Customer Reviews

Sky-Watcher Great Start 70 AR-AZ2 70mm Refractor Telescope

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This telescope was purchased to see if the astronomy bug that bit me was for real or just a passing fancy. So I didn't want to spend a lot but did want to really check out the sky. Well I couldn't be happier with the purchase. Not only is the telescope quality built, but the optics are clear edge to edge with only a hint of optic color on the edge of viewed objects at high resolution. In comparison to other telescopes at twice the price of this one I personally could not tell the difference. While I'm still not sure if astronomy is going to be a real heavy hobby of mine, I'm glad to have started with a telescope that provides more than enough for my beginner interest level.

This telescope works great! We watched a partial lunar elcipse and it showed up very good, even with a low power lense. The targeting scope with the red light pointer is very nice too. I would certainly recommend this telescope.

The tripod is a little flimsy...The barlow is absolute junk. The 25mm is mediocre. The 12mm is the only eye piece that is decent. Build quality seems good. Focuser is smooth. The optics are good. Dont expect too much though. Only good for viewing the moon and brighter planets. Shipped in two boxes. Came with sky1 software.

This scope has a few short commings, but is nice for the price. The eyepieces are fine plossls, but the barlow is junk. The eyepieces alone would cost you $50 or more. This scope will show you the main planets (Saturn, Jupiter, Venus, and Mars, when close enough) as well as enjoyable lunar observing. It is possible to see every Messier object with this scope, but the scope is not large enough to show much detail in many of them. It will split any of the binocular doubles, and some of the easier telescopic ones too, show the color in many carbon stars, and get you started in a great hobby. If you find you like this hobby, you will get another scope in the near future. But even then, this small scope will be a favorite grab and go.
The mount needs a bit of work. It is an Alt/Az mount, and the Alt is a bit sloppy. The Red Dot finder will get you on target, much better than the cheap little finder scopes ever did. Easy to use, easy to set up, and being a refractor, cool down is quick. Focuser can be modded to work better, and the tripod can be stiffened up a bit. Alt fine adjustment could use a bit longer throw. Better than most 50 & 60mm scopes out there, better than or as good as any of the other 70mm scopes. At least achro, it is not an ED or APO scope, but those cost hundreds more.
Great scope for kids. Not too much money, and quite usable. Beats the heck out of starting with binoculars, and for the same price or less. Works best if you use a chair and do not fully extend the tripod. A 32mm plossl EP is a good next EP for this setup. Then either a good barlow, or splurge and get a 5,6 & 9mm Abbe Ortho for it. The scope is slow enough to use Kellner EPs too. My 15mm K gives good views in this scope. The focuser is a 1.25" so it won't take any 2" EPs, and Hyperion EPs are too heavy for this scope's focuser too. Use plosssls, kellners and Abbe Orthos for the best views. Seeing let me take this scope to 150X on Saturn. A minus V or Baader Semi-APO filter will knock out all the Ca when used on the moon, or Venus.

This is excellent beginner telescope for person just starting and/or 2nd telescope for lunar and planetary viewing at home in city.
Good optics for the price(not so great optics for high standard) if not the great one.
I'm using this for lunar/planetary quick viewing in light polluted sky in city; it does its job.
I bought this for guidescope for my 8" reflector, but when I receied it's too good to tear it apart for using guidescope alone, so I'm using it for 2nd telescope ar home usage for quick viewing.
After I bought it I noticed that they raised price a little.
Still, it's great deal for the price.
Isaac

This is the first telescope I've ever purchased but I am pleased. Views of the planets so far aren't very amazing but looking at the moon is great. You can see lot of detail. The eyepieces seem nice but the barlow degrades the image quality and I find it fairly useless. Have not tried the included software. The tripod is flimsy but works well enough and the laser scope feature is very helpful. For the amount I paid, I am very satisfied although now I want a bigger telescope!

The telescope I recieved did not have a finderscope, an essential part for properly pointing the telescope. In an attenpt to obtain one, I have 3 times tried calling the toll free phone number on the warranty. Each time I was directed to a woman's voice mail. There is no indication from this woman's greeting message that she is connected with Skywatcher, and I have yet to get a call back. In addition, trying to access the [...] website, listed on the warranty, redirects you to [...]. I did not see this product listed among their telescopes. Skywatcher appears to be a phantom company.

I just received this telescope, very easy to assemble and very good over all finish. Eyepieces are decent and the 2x barlow adds value to the EP set. very good lenses the images are very crisp an clear. For 50+ bucks i dont think it gets any better than this....

Regards,
Umesh