Customer Reviews

Celestron 52234 C65 Mini Mak Zoom Spotting Scope

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

 

 

Ill keep this simple and to the point, this is very possibly the worst spotting scope for the price. At 30x (minimum magnification) the image is not very clear and at 90x (maximum zoom) its pathetic and nearly unusable. I have a pair of Celestron 10-30x zoom 50mm binoculars that puts this spotter scope to complete shame in terms of clarity. I just purchased a 20-60x zoom spotter scope made by RedHead (name brand built by Bass Pro Shops) that makes the Mini-Mak look like a sick joke in terms of optics quality for an even cheaper price. The Mini-Mak is also virtualy worthless for night viewing and in comparison I have 2 other spotter scopes that I can even see the rings of Saturn and Jupiter with at night. I would strongly recommend finding a Maksutov-Cassegrain or straight type spotter scope of decent quality. Tasco, LOMO, Bushnell, RedHead, Barska, etc.. all make some very good designs for similiar prices or just slight higher. Bottom line, the Mini-Mak is a complete waste of money and should not even be considered. There are far better designs out there at very reasonable prices and some even include changeable 1.25" standard eye pieces. I hope this helps with the decision as to whether or not to buy this unit.

Very briefly Im into Astrophotography and I have a C11 XLT Goto scope with 2" optics kit. I just wanted to purchase this C65 to use as a small guide scope so the requirement for performance was only basic. To put it bluntly, the day or night images are extremely dim, making all but the brightest stars impossible to view, even those clearly visible to the naked eye! The focus control seems very loose and sloppy, however the internal mechanism is stiff making focus a real chore. Optics seem fuzzy and poorly illuminated, even on terrestrial targets at 100 mtrs. The image is noticeably dimmer than looking through one side of a budget price 10x50 binocular set I have. I have seen toy telescopes that perform better than this. I am really surprised at Celestron as I have several other items manufactured by them which are much better quality. I do not have a good word to say about this scope. Don't buy ! Not even second hand. !

Celestron does make good optical devices but the Celestron C65 isn't one of them. It is severely deficient in both optical quality and quality of materials, construction and mechanical operation. Image quality at 30x is passable, at 60x poor, and at 90x so dim and fuzzy as to be useless. The first one I bought arrived with a broken horizontal movement mechanism. The zoom mechanism on the replacement broke after less than 2 hours of use. Even when working, the zoom and focus controls did not operate smoothly. They tended to stick and release making adjustment difficult. The light weight and tiny tripod also mean that the image is very shaky.

I bought this spotting scope because it was very lightweight and portable, but it seems to me that quality was sacrificed to achieve a very low price and weight.

It has a "Lifetime Warranty" but if Celestron decides that it was not defective in workmanship or materials, (i.e., you broke it) it will cost you $35 to invoke the "no fault" Lifetime Warranty. Given the fragility of this scope, it's almost certain to get broken sooner rather than later, and good luck with not paying the $35.

I bought this spotting scope for my son and went shooting with him a few times to check it out. Very portable, easy setup. Sighted even long-range targets easily. Stable and very clear for ground or table use.

Seldom have I been as unimpressed as I have with this scope. Though I bought it for shooting, just last night, comparing it against a Celestron 15X70 pair of binoculars, they left this scope in the dirt.

If you can find a little more money, do not buy this scope!

Celestron C65 Mini Mak Zoom is a good mini telescope, very portable. In day light the images are fine at 30x to 90x zoom, but in night is recommendable use only 30x for best image, with more power you get obscure images. For $60 dollars all its characteristics are fine.

Lightweight. Comes with compact carrying case for both

scope and tripod. Tripod has knobs for fine adjustments

of horizontal and vertical traverse, which is essential

to center distant objects at high magnification. Objects

brought into focus at low magnification weren't as sharp

when zoomed to 90X. Protective cap for main lens but not

for eyepiece.

I bought my Celestron C65 in a pawnshop in Gulfport, Mississippi recently and used it a great deal out and about on the beaches. I noticed some horrendous reviews of this spotting 'scope and also noted, with interest, that Celestron made this model with a rubber 'waterproof coating' and also my model, which is shiny black plastic instead. Also, the eyepiece on my 'scope is not removable.

Using the C65 out on the beachfront with a decent Bogen tripod, I obtained excellent, sharp images of the offshore islands, ships and other watercraft, and distant casinos. It should be noted that the weather was bright and extraordinarily clear, which was a huge plus for viewing.

The included tabletop tripod was a nice bonus. I had to use a washer to get the tripod to mount securely to the 'scope, but when it was tightened up, it was great. I especially like the slow-motion controls.

At night, I obtained extremely sharp images of the Moon, Saturn, and Jupiter at the low (30X) setting; I did not attempt using more magnification because I had a very difficult time as it was, with finding the various objects; I will have to fabricate an external targeting device so I can aim this little beast properly...perhaps a small tube attached to the side of the 'scope will suffice?

Some people have reported that focusing was difficult; I had no problems at all when I took my time.

Just my opinions; your mileage may vary <g>. Thanks for reading!

Be careful, don't buy this product, I have bought it for some months

The images are not clear (not crisp), not even in the minimum power 30X,
I requested support to Celestron and they told me that it is normal and it is not a defect.

You better spend your money in another thing

Easy to mount.
Can see details from kilometers away - the colors of a small sized flag can be distinguished from 3 kilometers away and the details of an airplane from more than 5 Km.
The moon can be seen in great detail - haven't tried other planets (not in the range of my windows).