Wootalyzer's Pricing Post! - The price of today's woot item is saved here for future reference
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Celestron SkyScout Personal Planetarium
$99.99 + $5 Standard OR $9 Two-Day OR $12 One-Day Shipping
Condition: New

*DISCLAIMER* Wootalyzer! is in no way affiliated with Woot!, and this post may not always be here!

Can't my iPad do everything that this can do?

i remember when i bought it for $400. geez. awesome tool. really better than having a telescope if you're just starting out. helps you learn the sky, helps you find the objects that you can then look at with your binoculars.

This looks really cool...and I might actually have been in for one...except..

I'm pretty sure the reason this is so inexpensive is that now, anyone with an Android phone has just about every bit of this functionality (and possibly some things this doesn't do) with the free app "Google Sky". I imagine there's something similar in IOS but I don't know for sure.

Sorry guys...don't get my money today...but you'll get it sooner or later...

Celestron site
http://www.celestron.com/astronomy/celestron-skyscout-personal-planetarium.html
Amazon lists it at $142.68
http://www.amazon.com/Celestron-93970-SkyScout-Personal-Planetarium/dp/B000CNPAAA

Updating this unit could be a bit difficult but considering it.

http://www.celestron.com/astronomy/review/product/list/id/191/

Here's the manual.

(And look! I linked it, which Woot forum commenters never do. Seriously, why don't people take the five seconds to add the two tags?)

Certain gadgets are worth having as a dedicated tool for the job.

If you think of a smartphone as a digital swiss army knife, what you have is a pocket full of tools that may do the job reasonably well but is seldom really stellar at certain tasks, pun intended. The apps in my smartphone are for when I don't have access to *real* tools. At about the cost of a single Benjamin I'd snap this up if I didn't have two already.

Another gadget that falls along these lines is a portal car GPS. Squinting at my smartphone for directions makes me feel pretty stupid.

http://www.amazon.com/Celestron-93970-SkyScout-Personal-Planetarium/dp/B000CNPAAA

If you have any interest in astronomy, or the kids have an interest, this is a fantastic buy. I bought one new several years ago ($400) for a special young member of our family and she loves it even today.

It's a wonderful little device that helps you learn the sky. You point it at an object, push the button and it tells you all you need to know about the target and then some. You can use it to find objects you wish to see or just to float around the sky on your own and learn more about interesting objects. Owning and using one of these devices may show you that you really have a burning interest in astronomy and who knows, you may progress to buying and enjoying a good telescope soon. It's a fantastic hobby...I've been active in astronomy most of my life and I'm sure you will love it.

I love space stuff! This would be rad to have. I did notice something possibly troublesome with this review on their website:

"to update the flash memory you MUST have a 32 bit computer for the software to work. You can load it on a 64 bit machine, but it won't open. Celestron's customer support says they know about it, but don't know when they're having going to update the software. I was told to find a friend with a 32 bit computer. So buy this product knowing this up front"

nice instrument...i probably paid about 125 for a used one couple years ago. Be aware that this thing eats up batteries like there is no tomorrow.!!
but like someone else said...you can now get an app for your phone so save your money.
Sorry Woot

Russ6169 wrote:Can't my iPad do everything that this can do?

No. Check out the manual. Anyway... I don't have your iPad!

sdkammer wrote:I'm pretty sure the reason this is so inexpensive is that now, anyone with an Android phone has just about every bit of this functionality (and possibly some things this doesn't do) with the free app "Google Sky". I imagine there's something similar in IOS but I don't know for sure.

It's the other way around. I'm pretty familiar with Google Sky Map and it's decent enough as a simple finder but very limited beyond that — really, all it does is answer the question "Hey, what's that?" Also, Google's dropped development of it, although since it's now open source, maybe enthusiasts will continue to maintain it, maybe not.

Plus, this is actually pretty kid-friendly. You may or may not want to be handing your smartphone to a youngster to share.

My Galaxy S3 does this for free... It's called "Google Sky".

I came here to ask if the SkyView app I already paid for on my iPhone as just as good as this (it's a lot like Google Sky). It seems most folks think it is...

Very cool device, but I think I'll save my money this time.

starmanbackwards wrote:nice instrument...i probably paid about 125 for a used one couple years ago. Be aware that this thing eats up batteries like there is no tomorrow.!!
but like someone else said...you can now get an app for your phone so save your money.
Sorry Woot

You may be right but I can't see how you can use your Iphone to do the same thing this device does, even with an app. How can you point your phone at an object in the sky and then have your phone tell you what you just pointed at? This device has a functional GPS system within along with an object library for more than 10,000 objects. It automatically knows where on Earth you are standing and exactly what you are pointing at. It will then tell you all you need to know about the object you're viewing. Or you can do it in reverse...ask the device to show you a particular object (let's say M42) and the device will guide to find the target.

Does it come with lifetime maps? I hear the universe may end soon and the night time sky will need to be completely updated.

Since many people are mentioning the Android app, here's the Google Play page for the Sky Map app that Google used to maintain for comparison purposes.

