Features

• Computer controller to help locate celestial objects
• Great for terrestrial and space viewing
• 2 eye pieces (78x and 28x)
• 700mm focal length
• Aluminum tripod with accessory tray

Amazon.com Product Description

The Meade Polaris 60 AZ-D is a quality refracting telescope for land or sky viewing. It is perfect for observing celestial objects like Saturn, Jupiter,and the moon. It has an attractive design and fits in any room. The Polaris 60AZ-D is a cost-efficient telescope for the beginner. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Telescope
Its nice and you can look at the stars and its so fun.

You get what you pay for
with this cheap and cheerful 'scope from Meade. I liked their 90-AZ-F model far more, but it's [$$$] more expensive and you have to purpose build a stable viewing platform out of red brick in order to use it, so as a compromise, the 60-AZ-D is a much better choice. For children wishing to spy on school friends two blocks down you can't go wrong with this. Does exactly what it says on the box - "Warning - this product may contain nuts."

eyepieces serverly limit view-here are tips for you...
not a bad little telescope but the eye pieces are of the poorest
quality .not what i expected from a company with such a good name.
if you use the scope with out the 3x barlow (total junk) and with out angle mirror (also very poor resoslution )and use the eye piece dirrectly its just ok . then add a stone or other near by heavy object on tripod stay and the shaking will stop..
adjust the thumb screws so you get just enough resistance to move scope -good luck -and buy better eye pieces if you plan to keep it ..

Be aware of the limitations before you buy
The notion of a $99 telescope is very attractive, but don't think a scope of this size and quality will deliver those stunning NASA-like images of Saturn and Jupiter you're used to seeing on TV.

This is a modest little scope, capable of modest magnification. The 60mm (2-1/2 inch) objective lens means that the absolute maximum maginification this scope is capable of is about 100x. The spindly tripod, however, makes viewing at anything over 40x or so near impossible.

Through this scope (and similar ones) Saturn and Jupiter will appear like little dots- about the size of a dime 10 or 15 feet away. You'll just be able to make out that Saturn has rings. Views of the Moon will be much better- you'll be able to see details in craters that can keep you busy for a long time- and some star culsters and deep-sky objets will be interesting viewing if you have a dark sky to use this scope under.

But that tripod is still a problem. If you do buy this scope, use it sitting down, with the tripod at its shortest length, and some weights attached to stabilize it, and you'll be rewarded with a more usable scope. Still, you'll be better off saving another $100 and getting a slightly larger scope with a sturdier mounting.

telescope
I like this twlescope a lot because of it attractive features a magnificant look. ... Read more

Features

• Altazimuth mount for smooth movement
• Great for terrestrial and space viewing
• 2 eye pieces (78x and 28x)
• 700mm focal length
• Aluminum tripod with accessory tray

Amazon.com Product Description

For almost as long as amateur astronomy has been in existence as a field of study, refracting telescopes of 60-millimeter (2.4 inches) aperture and larger, and reflecting telescopes of about 114 millimeters (4.5 inches) and larger, have been considered ideal telescopes for the serious beginning or intermediate observer. But never in their long history have microprocessor technology and the latest in electromechanical design been applied to telescopes of this class. Meade Digital Electronic Series (DS) telescopes are one of the most important advances in beginning to intermediate telescopes in 100 years.

Completely reengineered and redesigned, Meade DS telescopes provide smoother motions in altitude and azimuth than previously available. Even when operated manually without electronic controls, DS models are a revelation of mechanical precision and low-backlash motion that greatly facilitate quick object location and tracking. Oversize bearings on both telescope axes of all models negate the imprecisions found universally, virtually without exception, on competing models. ... Read more

Features

• 60mm (2.4 inch) aperture; 700mm objective lens focal length
• Smooth, precise altazimuth mounting for easy object location
• 2-element achromatic objective lens with multicoating
• Includes full-length, adjustable aluminum tripod
• Compatible with Autostar computer controller and electronic control system

Reviews (4)

A great beginner's telescope
I have purchased the Meade DS-60 for my son. I am very impressed with the quality of the product after comparing it to similarly priced telescopes available for purchase from local retail outlets in Australia. The mounting is of a significantly superior quality than those of its competitors in this price range and this is important for the novice astronomer to gain some real enjoyment from their hobby. The instructions packaged with the product could be improved by rewriting them with a younger user in mind. I highly recommend "The Starry Night" software which comes packaged with the telescope.

Poor support
I purchased a DS-60 for my son and have been trying to locate the accessories necessary to get it to perform with a motor since December. I have been unable to purchase the #493 series kit (not specified on the box as a necessary component)either online or at any stores. There is no online customer support and the information provided by the manufacturer was incorrect. The accessories for the telescope are not readily available. I am very dissatisfied with this product.

