Comments on: Get a Galileoscope! Hurry! http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/05/28/get-a-galileoscope-hurry/ I am an astronomer, writer, and skeptic. I likes reality the way it is, and I aims to keep it that way. My real name is Phil Plait, and I run the Bad Astronomy blog. Tue, 14 Feb 2012 13:06:47 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: reggie http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/05/28/get-a-galileoscope-hurry/comment-page-3/#comment-221023 reggie Mon, 19 Oct 2009 23:18:34 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/05/28/get-a-galileoscope-hurry/#comment-221023 Got mine today in St. Louis. Ordered late September. Order number was in the the early 35,000's. Looks like clear skies tonight. Now if I can figure out the eyepiece assembly, I'll be good to go. Got mine today in St. Louis. Ordered late September. Order number was in the the early 35,000′s. Looks like clear skies tonight. Now if I can figure out the eyepiece assembly, I’ll be good to go.

]]> By: Waldo http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/05/28/get-a-galileoscope-hurry/comment-page-3/#comment-213324 Waldo Tue, 15 Sep 2009 19:55:40 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/05/28/get-a-galileoscope-hurry/#comment-213324 Ordered 2 in last week of June - order number was in the 25,ooos. Arrived in NC today. Too bad lots of cloud cover and rain for next few days. If I get a clear night I'll go up to one of the overlooks on the Blue Ridge Parkway to give it a try. Ordered 2 in last week of June – order number was in the 25,ooos.

Arrived in NC today. Too bad lots of cloud cover and rain for next few days. If I get a clear night I’ll go up to one of the overlooks on the Blue Ridge Parkway to give it a try.

]]> By: Zack http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/05/28/get-a-galileoscope-hurry/comment-page-3/#comment-210165 Zack Wed, 02 Sep 2009 02:22:12 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/05/28/get-a-galileoscope-hurry/#comment-210165 I just got my 3 'scopes today after ordering on May 29th. Wow, those included instructions are bad. I had to stop and go online. Nevertheless, 20 minutes, after double-checking everything and setting it on my tripod, I was looking at the craters on the moon (during holes in the cloud cover). Hopefully tomorrow I can see some planets... To make sure this is recorded - this post convinced me to buy them. I was wavering for a while there. Thanks, they are totally worth it. Astronomy rules. :) I just got my 3 ‘scopes today after ordering on May 29th. Wow, those included instructions are bad. I had to stop and go online.

Nevertheless, 20 minutes, after double-checking everything and setting it on my tripod, I was looking at the craters on the moon (during holes in the cloud cover). Hopefully tomorrow I can see some planets…

To make sure this is recorded – this post convinced me to buy them. I was wavering for a while there. Thanks, they are totally worth it.

Astronomy rules. :)

]]> By: John L http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/05/28/get-a-galileoscope-hurry/comment-page-3/#comment-207006 John L Tue, 18 Aug 2009 01:04:57 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/05/28/get-a-galileoscope-hurry/#comment-207006 Mine took a few months to arrive but its worth the wait. Using the Barlow lens I was able to see some the cloud bands on Jupiter along with 4 of the moons. This was from an apartment balcony inside the DC beltway. I can't wait to take it out in the country. It helps to get the pdf assembly instructions from the web site as the ones in the box aren't detailed enough and the tripod is essential to keep it stable. I hadn't looked through a telescope in over 20 years and this brought back the fun of looking at what's up there. Mine took a few months to arrive but its worth the wait. Using the Barlow lens I was able to see some the cloud bands on Jupiter along with 4 of the moons. This was from an apartment balcony inside the DC beltway. I can’t wait to take it out in the country. It helps to get the pdf assembly instructions from the web site as the ones in the box aren’t detailed enough and the tripod is essential to keep it stable. I hadn’t looked through a telescope in over 20 years and this brought back the fun of looking at what’s up there.

]]> By: Mohammed http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/05/28/get-a-galileoscope-hurry/comment-page-3/#comment-206820 Mohammed Mon, 17 Aug 2009 08:49:12 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/05/28/get-a-galileoscope-hurry/#comment-206820 Same problem as Thomas. Ordered my scopes in early March this year. Only automated replies to emails and voice mail box is full. Same problem as Thomas. Ordered my scopes in early March this year. Only automated replies to emails and voice mail box is full.

]]> By: Thomas http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/05/28/get-a-galileoscope-hurry/comment-page-3/#comment-206438 Thomas Sat, 15 Aug 2009 11:28:12 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/05/28/get-a-galileoscope-hurry/#comment-206438 Well, J.R. At least you have yours. I ordered two back on March 10. Order number 6685. Call their phone number and get "the voice mail box is full". Only automated replies to emails. Web site said (last month) that all orders under 20,000 have shipped. Ah, well. Only out about 42 bucks. Well, J.R. At least you have yours. I ordered two back on March 10. Order number 6685. Call their phone number and get “the voice mail box is full”. Only automated replies to emails. Web site said (last month) that all orders under 20,000 have shipped.

