Matildakt
member
Reged: 01/26/07
Posts: 27
Loc: Somewhere, North Carolina
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I totally feel that SkyScout is worth it...for me, a newcomer. Now, for highly experienced, classic astronomer types--folks who are themselves human "SkyScouts"  , this product wouldn't probably seem so incredible.
I just think the whole product is /was a great idea!
I am eager to see what Celestron plans to do with the "Sky Tour" audio.
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"It is what it is." --Lao Tzu
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Naked Eye, well almost naked: eyeglasses! LOL
Orion Short Tube 80; Orion StarBlast Astro
Orion Mini Giant 8 x 56 Binocular
Celestron Skymasters 15 x 70
Celestron SkyScout
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jonnyastro
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 02/14/06
Posts: 3449
Loc: Pittsburgh, PA
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If you attached one of these things to the William Optocs Patriot edition 66mm refractor you would have the most contraversial, scandolous outfit of all time.
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jclark2
sage
Reged: 08/28/05
Posts: 340
Loc: Michigan, USA
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Quote:
If you attached one of these things to the William Optocs Patriot edition 66mm refractor you would have the most contraversial, scandolous outfit of all time.
I think you would have to also add GOTO to really get people fired up. 
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Jim
WO ZS80FD 10th Anniv
WO ZS110
PST-DS
EQ6
iOptron Mini-Tower
WO EZ-Touch
UA Unistar Light
Celestron SkyScout
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firestar
Born to be Mild
Reged: 10/18/06
Posts: 3942
Loc: Cleveland Ohio USA
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I predict they'll be $49.95 by years end.
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Eastlake Ohio
Lots of cheap Asian glass  
Antares 12" Dob,Antares 8" Dob
Meade 8" SCT, Celestron C8 SCT
Zhumell 152 mm F8,Antares 127 mm f9.4
Orion short tube 90 F5.6,Celestron 80 ED F7.5
Imaging Source DMK 21AU04 ccd camera
Stellarvue bv3's with 32,26,23,21,9 mm pairs
Olivon 42,35,28mm,siebert 21,12.5,7mm,GSO superview 20mm,Meade swa 13.8mm,Hyperion 13mm
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amys
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 06/12/06
Posts: 2571
Loc: Groton, CT
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While all you folks are on-line bashing SkyScout, I'll be outside tonight using mine to learn the sky and having a great time with it.
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Amy
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Joe Osborn
sage
Reged: 09/11/05
Posts: 491
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Quote:
While all you folks are on-line bashing SkyScout, I'll be outside tonight using mine to learn the sky and having a great time with it.
I don't know if it is bashing or not, but the subject does ask if it is worth it, for some of us no, for others yes, for the most part people are just expressing thier views. I do not have to use it to know if it something I want or need, or if it is worth the $400. I make those decisions every day, on all sorts of products.
As for you using it tonight, it has been cloudy for a month here, can't use a sky scout, but I can use my charts and books, any time; day, night, clear, or cloudy.
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Discovery 10" F 4.5
Celestron C6R-GT
Oberwerks 9X60
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mistyridge
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 10/28/05
Posts: 2896
Loc: Loomis, CA
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I have to agree with Tom T. In our computer and gadget oriented society the classic astronomy method of getting some youth into the hobby is not working or it would not be an ageing hobby. The SkyScout is the right kind of gadget to get kids interested. I now see them being sold in stores that sell camping and sports gear as well department stores and electronics stores that cater to computer and game geeks. It should also help kindle some interest by helping those who look up in their suburban skies and cannot identify familiar constellations and stars due to light pollution.
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Mike F
Misty Ridge Observatory
Skyshed POD
Many scopes 70mm to 12.5", SCTs, refractors, and newts and a lot of other astro stuff.
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Joe Osborn
sage
Reged: 09/11/05
Posts: 491
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Look this talk about ageing hobby and kids not being interested, may or, may not be true, I can not say. But if it takes something like the Sky Scout to bring them in, I wonder why we spend $59.00 for a cheap scope and hand it to the kids, instead of a few hundred for something that truely works.