Cheap Plastic Parts
The lenses to this scope seem to be pretty good quality, but there are a number of problems which make it less attractive. Several threaded parts are made of plastic, and at least on mine, which had apparently been opened before, they were all stripped. Manual controls are ok, but the horizontal controls are hard to operate. When you stop turning, the scope continues to move about 1-2 degrees, unless you turn the knob back the other way. Spend the extra money and get a good telescope!

Meade DS-60
The Meade DS-60 Telescope is a very good product with many great features. With the DS-60 you can clearly view many stars, planets, and constellations. The only fault I can find in the Ds-60 is the extremly high price to upgrade to the Autostar system. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Meade's DS-60EC refracting telescope offers high-quality optics and easy push-button electronic operation, making it a perfect instrument for the serious beginner. It features a multicoated, achromatic two-element objective lens and precise, smooth altitude and azimuth movements. It includes the Meade handheld electronic controller, which allows for four-speed push-button operation and easy object location and tracking. It also includes Meade's StarNavigator software, which displays more than 10,000 celestial objects for help in locating galaxies, nebulae, star clusters, stars, and planets. Additionally, the telescope comes with a full-length adjustable aluminum tripod.

The DS-60EC exhibits Meade's fine attention to detail and quality, from the precision-polished crown and flint optical glass components and contrast-increasing multicoatings, to oversize bearings on both telescope axes that facilitate great precision in tracking. It offers a resolving power of 1.9 arcseconds, a limiting visual magnitude of 11, a 200x maximum practical visual power, and a 5mm by 24mm viewfinder.

The DS-60EC is also built to be fully compatible with Meade's Autostar computer controller, for automatic location and tracking of celestial objects. ... Read more

Features

• 60mm (2.4 inch) aperture; 700mm objective lens focal length
• Includes electronic controller for easy push-button object location and tracking
• Smooth, precise tracking with altazimuth mounting
• 2-element achromatic objective lens with multicoating
• Includes full-length, adjustable aluminum tripod

Reviews (6)

Where in the world is Jean Francois Champollion?
Two hundred years ago Jean Francois Champollion decpihered the Rosetta Stone and unleashed the mystery of Egyptian hieroglyphics. You'll wish you had old Jean by your side when you tackle Meade's pictographic nightmare called the "instructions." Any revision that Meade makes to the instructions should contain the following warnings: 1) Send your spouse, kids, and pets to bed. 2) Remove yourself to the most remote corner of the house. Bring along a large, but unopened bottle of asprin. .... The instruction booklet is 10 pages. The first half of the booklet contains 24 separate pictographs labeled A to Z (hey, I thought that there were 26 letters in the alphabet?). Oh, and just so you know, steps I and O don't exist. I think that Meade wants you to make them up on your own. Steps C, E, and F have nothing at all to do with the DS 60 so it is a mystery why they are included. Step "W" contains 16 different parts that require assembly. Oh, I failed to mention the joys of assembly. The telescope comes almost fully assembled except for the tripod. You'll need to disassemble almost the entire telescope so you can add a part or two. And, if part 5 points to a widget in diagram "T", then part 5 in diagram "U" is something completely different. I've assembled a lot of toys in my day, but by far, this one was the worst.

Outstanding!
I was given the DS-60EC telescope as a gift for Christmas and was excited to put it together and try it out. As soon as it was dark, I went into the back yard and had a wonderful time looking at stars, planets and the moon. Although I had little trouble putting the telescope together, one of the motors that came with the telescope did not work. I called Meade that evening and listened to a recording that told me to leave a message and that they would contact me within twenty-four hours. Almost exactly twenty-four hours later, I received a call from Meade inquiring about my telescope. Less than one week later, I received my new motor in the mail.

Great Christmas Gift!!!!
When my husband asked for a telescope for Christmas, I was apprehensive about spending a lot of money on something that might not work. I bought this model based on other reviews, and it turned out great! We were able to get a really close look at the moon that very night. Due to the glare from Christmas lights on our street and the bright moon, we couldn't see much else but plan to search the skies some more in the future. He was able to get it assembled without too much effort, and the tripod is sturdy. The electronic tracking will take some practice to master, but we have only just started to use it. This definitely a real telescope, not a toy, and we are very pleased with it and looking forward to learning how to use it. I purchased the book "Nightwatch: a guide to viewing the stars" which is also very helpful. The author of the book criticizes the $...telescope as being cheap and flimsy, but I really don't think his comments apply to this model. I'm only giving it 4 stars right now because we haven't used it enough to tell how well it works on smaller and more distant objects than the moon, but I expect it will do quite well. I think this was an EXECELLENT INVESTMENT for two COMPLETE BEGINNNERS!!!!!