Ah, well. Only out about 42 bucks.

]]> By: J. R. http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/05/28/get-a-galileoscope-hurry/comment-page-3/#comment-203636 J. R. Tue, 04 Aug 2009 01:40:08 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/05/28/get-a-galileoscope-hurry/#comment-203636 Glad I only bought one. Assembly instructions were poor at best, I had parts left over. Focusing while observing the moon or planets is next to impossible. This scope is aimed at kids, but I expect they will quickly become frustrated, and loose interest. It was a great idea, but poorly executed, in my opinion. You'd do better buying a starter scope from someone like Orion Telescopes. Glad I only bought one. Assembly instructions were poor at best, I had parts left over. Focusing while observing the moon or planets is next to impossible. This scope is aimed at kids, but I expect they will quickly become frustrated, and loose interest. It was a great idea, but poorly executed, in my opinion. You’d do better buying a starter scope from someone like Orion Telescopes.

]]> By: David http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/05/28/get-a-galileoscope-hurry/comment-page-3/#comment-201983 David Sun, 26 Jul 2009 12:22:49 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/05/28/get-a-galileoscope-hurry/#comment-201983 "Now here’s the thing: production is not so simple for these telescopes, and the folks making them want to continue to do so. But unless they get a bunch of orders right away production will stop." oh cmon. what a bunch of bs. what...if they dont get good sales, does that mean that they will stop importing them from China? You must be getting a nice affiliate payout % to post such marketing BS. “Now here’s the thing: production is not so simple for these telescopes, and the folks making them want to continue to do so. But unless they get a bunch of orders right away production will stop.”

oh cmon. what a bunch of bs. what…if they dont get good sales, does that mean that they will stop importing them from China?

You must be getting a nice affiliate payout % to post such marketing BS.

]]> By: wye http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/05/28/get-a-galileoscope-hurry/comment-page-3/#comment-201970 wye Sun, 26 Jul 2009 01:36:42 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/05/28/get-a-galileoscope-hurry/#comment-201970 At post 108 I was complaining I hadn't got mine yet, but I received it approx July 20 (which was within the shipping parameters they gave on the galileoscope website). Assembly not too hard, and my family and I have been looking at the cresent moon the last two nights at both 25x and 50x magnification. We have a tripod I never used for my camera - which fits the G-scope nut. Tripod is ESSENTIAL to hold a steady view. Pick up a cheap one. Nut size appears to be standard. Views of the moon are spectacular!!! There is nothing else in the evening sky to view from where I am right now, can't wait to focus in on a planet. Anyone put some vasaline or other lube on the thing to help smooth focusing? Very glad I purchased. Thanks for the heads-up, Bad Astronomy. Cheers, wye At post 108 I was complaining I hadn’t got mine yet, but I received it approx July 20 (which was within the shipping parameters they gave on the galileoscope website). Assembly not too hard, and my family and I have been looking at the cresent moon the last two nights at both 25x and 50x magnification. We have a tripod I never used for my camera – which fits the G-scope nut. Tripod is ESSENTIAL to hold a steady view. Pick up a cheap one. Nut size appears to be standard. Views of the moon are spectacular!!! There is nothing else in the evening sky to view from where I am right now, can’t wait to focus in on a planet.

Anyone put some vasaline or other lube on the thing to help smooth focusing?

Very glad I purchased. Thanks for the heads-up, Bad Astronomy.

Cheers, wye

]]> By: Charlie http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/05/28/get-a-galileoscope-hurry/comment-page-3/#comment-201919 Charlie Sat, 25 Jul 2009 14:17:42 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/05/28/get-a-galileoscope-hurry/#comment-201919 Mine is now assembled. I'm impressed with the fact that the lenses are glass! Killoran is right, the 18X lens has a small field of view, but was nice to try it anyway. The 25x lens was nice and clear for a terrestrial view, I'm hoping for clear skies tonight. Overall, it's nicely done, right down to the steel tripod nut that won't strip as it would if it were plastic. Now I must find something to keep it in so it won't get dusty. Mine is now assembled. I’m impressed with the fact that the lenses are glass! Killoran is right, the 18X lens has a small field of view, but was nice to try it anyway. The 25x lens was nice and clear for a terrestrial view, I’m hoping for clear skies tonight. Overall, it’s nicely done, right down to the steel tripod nut that won’t strip as it would if it were plastic. Now I must find something to keep it in so it won’t get dusty.

