Celestron SkyScout Personal Planetarium

Celestron SkyScout Personal Planetarium

(142 customer reviews)

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List Price:	$249.99
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Description:

The SkyScout is a revolutionary handheld device that uses advanced GPS technology with point and click convenience to identify thousands of stars, planets, constellations and more.
Identify
Simply point the SkyScout at any star in the sky and click the target button. The SkyScout will tell you what object you are looking at.

Locate
To locate a star or planet, select the object's name from the menu and follow the directional arrows through the viewfinder. SkyScout tells you when you are on target. It's that easy!
Learn
Once you have targeted an object the real fun begins. The SkyScout includes entertaining and educational audio and text information, including facts, trivia, history and mythology about our most popular celestial objects. A fun learning tool for all ages, the SkyScout personal planetarium puts the knowledge of an expert astronomer in the palm of your hand.
SkyScout features

Identifies celestial objects with the click of a button.
Locates over 6,000 stars, planets and constellations from built-in celestial database and provides scientific information for each object.
Provides comprehensive text and audio descriptions providing history, mythology and other entertaining information for the most popular objects.
Tonight's Highlights: a customized list of the 20 best objects to view for your exact date, time and location anywhere in the world.
Constellation lessons: if the star you identify or locate is part of a constellation like the Big Dipper, you can actually take a guided tour through all the stars in that constellation and even see an onscreen map of the constellation.
Built-in field guide includes:

Introduction to astronomy: a six part audio lesson on the origin and history of astronomy
Glossary of terms: text defining popular astronomy terms including planets, comets, galaxies and more
Great Astronomers: text bios on some of the world's greatest astronomers including Galileo, Einstein and Copernicus
Man-made space objects: text description of some of the coolest objects man has sent into space including the International Space Station, the Hubble Space Telescope and the Space Shuttle
Comet guide: text descriptions about history's most famous comets including Halley's Comet and Comet Hale-Bop

SD card slot: for optional Sky Tour audio presentations that provide hours of entertainment on a variety of topics
USB port: allows database to be updated with new objects as they are discovered, comets, etc.
Simple enough for all ages: just turn it on and it's ready to use
Built-in help menu: includes a quick start instruction guide for using the SkyScout
Bring it anywhere: compact and light design makes it easy to carry and durable construction makes it safe for rugged environments
Backed by Celestron's 2-year warranty

Features:

Locates and identifies over 6,000 stars, planets, and constellations with GPS technology
Red LED backlit display for easy-to-read information
Accepts SkyTour SD multi-media cards for interactive tours of the night sky
Includes USB port for easy download of database updates
Measures 7.4 x 2.5 x 4.0 inches (W x H x D)

Product Details:

Product Length:	12.0 inches
Product Width:	8.0 inches
Product Height:	5.0 inches
Product Weight:	3.31 pounds
Package Length:	11.6 inches
Package Width:	7.2 inches
Package Height:	4.4 inches
Package Weight:	2.6 pounds
Average Customer Rating:	based on 142 reviews

Customer Reviews:

Average Customer Review: 4.0

Write an online review and share your thoughts with other customers.

0 of 1 found the following review helpful:

Great Concept-Flawed Design Mar 11, 2010
I've had one of these for a couple of years. The concept and the technology are great, but the design and assembly are typical Chinese throwaway quality. Over the time I've used it the accuracy in identifying objects has not been consistent. Sometimes it is quite on target and sometimes it can't even come close to the full Moon. I tried it in combination with the optional telescope designed for the SkyScout and the accuracy just wasn't there. For $400 you would expect a little more attention to design details and QC. I've been very careful when handling the unit, but as soon as it got out of warranty it completely crapped out on me. I've had it at Celestron factory service now for two months waiting for word on whether or not it can be repaired.

Another point: like many users I find I can't read the display without my glasses, even though I have a fairly mild prescription.

I was considering replacing the SkyScout with a Meade Mysky. But judging by the reviews it's an even greater dud.

0 of 1 found the following review helpful:

MUY MALA GARANTIA POST-VENTA Mar 09, 2010
A todos los astronomos amateurs que necesitan de este tipo de equipos tengan mucho cuidado. El aparato tiene un problema de magnetismo que hace que el aparato funcione mal, llevo más de 90 dias tratando que los señores de Celestron me cumplan con la garantia, no ha sido posible. No recomiendo el servicio de garantia post-venta de esta empresa. Astronomos amateurs mucho cuidado cuando compren equipos de cierto nivel de tecnologia de esta firma NO responden por los daños, a ustedes les pareces justo que se demoren más de 90 días para un simple gps de us$170.

Best product of its kind Feb 28, 2010
I really like this device.
If you find that it doesn't work well when you get it, update the firmware of the unit via the web site.
Mine was a little whacked out till I updated it.
I also bought the Altec Lansing iM-237 speaker to listen to the audio vs. the tiny earphones.
Now... if I hadn't sold my telescope!

1 of 3 found the following review helpful:

not available Jan 23, 2010
Waited six weeks, then got a note from Amazon.com that it's no longer available. Don't bother ordering.

1 of 2 found the following review helpful:

Never worked due to electromagnetic interference Nov 21, 2009
I bought this after all the rave reviews only to be sadly disappointed. Not one person mentioned that the device does not work next to wifi recievers. I have a ten inch dobsonian reflecter that I cannot exactly move around my property with ease. Therefore I can only use a balcony outside my room. But because I have a wireless service that uses wifi the Skyscout failed to perform. No matter where I moved around the balcony the indicator always said "Cannot connect to GPS due to electromagnetic interference". So if you buy this Skyscout be sure you do not have a wireless service that could interfere with reception.

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