Celestron C5 Spotter 5"/127mm Spotting Scope Kit

Comments about Celestron C5 Spotter 5.0"/127mm Spotting Scope Kit:

Scope works as expected - well. I also bought a T-ring and camera adapter and I'm learning how to use my camera now since this is the first non-auto-focus lens that I've had in many years.

I have an expansive mountain and city view from my home and wanted a scope that I could use to identify distant landmarks. The C-5 is doing the job.

The only con that I have is the threads for the adapter - visual adapter or T-ring for camera adapter. They're easily cross-threaded.

Comments about Celestron C5 Spotter 5.0"/127mm Spotting Scope Kit:

Great scope for terrestrial viewing, very clear and high detail, with certain eyepieces stunning clarity and wide feild of view, the supplied eyepiece is decent but would recommend and upgrade to get the most out of this scope, a baader Hyperion zoom lense will make this scope complete and a good alt/azi mount tripod. I've watched spiders make webs with great clarity in the tops of distant trees at 100 yds..and for stargazing jupiter and it's moons in detail like I've never seen thru a scope ever...credit the baader Hyperion eypiece tho, but the 24 mm celeston ep is good..but would recommend to anyone that's interested in this scope to upgrade ep's, great scope for terrestrial and astronomical, well built, solid, 1.25 barrel length makes it upgradeable wilt accessories like focal reducers and high quality lenses, camera adapters t rings etc.., its called a spotting scope but it's also a great 5" sct telescope.

Comments about Celestron C5 Spotter 5.0"/127mm Spotting Scope Kit:

i wanted scope for bird,& wild life spotting. very powerful scope. once u get it sited in its easy too use.

Comments about Celestron C5 Spotter 5.0"/127mm Spotting Scope Kit:

Really needs a good mount for Prime Focus still photography but for my HD video through my camera it works great! Clean crisp images of the wildlife.

Comments about Celestron C5 Spotter 5.0"/127mm Spotting Scope Kit:

If you ever wanted Superman's powers, this comes mighty close.

The optics are excellent -- sharp and bright. I can see clear across town, read traffic signs from miles away, see the crags of the moon and the rings of Saturn. The eyepiece that ships isn't the most powerful the aperture can resolve. I've ordered the zoom eyepiece from -- where else? -- B&H (best camera store in the world).

Know that you will need a good tripod. Excellent for terrestrial and some astronomy. If you want purely astronomical, get a mount. If you are clumsy, consider other spotting scopes, as more rugged.

Comments about Celestron C5 Spotter 5.0"/127mm Spotting Scope Kit:

Great spotting scope, excellent value. The field of view corresponds to about my thumbnail at arm's length, to give a rough idea what 1 degree is like. I'm going to use it mostly for astrophotography, so I need to get the 6.3 corrector lens. The carrying case is well padded, but you have to remove the eyepieces every time, which is a little tedious.

Comments about Celestron C5 Spotter 5.0"/127mm Spotting Scope Kit:

Very happy with my purchase.
Very well made although the case could be better.

Comments about Celestron C5 Spotter 5.0"/127mm Spotting Scope Kit:

I use the C5 for visual and imaging astronomy. I already own a Nexstar 8SE and wanted something smaller with the same type of capabilities that I could use on the Nexstar mount, an AstroTrac mount and a manual az/alt mount for travel purposes. The C5 fit the bill and I am very pleased with its visual and imaging performance. Already having a larger SCT, I know about the pros and cons of this type of design, so I'm not surprised by anything. It can share accessories with 8SE without the need for new accessory purchase. At 6 pounds, it is a nice fit for the AstroTrac mount. If you want visual capabilities between 50 and 150 (for most seeing conditions, this lightweight, highly portable scope meets the requirement. The supplied foam lined nylon carrying case is very nice. Prime focus and afocal imaging work great with both a webcam and a DSLR camera. For my usage, it is an all around excellent purchase at an excellent price.

Comments about Celestron C5 Spotter 5.0"/127mm Spotting Scope Kit:

I have been through a heap of Spotters to watch the Humpback Whales migrate along the coastline from my home in Australia.
When you spot whales you only have a few seconds to line them up and depending on the weather it can be a grey on grey background or beautiful water colour. The key is a large aperture Spotting Scope which gathers maximum light and can handle a magnification of at least 40X to see them up to the horizon from shore.
I have tested and bought budget and high quality 65mm,and 80mm refractors, and 90 mm and 100mm Maksutov Cassegrains over the years. They all work ok in close but push them out wide to their limits and their smaller light gathering results in a muddy image, plus they can't handle the magnification.
The C5 wins against them all. Clear bright optics, and a usable sight scope all in a compact package with a 45 degree viewing image. The included eyepiece works fine and you can always buy more to increase the magnification if needed. While portable the C5 needs a solid tripod to keep it rock steady. Also buy the c5 dew shield to protect against stray light.
The handy padded carry case gives a great protection package.
Hope this review helps others get the right gear for Whale Spotting.