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Awesome review thanks to your great review and your obvious in depth knowledge I felt 110% comfortable purchasing this at Costco yesterday. This is my first telescope and look forward to more videos.

Thank you so much for this video!! My husband and I just got this telescope for Christmas and we’re so excited to try it out but a bit intimidated. This video made me feel more confident, and seeing some samples of what we could see using it has made me even more excited to try it out!

Another awesome video!!! I adore my AZ-GTe 102mm that you recommended. This would be a great budget option for my friends who have been so impressed with mine. Thanks for sharing. Clear skies!

Just purchased this telescope today for 99.99 at Costco! Glad to have found your review, it was very helpful thank you!

Thank you for the review, just bought it from my local Costco. I haven’t been able to use it due to weather issues, but I’m looking forward for better weather and be able to get a great view of the moon.

I see someone crochets towels in your family! My grandma used to. I'm glad you made this video, just bought this for my husband for our anniversary. He's so excited!

Just bought this thanks to your review! My first real scope. Thus far I've been using an 60mm hobby killer given to me by a neighbor. Also grabbed your book, '110 Things to See With a Telescope'. Dude I'm so stoked!! Enjoying your channel. Subscribed.

I love this telescope. had been looking for one for my future son in law for christmas and every place was sold out. In Costco on Christmas Eve and up in the front of the line was this gem. Just learning how to use it and now they moved out so think its time to get my own. Thanks for the video. alot of useful information.

i always wanted to see how my beginners Telescope with perform with advance mounts. Today this video showed it. Great stuff 👍👍👍👍

Love this one! Super helpful for my cheap telescope search. This one would be perfect and you confirmed my thoughts. Thanks!

Thank you so much I just got this for Christmas and your video has helped me tons.

Thank you so much for this review. I've just bought one from Costco and I hope kids and I will say WOW when we see the first object.

Thank you for the tutorial. I picked this up from Costco a few months ago and just got around to putting it together. After viewing the moon and Jupiter I am hooked! Excited to learn more so look forward to more of your videos.

We got this telescope recently and it is very good we found it through your review and found it at Costco we only had it for a little while but we got a full moon picture and a star cluster as a new person to this hobby I rlly like it

Great review! Yes, I hope Mr. Scott Roberts listens, lol. He is a good man, with his finger on the pulse of the astronomy community. Also just a sidenote, a couple years ago I was looking for a beginner telescope. After much research, I settled on the HWB1 sky 130. It’s a great little scope, that I continue to use to this day! Cost is US$199, and I believe is manufactured and shipped through Celestron. Keep the videos coming, great job!

Thanks for the video. I had been agonizing over a refractor for long time, thinking I would get an 100ED APO OTA as my first scope . Thanks to your video, I decided to take the plunge with the XLT. Most Costco locations were sold out, but one had about 37 in stock!

I bought your 110 things book after another of your videos a while back. It's a great book that I refer to again and again, even making comparisons while reading other books. Thank you.

Awesome video. Was super intimidated with buying this as a first telescope, but your video helped me with all the questions i would have had. thanks

What a great very detailed video. I just got one at Costco for US $150! I thought there was no way this was going to be a useful scope at this price but was willing to take a chance. Thanks for not only addressing the whats but also the whys of owning a telescope in your review.

This telescope actually came with an allen wrench that's actually in the mount arm

Excellent review and I cannot agree with you more. I've owned many vintage sears telescopes 2 and 3 inch from the 60s and 70s. I also own a 12 inch Z12 Zhumell Reflector. I bought the Omni AZ 102 mm refractor on a whim at COSCO and I'm impressed with its performance. Last night I took it out on a 16 degree F night and enjoyed views of Sirius, RIgel and the Orion Nebula. You cannot beat this telescope for price, convenience, and performance. It's a great grab and go telescope and easy to learn and use for beginners. Thanks for the video.

Just picked this up at Costco. $199 USD. It's my son's birthday (leap year baby) and he's been obsessed with Astronomy since the age of 4. Can't wait to set this up with him! Love the review! You've got a new subscriber!

This is literally the best tutorial I've ever seen. And the dog wiggle dance was the icing on the cake

Thank you for this great review. You convinced me. I am buying this Telescope

Great video. I just bought this at Costco in Canada today (on clearance) and can hardly wait to use it with my granddaughter! Thanks for the great video and I'll be checking out other ones you've done.

Thank you for the video ! I just got one super exited ! Great info

Just got my Omni 102AZ delivered today. Can't wait to put it together and start using it this weekend.

Thank you 🙏 for the great review! I just bought mine today at Costco for $149.00 CAD, before tax. It’s my first telescope, and excited to start using it. Love your amazing channel!

Great review! Wish it was available here!

