By Joel Douglas
Updated Aug 30, 2022
Bushnell reflector telescopes bring the night sky into vivid focus. Rooted in Isaac Newton’s original design, these Newtonian reflectors use a two‑mirror system to gather light and deliver crisp images to your eyepiece. Each unit comes with a sturdy tripod, a finder scope, two magnifying eyepieces, and a Barlow lens, giving you flexibility from wide‑field to high‑power views.
Place the tripod on flat, level ground. Loosen the thumb screws on each leg, extend all three legs to the desired height, then tighten the screws once each leg is at the same length.
Stand the tripod upright. Loosen the retaining clamps on the mount, attach the telescope tube, and then retighten the clamps to secure the telescope firmly.
Insert the finder scope into the telescope’s mounting bracket, aligning the pin to the tube, and tighten the thumb screws.
Point the telescope at a bright object such as the Moon or a prominent star. Use the finder scope to center the object in the crosshairs.
Insert the low‑power eyepiece into the focuser. Look through the eyepiece and adjust the focus knob until the image is sharp.
If the object is centered in the finder but not in the eyepiece, center it in the eyepiece first, then tweak the finder’s adjustment screw to bring the crosshairs into alignment.
Remove the low‑power eyepiece and insert the high‑power one to increase magnification. For even greater detail, place the Barlow lens between the focuser and the eyepiece.
Newtonian reflectors flip and reverse images, so use a finder scope for accurate pointing. Choose a dark, rural site away from light pollution for the best views.
Never observe the Sun through any telescope or binoculars unless equipped with a certified solar filter; doing so can permanently damage your eyes.
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