Comments on: Orion GoScope 70mm Backpack Telescope http://www.meadetelescopesales.info/telescopes/orion-goscope-70mm-backpack-telescope/ Meade Telescopes Fri, 05 Nov 2010 03:44:55 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: GibsonJ45 http://www.meadetelescopesales.info/telescopes/orion-goscope-70mm-backpack-telescope/comment-page-1/#comment-213 GibsonJ45 Thu, 01 Apr 2010 12:01:49 +0000 http://meadetelescopesales.info/telescopes/orion-goscope-70mm-backpack-telescope/#comment-213 Before buying any telescope (like many things), do some research and find out what you what--for the layman, shopping around for one can be as complicated as buying a computer. <br /> <br />I wanted something I could carry easily on hikes, camping trips, and weekend getaways--and introduce my kids to the stars. The Orion GoScope fits all of those categories. Weighing in at only six pounds (!), it is VERY light, small, and transportable. It's also inexpensive and you get two eyepieces and a backpack (that's a good value). <br /> <br />It's also a refractor and that means you can also use this scope for terrestrial observation (birds, boats, beaches, etc) and refractors have excellent, precision imaging. The GoScope has very good optics. We can see the moon very well, Jupiter and its moons (the bands can just be made out), and Saturn's rings and largest moon fairly well (though small). Stars and deep space objects are pinpoints of light. Definitely add a Barlow 2x lens to bump up the magnification. (get a moon filter too) <br /> <br />The bad. Don't expect too much. That's always a problem with telescopes--one expects to see SO much more than what the scope can actually do. Keep that in mind. Saturn is tiny. You're not going to see great detail on anything, except the moon. This is a 70mm scope, or 2.75 inches... slightly better than 10x50mm binoculars. If you really want to see more space objects, you'll need a 6" scope, or over 114mm at very least. For serious views with portability and excellent imaging, get a Schmidt (Maskatov)-Cassegrain. <br /> <br />The tripod is improved, but without a stable base or motor drive, you're going to have a hard time finding smaller objects and keeping them in sight. The mount is still shaky and wobbles at the slightest touch when focusing. Unless you're willing to spend more money (over $350)... get used to that. (Backyard astronomy teaches patience!) <br /> <br />I enjoy using the GoScope, though it can be frustrating if you're trying to zone in on Saturn. But I'm a layman and this scope is very easy to pickup and take to the backyard. Easy setup and storage. The kids like it.. so.. This scope is what it is. Rating: 4 / 5 Before buying any telescope (like many things), do some research and find out what you what–for the layman, shopping around for one can be as complicated as buying a computer.

I wanted something I could carry easily on hikes, camping trips, and weekend getaways–and introduce my kids to the stars. The Orion GoScope fits all of those categories. Weighing in at only six pounds (!), it is VERY light, small, and transportable. It’s also inexpensive and you get two eyepieces and a backpack (that’s a good value).

It’s also a refractor and that means you can also use this scope for terrestrial observation (birds, boats, beaches, etc) and refractors have excellent, precision imaging. The GoScope has very good optics. We can see the moon very well, Jupiter and its moons (the bands can just be made out), and Saturn’s rings and largest moon fairly well (though small). Stars and deep space objects are pinpoints of light. Definitely add a Barlow 2x lens to bump up the magnification. (get a moon filter too)

The bad. Don’t expect too much. That’s always a problem with telescopes–one expects to see SO much more than what the scope can actually do. Keep that in mind. Saturn is tiny. You’re not going to see great detail on anything, except the moon. This is a 70mm scope, or 2.75 inches… slightly better than 10x50mm binoculars. If you really want to see more space objects, you’ll need a 6″ scope, or over 114mm at very least. For serious views with portability and excellent imaging, get a Schmidt (Maskatov)-Cassegrain.

The tripod is improved, but without a stable base or motor drive, you’re going to have a hard time finding smaller objects and keeping them in sight. The mount is still shaky and wobbles at the slightest touch when focusing. Unless you’re willing to spend more money (over $350)… get used to that. (Backyard astronomy teaches patience!)

I enjoy using the GoScope, though it can be frustrating if you’re trying to zone in on Saturn. But I’m a layman and this scope is very easy to pickup and take to the backyard. Easy setup and storage. The kids like it.. so.. This scope is what it is.
Rating: 4 / 5

]]>