Galileo FS-80 800 x 80mm Yoke Mount Reflector Telescope

Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R2NKBA6JMY8RLJ I will say that my experience with the Galileo Telescope is a bit of a work-in-progress. While I find the viewing to be powerful - I have a significant problem with the mount/tripod. It takes me time to simply find the moon. The issue is that the it is difficult to get the telescope to "sit" on the spot that you want.

Having said that it is important to recognize that while there are problems it is a decent telescope at a great price. It will require some patience in the set-up, but depending on your tolerance for trying to find targets.

Pros-

- Great value
- Decent power (See the video)
- Two lenses - low power and a higher powerful
- Assembly is relatively quickly
- Lots of extras with the software and Mars finder

Cons

- Tough to find stuff in the sky!
- Poor tripod makes it much more difficult to sit on a target

Final Verdict- While it requires patience this really is not that bad of a telescope especially at the price.

3 1/2 stars

I dont think its very easy to set it up...however, once set up - its heavenly!!!
definitely worth it

The only reasons I'm not giving this one or zero stars are a) I got it during an Amazon lightning deal for only $50, and b) it's my first telescope so I have nothing to compare it to.

Maybe my expectations were too high but I'm really disappointed in this scope so far.

The power of this scope is modest at best, but at this bargain price that is certainly forgivable. However, the most frustrating aspect of this scope is unquestionably the mount. I found it steady enough once locked in, and it allows for very good fine-tuning on the vertical axis via a tuning screw, but making small adjustments horizontally is a nightmare because you have to just grab the telescope and rotate it. Don't bother trying to make horizontal adjustments while using the 6mm eyepiece -- you'll lose your object every time because you can't move the telescope in small enough increments.

Some reviewers say they've seen Jupiter's moons with this scope so apparently it isn't worthless, therefore I'm going to stick with it for a while. (Besides, if I return it the shipping cost would be almost as much as my purchase price was).

But as the adage goes: you get what you pay for.

UPDATE: After using this scope a couple of times and doing some comparison shopping on other scopes and mounts I've reevaluated my score. I think instead of 2 stars I'd give it 3.5 or so based on value alone. Despite its flaws I really don't think you could do better for the price.

Although I ordered this in early December, I have yet to see it here at my home. Amazon has delayed shipment twice now, extending the delivery time to as late as Feb 20. I'm disappointed, but am still anxious to see my grandson enjoy his "very late" Christmas present. I'm assuming that the great buy on this item inspired many more orders than Amazon had expected.

Good for starters, doesn't include good instructions so make sure you have a basic understanding how a telescope works and/or is adjusted.
Also the software that comes with it, is really crappy. The interface looks like it was made for windows 95 and is not that helpful.
But the telescope is very nice and has clear optics.