Celestron C65 spotting scope

Hello,

I have a Meade ETX 125 PE and an Orion 10" Dob. I was looking for a nice mini-scope for quick viewing and trips. Is the Celestron C65 a nice little scope for general astronomy when time and portability are in question? Is seems a like a great deal for a little Mak at that price.

Thanks,
John

Hi

I think you would be disappointed - optics are marginal,at best, up through 40 and useless at 90x and the C65 does not have the ability to use standard telescope eyepieces like the other C series scopes. That's about what you should expect, though, from the price. Much better choice would be the C90. It's no ETX-125, but it is much closer than the C65

The Celestron C70 would be a good bet. I have looked through this scope in-store with supplied eyepiece and 25mm Plossl I carried just for the occasion and the views were very good, especially with the 25mm. This scope should give very good bang for the buck and the icing on the cake is the ability to use any of several hundred available astro eyepieces with the included adapter. I should also add that this scope's little sibling, the C50 is just as good within the limitations of aperture and also allows for unlimited eyepiece swaps.
The best scope of the mak design at the price point of the Celestrons previously mentioned is the discontinued LOMO Mak 60 (I had the presence of mind to purchase one from Optics Planet a few years ago).

Rmel66

Hi

Yes, I miss those LOMOs, too. The LOMO Astele 70 would have been even better, but only option is now to go hunting for used.

Joanie,

Would you do a review of the Celestron C70 and C50 spotting scopes with good astro eyepieces? Just interested in your opinion of these scopes that I think are diamonds in the rough.

Rmel66.

Will do as soon as I can get my hands on them. Stay tuned.