Is it because we can spend $400 for the Sky Scout and send the kids out of the way, rather then spend $400 for a scope of thier own and spend some time with them to make sure they can use it properly?
Now you are going to say this is off subject.
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Discovery 10" F 4.5
Celestron C6R-GT
Oberwerks 9X60
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azsrr
sage
Reged: 11/06/05
Posts: 435
Loc: Paradise Valley, Arizona
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Quote:
Look this talk about ageing hobby and kids not being interested, may or, may not be true, I can not say. But if it takes something like the Sky Scout to bring them in, I wonder why we spend $59.00 for a cheap scope and hand it to the kids, instead of a few hundred for something that truely works.
Is it because we can spend $400 for the Sky Scout and send the kids out of the way, rather then spend $400 for a scope of thier own and spend some time with them to make sure they can use it properly?
Now you are going to say this is off subject.
Not me. Just something I disagree with, based on my hands-on experience with the SkyScout with a bunch of nieces and nephews, and with 2 scopes sitting in as part of the demonstrations. One nephew is now so energized by the SkyScout he is beating down my door for a telescope (and as soon as I figure out which is the best scope for an 8 year old, he will have it).
As we all keep saying, one beauty of the SkyScout (and Naglers, and Obsessions, and go-tos, and Meade vs. Celestron, and go-to vs. push to, and iPhone vs. Treo, and everything else vs. everything else) is that you don't have to buy one if you don't want one. Obviously, you have strong feelings that this device is a waste of money. My experience suggests otherwise, at least for me. But, hey, it's a big hobby with lots of options and what is right for me might be wrong for you, and vice versa. Clear skies to you, friend.
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Steve
N1NM
Celestron CPC-800 XLT / Hyperstar
TeleVue NP101 APO
Orion SkyQuest XT12i
Nikon D4
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azsrr
sage
Reged: 11/06/05
Posts: 435
Loc: Paradise Valley, Arizona
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Quote:
I predict they'll be $49.95 by years end.
That would be great!
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Steve
N1NM
Celestron CPC-800 XLT / Hyperstar
TeleVue NP101 APO
Orion SkyQuest XT12i
Nikon D4
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Olivier Biot
Amused
Reged: 04/25/05
Posts: 24589
Loc: 51°N (Belgium)
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Personally I think the SkyScout serves a different purpose than an optical instrument. I think the SkyScout is an interesting widget, for people that want to point at something and know what they're looking at. It can be interesting in outreach programs, or to familiarize yourself with the skies.
I think a number of amateurs that travel to the opposite hemisphere may also find the assistance of a widget like the SkyScout helpful for identifying unknown constellations for instance.
Not all amateur astronomers enjoy their hobby the same way. Some are extremely happy to read articles and to identify constellations with the unaided eye, while others find it very gratifying to observe objects with an optical instrument. The SkyScout tries to serve a certain audience that is maybe not necessarily the same that would buy a scope. At least that's my idea on the product.
Cheers!
Olivier
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I think you're worth a double serving of happiness!
Tal-200K (#199) with JMI NGF-Mini2M focuser on GEM3 • Astro-Tech AT80ED • Orion Sirius EQ-G with wireless EQDIRECT • Astro-Tech Voyager • Celestron Regal LX 10x42 • Helios 15x70
ATM projects: 14" f/5 truss Dobson: first light Jul 1, 2011  - currently in 'tweak & widget' mode 
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KWB
Postmaster
Reged: 09/30/06
Posts: 15388
Loc: Westminster,Co Elev.5400 feet
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The best point was brought up by Todd - *anything* that brings people into this hobby is a good thing. But they need a support structure if they are going to go further. Not everyone has the luxury of a local astronomy club, thus the reason for the creation of this forum. With 17,000 of these things sold, we're hoping this forum will provide some support, encouragement and enable the interested newcomers to continue in astronomy.
