Review: StarScout and SkyViewer Telescope Kits From Learning Encounters

Written on May 13, 2011 by RuthJS and filed under Reviews

Learning Encounters’ affordable high-quality telescopes are designed to bring out the astronomy and science lover in all of us. Appropriate for beginners to more advanced users, the StarScout and SkyViewer kits let you build your own telescope and even personalize it. We reviewed both scopes as well as the Diagonal view piece and tripod. Overall, we were impressed by the quality and features for the price.

Out of the Box

Each telescope (StarScout and SkyViewer) and accessory (diagonal kit and tripod) is packaged and sold separately. All kits require some assembly with the ideas that users can learn about how telescopes work as they put them together. Even the tripod requires users to attach the handle. Fortunately, there are detailed instructions for the telescopes and the diagonal kit to help with the process.

Telescope Features

StarScout:

• 40mm F/10 refractor kit
• 20mm Kellner eyepiece
• 25x magnification
• MSRP $29.99

SkyViewer:

• 50 mm F/10 refractor kit
• 20 mm eyepiece
• 3 lens options: 17x, 25x, 50x
• MSRP $39.99

Both Telescopes:

• Recommended for ages 14 and up
• Come as build-your-own kits that children can put together themselves
• Contain extremely detailed and specific instructions available in the box and online
• Use spring clips molded into the focus tube protect the lens
• Contain a matte finish in the focus tube to reduce reflections
• Have numbered lenses to aid in assembly
• Incorporate a unique tongue and groove design to keep light out
• Feature 1/4 inch mounting attachments that fit on any standard camera tripod
• Include three interchangeable wraps to decorate the focus tube, including: outer space, antique telescope, and design-your-own (markers not included)
• Include a star chart
• Come with a complimentary membership in the Leo Science Club

Accessory Features

Diagonal Kit:

• Allows users to view overhead objects in a more comfortable position
• Increases image magnification to 55x
• Comes as a kit ready to assemble
• Can be used with SkyViewer or Galileoscope (not reviewed)
• MSRP $19.99

Tripod

• Made from light weight aluminum
• Includes a quick release mounting attachment that uses a standard 1/4 inch screw
• Has flip-lock leg adjustments so you can easily move from the minimum height of 20.8 inches to the maximum of 52 inches
• Contains a bubble level
• Comes with it’s own tote bag for easy transportation
• Includes a complimentary membership in the Leo Science Club
• MSRP $24.95

Telescope Assembly

Since the assembly of both the StarScout and the SkyViewer was very similar, I will go into detail about the StarScout and just provide highlights of the SkyViewer.

StarScout

I was very hopeful when I opened the package for the StarScout and found it so neatly organized and packaged.

My hopes were buoyed when I saw the detailed instructions and pictures, complete with labels — a technical writer’s dream.

However, my heart sank just a bit when I realized that while the pieces were clearly labeled in the instructions, the actual bits were not. This was not a show stopper since it was easy to tell from the pictures which piece was which, though labeled stickers that corresponded to the instructions would have been helpful.

I quickly laid out all the pieces according to the picture in the instructions and started to work.

My progress came to a screeching halt when I got to the eyepiece assembly. The instructions claimed that each of the three lenses was numbered, but I searched every square mm of the lenses and didn’t find a single number.

However, this is where the detailed instructions came in very handy. After studying the pictures, it was possible to then study the actual lenses and figure out how to put them together. This took a while, but kudos to the detail-oriented instruction writer for getting me through! (Now would be a good time to mention that these self-same instructions are available online if you happen to lose your copy.)

After the eyepiece was complete, it was smooth sailing. The entire unpacking and assembly process took about 30 minutes. At the end, it was very satisfying to look at the finished product and know that I had built it. Of course, I was eager to personalize my creation using the cool wraps that are included in the kit.

These wraps are designed to be removable, so you can redecorate your scope as your mood changes. Unfortunately, that also means they didn’t stick well. Furthermore, they were not very sturdy and actually started to rip while I was removing the backing from the sticker.