Today is 12/5/2022, this telescope is back in stock at Costco in KC as of today ! I had ordered one on Amazon but returned it because Costco was almost half the price. Thank you for the great review!!

Ah man. They're lots of fun and convenient to take out. Looking forward to getting one. Yes they are Getting up in price.. I like your Incouragement. Great video.

John, great review! These Alt-Az mounts have a small allen key in a hole that’s near the base of the mount arm just above the azimuth slip clutch. The key is for installing and tightening the the slow motion control rods as needed. I agree that this is good beginner rig. I recommend the Celestron StarSense telescopes with slow motion controls for under $500 U.S. for serious beginners who can afford it. Love your books!!!

Wow this video was amazing, I really enjoy it

My wifey just found one of these in a costco down in Phoenix.... she bought the very last one (display model) for 80. had all the pieces....Gonna set it up in the back yard on Christmas... can't use the deck until the Christmas lights go away. So glad I found your video :D

Great review! Thanks

Hello John - I wanted to thank you for what you do. It was for your video that I pulled the trigger yesterday on this telescope, which I had seen in local Costco about 3-4 days ago. I am a beginner and was a little skeptical at first to buy a budget refractor, since my initial research had driven me towards a Reflector for this price range. However, I'm glad I found your video and I'm very pleased with my purchase. I was able to get pleasing views of Jupiter and Saturn on the first night (with the included eyepieces - hoping to have even better experience once the upgraded eyepiece arrives). The Mars looked very small, and perhaps Pleiades would require a broader field of view. I should be able to look at Moon tonight, once the filter arrives. Hoping to get your book soon to have a shot at the Messier objects. Thank you, again!

Thank you for the video. I purchased one for $199. And by the way, the allen wrench is located is a slot in the front of the mount.

Great video, walked by this model in Costco today and Googled reveiws. I purchased this because of this video!! Alao in Alaska so saving a ton on shipping regardless, only 200$ USD.

Great review

Super helpful and knowledgeable. Thanks so much

Just picked one of these up for $139 USD at Costco, looking forward to getting it set up. I appreciate all of the helpful info.

I just picked it up at Costco today 03/26/22 for 150 bucks!!! And before I bought it I watch this video! Thanks for the info!

Last year, I ordered a Celestron AstroMaster 102AZ from Amazon but ended up receiving a Omni AZ 102 instead. Initially, I wasn't sure if I should keep it or return it for what I had originally ordered. After watching your review, I decided to keep the Omni and have been very happy that I did. Thanks for your review!

Thanks for making this video. Still learning to use it after two try’s, ordered the Barlow scope accessory and start pro finder, they’ll come in tomorrow. I came up on this telescope because it was on clearance for $99.99. Feel better about this purchase now!

Just found one of these one Amazon for $250. I had to get it. Thanks for the great in depth review!

Thank you - bought one before I saw your video. I wanted to get a cheap telescope that had the ability to send pictures to my phone - so that is why I bought it. I wish that part of it was a little better and that you had more on that in the video. However, based on your video I am going to keep the telescope. I was thinking of returning it.

Thanks for the vid! We got an Omni AZ 102 today at Costco (US) for $159.99 - very happy!

Hi. Im a beginner and new to your channel. Ive just purchased a Celestron Starsense 102dx. The telescope looks almost identical to the one you have purchased so glad you think its good for a beginner and impressed by what I should be able to see. Hopefully here in the UK, the clouds will clear soon and I can finally get out and use it.

Good Information! Thank you!

I was able to pick up one of these a few days back. Looking forward to many nights with this refractor. It should compliment my Dobsonians very well. Thanks for the review.

Great video, thanks! If you look closely there’s actually a hidden Allan key attached to the telescope! Super cool

Thank you so much for posting this video! I have been looking so long to get a telescope that our daughters (6 and 2) could enjoy and this is exactly the right fit, but from a features and budget standpoint. I went to Costco this morning and found it for $199. It was not online-in store only. I am amazed by how solid this build is, from the metal optical tube to the mount itself. We have already spent some quality family time outside enjoying incredible views of the moon and it’s only dusk! Anyhow, thank you again for this great video. Also, I must say that I really appreciated the fact that you acknowledged that, while binoculars are great, sometimes people just want to buy a telescope. PS. Just ordered a copy of “50 Things to See with a Telescope-Kids.” Looking forward to seeing what’s up there!

Thank you, I learned so much.🙂

Good tps on the red dot finder

I bought your books 110 and 50 things to see with telescope. And post Christmas 2022, I picked up one of these new on Ebay, around $220 delivered. Now, I need some clear skies to see this late January early February 2023 comet flying around the little dipper, (the one with Polaris) visible a few hours before sunrise!

thanks man you save me a lot of money

Thanks for the review! Just got this on clearance at Costco for $99.97 US

Very nice review. Thank you! You now have a new Sub. 😁🎅🏻 My wife just picked up one of these at Costco for Christmas for our 8 yr. young grandson. I can't wait to try it out in a dark lit lot in our town. We will also drive an hour north where it's much darker. Perhaps I will purchase one of those 5mm lenses you recommended for his B-day in May. Time will tell.

