BARSKA is a known brand in the field of optics. They make riflescopes, gun sights, binoculars, and telescopes. They are not a premium brand, as they focus mainly on the affordable budget segments. The BARSKA 600 Power 80060 Starwatcher Refractor Telescope is a cheap, entry-level model. It is best-suited for students, kids and total beginners in the field of astronomy. The main thing that stands out about this telescope is its low price. Read to figure out whether this telescope is ideal for your requirements in our in-depth review.
What Is The BARSKA 600 Power 80060 Starwatcher Refractor Telescope?
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This is an entry-level refractor telescope, with a very basic 60mm aperture lens. The 60mm aperture is the bare minimum you need for star gazing with a telescope. The focal length at 800mm is very long. And that long focal length is what gives this telescope the 600x magnification claimed by the manufacturer. The lens used in the telescope has a glass coated finish for improved brightness.
The BARSKA 600 Power 80060 Starwatcher Refractor Telescope comes with a handy aluminum tripod stand. The package also includes three separate eyepieces, along with a 3x Barlow lens. This means that you can mix and match the different lens to change the viewing capabilities and magnification levels of the telescope further.
The body is made of plastic, with a metallic finish. You also get a rack and pinion based focusing mechanism for improved control and sharper images. A red dot finder has been provided to help align the telescope. And if you want to use the telescope to view things on earth, you can use the erecting eyepiece.
Product Information
| Dimensions | Weight | Batteries | Aperture | Focal Length | Software |
| 4 x 34 x 4 in. |
|
|
60 mm | 800 mm | Deepsky Astronomy Software |
Pros & Cons To Using The BARSKA 600 Power 80060 Starwatcher Refractor Telescope
Pros:
- Incredibly low price.
- Comes with a good selection of eyepieces and additional Barlow lens.
- The aluminum stand is well designed and has handy accessory trays.
- Ideal for beginners and kids looking to learn astronomy and telescope basics.
- Comes with useful astronomy software for guidance on the night sky.
- The 90 degree erecting eyepiece makes its use pain free.
Cons:
- Cheap plastic build quality.
- Barely adequate lens aperture.
- Not a telescope for more experienced stargazers.
- Does not come with a carry bag or case of any sort.
- Has to be assembled, but does not provide adequate guidance/instructions.
Where To Find The BARSKA 600 Power 80060 Starwatcher Refractor Telescope?
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The easiest place to find this telescope would probably be Amazon. But it’s also available at other major online retailers, like Walmart and Optics Planet.
The asking price of this telescope in brand new condition ranges between $75 to $125. And this model is worth buying only at the lower price points.
You might even get some decent discounts from time to time, but don’t count on it in this price segment. And since this is the lowest price segment already, looking for a used model doesn’t seem advisable. Telescopes can’t get any cheaper than this. If you want to buy this one, buy it new!
Telescope Performance
Keep your expectations low, and you will probably have a good time with this telescope. The 60 mm aperture is one of the lowest possible sizes. But it is still capable of providing a good look at some of the closer objects in the sky. You can get a good look at the moon, its craters, mountains, and valleys. All the big planets except Pluto should also be visible, along with some of the larger moons of Jupiter and Saturn. You may also get a good look at some star clusters, as well as several asteroids within the Solar system.
Extra Info
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For starters, don’t get caught up in the marketing gimmick of 600x magnification. When it comes to telescopes, aperture, and focal length matter more. The longer focal length does provide higher levels of magnification, but that is quite pointless in such a small lens telescope. The maximum effective magnification of a 60mm aperture lens is 120x (60 x 2). Beyond that level, you will only get very blurry images.
The three interchangeable eyepieces do offer some extra tinkering options. But on the downside, the eyepieces, SR4, H12 and H20 offer little in the way of quality. But these are not issues that affect only the BARSKA 600 Power 80060 Starwatcher Refractor Telescope. Most cheap, entry level scopes have these same characteristics.
As for the problems unique to this model, some reviews online have cited issues related to the plastic build quality and the assembling instructions provided.
Maintenance Advice
You should only clean the optics if absolutely necessary. Use a blow brush or gentle air blower to remove dust. And to remove other dirt or grime, use distilled water, or a cleaning solution mentioned by the manufacturer. Keep the telescope and all the eyepieces snugly stored away in cases and separate containers.4
Don’t leave it in sunlight, or in hot environments like the inside of a car during day time as it can harm the glued components. Never touch the lens with your fingers. Always clean your telescope if you expose it to the sea breeze, as the salty breeze can ruin the coating on the lens.
Telescope Accessories
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The BARSKA 600 Power 80060 Starwatcher Refractor Telescope comes with the following accessories:
- A 3x Barlow Lens;
- Aluminum tripod;
- SR4, H12, H20 Eyepieces;
- Moon filter;
- Astronomy Software;
You should always consider buying better eyepieces than the ones provides as stock with an entry level telescope like this one. The mount and tripod are also generally of a lower quality in these models. And you can significantly improve your viewing experience with better mounts and more stable tripods.
Warranty and Guarantee Information
All BARSKA products come with a limited lifetime manufacturer’s warranty.
Our Recommendation
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The BARSKA 600 Power 80060 Starwatcher Refractor Telescope is an out and out beginners device. Buy this only if you are new to the world of telescopes. It is extremely cheap and easy to use for learners. The 60mm lens offers decent visibility of objects in the sky.
In our opinion, this is ideal in those situations, when you are not sure whether you (or your kid) will retain an interest in star gazing. It’s always better to buy a cheap telescope to find out first! Please share your thoughts/reviews in the comments section below. Thank you for visiting!
Last update on 2024-09-10 at 22:15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Wife brought this scope home as surprise for me. I am no astronomer but I told her this scope leaves much to be desired. Mainly for me it was lens size and cheap controls. She said it was 60 dollars with a $40 rebate. At Menards. Well in that case I love it..
Is your picture upside down?