Cons: Terribly brief instruction manual. It doesn't explain things easily for a novice. Un-Helpfull website.
The Bottom Line: Initial impression was that it is NOT easy to use the computer navigation system, which is the big selling point for novice, mainly because of the poorly written instruction manual.
cgjheilbrun's Full Review: Bushnell NorthStar 78-8846 (675 x 114mm) Telescope
First, I have never taken an astronomy class and never used a telescope before. But this is supposed to be for beginners, so that is the perspective from which I am writing. The assembly of the scope and tripod is very simple. No tools needed. The scope itself was surprisingly light. But, the issues I have with this product start right with the instruction manual. I think it is poorly written. First, the cover references two telescopes, one is the 8846, but the inside pages refer to the 8845, I assume the prior version of this model. Minor issue. But not being familiar with telescope terminology, I had a problem with the parts. They had a picture of most of the parts but not all. And they had a picture with 2 parts identified by #1 and #2, but not referenced in the list (page 5). The assembly instructions tell you to remove the "Objective Dust Cover", which I figured out to be the main opening to the tube. It would have been nice to have a picture of this in the parts diagram. My biggest problems began when trying to actually use the scope. In the aligning the "Finderscope" instructions they tell you to turn it on. It doesn't say how. Now that sounds simple but there are several dials on this finderscope and there is no diagram showing how it works. I finally figured out that one of the dials turns it on, but there is no indication that it has been turned on. Next you are told to turn the adjustment wheels. Again it would have been nice if they told you which wheels moved it up/down and which moved it sideways. Again you'll figure it out. I was able to view objects during the day, but now the real problem began. Using the Northstar computer. I still haven't been able to "Align the Northstar for the first time", which is the most critical part of using the telescope. Once it is properly aligned, it will be able to find 20,000 objects automatically for you. My problem is that after you put into the "computer" the date, time and closest city (in my case I'm only 30 miles from Los Angeles) the computer automatically moves the telescope to the "general vicinity of the first guide star". This is supposed to be the brightest star in the area. Well it was an unusually clear night, but it wasn't pointed anywhere near ANY bright stars. In then says to move the telescope so the star is centered in view. But I don't know what star I should be looking for. Then you repeat this for the second star. Of which I don't know which one that is either, since I couldn't find the first one. It tells you the star's name, but I haven't any idea where in the sky it’s supposed to be. My other big issue is with www.bushnell.com. It was useless if you need any help. Their site is very generic with NO detailed HELP on their individual telescopes. And their "expert's diary" of things to look for is two years old. I'm sure the stars have moved since then. Hopefully I'll find someone who knows about the stars to help me figure out the alignment process, but until then, I'll have to find a beginner's book to help me figure out which star's I'm looking at.
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