Astronomy is an aging hobby - SOMETHING needs to be done to bring newcomers in otherwise things look kinda bleak for us down the road. Like it or not, the SkyScout is a valid approach and I applaud Celestrons thinking. Frankly, astronomy could use far more gadgets like this that appeal to the non-astronomer (and far fewer poorly constructed, poorly operating inexpensive scopes).
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Extremely well said,I couldn't possibly agree with you more. 
Kenny
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Kenny
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jclark2
sage
Reged: 08/28/05
Posts: 340
Loc: Michigan, USA
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I also have to agree with Todd and what I have posted as well. Anything that gets people interested in astronomy is worth it to me. I have already had one of my neighbors ask about a telescope after using my SkyScout. Also my kids have shown an interest in astronomy as well and my daughter has written stories for her class about looking at the night sky with Dad. To me that is worth $400 and better than putting them in front of a TV. In my experience the SkyScout is much easier for a child to use as well because they don't have to be concerned with magnification or getting their eye just right in the eyepiece. Now that I also have the bracket to hold my APC laser on the SkyScout I can point things out and let my daughters listen to the audio.
Honestly I hope it would get to $49.99 at some point because that would mean more people could purchase one and I would take that over a department store scope anyday. I have no problem with people having a different opinon as well but I think some people that are posting have never used it or expected it to be 100% accurate out of the box and have 100x magnification or work as a finder. I think those of us that enjoy using the SkyScout are also the first to point out that it can't be used as a finder on a scope, it does tend to burn through batteries (use rechargeable), and it can get confused with objects that are close together. I don't think any of us that enjoy using the SkyScout say it is perfect but I do feel like it is a nice addition to my astronomy collection. I appreciate everyone having the chance to share their opinion as I have done but I hope people focus on what it is intended for and not bash it for what it was not intended to do. Clear skies.
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Jim
WO ZS80FD 10th Anniv
WO ZS110
PST-DS
EQ6
iOptron Mini-Tower
WO EZ-Touch
UA Unistar Light
Celestron SkyScout
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Tom Trusock
Reged: 02/26/02
Posts: 33846
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I agree completely, I'd LOVE to see the price on these drop to the sub $100 level. That would be absolutly awesome - imagine being able to get interested children a useful tool that actually teaches them the night sky at a price more folks can afford.
I'm sure celestron would love to be able to lower the costs eventually as well - after all, the more amateurs in this hobby, the better the outlook for the manufacturers and vendors as well.
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You do not need a parachute to skydive, you only need a parachute to skydive twice...
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amys
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 06/12/06
Posts: 2571
Loc: Groton, CT
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I decided to get one because the weather has been keeping me from using my telescope -- it shakes in the wind, and it's windy here all the time in winter, not to mention cold. Having the Sky Scout allows me to get under the stars for as much time in the cold as I can tolerate and learn a few stars or constellations at a time. Seeing them in the sky right away, and not wondering if I'm right about their identity, is helping me to learn the sky much more quickly than I could we charts etc. Besides, it's just fun to use.
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Amy
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diabolic
super member
Reged: 10/19/06
Posts: 112
Loc: Austin, TX
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It was worth it for me. I get 2 different uses out of my Sky Scout. The best is sitting outside with my 4 year old son finding things in the sky and listening to the audio descriptions together, one earphone for each of us. And for a beginner like me, the other use is finding alignment stars for my CGE that I have never heard of before. It's much, much quicker than looking at charts for me.
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Will
WO Megrez 110 ED • WO ZenithStar 80 II ED • Celestron 9.25" Carbon Fiber SCT • Orion XT10i • Meade ETX-125AT
Canon 40D • Meade DSI-Pro II • SPC900NC
Celestron CGE
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John Craig
super member
Reged: 10/18/06
Posts: 110
Loc: Beanblossom, IN
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Well, I couldn't help but get my $0.02 in here. I don't own the Skyscout but have been looking to get one if I can find it for about half the retail price.