I am really, really a newbie at astronomy. My wifebsays I havebtoo many hobbies, butbI figured at 56 it was time to add another. I had been looking at that telescope at Costco for the past month or so, and just couldn't pull the trigger. But your video changed that! Just picked it a couple of minutes ago...the last one they had! Your last criteria was, "Does it make people say, 'Wow'?" Well, I haven't even made it home, but when I saw they had marked it down to $99.99...I've been saying "WOW" ever sincebI put it in the cart! So looking forward to getting it assembled, calibrated, and put to the text. Now to order a couple of your books!

John, I have your Messier and moon books and love them

You will find the Allen key for the slow adjustment knobs slid into the mount. It is item 10 on your parts list. Look just in front of the left/right slow motion knob at the base of the mount arm in the tripod head.

just saw this telescope at Costco on Friday, I didn't get it because I was unsure of how it would be for the price ($150) but I'm going to have to go back and get it. My kids have been wanting a telescope for a while now, so this will make a perfect Christmas present

Little late to this post but this scope is at Costco today for $119.00 usd. Picked it up and will follow your channels.

I originally planned to pick this scope up for my kids. Checked online and in store at Costco earlier this year. I was unable to find it. I ended up settling for the Orion Starblast 4.5 for the kids. Over the weekend I was out and about decided to stop at Costco. Lo and behold Costco in Indiana had this scope on display and I ended up buying one as well $220.00 US on 12/15/23.

I'm very happy with my purchase

Great review, and very well timed as we bought this telescope last week (Costco Halifax), and it sounds like we had a lucky break since it doesn't seem to be readily available elsewhere. Is there a compatible Barlow lens you could recommend?

I was able to get a brand new, in the box Omni AZ 102 for $200 CDN from an outlet store here is Vancouver last week. Having a lot of fun with it and still no moon in the sky yet.

Great Review! I bought this as a beginner telescope back in 11/2020 at Costco and you are right It was gone for a long time. I just exchanged the one I originally got because I stripped one of the screws and getting anything from Celestron is almost impossible right now. I had no problem buying it again today. This telescope really got me into the astrology and astrophotography. I now some better telescope but still use this one a lot. I’m pretty impressed with how you set it up on the equatorial mount. What Field flattener did you use? I have a SVbony 305 Pro camera and want to see what kind of images can get. Thanks for the review.

The Allen wrench is hidden in the mount!!! I had the exact same confusion and noticed the manual mentions it (after 30 minutes of frustration of course)!

i got an explore scientific firstlight achromat scope, 102mm x 1000mm, f9.8 for about 250 bux about a year ago, i think its 75 bux. more now, but absolutely worth it.... so alomg with the scope in this video, i highly recommemd the es ar1021000eq3 refractor telescope for a beginner who wants a solid scope they wont quickly. become bewildered with... a year later and im still learning new things with it.... the eq3 mount is great also...

It’s not back! More’s the pity, but I think the scopes you saw for sale locally were a remaindered batch Costco Canada bought up. Chances are no one else will be able to find it. It’s not listed on Costco’s Canada website. That 102 Omni sold for $400 new but was discontinued 2 years ago I have it on good authority, as the new StarSense 102 is the same scope on the same mount but with the StarSense push to technology for $500 currently. I tested it - It works very well. But I agree, the other similar but cheaper refractors Celestron sells on repurposed camera tripods are not nearly as good. In fact, I wouldn’t recommend them at all, for the checklist reasons you outline. Cheers!

Great video and I’m sure someone told you in the comments that there is an Allen wrench mounted in the stand.

Just bought this at Costco Australia for the equivalent of $236 USD. Our winter starts in June so should be some great viewing nights, winters are best here, clearest skies and milky way is in prime position.

The allen wrench is in the tripod at the horizontal mount.

Great video I just saw the same telescope at Costco today for 279 dollars Canadian think I will wait a bit and hope the price will go down

I like seeing the images from each telescope. I want to buy one soon! The images shown help me to have realistic expectations for what can be scene through each scope I am researching. I might go as high as $700 for one and am hoping to find something that my child can grow with and use for years to come. Personally I want to see all the planets clearly. My son wants to see other galaxies and nebulas then start taking basic photographs of them.

Heads up! I just saw the Celestron Omni AZ 102 at my local Costco (in Markham, ON) available for CAD $199.99.

I picked this bad boy up at costco today, 2022/03/26 in Canada for 149.98. The 6 remaining they had were all marked down!

