By Laurel Brown – Updated Aug 30, 2022
The Bushnell 565 is a precision refracting telescope that can magnify celestial objects up to 565× their apparent size. Its simple design makes it an excellent choice for students and amateur astronomers who want to explore planets, galaxies, and other wonders of the night sky. Before you can begin observing, you’ll need to assemble a few key components.
Start by reviewing the included instruction manual. Match the diagram to the parts in your box. If the manual is missing, you can download it online from the Bushnell website (see Resources).
Loosen the tripod leg screws, extend the legs to the desired height, then retighten. Ensure the screws are secure enough to prevent wobble—vibrations will compromise your observations—yet still allow quick adjustments.
Remove the telescope from its cradle, then attach the equatorial mount to the top of the tripod using the supplied wing nuts. Return the telescope to the cradle and tighten the mounting screws. Avoid overtightening to prevent damage.
The finderscope provides a low‑magnification view and includes a battery‑powered sighting light. Verify the light works by aligning the finderscope with a bright object during daylight.
Secure the accessory tray to the tripod legs using the provided bolts and wing nuts. This tray holds additional accessories and keeps them within easy reach.
Attach the adjustment cables and knobs to the equatorial mount. Tighten the silver screws until snug, then test each control to confirm smooth, accurate movement.
Insert the desired eyepiece into the telescope tube. Tighten the surrounding screws to secure the lens without over‑torquing.
The telescope’s eyepieces have focal lengths of 8 mm, 12.5 mm, and 20 mm, producing basic magnifications of 94×, 60×, and 37.5×, respectively. For maximum 565× magnification, pair the 8 mm eyepiece with a 3× Barlow lens.
Refracting telescopes present images that are upside‑down due to lens optics. Use the 1.5× erecting lens to view objects right‑side‑up, which also boosts magnification by 50 %. Never look directly at the sun through the telescope, even at the lowest magnification, as this can cause serious eye damage.
