Can you use this to view the stars?
1832249
this is definitely NOT an astronomical instrument. Yes, you can see anything through it, but as far as adding value to seeing the stars, no. you are better off with a pair of binoculars. This is strictly a terrestrial recreational handheld glass.
43860
If you want to see the moon and planets, then yes, it will work. But it won't work for anything else like deep space objects. Also, keep in mind that the images of planets you get live on the screen won't be terribly bright or detailed. That's not really the fault of the camera. That's just the atmosphere affecting the image.
2210050
no, to do what you want you would need a telescope with a computer drive and software, as others have said you can see an object thrugh the view finder but no magnification. Also, my unit is very sensitive to magnetic interference which has required me to leave my deck and go out into the yard away from the house and garage.
1116948
Yes it sure can, but you will want to get a correct image diagonal along with your order. The reason i say this is because the diagonal that comes with this causes a mirror image. Terrestrial viewing would be reversed from left to right with the standard star diaganol. This is kinda where all telescope companies get ya. They almost always include a reversed image prism diaganol with the scopes they sell. To point you in the direction for a good diaganol i would say search for "Orion correct image diaganol". Probably gonna set you back another 80 bucks but thats what you would need to see land veiws in the correct orientation. I also suggest gettin a 32mm eyepiece for land viewing. Because the supplied eyepieces are moderate high power and just to much for land viewing. You could also get a good deal by buying the "Astromaster Accesory kit" its what i bought when i ordered mine. This is if you intend on doing astronomy. Bottom line if you are just buying this for land i would not purchase this. Because you will need that correct image diaganol and some lower power eyepieces and your looking at $220 just to get started. It would much more logical if you were only wanting to do land viewing to buy a spotting scope or zoom binoculars. If you went the binocular route i suggest the celestron 10-30x50 upclose binoculars. You can then buy a generic 60" camera tripod and a binocular tripod adaptor for much less than a telescope. I think a tripod will be around $15-$20 and the adaptor is like $8 "Konus". The celestron zoom binos are like 40 bucks so. The binoculars would do well for looking at the moon, jupiter, venus, mars, mercury, and the sun granted you buy two solar filters for them. You can also see a handful of nebulae and brighter galaxies with just a regular pair of 10x50 binos.
1159086
I can't answer concerning other binoculars. The 12X36 binoculars are not good for stargazing. For that I would think you would need to look at telescopes. These Canon binoculars are good for looking at the moon, but not stars.
856983
I'm sure u could, a little. I primarily use it for the shooting range. It's not going to have the desired effect that I believe you are looking for, like a telescope would have.
1773989
Thank you very much indeed. The zoom binocular by Pentax has one, good for looking at the stars.
2210047
I agree with the other answers but would add one cool thing it does. Unlike you, the device is not actually "looking" at the sky. Rather, it is referencing an internal map using GPS coordinates. So you can have it locate planets or stars that are not even visible (behind a tree, below the horizon, etc.)
1740778
Of course. even a webcam! but a nice canon or Nikon would be better. but need attachment. I don't understand some of the answers here. very silly! look at user photos! a good mount is needed too. But yes totally you can take pictures of most deep sky stuff and planets.
362022
No, I think it's just to help people know what is in the sky in their area. I have not used the app yet, just the telescope.
571679
Yes, you can use this telescope manually. No need to always use the StarNavigator as sometimes it is fun to just explore the universe on your own. To do this there is a knob on the bottom of the telescope where it attaches to the tripod and you just loosen to where you can easily adjust from side to side. As well as there is knob on the side to allow you to adjust the scope up and down. I love this telescope. really fun easy to use. Happy Star gazing. Clear Skies!
2257133
I've never used them for looking at stars , but I would imagine that they would work well. If you start at the low magnification to identify the stars/ constellation(s) and work slowly toward max magnification , you should have pretty satisfactory experiences. As always when looking at stars , stability is a key requirement , so hand held binoculars might cause some frustration at times.
1998799
It will work fine, just don't expect scientific quality. The star maps are not extremely bright or very accurate.
500160
yes if you want to tinker. If you want to be serious then buy a real quality mount, the mount of this telescope is crap.
678881
I'm also a star gazer and, yes, the quality does translate to astronomy. Just know it will be limited by the 50mm light gathering power; given good, dark sky conditions, it will detect the brighter fuzzy M-objects (though small in the 10x power of the bino).
1652454
This is for celestrial AND terrestrial viewing. yes, you can look at the whales. And yes, you can view the beautiful night sky:D
1841611
I never used it for stargazing- a full moon was incredible- but my iPhone adapter for taking pictures doesn't work on it-