Star Ware and over 450,000 other books are available for Amazon Kindle – Amazon’s new wireless reading device. Learn more

 

or
Sign in to turn on 1-Click ordering.
 
 
Express Checkout with PayPhrase
What's this? | Create PayPhrase
More Buying Choices
47 used & new from $0.02

Have one to sell? Sell yours here
 
   
Star Ware: The Amateur Astronomer's Ultimate Guide to Choosing, Buying, & Using Telescopes and Accessories
 
 
Start reading Star Ware on your Kindle in under a minute.

Don’t have a Kindle? Get your Kindle here.

Star Ware: The Amateur Astronomer's Ultimate Guide to Choosing, Buying, & Using Telescopes and Accessories (Paperback)

~ Philip S. Harrington (Author) "Before the telescope, ours was a mysterious universe..." (more)
Key Phrases: unity finder, multicoated optics, adjustable aluminum tripod, Tele Vue, Orion Telescope Center, Thousand Oaks (more...)
4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)

Price: $19.95 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details
o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o
In Stock.
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com. Gift-wrap available.

Only 3 left in stock--order soon.

Want it delivered Thursday, March 18? Choose One-Day Shipping at checkout. Details
20 new from $3.49 27 used from $0.02

Formats

Amazon Price New from Used from
Kindle Edition $9.99  
Paperback $14.93  
Paperback, May 15, 2002 $19.95  
What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?
Star Ware: The Amateur Astronomer's Ultimate Guide to Choosing, Buying, & Using Telescopes and Accessories
58% buy the item featured on this page:
Star Ware: The Amateur Astronomer's Ultimate Guide to Choosing, Buying, & Using Telescopes and Accessories 4.5 out of 5 stars (24)
$19.95
The Backyard Astronomer's Guide
17% buy
The Backyard Astronomer's Guide 4.8 out of 5 stars (67)
$32.97
NightWatch: A Practical Guide to Viewing the Universe
13% buy
NightWatch: A Practical Guide to Viewing the Universe 4.8 out of 5 stars (112)
$23.10
Astronomy Hacks: Tips and Tools for Observing the Night Sky
7% buy
Astronomy Hacks: Tips and Tools for Observing the Night Sky 4.8 out of 5 stars (60)
$16.47

Frequently Bought Together

Star Ware: The Amateur Astronomer's Ultimate Guide to Choosing, Buying, & Using Telescopes and Accessories + The Backyard Astronomer's Guide + NightWatch: A Practical Guide to Viewing the Universe
Total List Price: $104.90
Price For All Three: $76.02

Show availability and shipping details

  • This item: Star Ware: The Amateur Astronomer's Ultimate Guide to Choosing, Buying, & Using Telescopes and Accessories by Philip S. Harrington

    In Stock.
    Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
    Eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details

  • The Backyard Astronomer's Guide by Terence Dickinson

    In Stock.
    Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
    This item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping. Details

  • NightWatch: A Practical Guide to Viewing the Universe by Terence Dickinson

    In Stock.
    Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
    Eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details


Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought


Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Praise for the Second Edition of Star Ware

"Star Ware is still a tour de force that any experienced amateur will find invaluable, and which hardware-minded beginners will thoroughly enjoy."
–Robert Burnham, Sky & Telescope magazine

"Star Ware condenses between two covers what would normally take a telescope buyer many months to accumulate."
–John Shibley, Astronomy magazine

Now more than ever, the backyard astronomer has a dazzling array of choices when it comes to telescope shopping–which can make choosing just the right sky-watching equipment a formidable challenge.

In this revised and updated edition of Star Ware, the essential guide to buying astronomical equipment, award-winning astronomy writer Philip Harrington does the work for you, analyzing and exploring today’s astronomy market and offering point-by-point comparisons of everything you need. Whether you’re an experienced amateur astronomer or just getting started, Star Ware, Third Edition will prepare you to explore the farthest reaches of space with:

  • Extensive, expanded reviews of leading models and accessories, including dozens of new products, to help you buy smart
  • A clear, step-by-step guide to all aspects of purchasing everything from telescopes and binoculars to filters, mounts, lenses, cameras, film, star charts, guides and references, and much more
  • Eleven new do-it-yourself projects for making unique astronomical equipment at home
  • Easy tips on maintenance, photography, and star-mapping to help you get the most out of your telescope
  • Lists of where to find everything astronomical, including Internet sites and Web resources; distributors, dealers, and conventions; and corporate listings for products and services

From the Back Cover

Praise for the Second Edition of Star Ware

"Star Ware is still a tour de force that any experienced amateur will find invaluable, and which hardware-minded beginners will thoroughly enjoy."
–Robert Burnham, Sky & Telescope magazine

"Star Ware condenses between two covers what would normally take a telescope buyer many months to accumulate."
–John Shibley, Astronomy magazine

Now more than ever, the backyard astronomer has a dazzling array of choices when it comes to telescope shopping–which can make choosing just the right sky-watching equipment a formidable challenge.

In this revised and updated edition of Star Ware, the essential guide to buying astronomical equipment, award-winning astronomy writer Philip Harrington does the work for you, analyzing and exploring today’s astronomy market and offering point-by-point comparisons of everything you need. Whether you’re an experienced amateur astronomer or just getting started, Star Ware, Third Edition will prepare you to explore the farthest reaches of space with:

  • Extensive, expanded reviews of leading models and accessories, including dozens of new products, to help you buy smart
  • A clear, step-by-step guide to all aspects of purchasing everything from telescopes and binoculars to filters, mounts, lenses, cameras, film, star charts, guides and references, and much more
  • Eleven new do-it-yourself projects for making unique astronomical equipment at home
  • Easy tips on maintenance, photography, and star-mapping to help you get the most out of your telescope
  • Lists of where to find everything astronomical, including Internet sites and Web resources; distributors, dealers, and conventions; and corporate listings for products and services

Product Details

  • Paperback: 424 pages
  • Publisher: Jossey-Bass; 3 edition (May 15, 2002)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0471418064
  • ISBN-13: 978-0471418061
  • Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.4 x 1 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,038,852 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

    Popular in this category: (What's this?)

