Very happy with it. Much better than my StarTraveler 102. Can’t wait to do some imaging with it.
I have had this telescope for almost 3 years now and it is a dream to work with. I can't justify upgrading to the SQA 106 because the quality is superb for the price. The FRA line also offer decent .7 reducers that are usable with flats if you use a full frame. One recommendation if your saddle is on the smaller side is to purchase the 300mm losmandy dovetail plate.
The dozens of reviews out there are pretty accurate as to what a game changer the AM5N is for the Grab and Go crowd.
What's specific to All Star was the great service I got. From the initial telephone call to the delivery everything worked great. I paid for the AM5N one day, it was shipped out the next and arrived on my doorstep the next day.
I'm a 3 hours car drive from their shop.
I started using the tumbler today. The instructions says to align the barrel’s nut over the metal guide. Came back at the end of the afternoon and the nut was on the floor, barrel not turning anymore and making a loud noise (slipping on the barrel). I tough it would be tougher then my National Geographic ceahp tumbler :(
This one did the job. No problems with threads or threading
Well done specimens encased in clear resin.
Our grandson loves it!
Large, beautiful rough stones. I’ve tumbled a few and they are gorgeous!
Morpheus has been my go-to set of eyepieces for the last year. I'm adding this second 9mm eyepiece for my Williams Optic binoviewers,.The 9mm gets more use than the other 5 Morphs together. It's my old reliable and All-Star Telescope put it into my hands in record time. I highly recommend All-Star and Morpheus.
William Optics Sony E M48 Aluminum T Mount (TM-SN-E-M48)
This filter drawer from ZWO offers a simple, effective method for connecting Nikon f-mount lenses to ASI cameras with either M42 or M54 threaded connections. 2” filters thread in easily. The drawer magnetic connection works well, is light-tight, and not prone to dislodging. The orientation is slightly peculiar with respect to an ASI camera; but not a problem. Highly recommended to anyone with Nikon f-mount prime lenses suitable for astrophotography.
The products were delivered and accurate tracking was provided
Better than the older type, new one has a metal insert and shouldn't wear out.
I would have been sceptical of a small device such as this generating such good astrophotos but I happen to have a friend who bought one earlier. He showed me some photos and then a demo of the telescope during the day and we took some sun shots together. The sun spots were incredibly detailed.
I had previously built a 100 mm dobsonian telescope from a kit. It was inexpensive and the results were far from impressive. I had no way of photographing what I could see and no way of stacking images to improve the result. I was reluctant to get into a hobby that would cost thousands of dollars, buying one piece of equipment after another to get reasonable results. When I heard of this telescope and what it could do for a relatively low price, I was interested. Once I saw examples of what it could do, I placed an order.
I am familiar with All-Star Telescope from the Cypress Hills Dark Sky Preserve and the September Long Weekend Campout where they would always have a tent set up. They’ve always answered my questions and been very helpful. My order arrived within a couple of days and in perfect condition. I’ve used the telescope now for a few weeks and it’s working great. Still learning how to use all of the features. Thanks.
My first purchase from this store. Wonderful service. Got it delivered to Saskatoon the very next day. EAF works great and has really improved the focusing experience. Thanks!
I find this bag extremely well padded and it provides very good isolation against bumps and bangs the OTA may experience during transport to or from remote observing sites. The bag is well made and has a very durable outer fabric and dense interior padding.
Nice upgrade- Its a great improvement over the dovetail vise on the GTi. It clamps positively over a wider area, is non marring and very easy to install. I'm delighted because my original GTi dovetail broke as a result of the tripod being knocked over accidentally. Glad to have this option.
I am pleased with the performance of E-LUX series of eyepieces, you don't have to spend a fortune to enjoy the night sky.
Buying this binoviewer for my 60mm f/15 Takahashi scope was a leap into the unknown; would everything seem too dim? Would it ruin the balance of my scope/mount? Would it arrive collimated so I wouldn’t see double-images or experience eye strain?
Executive Summary: It works fabulously well in every respect. I’ve been consistently using the superb 1.6X relay/Barlow lens that was included.
Soon, my machinist will supply the special bushings/adaptors to shorten the back-focus distance. I think I’ll be able to use the bare binoviewer and observe with all my eyepieces at “1x” instead of “1.6x”.
The 1.6x will still find frequent use — it just makes everything sing for planetary & double star observing.
From the first glance at Saturn, I was astounded. WOW! It really works. Bright enough (plenty), good collimation, not too heavy, Über-relaxing to look a long, long time w/o an interruption.
Somehow, the low magnifications seem higher when using 2 eyes. 80x w/ 2 eyes shows me more planetary detail (Saturn & Jupiter) than I normally see at 130x w/ 1 eye (even using a monocular-DeLite).
Low-contrast details are more prominent, the limbs of the planets is crisp as can be. The sky background seems darker, and the effects of atmospheric turbulence seem mitigated somewhat. Differences in the appearances of the Galilean satellites are much enhanced. Floaters in my eyes are no longer annoying (this is huge; I’m nearly 70.).
I’m beginning to rationalize (declutter) my eyepiece collection. I know I won’t twin every one — there’s not as great a need to own a “million” eyepieces. No need for my PowerMate anymore.
A pair of lowly Plossls or Orthoscopics seem to give a much more expansive (“immersive” — overworked word) experience than with monocular use.
I have a pair of 19mm Panoptics and at 80x, they are AMAZING. Wide apparent field of view, crystal clear & sharp. And oh-so-relaxing to use (w/o glasses). On Saturn: just stupendous. The beauty is heart-stopping.
Yes! I love it. And I’m shocked that my experiment is a success.
Super télescope, je suis surpris de la qualité et de ses capacités.Je vais de surprise en surprise avec ce petit télescope , il m'a jeté par terre. En plus on découvre cette semaine qu'il est maintenant compatible N.I.N.A. et ASCOM . Il fait donc sont entrée dans la cour des grands télescopes, ce qui signifie , plein d'outils additionnels si on veut le contrôler avec un ordinateur..Espérons que ça ouvrira la porte à une base de données d'objets encore plus imposante..qui sait...:)
Finally Protection for the Optical Tube. Well constructed, with storage room too. Should have bought it with the telescope to start with.
Just in case you were wondering, it works just as advertised, with what is advertised. Might even work with other stuff!
Five stars.
Pairs great with my Nexstar 6se for lunar and planetary imaging. Also enjoying the All-Sky lens for capturing the aurora