My advice: skip the personalization and just use the scope.

SkyViewer

With regard to the SkyViewer, the beginning of the assembly process was very similar. However, I’m happy to report that my reviewers actually did find numbers on the lenses that corresponded to the instructions. Unfortunately, they also found that several of the parts labeled in the “layout” picture of the instructions did not match the labels of the bits referenced in the actual “how to” portion of the document. While this caused some confusion and time lost, the detailed descriptions of the pieces in each instructional step as well as the corresponding pictures saved the day, and the reviewers were able to figure things out.

The actual assembly time on the SkyViewer was about 35 minutes, not bad, but also not trivial.

Accessory Assembly

After assembling a telescope eye piece, the Diagonal Kit was just more of the same. It was not difficult, though it took time and required attention to detail. But, again, the instructions rock, which helped. Total time was about 25 minutes because it required a partial dis-assembly of the SkyViewer in order to incorporate this new viewing lens.

As for the tripod, it’s very nice. Lightweight and entirely portable, it’s much nicer than the one I have for my camera. It even sports quick-adjust legs, making it easy to use on uneven terrain.

The only downside is that the handle that is designed to tilt the base when you have a telescope (or camera) mounted needs to be attached when you get it.

While this should not be a big deal, the one I was sent did not fit. At first, I looked for the instructions to save me, but they were nowhere to be seen. Apparently, the tripod isn’t supposed to require instructions, but, it does require the correct pieces, otherwise the handle just doesn’t attach. Bummer.

Time to Play

Once they were all assembled, it was time to take the telescopes and accessories on a test run to see how the functioned. We were not disappointed with the viewing  quality.

Telescope Use

Both telescopes are portable refractor scopes with a precision ground and coated glass lens. Translation: these are real lenses that work well and allow you to see a remarkably clear image. The scopes are lightweight and easy for children to hold, and they fit easily onto the tripod. The only negative is that they can be difficult to focus. In order to adjust the image, you need to slowly move the eyepiece in or out of the focus tube. However, it is very difficult to make minor adjustments because of the tightness of the assembly. It does help if you twist the tube slightly as you move it to focus.

One other item to note is that this is an actual telescope, so like actual telescopes, the image is up-side-down. While this can affect locating objects in the sky, the inversion is not as disorienting when you are looking at stars or planets.

Accessory Use

Focusing while using both the diagonal kit and the tripod was a bit of a challenge since there was a limit to how much twisting/fine tuning you could do without lifting the tripod off the floor or turning the eyepiece so far that you were under the telescope. However, once I got the hang of it, I LOVED the ability to look from above the scope and the stability that the tripod offered.

Speaking of the tripod, it was fantastic! It was so easy to adjust: simply flip the locks and make the legs whatever height you needed, then raise or lower the neck to the height of the viewer.

And, wait for it . . .

There was even a bubble level to ensure that things were level.

While level matters more for a camera than for a telescope, it was endlessly fun to play with. The only thing that would have made it better is a working handle . . .

But Wait! There’s More!

Since Learning Encounters has as part of it’s mission to promote a love of science, there are multiple teaching and research resources at their website, www.leosciencelab.com. With everything from lesson plans to user picture galleries to biographies of scientists, there is a great deal to explore on the site.

And, as if that’s not enough, each of the telescopes and even the diagonal eyepiece comes with a complimentary membership to the Leo Science Club. When you visit the website, you’ll find that anyone can sign up to be a member, but when you do, you have access to post pictures in members only galleries, access to videos and experiments, an electronic newsletter with interviews and contests, and exclusive discounts on future purchases.

In a Nutshell

Learning Encounters has geared their products toward children, but the telescopes and microscopes are capable of real scientific work, while remaining affordable. The telescopes and accessories had some quirks to work through, but the overall value is evident. If you take these instruments for what they are, inexpensive, scientific learning tools, you will not be disappointed. These telescopes and accessories would be an asset to any classroom or hobbyist.

We happily give the StarScout, SkyViewer, Diagonal Kit and tripod:

4.5 out of 5 stars

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