Review of the Gskyer 70mm Aperture 400mm AZ Mount Astronomical Refracting Telescope
Introduction
The Gskyer 70mm Aperture 400mm AZ Mount Astronomical Refracting Telescope is positioned as an entry-level astronomical instrument, appealing particularly to budding astronomers and inquisitive children. With an affordable price point and an assortment of features, it aims to provide a satisfying stargazing experience. In this review, we’ll delve into the specifications, user experiences, and the pros and cons of this telescope to help potential buyers make an informed decision.
Product Overview
- Dimensions: 24.8 x 4.92 x 8.46 inches
- Weight: 5.7 pounds
- Aperture: 70mm (2.75 inches)
- Focal Length: 400mm (f/5.7)
- Item Model Number: AZ 70400
- First Available: November 19, 2019
- Manufacturer: Gskyer
Features and Specifications
- Superior Optics: The Gskyer telescope is equipped with a 70mm aperture and a 400mm focal length, utilizing fully coated optics glass lenses that promise high transmission coatings. This design allows for clearer and more detailed images of celestial bodies, making it an excellent choice for observing the moon, stars, and planets.
- Magnification Options: Users can choose between two replaceable eyepieces (10mm and 25mm) and a 3x Barlow lens that triples the magnifying power of the eyepieces. This versatility enables astronomers to tailor their viewing experience based on their observational needs.
- Finder Scope: The 5×24 finder scope is equipped with cross-hair lines, facilitating the easy location of celestial objects. This feature is particularly beneficial for beginners who may struggle with aiming their telescope accurately.
- Wireless Remote and Phone Adapter: The inclusion of a smartphone adapter and a wireless camera remote allows users to capture stunning images of the night sky directly through their phones. This innovative feature enhances the overall experience, particularly for families wishing to document their celestial explorations.
- Adjustable Tripod and Portability: The adjustable aluminum alloy tripod enables users to find the perfect viewing angle. Additionally, the telescope comes with a carry bag, making it easy to transport and store, which is a significant advantage for those looking to take their telescope on family outings or camping trips.
User Experiences
Positive Feedback:
Many users have expressed their satisfaction with the Gskyer telescope, particularly noting its quality and ease of use. A user who purchased the telescope for their son highlighted that it offered clear and detailed images, making it an enjoyable introduction to astronomy. The compact design and included carry bag also received praise, with several reviewers mentioning the convenience of portability.
Another user shared their excitement after using the telescope during a lunar eclipse, emphasizing the joy of seeing the moon’s craters up close. The easy assembly process, aided by visual instructions, was another point of appreciation, as it made the initial setup accessible for novices.
Critiques and Challenges:
Despite the positive aspects, some users reported challenges associated with using the telescope. A common theme among reviewers was the difficulty in locating celestial objects, which may be discouraging for kids who prefer immediate gratification. This aligns with feedback from amateur astronomy groups, which often recommend against beginner telescopes for young users unless they are accompanied by experienced adults.
Additionally, some users experienced minor quality control issues, such as dents on the tripod legs upon delivery. While these were not significant concerns for most, they highlight the importance of thorough quality checks before shipping.
Conclusion
The Gskyer 70mm Aperture 400mm AZ Mount Astronomical Refracting Telescope presents itself as a solid option for families and individuals looking to explore the wonders of the night sky without breaking the bank. Its combination of portability, user-friendly design, and decent optical quality offers a great starting point for budding astronomers.
However, potential buyers should be aware of the limitations inherent in an entry-level telescope, particularly regarding aperture size and ease of use for children. While it provides a satisfactory experience for casual stargazing, those seeking more advanced features may want to consider investing in a higher-end model.
Rating
Overall Rating: 4/5 Stars
- Optical Quality: 4/5
- Ease of Use: 3.5/5
- Portability: 5/5
- Value for Money: 4.5/5
- Customer Satisfaction: 4/5
In summary, the Gskyer telescope is an excellent choice for beginners and families, but those looking for a more robust stargazing experience may wish to explore further options.
Pauline Davis –
This is an excellent astronomical telescope, especially considering the price. I purchased it as a gift for my child and was thrilled with the quality upon arrival. The telescope offers clear visibility and comes with a convenient storage bag for easy transport. The overall build quality is impressive! My child is absolutely delighted with it, particularly excited to see the moon for the first time, and he mentioned that he can see the lunar craters clearly. I wholeheartedly recommend this to anyone looking to buy a telescope in the future. It’s a reliable and reputable brand!
Tina L –
This starter kit is fantastic! I finally got to try it out during the lunar eclipse and super moon last night, so I wanted to share my thoughts.
First off, there was a minor issue during shipping, or perhaps it was a defect; one of the tripod legs had a dent. It didn’t bother me much, but I wanted to mention it for an accurate rating.
The kit arrived fully equipped and was easy to assemble, taking just a few minutes with the visual instructions. However, it would have been helpful to include some basic usage instructions and tips for first-time sky watchers. While there’s plenty of information online, having guidance tailored to this specific scope would be beneficial for beginners, rather than having them sift through general research.