]]> By: Killoran http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/05/28/get-a-galileoscope-hurry/comment-page-3/#comment-201503 Killoran Thu, 23 Jul 2009 04:07:30 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/05/28/get-a-galileoscope-hurry/#comment-201503 I got mine today. It was pretty easy to assemble, although first time through I got the 18x lenses in backwards. I won't use that one much anyway. It's supposed to show what Galileo saw, and that man was amazing. The 25x eyepiece will be better. The flowers I practiced on this evening were crystal clear, and I was impressed with the image quality. It took me a while to find M-4 (duh! The image is upside down!) and it wasn't wonderful, but I didn't expect it to be. It was at least as good as small binoculars. I was able to find it, which impressed me, given the poor viewing conditions. Unfortunately it's pretty cloudy tonight, and there isn't much to look at. I can't wait to try it on the moon, Jupiter, Saturn and Venus. I got mine today. It was pretty easy to assemble, although first time through I got the 18x lenses in backwards. I won’t use that one much anyway. It’s supposed to show what Galileo saw, and that man was amazing. The 25x eyepiece will be better. The flowers I practiced on this evening were crystal clear, and I was impressed with the image quality. It took me a while to find M-4 (duh! The image is upside down!) and it wasn’t wonderful, but I didn’t expect it to be. It was at least as good as small binoculars. I was able to find it, which impressed me, given the poor viewing conditions. Unfortunately it’s pretty cloudy tonight, and there isn’t much to look at. I can’t wait to try it on the moon, Jupiter, Saturn and Venus.

]]> By: Charlie http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/05/28/get-a-galileoscope-hurry/comment-page-3/#comment-201233 Charlie Wed, 22 Jul 2009 09:12:51 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/05/28/get-a-galileoscope-hurry/#comment-201233 Got mine yesterday! Thanks to everyone here for the tips on assembly. I'll report back after I have it together and the skies clear enough to see something. Got mine yesterday! Thanks to everyone here for the tips on assembly. I’ll report back after I have it together and the skies clear enough to see something.

]]> By: Shane http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/05/28/get-a-galileoscope-hurry/comment-page-3/#comment-200082 Shane Sat, 18 Jul 2009 14:11:58 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/05/28/get-a-galileoscope-hurry/#comment-200082 I was able to see Jupiter and 3 of its moon with the Galileoscope. Awesome. Click my name for the latest update. I was able to see Jupiter and 3 of its moon with the Galileoscope. Awesome. Click my name for the latest update.

]]> By: Shane http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/05/28/get-a-galileoscope-hurry/comment-page-3/#comment-199968 Shane Sat, 18 Jul 2009 03:12:08 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/05/28/get-a-galileoscope-hurry/#comment-199968 Received and assembled. Click my name for pictures. Received and assembled.
Click my name for pictures.

]]> By: Eric http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/05/28/get-a-galileoscope-hurry/comment-page-3/#comment-199551 Eric Fri, 17 Jul 2009 04:02:06 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/05/28/get-a-galileoscope-hurry/#comment-199551 Great fun. I put a 13mm Televue Ethos eyepiece into it. Works well! Be careful with the small lenses for the galilean eyepiece/barlow - easy to get them in the wrong order. Use the instructions on the site to get them correct. Great fun. I put a 13mm Televue Ethos eyepiece into it. Works well!

Be careful with the small lenses for the galilean eyepiece/barlow – easy to get them in the wrong order. Use the instructions on the site to get them correct.

]]> By: Soren http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/05/28/get-a-galileoscope-hurry/comment-page-3/#comment-199208 Soren Thu, 16 Jul 2009 08:14:02 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/05/28/get-a-galileoscope-hurry/#comment-199208 Got my scope today! Assembled it in 10 minutes, but had to cheat and use the online instructions for the eyepieces. Can't wait for this damn summertime to be over so I can check it out (It doesn't get real dark until after midnight, and with work and a toddler I have to be at bed at midnight at the latest) I wanna se the rings of Saturn Damn it. Soren Copenhagen Denmark Got my scope today!

Assembled it in 10 minutes, but had to cheat and use the online instructions for the eyepieces.

Can’t wait for this damn summertime to be over so I can check it out (It doesn’t get real dark until after midnight, and with work and a toddler I have to be at bed at midnight at the latest)

I wanna se the rings of Saturn Damn it.

