Hey astronomy enthusiasts! Today, we're diving deep into the Saxon 90/900 AZ3 Telescope. If you're just starting out in the world of stargazing, or if you're looking for a user-friendly telescope that won't break the bank, you're in the right place. We're going to break down everything you need to know about the Saxon 90/900 AZ3, from its specs and performance to its pros and cons, and whether it's the right choice for you. Buckle up, and let's get started!

Unboxing and Initial Impressions

Alright, let's talk about the first steps. Unboxing the Saxon 90/900 AZ3 telescope is a pretty straightforward experience. Inside the box, you'll find the telescope tube itself, a sturdy AZ3 alt-azimuth mount (that's the mount that lets you move the telescope up, down, left, and right), an adjustable aluminum tripod, eyepieces, a finderscope, and a diagonal prism. The initial impression is pretty positive: everything feels well-packed and protected. The instructions are relatively clear, which is a massive plus, especially for beginners. The build quality feels decent for its price point; it's not going to win any awards for premium materials, but it feels solid enough to withstand regular use. The overall look is clean and functional, which I personally appreciate. I'm not looking for something flashy; I want a telescope that delivers the goods, and the initial setup gives me a good feeling. One of the first things you'll notice is the size. It's not a massive telescope, which is a great thing for portability. You can easily move it around, take it to different locations, and store it without needing a ton of space. The tripod is adjustable, which is super helpful, allowing you to set it up comfortably, no matter your height or the terrain. The finderscope is a small, low-power scope that helps you locate objects in the sky. It's essential for getting your bearings, so more on that later. Getting everything set up for the first time might take you around 20-30 minutes, especially if you're new to telescopes. Don't worry if it takes a little longer. Take your time, read the instructions, and don't hesitate to consult online resources. The process is pretty intuitive, but you'll need to familiarize yourself with the parts and how they fit together.

The eyepieces included are usually a 25mm and a 10mm. These will give you different magnifications. The 25mm is your low-power eyepiece, great for getting a wide field of view, while the 10mm will give you higher magnification, for a closer look at things. The diagonal prism is another critical component. This piece fits between the telescope tube and the eyepiece and redirects the light, allowing you to view things comfortably. Without it, you'd be craning your neck to look through the telescope. The AZ3 mount is pretty easy to use. Once you have it set up, it's a matter of loosening the knobs, pointing the telescope where you want it to go, and tightening the knobs to secure it in place. The entire setup is designed with beginners in mind, prioritizing ease of use over complex features. Remember, the first impression matters. The Saxon 90/900 AZ3 does a great job of giving a positive initial experience, which is super important when you're just getting into astronomy. After all, the last thing you want is a telescope that's overly complicated and frustrating to set up. From the get-go, it’s a user-friendly and inviting package.

Key Features and Specifications

Let's get down to the nitty-gritty: what makes the Saxon 90/900 AZ3 tick? This telescope is a refractor, which means it uses lenses to gather and focus light. The objective lens, the main lens at the front of the telescope, has a diameter of 90mm. This is a crucial number. The larger the aperture (diameter) of the lens, the more light the telescope can collect. More light means you can see fainter objects and more details. The focal length is 900mm. The focal length, combined with the eyepiece you use, determines the magnification. The AZ3 mount is a manual alt-azimuth mount. As mentioned earlier, this means you move the telescope up and down (altitude) and left and right (azimuth). It's simple to use, which is ideal for beginners, but it doesn't offer the tracking capabilities of more advanced mounts. That means you'll have to manually adjust the telescope to keep an object in view as the Earth rotates. The finderscope is a 6x30 finderscope. This means it magnifies objects six times and has a 30mm objective lens. It's your guide to the stars. The eyepieces that are typically included are a 25mm eyepiece (providing a magnification of 36x) and a 10mm eyepiece (providing a magnification of 90x). The diagonal prism is a 90-degree star diagonal. This redirects the light path, making viewing more comfortable. It will keep your neck from being sore from constantly looking straight up. The overall weight is relatively light, making it very portable. This is great for taking the telescope with you when you travel or to a dark sky site. Other features include the adjustable tripod made of aluminum, which provides a stable platform. The Barlow lens is an optional accessory that you can use to increase magnification. The Saxon 90/900 AZ3 is an entry-level telescope, which strikes a good balance between performance and ease of use. It's designed to give you a great introduction to the night sky without overwhelming you with complex features. The 90mm aperture is sufficient to see a good range of celestial objects, from the Moon and planets to brighter deep-sky objects like star clusters and nebulae. However, the manual mount means you'll need some patience and practice in tracking objects, especially if you want to observe them for extended periods. The focal ratio (f/10) is a moderate one, suitable for general-purpose observing, giving you a good balance between image brightness and magnification. This type of telescope is an excellent choice for casual observing and beginners. The simplicity of the AZ3 mount, the relative ease of setup, and the decent optical performance make it a good package for introducing yourself to astronomy.

