Telescope Reviews: Meade MySky and Celestron SkyScout

I have two MySkys and a SkyScout.
As is typical the Celestron unit is much better built, but the Meade is way beyond the SkyScout in the technology department.

One of my MySkys is the older 1.2tc version with GPS and the other is the newer 1.3b with no GPS. But I can make them either by simply swapping the SD cards, but for some reason I have not been successful making new cards of each version using the updater program with the files on the Yahoo group, when using 256 Mb or 2 GB SD cards. I've read that it takes 1 GB SD cards to actually make a new copy, but I haven't tried that yet.
The older version is more serious, or maybe it's better said ..... "the newer version has some (IMO) funky "Frankie Goes To Hollywood" production themed multi-media (especially with the planets) that is at best ..... embarrassing to show to other people. ;-)
But, it also has some additional multi-media that makes it more informative and interesting than the older version.

I have both the SD cards for the Celestron (non IYA version) and although it provides more ..... stuff, it is disjointed and not all in one place when you go looking for info on a given object.
Celestron gets high marks for being robust, but then so is a boat anchor. It isn't even in the same league as the MySky's technology nor implementation of same. BUT .... (IMO) the MySky is a busted product waiting to happen.
I really wish AP or Questar built one of these devices!

The Celestron SkyScout is much easier to mount as a finder, it has a 1/4-20 threaded camera socket on it's bottom. But you must have an application that allows you to see both the LCD display while also being able to view through the finder port at 90º to the display. So you can't use it if you mount it and want to use a laser pointer do the pointing for it like you can with a MySky.

My application is for big binos (Fujinon 25X150's) on a StarChair 3000 (see: "My Gallery" link under my signature) so I can't look at the side of the SkyScout when mounted as a finder for this application.
The Meade (IMO) made a mistake when they decided to go with the 'Star Trek Phaser look' with their ........ (?? sky pilot ??) device instead of making it easy to mount as a finder for binos and rich field scopes.
But ... since it directs you to the target via it's display, it 'can' use a remote laser pointer to target areas that you want it to identify (once they are both collimated to each other and the optical instrument) and it can be mounted in an application that only allows you to see in one direction ......... 'IF' you can figure out a way to mount the gangly looking thing.
I'm going to go ahead and hack one of mine .... literally.
I will cut it in two just below the trigger and run the PCB traces via wires to reconnect it, then put it into a package that will have it's power off the StarChair's battery, and I can mount under my big Fuji's, collimate it with the tubes/laser and then operate it's "identify trigger" via one of the buttons on the joystick that is used to drive the StarChair about the sky and turn on the laser pointer. Hopefully it will all play nice together.

Best regards,

Gary

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For equipment see: My Gallery