Customer Reviews

Edu-Science 600 Reflector Telescope

5 star:		(0)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(15)

 

 

The best telescopes are good for perhaps 50x of magnification per inch of aperture. That implies this scope should deliver, under ideal conditions, 150x. Whoever packaged it with eyepieces designed to deliver 600x obviously never tried to use it. This is the kind of junk that discourages children- and adults- from astronomy.

And oh what a dissapointment for him. I couldn't see anything with it. I could see the stars better with my naked eye! I agree with the reviewer that said it's the kind of product that discourages children from taking an interest in astronomy. If Toys R Us is irresponsible enough to sell a product that is this poor, that's the last time I'm walking through their doors.

The tripod is not steady enough to be able to follow the planets because the tracking system is difficult to use without disturbing the view. I could use the 9mm eyepice to get 800/9 = 88 magnification but it I could not get a clear focused image of Mars (7 Sept 2005). I am a 43 year old engineer, I will have to try a better telescope.

Kids were excited to buy this telescope so that they could view Mars. The telescope tripod is very shoddy, and after trying to adjust and re-focus the lenses you still could not see anything. EDU Science customer service does not pick up the phone and tells you to call during business hours no matter what time you call. Save yourself the time and aggravation, don't buy this piece of junk.

I gave this one star in everything, because there's no lower score available!

To promise 600 power out of this little scope is unrealistic, to the point of being deceptive. While you can put all kinds of power on via the eyepiece, the 3" aperture is not going to gather enough light to see with it. The general rule is a maximum of 50 power per inch of aperture, with great optics (something NEVER found in a scope of this price) and good viewing conditions figured in. Anything more than 100 power with this scope would be a big surprise. And the shaky mount and lack of clock drive to follow objects across the sky will drive the initially enthusiastic stargazer crazy.

Telescopes like this are why more kids (and adults) don't enjoy stargazing. If you're not willing to spend the money necessary for a decent telescope ($200-250 and 4" aperture in a reflector telescope is the barest minimum), it is wiser to purchase decent binoculars for now. Viewing the sky with binoculars or with the naked eye is a great way to learn the beginnings of this fascinating hobby. If you want a starter scope that will please and encourage, Meade, Celestron, Edmunds, Orion, and others all offer good options.

I was really excited.Iwas goping to get my first telescope.I tried to look at the stars but nothing. Iwould have given it a 0 because it is not even durable.please do not buyu this junk if you bought it return it immediatley before time runs out.it really bites.

This telescope was bought in a retail Toys-R-Us (not by me). The box copy shows images of a natural landmark -- the right way up --and states that you can use this telescope for looking at scenery on the ground. That is impossible with a Newtonian Reflector (this type of telescope) They always flip images upside down and left-to-right.


The deceptive box copy alone was enough reason for me to return the instrument to the store.

Get this if you are new to astronomy. It is a good scope except for the tripod. The plastic that holds the legs apart breaks after a while.

Bought it for my niece at her Birthday. She invited me to set it up so she can view the Lunar eclipse this past Saturday. After spending an hour putting it together, we found this peace of junk is not stable at all. It was impossible to keep it aimed towards the object.

I have retured it at the nearest Toys R Us. I would not recommend it to anyone, Even if they hit loto and have plenty to waste around.

Constantly wandered off target,slightest adjustment to focus changes everything,very cheaply made,you get what you pay for,pass this one up try an Orion or something,your money will be better spent.