Barska scopes

[Skexis (Fred)]

Hi all.

Is a Barska 900114 scope any good for moon viewing? I'm guessing that equates to a 4½" reflector and a tube length of 900mm but can't find any definite info. Seen some good reviews for Barska gear but there are far more that state it only just makes the grade and should be avoided.

What do you guys think?

[dannat (Daniel)]

they are badged chinese made scopes like celestron/skywatcher etc.

just check the scope is not one of their catadiotropic scopes with an inbuilt barlow in the focuser tube [these scopes have a short tube -nowhere near 900mm]

[jenchris (Jennifer)]

I used one last week, not something I want to repeat.
I was showing someone how to use it.
The tripod is flimsy at best; every joint is loose.
The scope itself has a reasonably smooth but not very accurate focuser and the supplied lenses are atrocious.
As I was using it in daylight, I was unable to comment on the spherical aberration but it looked a little soupy at the edges.
Depending on how much you are spending (How much are they?) I would guess that it may make or break your hobby interest.
I think it would be wiser to borrow a scope from your neighbour's kid if you want to check something out.

[brian nordstrom (As avatar)]

Good advice by Daniel and Jennifer here , avoid the Newtonions that have the built in Barlow in the focuser, these state a 900mm focal length but in reality are only about 450mm fl and use the built in Barlow to give a psudo 900mm,s and the spherical mirror figure these scopes have wont perform well at all , avoid ! .
You can tell this type easily as the tube,s are only 500mm or so long , not the 900-1000mm long of a true 900mm fl scope.

But a true 900mm fl Newtonion will give great views of the moon and planets up to an easy 200x on good nights .
Can you post a link of what you are looking at ? This will help immensely as it will show the mount as well , some of these are also woefully under mounted and will kill your enthusiasm very fast .

Looking forward to your reply.

Brian

[brian nordstrom (As avatar)]

ps. I have an early Tasco 114mm f900 on an eq2 mount and it performs very. , very well , it is a 'Made in Japan' model and I gave it to an up and coming young amature in Darwin and he just loves it. , these well made 114mm scope,s are definitely not a hobby killer. , far from it.

A well made quality scope that sadly been cloned badly over the years and now have given all of these scopes a bad name but they all ain't bad , good luck .

Brian.

[MortonH]

I just Googled that Barska scope and the ads say 675x max power - oh dear!

[brian nordstrom (As avatar)]

Oh dear for sure Morton .
If the moon and planets are your thing. , have a look on Optics Central,s web page , right hand side of the Ice in Space front page.
Open the telescopes page then open Equatorial mount,s link . Go down to the Saxon 'Volicity 150mm f8 ' on eq3 mount , for 600$ you won't get a better lunar scope and the mount is a ripper that can be upgraded to full GOTO when finance allows , good for deep sky as well .
I think Astro Pete sells this great scope as well ?.

My 5c on this .

Brian.

[MortonH]

Originally Posted by brian nordstrom

Oh dear for sure Morton .
If the moon and planets are your thing. , have a look on Optics Central,s web page , right hand side of the Ice in Space front page.
Open the telescopes page then open Equatorial mount,s link . Go down to the Saxon 'Volicity 150mm f8 ' on eq3 mount , for 600$ you won't get a better lunar scope and the mount is a ripper that can be upgraded to full GOTO when finance allows , good for deep sky as well .
I think Astro Pete sells this great scope as well ?.

My 5c on this .

Brian.

Good point, except Optics Central have gotten some bad feedback lately...


http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...40#post1161240

[MortonH]

Far better with one of these, especially if you can get a used one.

http://www.bintel.com.au/Telescopes/...oductview.aspx

[brian nordstrom (As avatar)]

Yes. shame really , I just checked the Barska 114 , and personality I would not touch it e especially seeing it is mounted on the eq1
mount woeful !!!! , way too small for an OTA of this size.

Brian.

Originally Posted by MortonH

Good point, except Optics Central have gotten some bad feedback lately...


http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...40#post1161240

[jenchris (Jennifer)]

IIRC the scope comes with a 3mm EP!!!!! and a Barlow - ...

[brian nordstrom (As avatar)]

There is the quoted 675x .
Brian.

Originally Posted by jenchris

IIRC the scope comes with a 3mm EP!!!!! and a Barlow - ...

[Skexis (Fred)]

Thanks all. Have decided to give it a miss and keep the cash for something better.