Got an ex display in UK for £135 including postage. 10mm and 2"to 1.25"adapter was missing.Tripod as others have said is the weak part. Suited much better for my st80.You will need a longer dovetail bar to reach balance with 2" eyepieces. 4" I think is a nice size to handle but have enough aperture to be useful. Have the f5 st. F9ed and now this f6.5 omni. Clear skies Vic.

the wrench was provided on the mount to the side

Possiedo questo telescopio dal 2018. Nel tempo ho apportato degli aggiornamenti : - Focheggiatore TS Monorail 96; - Anelli e barra vixen più lunga; - Diagonale a specchi di qualità - Mirino ottico - Set di oculari di qualità (ES), ma trovo ottimi anche gli economici oculari Celestron Ploss serie Omni (4-9-12-15-32mm e Barlow 2x) - Treppiede EQ5; - Montatura SW EQ5 e SW AZ5 Con queste modifiche fatte nel tempo il telescopio va benissimo. Oltre a questo ho anche un SW Mak127, eccezionale per la Luna e pianeti, ma il Celestron AZ 102 Omni é fantastico per le stelle e la nitidezza delle immagini. Anche se prenderò un rifrattore APO 130 o C9, il piccolo Acromatico Az 102 rimarrà sempre con me.

Thanks for this review. I bought this telescope in November 2022, but I saw it during the Christmas holidays in November-December 2023. I'd advise checking Costco again during the Holiday season this year--they sometimes carry items like this seasonally. I just unboxed mine today (April 6 2024), and I don't see a red dot through Finderscope. I changed the battery but I still didn't see a red dot anywhere. Am I missing something? Finally, I'm a real "telescope newbie," so some things that might be "given" to others might not be obvious to me.

I have a few of them “ hobby killer” scopes. With some simple upgrades. They are not bad for kids or the beginner astrophotographer .. throw out the stock tripod and go to good will and find a ok camera tripod. Huge difference.. then get some good eyepieces . And a cellphone camera. Even with a 50x 400 scope using 965 adapted to 1.25 I can get the Orion Nebula.. I’ve got pictures of andromeda using my great grandfathers 1950s Lafayette 60x800 refractor.. the scope is not the killer. It’s the mounts and eyepieces.

Congrats on another great review John! I agree that the Omni 102 is great value. It also pairs nicely with the NexStar SLT Go-To mount that I purchased from Costco along with a f/10 102mm OTA a few years ago.

Got one from Costco yesterday for $159. Last night, for first light, I saw Jupiter and the 4 moons. Very sharp, and I can make out the equatorial bands using the 10mm eyepiece. Makes me want to get a good 2x or 3x barlow. I'm wondering if a 3x barlow would be too much, even though with 3x you would still be under the 200x magnification.

Looks like it is not available here in California. Great review, John. Grab one if you can get it!

yes its a 2" focuser

Awesome! I was on the fence about getting this but you definitely helped convince me that it's worth purchasing. I would like to eventually attach a camera to a telescope, would this one be one that could do that?

The allen key is tucked in side of the base above the legs

On a recent trip to Costco I saw this telescope. I forget the price. I was tempted to throw it in my cart, but I dont have the room to expand my telescope collection right now.

Just got this scope, really cool. Saw Jupiter and moons last night but still small with 10mm eyepiece. If I wanted a little larger more detailed view of planets would you recc buying the separate 5mm eyepiece or 2-3X Barlow or both? Kids most fascinated by planets right now, so trying to maximize planet appearance. What additional eyepiece or pieces would you recc, preferably just one for saving $.

5:26 RTFM :D If this comes to South Africa for $200, it will become my imaging scope for sure! What a find!

I know I'm a year late to this but I just got this scope too and it comes with a tiny little allen wrench hidden on the scope. Lol, absolutely great video though!

Thank You, I am a total beginner, you have done an excellent job of the KISS method for the telescope. I love the night sky but want to get more involved with it with camera's and telescopes. Can you please show how to use the cell phone adapter that came with the scope this is one of its selling points I believe, and what the images look like with the cell phone. I would like to also put a camera with this telescope any suggestions on a modest priced one? I know this is a lot of questions but I am a little sky hungry right now. Thanks for any information that you can supply me with.

the allen wrech is included on the tripod

Yay! I got this from Costco in Dallas for $169. Quick question. What is that eye piece you are using with this telescope at 9:16 mark. what other eye pieces can we use with this telescope to increase the magnification. i would like to see a bit more detail of saturn. Thanks for your review. it was great.

Just purchased today as well for my son. I hope I made a good choice. It is 11/19/2022 now. I got it at Costco for $212

Hey there, Pretty awesome video, thanks for the review. I wonder if you got any specific recommendations of what Barlow to get for this telescope.

Just grabbed this for my little guy for his first telescope. Going to have to figure out how to take some photos with it.