Performance and Image Quality

So, how does the Saxon 90/900 AZ3 actually perform under the night sky? Let's break it down. For lunar observations, it's pretty impressive. The Moon is bright, so the 90mm aperture gathers enough light to provide sharp and detailed views. You'll be able to see craters, mountains, and valleys with relative ease, especially on nights with good seeing conditions (minimal atmospheric turbulence). Planetary viewing is also possible, with the planets visible with this telescope. Jupiter and Saturn are favorites. You can see the bands on Jupiter and the rings of Saturn. Note that they won't be as detailed as what you see through a more expensive telescope, but the views are satisfying. Mars is a bit trickier because it's smaller and dimmer. However, during favorable oppositions (when Mars is closest to Earth), you might be able to spot some surface features. Deep-sky objects are where the limitations of the 90mm aperture become more apparent. You'll be able to see brighter objects such as the Orion Nebula, the Pleiades star cluster, and the Andromeda Galaxy. However, fainter objects will be more challenging to observe, and you won't see as much detail. The image quality is generally good for its price range. The refractor design minimizes chromatic aberration (color fringing), which can be an issue with some telescopes. The views are typically sharp and clear, especially when you use the included eyepieces. The finderscope is essential for locating objects in the sky. It magnifies the area around your target, making it easier to center it in your main telescope. The 90mm aperture limits the maximum useful magnification. Pushing the magnification too high will result in blurry and dim images. The included eyepieces (25mm and 10mm) provide magnification levels that are appropriate for the telescope's capabilities. Remember that the quality of your views depends on several factors, including the seeing conditions, the level of light pollution, and your skill in using the telescope. The Saxon 90/900 AZ3 provides a good starting point for exploring the night sky. While it has limitations, particularly when it comes to deep-sky objects, it delivers excellent performance for lunar and planetary observations. With its ease of use and good image quality, it will provide a fulfilling experience for beginners and casual stargazers. Expect good views of the Moon, planets, and some of the brighter deep-sky objects. Keep your expectations realistic, and don't expect the same views you'd get from a larger, more expensive telescope. That said, it will still offer a good level of detail and a great introduction to the wonders of the universe.

Pros and Cons of the Saxon 90/900 AZ3

Alright, let's weigh the pros and cons of the Saxon 90/900 AZ3. This is where we break down the good, the bad, and the things to consider before you make a decision.

Pros:

• Ease of Use: This is a big one. The Saxon 90/900 AZ3 is designed with beginners in mind. The AZ3 mount is simple to operate, and the setup is relatively straightforward. This makes it a great choice for those who are just starting out and don't want to be overwhelmed with complex features.
• Good Image Quality: For the price, the image quality is pretty good. The refractor design minimizes chromatic aberration, and the views of the Moon and planets are typically sharp and clear.
• Portability: The telescope is relatively lightweight and compact, making it easy to transport and set up at different locations. This is a huge advantage if you live in a city with light pollution and need to travel to darker skies.
• Affordable Price: The Saxon 90/900 AZ3 is budget-friendly. This makes it an accessible option for those new to astronomy, especially if you are not sure if this is a long-term hobby.
• Good for Lunar and Planetary Observation: This telescope excels in lunar and planetary observations. You'll get great views of the Moon's craters and the planets like Jupiter and Saturn.

Cons:

• Limited Aperture: The 90mm aperture limits the light-gathering capability. This means that fainter deep-sky objects will be difficult to see or will lack detail. If your main interest is deep-sky, you might want to consider a larger aperture telescope.
• Manual Mount: The AZ3 mount is manual, which means you have to track objects by hand. This can be challenging for beginners and makes it difficult to observe an object for extended periods.
• Not Ideal for Astrophotography: The manual mount and the limited aperture make this telescope less suitable for astrophotography. Capturing detailed images of celestial objects requires a stable mount and a larger aperture.
• Finderscope Issues: The included finderscope can be challenging to align, which can make it harder to find objects in the sky. A good finderscope is critical for accurate navigation, so be prepared to spend some time aligning it properly.
• Included Eyepieces: While usable, the included eyepieces might be of a basic quality. You might consider upgrading the eyepieces for better views later on, especially if you wish to see more detail and sharpness in your observations. The original ones will do the job but are not the best.

Overall, the Saxon 90/900 AZ3 is an excellent telescope for beginners who want a user-friendly and affordable option for exploring the Moon, planets, and brighter deep-sky objects. It is simple to use, has a good image quality, and is portable. However, it's not ideal for astrophotography, and the manual mount requires some patience and practice. Weigh these pros and cons to see if it's the right telescope for you.