Soren
Copenhagen
Denmark

]]> By: Daniel http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/05/28/get-a-galileoscope-hurry/comment-page-3/#comment-199043 Daniel Wed, 15 Jul 2009 16:59:25 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/05/28/get-a-galileoscope-hurry/#comment-199043 Kris: I did the first time around, yes. :) Then I read the online instructions and realized that the big o-rings go around the telescope itself, the main tube. It would still work without them, that's why it wasn't obvious...or so I tell myself to feel better. ;) Kris: I did the first time around, yes. :)

Then I read the online instructions and realized that the big o-rings go around the telescope itself, the main tube. It would still work without them, that’s why it wasn’t obvious…or so I tell myself to feel better. ;)

]]> By: Kris Morey http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/05/28/get-a-galileoscope-hurry/comment-page-3/#comment-198956 Kris Morey Wed, 15 Jul 2009 06:37:51 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/05/28/get-a-galileoscope-hurry/#comment-198956 Daniel, did you have two extra 0-rings left over? This was part of the confusion I experienced with the supplied instructions. Daniel, did you have two extra 0-rings left over? This was part of the confusion I experienced with the supplied instructions.

]]> By: Charlie http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/05/28/get-a-galileoscope-hurry/comment-page-3/#comment-198867 Charlie Tue, 14 Jul 2009 21:57:57 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/05/28/get-a-galileoscope-hurry/#comment-198867 Thanks, Daniel. I'll check those on-line instructions. And thanks also to Kris M. who ordered his on April 25 and got his. I ordered mine on April 24. Thanks, Daniel. I’ll check those on-line instructions. And thanks also to Kris M. who ordered his on April 25 and got his. I ordered mine on April 24.

]]> By: Daniel http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/05/28/get-a-galileoscope-hurry/comment-page-3/#comment-198844 Daniel Tue, 14 Jul 2009 20:55:11 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/05/28/get-a-galileoscope-hurry/#comment-198844 Charlie: I found the instructions on the Galileoscope website to be a lot better than those included, but the build was quite easy and it's simple to take it apart again if you want to. I haven't tested the 'scope much yet but from the first looks the image quality is quite good. Not that I have a lot of telescopes to compare to, but still. Now I'm looking forward to the wintery darkness since it's bright almost all night long up here... Charlie: I found the instructions on the Galileoscope website to be a lot better than those included, but the build was quite easy and it’s simple to take it apart again if you want to. I haven’t tested the ‘scope much yet but from the first looks the image quality is quite good. Not that I have a lot of telescopes to compare to, but still.

Now I’m looking forward to the wintery darkness since it’s bright almost all night long up here…

]]> By: Kris Morey http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/05/28/get-a-galileoscope-hurry/comment-page-3/#comment-198740 Kris Morey Tue, 14 Jul 2009 16:46:57 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/05/28/get-a-galileoscope-hurry/#comment-198740 I ordered my Galileoscope on April 25th and received it today, July 14th by FedEx! It looks great, exactly what I expected. The included instructions were a little unclear at certain points but I got through it easy enough in 10 minutes with the help of some online instructions. Can't wait for tonight to test it out! I ordered my Galileoscope on April 25th and received it today, July 14th by FedEx! It looks great, exactly what I expected. The included instructions were a little unclear at certain points but I got through it easy enough in 10 minutes with the help of some online instructions. Can’t wait for tonight to test it out!

]]> By: Daniels webblogg » Galileoscope http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/05/28/get-a-galileoscope-hurry/comment-page-3/#comment-198536 Daniels webblogg » Galileoscope Sun, 12 Jul 2009 18:06:55 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/05/28/get-a-galileoscope-hurry/#comment-198536 [...] snodd från Bad Astronomy, där jag först läste om detta – precis som med det mesta i [...] [...] snodd från Bad Astronomy, där jag först läste om detta – precis som med det mesta i [...]

]]> By: Charlie http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/05/28/get-a-galileoscope-hurry/comment-page-3/#comment-198527 Charlie Sun, 12 Jul 2009 15:04:21 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/05/28/get-a-galileoscope-hurry/#comment-198527 So tell us, Daniel, is it worth the wait? Quality? So tell us, Daniel, is it worth the wait? Quality?

]]> By: Daniel http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/05/28/get-a-galileoscope-hurry/comment-page-3/#comment-198342 Daniel Fri, 10 Jul 2009 09:21:49 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/05/28/get-a-galileoscope-hurry/#comment-198342 I just got mine! It was ordered March 26 and found its way to the north of Sweden now. :) I just got mine!

It was ordered March 26 and found its way to the north of Sweden now. :)

]]> By: wye http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/05/28/get-a-galileoscope-hurry/comment-page-3/#comment-197948 wye Wed, 08 Jul 2009 15:58:53 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/05/28/get-a-galileoscope-hurry/#comment-197948 I just REMEMBERED today that I ordered my G-scope months ago and still haven't received it. What the hell!? I just REMEMBERED today that I ordered my G-scope months ago and still haven’t received it. What the hell!?

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