Vivitar Reflector Telescope 175x 350x

Product Description

The Vivitar Reflector Telescope 175x 350x telescope is a Newtonian reflector optical telescope designed for astronomical observation, offering magnifications of 175x and 350x. Reflector telescopes use mirrors to focus light, with this model featuring a 76 mm aperture primary mirror for light collection. The telescope includes two eyepieces (10 mm and 20 mm) for varying magnifications and comes with a sturdy aluminum tripod for stable viewing. Vivitar Reflector Telescope 175x 350x employs special coatings on mirrors and lenses to reduce light loss and improve image quality. Beginners and intermediate astronomers find this telescope a good choice for convenient and affordable universe observation, producing nice images of the moon and planets.

Magnification capabilities include two eyepieces: a 20mm eyepiece providing 175x magnification and a 4mm eyepiece offering 350x magnification. A 3x Barlow lens is included to further increase eyepiece magnification. The 20mm eyepiece suits observing larger celestial objects like the Moon and planets. The 4mm eyepiece is ideal for smaller objects like double stars and planetary details.

Accessories and components enhance the viewing experience. An adjustable aluminum tripod with 35-inch height and 1.5-inch diameter legs provides stability. A direction control handle allows smooth movement in altitude and azimuth. A 3x24mm finder scope helps locate celestial objects. Lenses and mirrors have special coatings to reduce glare and improve image quality.

The Vivitar Reflector Telescope offers clear views of celestial objects. Multiple magnification options allow versatile observation of various astronomical targets. The telescope’s focal length is 700mm with a focal ratio of f/9.2. The entire setup weighs 8.5 pounds for portability. The 1.25-inch eyepiece size ensures standard compatibility.

Should you buy Vivitar Reflector Telescope 175x 350x as your first telescope?

The Vivitar Reflector Telescope 175x 350x is not recommended as a first telescope for beginners. Reflector telescopes require regular maintenance and alignment, which can be challenging for novices. The Vivitar model has significant limitations in optical quality, with a small 76mm aperture and inadequate eyepieces providing only 20mm and 4mm magnification. Its unstable tripod causes vibrations, making it difficult to achieve sharp images. The telescope’s low price is misleading, as its poor performance and durability issues outweigh any cost savings. Better alternatives are available on the market, offering superior optics, more stable tripods, and improved overall performance. Refractor telescopes or even binoculars are suggested as more suitable options for astronomy beginners due to their ease of use and lower maintenance requirements.

Is Vivitar 175x Reflector Telescope easy to use?

The Vivitar 175x Reflector Telescope is easy to use for beginners and casual astronomers. Assembly requires some setup, but users follow an intuitive process with clear instructions. The telescope features a user-friendly design with a convenient direction control system for effortless sky navigation. A manual altazimuth mount allows smooth tracking of celestial objects. The 76mm aperture and 700mm focal length provide clear, crisp views of the night sky. Multiple eyepieces (20mm and 4mm) and a 3x Barlow lens offer flexible viewing options with magnifications up to 175x. The telescope comes with a sturdy aluminum tripod, 3x24mm finderscope, and comprehensive instruction manual. Its lightweight design ensures easy portability for outdoor stargazing sessions.

Should you buy Vivitar Reflector Telescope with 175x/350x Magnification for kids?

The Vivitar Reflector Telescope with 175x/350x Magnification is not recommended for kids. Its high magnifications of 175x and 350x are excessive for young users and result in dim, blurry images. The telescope’s optical system provides limited views of celestial objects. The two included eyepieces are insufficient for detailed observations. Children may become frustrated with the telescope’s limitations and struggle to see clear images. Adult beginners might find this telescope suitable for getting started in astronomy. The lightweight design and convenient direction control make it easy to use. The telescope offers clear views of the moon and planets for novice stargazers. Advanced users should look elsewhere for more sophisticated features and capabilities.

What can you see with Vivitar Reflector Telescope 175x/350x?

The sights you can see with Vivitar Reflector Telescope 175x/350x are listed below.

• Moon’s surface details (craters and mountains)
• Jupiter’s cloud bands
• Jupiter’s Great Red Spot
• Jupiter’s four largest moons
• Saturn’s rings
• Saturn’s larger moons (Titan and Rhea)
• Mars’ polar ice caps
• Mars’ dark regions
• Venus’ phases
• Venus’ brighter cloud features
• The Pleiades (M45) open star cluster
• Sirius
• Canopus
• Orion Nebula (M42)
• Andromeda Galaxy (M31)

Should you buy Vivitar 175-350x Reflector Telescope to observe planets?

The Vivitar 175-350x Reflector Telescope is not recommended for observing planets. The telescope shows limited performance for planetary observation due to its small 76mm aperture and 175x maximum magnification. Planets visible through this telescope are restricted to brighter ones like Jupiter and Saturn. Focusing is difficult, especially at higher magnifications, leading to poor image quality. Complaints have been received from customers about unsatisfactory planetary views. Observing planets with this telescope challenges beginners due to its manual altazimuth mount and lack of GoTo controls. The price is low, but better options exist in the same price range for planetary observation. Quality is questionable, and users should have low expectations for planetary viewing with this telescope.

Should you buy Vivitar Reflector Telescope Model 175x/350x to observe galaxies?

The Vivitar Reflector Telescope Model 175x/350x is not recommended for observing galaxies. Its 76mm aperture is too small to gather sufficient light for clear galaxy views. The f/9.2 focal ratio makes focusing on faint galaxies difficult. The optical system is optimized for brighter objects like the moon and planets. The telescope’s magnification eyepieces and rack-and-pinion focuser do not provide satisfactory galaxy views. The cheap tripod and manual altazimuth mount make stable and convenient direction control challenging. Galaxy observers should consider a telescope with a larger aperture, more advanced optics, and better mount for deep sky object viewing.

Should you buy Vivitar 175x-350x Astronomical Reflector Telescope for astrophotography?

The Vivitar 175x-350x Astronomical Reflector Telescope is not suitable for astrophotography. Astrophotography requires stable mounts and larger apertures for capturing high-quality celestial images. The Vivitar telescope lacks a stable mount and has a small 76mm aperture, limiting its light-gathering ability. The telescope’s magnification is limited to 175x, and its basic optical system produces poor image quality. The inadequate tripod stands at only 35 inches tall with 1.5-inch diameter legs, providing insufficient stability for long-exposure photography. The manual Altazimuth Mount lacks motors or GoTo controls necessary for tracking celestial objects. The basic 1.25-inch eyepieces and limited optical performance result in disappointing planetary observations. Astrophotography demands more advanced equipment than this beginner-level telescope designed primarily for visual observations.

Is Vivitar Reflector Telescope 175x/350x portable?

The Vivitar Reflector Telescope 175x/350x is indeed portable. The telescope weighs only 8.5 pounds and measures 24 x 6 x 6 inches, making it lightweight and compact for easy transport. An included aluminum tripod with an adjustable height of 35 inches and leg diameter of 1.5 inches provides a stable base while enhancing portability. Users can easily fit the telescope in a car or backpack for on-the-go stargazing adventures. The combination of lightweight design, compact size, and included tripod allows observers to move the telescope between different locations without difficulty.