I still need to get the hang of using the Barlow lens effectively. So far, I’ve only used the 10mm and 25mm eyepieces, but the quality and resolution are impressive. Even with the 25mm, I could clearly see the moon’s craters on a clear night. I’m excited to experiment with higher magnifications and explore other celestial objects.
Aligning the mobile phone holder was a bit tricky, especially with smartphones that have multiple cameras. It took some time to realize that the distance between the phone and the lens is crucial to avoid reflections or blurriness. Having that information included would have been helpful.
In terms of materials, the entire setup feels a bit flimsy and unstable. Its lightweight design makes it easy to transport, but it also means that even a slight bump can shift the scope out of alignment. A bit more weight for stability would be ideal, as the current setup can be easily disturbed. Additionally, the knobs and levers for adjustments are somewhat coarse, making precise movements challenging.
On the plus side, I love how portable it is! It’s lightweight and folds up easily without needing much disassembly.
Overall, this is a great beginner scope for the price. It gets the job done!
Eduardo –
Amazing results! It’s excellent for beginners, affordable, and definitely worth it. I struggled a bit at first to focus and align the finder with the main lens due to my limited experience, but once I got it right, everything turned out perfectly.
Dellie –
I bought this as a Christmas gift for my daughter, and she absolutely loves it! It’s both affordable and high-quality.
asma –
This product is not worth purchasing, and I couldn’t reach the seller. I hope they are held accountable for the deception we experienced.
Alyscia Cox –
I purchased this telescope as a holiday gift for my son, and it turned out to be an excellent choice. The quality is remarkable—it’s sturdy and well-constructed. It’s ideal for stargazing and observing planets, and the tripod setup makes it easy to use and stable. I’m confident it will provide hours of enjoyment and exploration!
Eduardo –
I bought this as a birthday gift for my son. He was so thrilled that we’ve all been enjoying watching the moon together.
jen86 –
I purchased this telescope without any prior knowledge, unsure of what to expect. Now that I’ve learned more, I believe it offers decent value, but it has quite a few drawbacks.
In the world of telescopes, aperture size is far more important than magnification. The larger the aperture, the clearer the image. This model has a 70mm aperture (2.75 inches), which is on the smaller side. It’s typical for an “entry-level” telescope and a reasonable option for those wanting to explore stargazing without spending over $500 on a larger model. However, in hindsight, I wish I had invested in a better telescope.
Like many beginner telescopes, it’s more challenging to use than an intermediate one. This is well-known in the amateur astronomy community, where they generally advise against purchasing beginner telescopes, especially for children. Kids tend to prefer observing objects rather than searching for them, and this telescope requires far more time spent hunting for celestial bodies than actually viewing them.
My child lacks the patience for this, but I enjoy the challenge. That leads to another issue: the telescope is designed for kids, which means the stand is quite short. Consequently, you’ll find yourself hunched over, crouching, or kneeling while searching for objects.
If you live in an area with significant light pollution, you’ll mostly see stars, the Moon, and a few bright planets. Even Mars is tough to spot with this telescope, and you can’t discern any surface details. Jupiter shows some faint detail if you escape the light pollution on a clear, moonless night, and you can just make out Saturn’s rings. Venus, however, is easy to spot—especially now, as it’s particularly bright in late April 2020. While you can’t see any details on Venus, you can observe its phase.
Unfortunately, galaxies, most nebulas, and many star clusters are beyond this telescope’s capabilities. That said, I did manage to glimpse a planetary nebula called The Ghost of Jupiter last night. After a few weeks of practice and using various apps, charts, and star maps to assist in locating objects, it still took me over an hour to find it, center it in the viewfinder, and achieve focus. Even then, it appeared as a hazy, bluish star, lacking the distinctive eye-shape visible with larger scopes.
Despite the effort, it was a cool experience, and my child loved it, making it worthwhile—though my back is sore today. Overall, for an entry-level telescope, this one is good enough for our needs while we save for an upgrade. However, like most entry-level models, it’s more challenging to operate and lacks the power to see much detail. The time spent searching for objects, only to be met with potentially disappointing results, could diminish a child’s enthusiasm for astronomy.
If you must choose an entry-level telescope, this is a solid option. But if possible, I recommend saving for a model with a larger aperture.
佐藤哲也 –
The telescope performs excellently, and we are pleased with our purchase.
Ibrahim –
The product is difficult to use and I don’t think it deserves to be called a telescope. The seller misled me when I wanted to return the item. They told me to ship it with a courier service, and when I did and informed them of the shipping cost, they said Amazon doesn’t allow them to cover more than 50 riyals, while the actual cost was 140 riyals.
Nikki –
Purchased for my son; it’s nice, but we’re finding it challenging to figure out.
chris morrison –
Extremely clear and user-friendly. Works with any phone. The remote control allows for steady picture-taking. It’s compact and lightweight, fitting perfectly into the included carrying case.
Catherine Patrick –
I recently bought the Gskyer Telescope for my son, and we couldn’t be happier! With its 70mm aperture and 400mm AZ mount, it’s ideal for beginners. The carry bag, phone adapter, and wireless remote are fantastic extras. Setting it up and using it is a breeze, and the images are sharp and detailed. I highly recommend it for anyone interested in astronomy!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5 – Outstanding Value and Quality!