Excellent telescope for the new astronomer
While many starting telescopes are cheap and flimsy, this one has high quality viewing and easy setup and operation, with a very sturdy telescope to boot. I have an 11 year old and have NO problem with him working with this, because it will easily hold up to his handling.

For those new to astronomy, you can simply point this telescope at any object in the sky and see it very clearly. For those who start to get more advanced, you can use the included software to track down exactly what those things in the sky *are*, and easily get the telescope to track them as they move across the sky at night.

I highly recommend this for anyone looking for a high quality telescope in this price range. It's a great way to learn more about the night sky.

EXCELLENT TELESCOPE
I LOVE THIS TELESCOPE! IT REALLY GETS A CLOSE UP LOOK ON ALL THE STARS AND PLANETS! DEFINITLY A PERFECT TELESCOPE FOR A FIRST TIME BUYER! ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

With its relatively large 70mm aperture, yet affordable price, Meade's DS-70 refracting telescope makes a perfect instrument for the serious beginner. It features a multicoated, achromatic two-element objective lens and precise, smooth altitude and azimuth movements for easy object location. It includes Meade's StarNavigator software, which displays more than 10,000 celestial objects for help in locating galaxies, nebulae, star clusters, stars, and planets. It also includes a full-length adjustable aluminum tripod.

The DS-70 exhibits Meade's fine attention to detail and quality, from the precision-polished crown and flint optical glass components and contrast-increasing multicoatings, to oversize bearings on both telescope axes that facilitate great precision in tracking. It offers a resolving power of 1.6 arcseconds, a limiting visual magnitude of 11.3, a 250x maximum practical visual power, and a 5mm by 24mm viewfinder.

The DS-70 is built to be fully compatible with Meade's dual-motor electronic controller and Autostar computer controller, for easy location and tracking of celestial objects. ... Read more

Features

• 70mm (2.8 inch) aperture; 700mm objective lens focal length
• Smooth, precise altazimuth mounting for easy object location
• 2-element achromatic objective lens with multicoating
• Includes full-length, adjustable aluminum tripod
• Compatible with Autostar computer controller and electronic control system

Reviews (4)

Awesome Scope
It's a very nice scope and has an excellent range of view.
My son loved it. It is perfect for an amatuer astroligist. Very good buy also.

Excellent Beginner/Intermediate Telescope
After going through two very disappointing experiences with department store telescopes over the years, I decided to move up to something more capable. Yes, it cost more, but this telescope, especially when equipped with the optional 495 Autostar computer, is far more capable than others I tried. It is easy to setup out of the box and comes with an excellent tripod. The Autostar computer is easy to use and assists in finding all of the major planets, stars and other interesting items without numerous star charts to refer to. The optics are very good for a telescope of this price, but you do have to focus a lot after changing eyepieces. Views of the moon are simply incredible, views of Venus, Mars and Saturn very good. Highly recommended if this is all you can afford - as a first scope you wont be disappointed.

Mike, good scope
This a good entry level scope. I got it for my 11th birthday. Here is what you can see with this scope: Mercury: Looking hard, you can see its phases. Venus: You can easily see its everchanging phases. Moon: Hundreds of craters. Mars: During oppisition you can easily see Syrtis Major. (Dark spot) and looking closely, might be able to see a polar cap. You'll pick up more detail the more you look. Jupiter: You can see three bands.(Can't see great red spot)You can also see its four moons. Saturn: Rings are easy at High power. No bands resolved. You can see bright moon Titan. No Cassini Division. (maybe) Uranus, Neptune, Pluto: Can see small disks. Pluto invisible. If you expect flashy visuals, why do you think they sent a billion dollar probe to get great images. This telescope is only good for the bright deep sky objects. I only recommend Autostar if you have no time and only want to see photos. I think you get more pride if you find it yourself than a computer. This is a pretty good beginners telescope.

A nice little beginner's scope
This is a decent little scope, with good optics and a reasonably stable mount- as long as you use it sitting down, with the legs unextended. For $200, it's a good entry level choice.

I wouldn't say the same about the optional computer-aided pointing system, though. Adding a $149 accessory to a $200 scope is a poor way to allocate funds on a budget. For $350, you'd be far better off buying a 6" or 8" "dobsonian-type" reflecting telescope from Meade or another vendor. You'd have much more light gathering ability, and a much more stable platform. Instead of buying a computer, buy instead a copy of "Turn Left at Orion", a wonderful book that will show you how to star hop around the night sky and find scores of delightful objects to view. ... Read more