Reviews - Celestron 80 mm Guidescope and 125 mm rings Package 52309 Reviews - CI-TA-52309

Author: AstroGordo from Toronto Canada on Nov 20, 2012
Pros:  Looks awesome on top of my C925.
Cons:  Not great in terms of payload and setup.
Would recommend:  no

AstroGordo wrote:

Has to be setup and aligned each time it's used. Not great when you don't have a permanent observatory. There are better and equally priced solutions available with far less payload and more consistent setup, i.e. fix a much smaller scope into a small precision dovetail mount with setscrews rather than mounting rings. Slide the scope in and out of the dovetail mount with consistent alignment each time for quick setup. Otherwise it's probably fine (have one, never used it).

Author: BoomerBob (verified customer) from Carthage, Indiana on Feb 4, 2012
Pros:  Optics seem good for the price
Cons:  Slightly damaged as received
Would recommend:  yes

BoomerBob wrote:

I would have rated this instrument higher had it not been damaged as received. The scope arrived well-packed with no apparent damage to the packing during shipment. However, I found the shaft of the focus knob was bent, setting the focusing knob on one side catty-wompus. The rack seems to bind when reversing at the end of outward travel and requires a little assistance by manually lifting the eyepiece/camera slightly to get past the bind. (Is this due to poor quality control in outgoing product at the manufacturer?) Even so, the scope seems useable, and considering the price I paid, I opted not to bother with returning it. I have not yet had a chance to put it to use as a guide scope, as the weather has been uncooperative in my locale. I would recommend it, assuming the damage I observed in the unit I recieved is not the norm.

Author: LeonardJohn , Opticians, Video Astronomer, from San Pedro CA on Jan 9, 2012
Pros:  Good optics, easy setup
Cons:  none
Would recommend:  yes

LeonardJohn wrote:

Nice little scope, able to image the horse head the first night. Bought this scope as a guilder, mates to the nexguide perfectly.