If I could mount the Skyscope to my scope, that would TOTALLY improve my entire viewing experience. Here's why...
I have a reflector on a GEM, and this can be quite a daunting task for a beginner like myself. Here's an example; just two nights ago, after reading Tom Trusock's article about Lepus on the CN homepage, I decided to take advantage of the only clear night in weeks. With only a few hours in this "weather-window" I had, I had to act fast. After getting all my gear setup and ready to view, I turned my scope S.E. to Lepus. Now, here's where the fun (and frustration) starts. I have to interpret 3 different views of an unfamiliar parts of sky, and guess as to which star I am actually seeing. The sky looks one way on a sky chart, and I can easily verify the brightest stars in the constellation by simply looking up. But, the view in the finder is obviously reversed, which can be a little confusing for a bit. Then, once I get the thing pointed at what I *think* is the right area, I get yet another diferent view through the eyepiece. Ugh... now I am just playing guess work if there aren't enough bright stars in view to really get a sense of what I'm looking at.
All these things add up to a very steep learning curve when looking at unfamiliar, dim, and/or sparse areas of the sky. I'm sure this may not seem like a big deal for a seasoned viewer, but it has deffinately proven to very challenging to the point of almost giving up on new territory.
So, now to the point of all this ranting. If there were a device that could verify all my guess work, my entire night would be much more rewarding with the confidence I would gain from knowing I'm actually "getting it right" (or wrong!).
So, did I see anything in Lepus the other night? I think so. I'm pretty sure I saw NGC2017, but other than that, I really have no clue. I saw something that looked like a wide double star, but I don't even know where in the constellation I was looking. Had I had a Skyscout mounted on the scope, I could have just pushed a button and known what I was looking at. What a concept!
Is it worth $400 (the same price as my scope)? Maybe. I'd have to use it to see how well it helps in the aforementioned circumstances. If I can find one for about half that price, probably.
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John Craig
Orion AstroView 6 EQ Reflector
Canon Rebel XT (350D)
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Joe Osborn
sage
Reged: 09/11/05
Posts: 491
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The SkyScout is not going to replace DSC or a correct image finder scope. It will for example only find about 100 deep sky objects, I assume are M1, M2, etc., that is to say it is pointed at them, not that you will be able to see them, or that your scope for that matter is aligned with the SkyScout.
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Discovery 10" F 4.5
Celestron C6R-GT
Oberwerks 9X60
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Mr. Bill
Postmaster
Reged: 02/09/05
Posts: 5219
Loc: Northeastern Cal
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Quote:
So, did I see anything in Lepus the other night? I think so. I'm pretty sure I saw NGC2017, but other than that, I really have no clue. I saw something that looked like a wide double star, but I don't even know where in the constellation I was looking. Had I had a Skyscout mounted on the scope, I could have just pushed a button and known what I was looking at. What a concept!
Isn't that what DSCs do? Maybe you could retrofit your GEM with one.....
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The night sky is the palette....
My optics are the brushes....
The Milky Way is the masterpiece
Member IDA
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Tim2723
The Moon Guy
Reged: 02/19/04
Posts: 5762
Loc: Northern New Jersey
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Quote:
All these things add up to a very steep learning curve when looking at unfamiliar, dim, and/or sparse areas of the sky. I'm sure this may not seem like a big deal for a seasoned viewer, but it has deffinately proven to very challenging to the point of almost giving up on new territory.
Hi John,
Remember when everything was new territory? I'll bet we all do. Maybe a tool like this is just what you need.
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Intes MK-66 Deluxe (6" f/12 Maksutov)
Celestron C-102HD (4" f/10 achromat)
Celestron C-102AZ (4" f/5 achromat)
Orion 6LT (6" f/8 classic Newtonian)
Orion Apex 90 (90mm Mak spotter/grab-n-go/little fun scope)
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