Beginning and mid – level amateur astronomers have plenty of choices when it comes to getting their first telescope or investing in perhaps a second one, as they need wider apertures, more magnifying power, better focal lengths and so on. Celestron telescopes don’t need much of an introduction, as the company is well known for its quality product and hi-tech optical technology, but when it comes to refractor telescopes, one cannot be too careful, as quality and price matter a lot. Today we will take a look at the Celestron PowerSeeker 80EQ Telescope and see its tech – specs, utility, affordability level and overall attractiveness as a product.
What is the Celestron PowerSeeker 80EQ Telescope?
As usual, we will start the Celestron PowerSeeker 80EQ Telescope review by looking in detail at its tech specs. However, we have to mention from the beginning that this is an awarded product (Brilliance Awards 2013) and it fully deserves detailed approach.
This is another product in the Celestron Poweseeker series of telescopes which boasts an 80 mm (3.15 in) aperture and 900 mm (35 in) of focal length. The two eyepieces (of 45 X and 225 X magnifications respectively) also sport 3X Barlow lenses for a great magnification power and crystal clear images. As we mentioned, this is about a Celestron product, so you may have figured out by now that you’ll get fully coated glass optical elements which in turn will provide better contrasts and higher brightness and clarity.
The Powerseeker 80 EQ Telescope also comes with a German equatorial mount, one of the best features of the product in other specialists’ opinion, as it allows the user to smoothly and easily follow celestial objects as they travel in the sky.
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Can the Celestron PowerSeeker 80 Equatorial Telescope allow people to see deep in the sky, gaze at more than planets, but clusters, galaxies or nebulas? This is the main question any Powerseeker 80 EQ Telescope review should answer to. Even if you won’t get Hubble – like clarity and level of detail, many users were able to take a good look at Saturn and Jupiter with all its moons, Titan, Mars, the Cassini division, double stars and other celestial objects you might be interested in.
What is even more important, perhaps, is that the product also comes with a “TheSkyX – First Light Edition” astronomy software. Containing around 10,000 celestial images, printable sky maps and 75 enhanced images, you will not only be able to learn more how to look for and what to look for in the sky, but also recognize what you’ve just spotted with your brand new telescope. This PC planetarium is very well liked by beginners and children who are just discovering the mysteries of the universe.
The 5×24 Finderscope is a nice touch, but this is almost always present in the best Celestron telescopes. Other common features in Celestron products also sported by the Celestron PowerSeeker 80EQ Telescope are the aluminum tripod and the accessory tray for easy storage, the Erect Image Optics (allowing you to use the telescope for both stargazing and terrestrial observations), the camera attachment for those interested in astrophotography, slow motion controls and, of course, an overall easiness of assemble, as this one doesn’t need tools for set-up either. There is also a comprehensive Celestron PowerSeeker 80EQ Telescope manual with clear and detailed instructions.
Pros and Cons to Using the Celestron PowerSeeker 80EQ
PROS:
- The Celestron Powerseeker 80EQ refractor telescope package includes two eyepieces and 3X Barlow fully coated lenses for brighter images and sharper, crystal clear viewings.
- The tech specs and the optic elements allow identification and observation of uncommon celestial objects or of objects associated with “deep sky”.
- The telescope comes also with a dew shield which keeps the lenses safe from dew in cold and humid weather.
- The German Equatorial mount is easy to use and allows a smooth, simple observation of celestial objects while they are in motion.
- It is easy to assemble, as it needs no tools, easy to store and keep safe and organized due to the accessory tray.
- The aluminum tripod and the camera attachments are features allowing better focusing on celestial objects and even astrophotography.
- There is a Celestron Powerseeker 80EQ manual available, containing detailed and comprehensive information.
- It is one of the best Celestron telescopes for sale, as the quality – price balance is perfect, keeping in mind this product addresses the mid – level amateur astronomers.
- The finderscope greatly helps beginners and everyone who wants to save time and let the telescope track the targeted celestial object automatically.
CONS:
- The tripod is kind of lightweight and when extended all the way it becomes unstable, shaking and hard to use. You can solve this by adding some weights to the bottom, or by upgrading to a better tripod.
- The eyepieces deserve an upgrade, as even if you will be able to see some planets and stars, you won’t see nebulas, entire galaxies or star clusters.
- It is quite heavy and hard to carry for children under 13 – 14 years old.
Where to Find the Celestron PowerSeeker 80EQ Telescope?
You can find the best price and offer for the Celestron PowerSeeker 80EQ Telescope on Amazon for $99.09 (and free shipping). This is a very cheap telescope, but only in terms of price, not of quality. There is more than one Celestron PowerSeeker 80EQ review which highlights the well balanced relationship between the quality and the price of this product, even if you purchase this product to satisfy your own deep space curiosity or if you want to surprise a teen or a friend with a reliable piece of equipment.
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Extra Info:
Maintenance Advice
The telescope should be kept away from humidity and cold weather, but the no dew technology will make it safe for usage in less good weather. However, you should clean the lenses with a microfiber cloth, store it accordingly and keep it safe from dust, humidity or direct sun rays.
Telescope Accessories
There is at least one Celestron PowerSeeker Accesory Kit Telescope many users recommend in order to improve this telescope’s performances. Also available are other eyepieces, lenses and even more stable, sturdier tripods or camera attachments.
Warranty and Guarantee Information
Being a Celestron piece of equipment, you get a 2 years long warranty that covers the regular wear and tear that occurs under normal usage circumstances.
Our Recommendation
Besides the very convincing Celestron PowerSeeker 80EQ Telescope price, this product is really well built, with high quality components and a very attractive set of eyepieces and lenses. Also, bear in mind that there are other more performing, more serious telescopes out there for beginners and mid – level astronomers which don’t boast the same affordable price.
The Celestron PowerSeeker 80EQ Telescope manual is comprehensive enough even for beginners to understand how to set it up, but it needs, just like any other refractor telescopes, a little patience and some exercise. Perhaps you won’t be able to see the deep sky in the first night of usage, but with the correct adjustments and some stargazing practice, you will be able to see the Moon, some planets and even some interesting stars. We recommend you this product if you are not yet sure that astronomy will become the love of your life, but you’d like give it a try, with a safe financial investment while also getting to learn how to use advanced, mid – level astronomer technology.
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