    #36 in  Books > Science > Astronomy & Space Science > Telescopes

More About the Author

Philip S. Harrington
Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Visit Amazon's Philip S. Harrington Page

Inside This Book (learn more)




Tags Customers Associate with This Product

 (What's this?)
Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
 

Your tags: Add your first tag
 

 

Customer Reviews

24 Reviews
5 star:
 (18)
4 star:
 (3)
3 star:
 (1)
2 star:    (0)
1 star:
 (2)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.5 out of 5 stars (24 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars An essential referenc for any prospective telescope buyer!!!, December 11, 2003
By Rodger Raubach (Converse County ,WY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)    (VINE VOICE)   
For anyone in the market for an astronomical telescope , this book is a tremendous help. Twenty or more years ago there were only a handful of manufacturers that offered astronomical telescopes , but now there is a flood of products for the prospective buyer! Phil Harrington does an excellent job in systematically listing not only the individual products by type , but gives a thumbnail sketch of the manufacturers as well.

The author leaves the final decisions in the hands of the readers , but after reading this little paperback , the reader is an informed buyer! This is not a field where mistakes are cheap. This book will save you some real $$$ if you pay attention. It did me!

Help other customers find the most helpful reviews  
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No


 
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant trilogy, January 30, 2005
By Darren Wong (Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
This has got to be the best and most comprehensive book on everything to do with astronomical equipment. Reading all three editions not only fully equips you with the knowledge on which scope (or binoculars) is best for your needs, but also serves as a "historical" overview of scopes from the past. What I especially liked about the book is that it has exhaustive reviews of scopes and they are split into different categories and brand names (yup brand names and makes are mentioned in the book). Also has a homemade astronomer section that is very useful. Plus, in the 1st and 2nd edition, there is a section on observing (with eyepiece impression sketches). I was disappointed that this section was left out in the third edition but then this spawned Phil's other book "Starwatch". Highly recommended!!!!!!!!!
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews  
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No


 
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Great new edition, even better than the last!, March 20, 2003
By A Customer
I've read 'em all and Star Ware is still the single best book about equipment for the amateur astonomer ever written. The author has clearly done a tremendous amount of research to cover just about every conceivable piece of equipment out there. And, best of all, he discusses pros and cons evenly, without bias, and with a sense of humor that holds the interest of even non-astronomer types.

If you are thinking about buying a telescope or other piece of astronomical equipment, the price of this book could save you hundreds. And, in the long run, you will end up knowing more about what to buy and how to use it, thanks all to this book.

Bravo!

Help other customers find the most helpful reviews  
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No

Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
 
 
 
Most Recent Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Good reference material
Very detailed, exhaustive. Gets the novice (me) off the starting block and into the action. A book can only do so much, however. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Rich

5.0 out of 5 stars Where Every Beginner Should Start!
10-15 years ago a book like this really wouldn't even be needed but things are very different today. Read more
Published 1 month ago by OrangeCrush

5.0 out of 5 stars Star Ware: The Amateur Astronomer's Guide to Choosing, Buying, and Using Telescoped and Accessories
Harrington's whole Star Ware series is a must read for anyone getting into the astronomy hobby.
Published 7 months ago by Anthony H. Kaczmarek

5.0 out of 5 stars Required Reading
Very good book and probably required if you are a newbie looking for something to get you going in the right direction. Read more
Published 12 months ago by BlueBerry

5.0 out of 5 stars Essential But Fun
Whether you are new to astronomy or a veteran, this book provides a great review of products available and helps you select those most suitable for your needs. Read more
Published 12 months ago by Howard Nielsen

5.0 out of 5 stars Extremely helpful
Our Astronomy club tries to work with members of the public and help them equip and use their telescopes. This book has been a great resource in making recommendations.
Published 14 months ago by Marshall Fine

4.0 out of 5 stars Review of Harrington's "STARWARE"
This is an excellent guide for purchasers of astronomical equipment and accessories. It deals briefly with the theoretical background to equipment and reviews of the actual items... Read more
Published 15 months ago by Rex Ian De Silva

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book
This is a well written book. Everything is neatly arranged. The author provides explanations of common terms like focal ratio, eye relief, and many more. Read more
Published 22 months ago by Anonymous Mug

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book for beginners
I took an astronomy course about 20 years ago back when I was 15, and I find myself only now with the time and money to seriously pursue the hobby. Read more
Published 23 months ago by Andres Loi

5.0 out of 5 stars books to own
After reading Phil's book Star Ware, I would not think of buying anything for my telescope without looking it up in his book. I am about 402. Read more
Published on November 24, 2007 by Gloria Wells

Only search this product's reviews



Customer Discussions

This product's forum
Discussion Replies Latest Post
Why not the 4th edition for the Kindle version? 0 August 2009
See all discussions...  
Start a new discussion
Topic:
First post:
Prompts for sign-in
 


Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
   



So You'd Like to...


Create a guide

Product Information from the Amapedia Community

Beta (What's this?)


Look for Similar Items by Category


Look for Similar Items by Subject

 

Feedback

If you need help or have a question for Customer Service, contact us.
 Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
Is there any other feedback you would like to provide?

Your comments can help make our site better for everyone.


Your Recent History

 (What's this?)

After viewing product detail pages or search results, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in.