I bought the SkyScout Scope 90. There are major problems you glossed over or you figured they were acceptable due to the low selling price. The mount is too short so that anybody in the USA can forget looking at anything above Polaris unless they get down on the ground. That fix required a 9 X 50 Right Angle finder and a dedicated astronomy chair which will lower one to about a foot above the ground. Even with those additions it is still impossible to view anything near the zenith since the panhandle hits the mount and it causes a "blind spot".

The Amici prism which is enclosed is what I'd expect with a toy and it seriously degrades the image so count on another $75 or more for a decent star diagonal. To your credit you mentioned it but it has to be replaced for astronomical viewing.

There is a lot of backlash when adjusting the altitude and it is very annoying when using the 10mm EP. The 40mm EP is unusable because of excessive eye relief which causes "blackouts" or a "kidney bean effect". Lastly, I'm going to buy a quality GEM
mount provided that dovetail is universal or easily adaptable.

It may sound like I am saying the scope is junk but that's not the case at all. It is just unrealistic to expect a quality telescope AND mount for $300. Unfortunately, you made it sound like it is.

I bought this product because I recently became reinterested in astronomy after a 30 year break. What got me reinterested was the Sky Scout. I wanted a light grab-n-go scope for occasions when I don't feel like lugging out my heavy Newtonian and the SkyScout Scope 90 is made for the Sky Scout.

To make this scope enjoyable for me has/will require 2 new EP's, a diagonal, a right angle finder, and a better mount. A minority of users may be happy with the telescope as is but they will face serious physical and mechanical problems. Unless the upgrades I mentioned are made I'm afraid most purchasers will quickly tire of the challenges and relegate the scope to the nearest closet.

Tammy, I don't mean to be harsh or make this article about you instead of the telescope,but can't you see by witholding your criticism for that other company you made it clear you are a Celestron fan and it makes one wonder if that played any role with regards to your favorable review? You are similar to a baseball umpire and can't afford to be a fan of any company. Just call them as you see them and let the chips fall where they may.

Warmest regards,

Chris

Yes, Chris. The GPS on the SkyScout is sensitive to being too close to metal and you're probably very correct in your assumption that that's why the tube is plastic. Nice catch! And no, the locate feature doesn't really take the place of a GoTo unit – but it is a nice assist. For example, once you're pretty daggone sure you have the object targeted, the SS can then help confirm that.

My reluctance to knock a product only come from the fact that almost all of my bad experiences have come from one particular company. Right now I'm sitting on two more of their products that I just want to shake my head and give up. Why go to such great lengths to produce outstanding optics and then overlook a critical design flaw? The reality check is if i DO come right out and say what the problem is and who the company is that produces it – readers are going to accuse me of "bashing" a well-loved company.

How far would you stick your neck out if you knew that 200 readers were going to write you angry letters accusing you of bashing one company and favoring another? I taking my brave pills and hoping one day I can just out with the truth about some of these less than desirable products without offending the folks that provide them and our readers.

Isn't the tube made of plastic because the SKY SCOUT is VERY sensitive to metal?

For newcomers finding deep sky objects is very frustrating. Does the Locate feature on the Scout make the finding of DSO's easier than a stand alone scope?

I don't understand your reluctance to knock a product. If a product is junk you owe it to your readers to tell them that.

This is another point in the Celestron Sky Scout Scope 90's favor. All images – including what you see in the finder scope and the eyepiece – are "image correct". This makes it not only easier for beginners to understand what they see, but makes the Sky Scout 90 do double duty as an excellent terrestrial scope as well.

For a beginner level scope, this rocks. The ease of assembly, the "no confusion" altazimuth mount, the "no collimation" refractor… all of this combined with durability make it a wise choice for new hands.

Please be very wary of competitor scopes. Unlike some folks who post here in UT, I won't cut somebody (or their products) down in public, but I will say that I've had VERY personal experience with the other two big names in beginner scopes and both of them fell apart on me after just a few uses.

Am I biased towards particular products / manufacturers? You're darn right I am. I am biased towards the ones that last, not just have great advertisement and prices. My equipment doesn't just sit there and look pretty – I use it. I would never steer you towards a product unless it was worthwhile.