need to say it but it's too powerful and too bulky to be useful for watching wildlife -- unless they are sleeping. Or, maybe, a tired sloth. :-)