Celestron VistaPix IS70 Imaging Spotter, 14x70mm, 3.0 Megapixel Spotting Scope/Digital Camera

Comments about Celestron VistaPix IS70 Imaging Spotter, 14x70mm, 3.0 Megapixel Spotting Scope/Digital Camera:

Hi, I bought the VistaPix is70 from another supplier but thought the following info might help others here. Most important the SD card must not exceed 2GB and you might find that the scope fails to power up if you insert a higher capacity SD Card. Found it worked with the new Class rated type SD cards providing you don't exceed 2GB limit. The flat panel keypad buttons are not very positive you really need to push them hard and maybe more than once to navigate through the various menus. I thought that this was a fault but when the purchase provider tried out several others they all behaved much the same. Nevertheless don't let this put you off because it is unlikely once you've set you main preferences other than switching between photo and video and using the digital zoom that you would be doing much with the menu settings. You can dim the display or turn it off once you trust your calibration and this will increase the battery life for taking photos and video by just using the eyepiece to view whilst taking picture and filming video. Always use branded high capacity batteries for longer use of this product or even rechargeable ones to save money. There are also a range of AA Li-Ion batteries that will provide you with approx 10 times duration compared to that of regular batteries. The VistaPix is70 is really heavy but rugged, not designed for handheld use you need a good sturdy tripod and that silly short snap lead to capture crisp images at distance. It's a pity that you have to remove the rubber bung access to the SD card slot, power adapter port and shutter release port for the snap lead to connect. You can power the VistaPix is70 with a regulated 12 volt DC power adapter, but important you need one that you can regulate to 9 volts DC and is rated at 2 amps (the power requirement of this scope), plug tip should be made positive and is 4.00mm with an interior diameter of 1.70mm. Don't exceed 9 volts DC input to the VistaPix is70 or you are likely to damage the unit. Despite the negatives and quirkiness I just love this scope and would still highly recommend it. Also has a time lapse facility 10 sec, 30 sec, 3 min, 10min and 30 min pity it hasn't got a 1 sec. I recommend the Acuter "Merlin" Multi-Function Mount & Tripod which is an amazing motorised mount for all applications. The Acuter digital spotting scope seems identical to the VistaPix is70 and with a simple plug to plug lead from the Auto Imaging socket of the tripod motorised mount to the shutter release socket on the VistaPix is70 the mount can be programmed to cruise between stored locations and automatically take pictures at each location. Check it out as this motorised mount has many useful Terrestrial and Astronomical applications. Hope this all helps. Regards Stefan.

Comments about Celestron VistaPix IS70 Imaging Spotter, 14x70mm, 3.0 Megapixel Spotting Scope/Digital Camera:

Excellent Product. Easy to set up and use. Beautiful carry case. Strong and Sturdy device.
Accurate Ranging. Excellent quality lense.

Comments about Celestron VistaPix IS70 Imaging Spotter, 14x70mm, 3.0 Megapixel Spotting Scope/Digital Camera:

I just got this scope and am very pleased with some of my photos...but...the focus VERY touchy, the keypad buttons are hard to press, and it eats AA batteries like crazy. I've gotten some great shots but focusing is awkward and very hard to hold. With no focus lock, even the slightest movement causes me to lose focus. The shutter release cord is too short and the placement is goofy. It goes in the compartment with the SD card slot and the rubber cap has to stay open and I've popped the card out a couple of times. The LCD is useless in daylight and you have to use it to fine-tune the focus. The menu buttons are so small and hard to push that I generally end up moving the camera on the tripod and then I have to spot all over again. I have problems getting the scope to power-up, even with fresh batteries and multiple presses of the power button and batteries generally only last about 10-15 minutes. I lost a great shot of a Northern Flicker when the batteries just died after only 10 minutes of use. I've gotten some wonderful pictures, but have been very frustrated with the above negatives.

Problems Encountered: Touchy, complicated focusing process. No focus lock.Won't power up, even with fresh batteries. I've read a couple of reviews on other sites that mentioned the same problem. Extremely short battery life, generally about 10-15 minutes, which is very frustrating in the field.Awkward, hard to push menu buttons.