By Patrick Nelson | Updated Aug 30, 2022
Bushnell provides three thoughtfully designed telescope ranges that deliver excellent performance at an affordable price. The Northstar line features computerized models with voice‑activated guidance and an integrated database of 20,000 celestial objects. The Harbormaster series showcases elegant nautical‑styled brass and cherry‑wood refractors, while the Voyager Sky Tour models combine LED red‑dot finderscopes with an audio‑tour handset for an engaging observational experience.
Point the main tube toward a terrestrial target roughly 200 yards away. This establishes a baseline for focusing and alignment.
Use the rack‑and‑pinion focusing mechanism on the left side of the main tube—opposite the Bushnell logo—to fully extend the focusing tube.
Slowly retract the focusing tube with the mechanism until the target appears sharp and centered.
Activate the red‑dot finder (available on Northstar and Voyager models). Look through the main telescope and adjust the finder’s wheels until the dot aligns with the same object visible in the main view.
Choose a beginner object—such as the Moon—and center it within the finder’s crosshairs.
Through the lowest‑power eyepiece (the one labeled with the highest number), confirm that the Moon appears in the main tube.
Swap to higher‑power eyepieces by loosening the set screw, inserting the eyepiece, and retightening the screw. Observe details as magnification increases.
Begin again with the low‑power eyepiece, then progress to higher power to view Saturn, Mars, Jupiter, and Venus. Note that each planet’s surface features become more pronounced at greater magnification.
Never look directly at the Sun through a telescope or with the naked eye. Solar observation can cause permanent eye damage. Use a certified solar filter if you wish to view the Sun safely.