Who is the Saxon 90/900 AZ3 Telescope For?

Let's be clear about who the Saxon 90/900 AZ3 is designed for. The best users are: people with the following needs:

• Beginner Astronomers: It's the perfect entry-level telescope for those just starting out in astronomy. Its ease of use and straightforward setup make it less intimidating than more complex telescopes.
• Casual Observers: If you enjoy casual stargazing and are interested in observing the Moon, planets, and brighter deep-sky objects, this telescope is a great fit.
• Those on a Budget: It's an affordable option, making it an accessible choice for people who don't want to spend a fortune on their first telescope.
• Those Seeking Portability: Its lightweight and compact design make it easy to transport and set up in different locations, perfect for those who want to escape light pollution.
• Families: It's a great choice for families to introduce children to astronomy. The simple operation and good views of the Moon and planets will keep them engaged.

However, it's not for everyone. This telescope might not be the best choice if:

• You're an advanced astronomer: Experienced observers will likely find the 90mm aperture and manual mount limiting. You'll want a telescope with more features.
• You're interested in astrophotography: The manual mount and limited light-gathering capabilities make it less than ideal for capturing detailed images of celestial objects.
• You're primarily interested in deep-sky objects: While you can see some deep-sky objects, the 90mm aperture limits what you can observe. If you're passionate about galaxies, nebulae, and faint star clusters, consider a larger aperture telescope.

Ultimately, the Saxon 90/900 AZ3 is an excellent entry-level telescope for anyone wanting to get a taste of the night sky, with a simple and easy-to-use experience, and a decent image quality for the price. It's a solid choice for beginners, casual observers, and families. Just be realistic about its limitations, and you will have a fulfilling stargazing experience.

Tips for Using Your Saxon 90/900 AZ3

Alright, you've got your Saxon 90/900 AZ3, and you're ready to go! Here are some tips to help you get the most out of your telescope and enjoy the night sky:

• Find a Dark Sky Site: The darker the sky, the better the views. Get away from city lights if possible. Light pollution can significantly reduce the visibility of celestial objects. Head to a park, a rural area, or a dark sky location to get the best views.
• Use the Finderscope: Make sure you align the finderscope with the main telescope. It is essential for locating objects in the sky. Without a properly aligned finderscope, it is a very difficult process to find anything.
• Start with the Moon: The Moon is bright and easy to find, making it a great starting point. Get familiar with the telescope and the eyepieces by observing the Moon's craters and features.
• Observe the Planets: Once you're comfortable with the Moon, move on to the planets. Jupiter and Saturn are favorites. Use the high-power eyepiece to get a closer view. Remember that planets are always changing and always on the move.
• Learn the Constellations: Familiarize yourself with the constellations. This will help you locate objects in the sky. Use a star chart or a stargazing app to find your way around.
• Be Patient: Observing takes time and practice. Don't get discouraged if you don't see everything immediately. Take your time, enjoy the process, and learn as you go.
• Allow for Cool Down: The telescope will provide its best views after it cools down to the ambient temperature. Give it some time to equilibrate before starting your observations.
• Practice Aligning: Practice makes perfect! The more you practice aligning your finderscope and locating objects, the easier it will become.
• Join a Local Astronomy Club: Astronomy clubs are a great resource for beginners. You can get advice, tips, and guidance from experienced observers. Most cities have clubs or organizations related to astronomy. They are great communities to meet other enthusiasts and learn even more.
• Read the Manual: I know, it's not the most exciting part, but the manual provides important information on how to use your telescope and maintain it.
• Consider Upgrading Eyepieces: While the included eyepieces are functional, you might want to upgrade them later for better views. Look into higher-quality eyepieces that offer wider fields of view and sharper images.

Conclusion: Is the Saxon 90/900 AZ3 Worth It?

So, is the Saxon 90/900 AZ3 telescope worth it? The answer is a resounding yes, especially for the right person. If you're a beginner looking for a user-friendly and affordable telescope to get started in astronomy, the Saxon 90/900 AZ3 is an excellent choice. It provides good image quality, is easy to set up and use, and is portable. It's perfect for observing the Moon, planets, and brighter deep-sky objects. The manual mount means you'll have to manually track objects, which may take some getting used to. However, this is a minor drawback for a telescope with such a beginner-friendly approach. It won't break the bank, and it's a great way to explore the night sky without a significant investment. This telescope offers a great balance of performance, ease of use, and affordability, which is hard to beat. It's an excellent value for the money, allowing you to discover the wonders of the universe. If you're not sure where to start, you can’t go wrong with the Saxon 90/900 AZ3 to dip your toes into the fascinating world of astronomy.

Happy stargazing, and clear skies, everyone! Remember to be patient, enjoy the journey, and have fun exploring the cosmos!