Bought this on sale, slightly less than usual price. Set up was easy. Learning to use it was also easy, but the key is to try it out during the day time with something like a tree or a house. Once you get the hang of it and the eye pieces, you are ready for something like the moon. Then you can go from there. It does take practice, and there are limitations with the equipment but it is perfectly serviceable and fun. I will be upgrading soon now that I have a better idea of what to look for.

I have the Celestron equivalent of this telescope and mount tripod combination. First, this setup is a nightmare. The nightmare begins when you attach the scope to the mount and then try to view the sky. The mount is so flimsy it can't handle the weight of the telescope, so anything you originally point at, once you tighten the slewing stick to hold the telescope up. It sags and you lose what you first aimed at. This will never get better. If this were a equatorial mount than all would be at least fair, and in fact when this scope was first introduced a few years ago. It had that option and cost $50.00 more, but worth it. Now, for the telescope itself. its a reflector and you wont see things correctly if used to view things here on earth. You will see them reversed. Also, this a compound telescope meaning, it will never come to true focus. NEVER, it is what is called a bird jones scope, it has at the bottom of the eyepiece tube a lens corrector, the mirror is imperfect and needs the corrector to make it at least okay. And that it may do, if you could collimate it, which you really cant. the process of collimation means you need to take the corrector off or it wont be accurate. Anyone even know what I'm saying..no? Well, no insult intended, but, if I know the difficulties it takes with this scope, then I know that anyone with less knowledge will just never do it. and frankly it just cant be done, I tried, and found that the setup to be so poor that it was designed to look as though it was possible, it just is not. So you will never get a decent view of anything, maybe, just maybe enough to see the moons craters, but nothing on any of the planets. Terrestrial views are okay if you don't mind viewing the world through what would like a mirror, you will just find it hard to follow anything that moves. The only redeeming item would be the tripod, although it is light, it is pretty functional and really good for small items like a light weight camera or a much smaller telescope. The price has come down considerably and it appears that they may be discontinuing this item. It wont be missed, if you want to view the heavens then please do not purchase this telescope, you will be disappointed. Even at its current price.

I have a pair of $20 binoculars that I can see farther and better with

I purchased one of these and it doesn't work well with Android Phones. Also, there isn't an attachment for you to use without the phone. Rip-off!!!

Poor quality construction and manufacturing; the mount could not even support the weight of the telescope assembly. Am returning back to Sam's. Very embarrassing when giving as a gift on Christmas morning. Save yourself the anguish and avoid.

Bought this as a gift, it is a great first time telescope. Directions were okay, but we did have to reference YouTube. We also ordered a fire more lenses to see closer. Once all together and you have practiced in daylight, it is great family fun.

I have tried and tried to get this thing to focus at higher magnification. It’s just not going to happen. This total junk! DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY, AND TIME!

The gears for the view finder were stripped coming out of the box, you can turn the knob and hear/feel the gears sliding past the teeth on the eye piece.

Purchase this telescope for my nephew and was excited to see all the moon craters! This is a great first telescope if you have children interested on astronomy.

To try and view anything other than a Big Full Moon is less than satisfying. "Targeting" Red Dot is worthless as adjustment screws to align view do not function. Simple decoration. Instructions very poor and font sized as if it were on a postage stamp. Pretty pictures of nebula and nearby galaxies included - because you can't see with telescope. Very dissaponted. Was Christmas gift for son.