Post by Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe on Dec 5, 2011 23:36:02 GMT -6
Bushnell ARES 5 inch Compact Truss Tube Dobsonian Telescope
Here is a deal I think worth $150.00...
Bushnell ARES 5" Truss Tube Dobsonian Telescope 785000 is available exclusively from our online store - The Bushnell Compact ARES 5 Dobsonian Telescope is a simple, easy to use, non-technical telescope that is still large enough to provide real performance. The 130mm reflector, 650mm focal length is large enough to take this telescope out of the toy category, and is rapidly becoming the standard for a beginner's telescope in terms of size. Bushnell DOB5 Compact Telescope features a true parabolic mirror design that allows the telescope's optics to be collimated with a standard collimating eyepiece. The circle on the center of the mirror also allows the use of a laser collimator.
The Bushnell ARES Telescope series is named for NASA's Ares rocket. The ARES rocket, itself named for the Greek god associated with the planet Mars, will some day return humans to the moon and eventually take them to Mars and further on into the solar system.
Truss tube design of this Bushnell telescope keeps the overall size super portable and provides features only found on high end, expensive Dobsonian telescope models. The truss-support concept allows the optical tube's front and back cells to collapse together, while aligning on the truss support rods, and can be locked down for an easier and more secure way to transport the telescope. This one piece, low hassle OTA design is mechanically simple and results in a telescope that can be handled with ease and transported by just one individual.
The Bushnell DOB 5 130mm Dobsonian mount features friction bearings on the altitude and the azimuth, that make for a more user friendly telescope mount than the ball bearing setups used on many other Dobsonian telescopes. The telescope stops dead in its tracks when you remove your hand and does not continue moving as happens with ball bearing designs. The carry handle is convenient in keeping with the portable design of this Bushnell telescope.
Bushnell DOB-5 Dobsonian Telescope 130 mm Newtonian Reflector 78-5000 comes with two 1.25" telescope eyepieces: 10mm SPL10 and 25mm SPL25, and includes a red dot finder scope.
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I don't include the link, but a simple Google search will find this.
It's a table top scope, but the key points are portability and decent views. I like how it compacts itself and can be thrown in the back seat for remote site viewings. Under five minutes, you'll be set up and in business. Not really a Deep Space Scope, but at 5" of aperture - planets and the Moon will be excellent targets for beginners and those that want a very quick and light grab-scope. (I spent many years using a 4.5" scope with excellent astronomical experiences and memories...
)I recommend this to those who are undecided in jumping into a expensive scope - a later finding out they are in over their heads. Cheap, very portable and will do the job for busy urban astronomers - using it will nudge you to learn the skies manually...which is always good.
And with free shipping too.