Here is what is offered today:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86-0YfIjiko

btw, am I the only one who hears "anus" instead of "venus" when the computer talks?


and for comparison, here is a review of google sky map app people are mentioning:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bObhCDdE3w

acanarelli wrote:You may be right but I can't see how you can use your Iphone to do the same thing this device does, even with an app. How can you point your phone at an object in the sky and then have your phone tell you what you just pointed at? This device has a functional GPS system within along with an object library for more than 10,000 objects. It automatically knows where on Earth you are standing and exactly what you are pointing at. It will then tell you all you need to know about the object you're viewing. Or you can do it in reverse...ask the device to show you a particular object (let's say M42) and the device will guide to find the target.

I have no idea if the phone apps are as good as this but for your description it sounds like you would need a device with GPS, gyroscope, view finder of some kind, speaker and cpu/memory. Smart phones have all of those so it would be totally possible to create and app that was equivalent to this.
That being said, my brother-in-law is an astronomy buff and boy scout master. I think I'll suggest my sister gets him this for Christmas. It will probably be useful when they are camping and the kids can find out what is up there.

If someone is interested, cloudy night has a forum for this device.

http://www.cloudynights.com/ubbthreads/postlist.php/Cat/0/Board/SkyScout

Russ6169 wrote:Can't my iPad do everything that this can do?

Yes, it can, and more! With Star Walk, for $3:

http://www.google.co.uz/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=star%20walk%20ipad&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CCsQFjAA&url=https%3A%2F%2Fitunes.apple.com%2Fen%2Fapp%2Fstar-walk-for-ipad-interactive%2Fid363486802%3Fmt%3D8&ei=wFW8UPrHBc6pqQGm1IGYCQ&usg=AFQjCNE_mWqL2qxKI1SbXbbnGLHLp1qGEQ

sdkammer wrote:This looks really cool...and I might actually have been in for one...except..

I'm pretty sure the reason this is so inexpensive is that now, anyone with an Android phone has just about every bit of this functionality (and possibly some things this doesn't do) with the free app "Google Sky". I imagine there's something similar in IOS but I don't know for sure.

Sorry guys...don't get my money today...but you'll get it sooner or later...

Exactly.. initially I thought this was a planetarium projector which would've been cool. Also, Google Sky map is free

nechronius wrote:Certain gadgets are worth having as a dedicated tool for the job.

If you think of a smartphone as a digital swiss army knife, what you have is a pocket full of tools that may do the job reasonably well but is seldom really stellar at certain tasks, pun intended. The apps in my smartphone are for when I don't have access to *real* tools. At about the cost of a single Benjamin I'd snap this up if I didn't have two already.

Another gadget that falls along these lines is a portal car GPS. Squinting at my smartphone for directions makes me feel pretty stupid.

I have trouble believe you have to squint, unless if you have pretty bad eyesight or using a phone with a screen smaller than 4"
That said you could always install a 7" tablet instead.

I do agree that smartphones are becoming more and more like swiss army knives.
Ex: A DSLR will take better pictures than your phone for sure.
But in this particular case, I don't see it beating Google Sky Map which lets you do what it does aka point at sky object and get info on it. It will also let you search for anything and help you point your phone in the right direction AND let you go back/forward in time to look at what the sky looked like yesterday or a month ago or when you were born.
With Gyro equipped phones it's also probably more accurate.

Btw, you can have 1 of those phones for 1 benjamin too.

The video ad says 6000 stars. Woot! Writes "over 50,000 stars.". Which is correct?

ckeilah wrote:Yes, it can, and more! With Star Walk, for $3:

http://www.google.co.uz/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=star%20walk%20ipad&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CCsQFjAA&url=https%3A%2F%2Fitunes.apple.com%2Fen%2Fapp%2Fstar-walk-for-ipad-interactive%2Fid363486802%3Fmt%3D8&ei=wFW8UPrHBc6pqQGm1IGYCQ&usg=AFQjCNE_mWqL2qxKI1SbXbbnGLHLp1qGEQ

ooh - that looks interesting. I have NightSky which is pretty cool too

After leading an effort to build an astrononomy viewing park in the City of O'Fallon, MO, several years ago when I worked there as a City Planner. I became an amateur astronomer. THIS IS A GREAT PRODUCT, BUT YES, YOUR SMART PHONE HAS DOZENS OF APPS THAN CAN DO THE SAME THING.

Instead of making this purchase, I HIGHLY suggest the below set of Astronomical Binoculars from Celestron instead for $50 (they were $80 just a week ago). After you read a few of the over 400 reviews, you will see that these are an absolute steal at $50.


http://www.amazon.com/Celestron-SkyMaster-Binoculars-Tripod-Adapter/dp/B00008Y0VN/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1354528095&sr=8-1&keywords=celestron+skymaster

Must have Win32 machine to update.

Warranty is amended to say must be be purchased from Celestron dealers.

Despite having iOS and android apps on several devices with similar features, I am all in for this tool. Can't wait for it's delivery!

I bit. Point & click. Seems like a great stocking stuffer for the 8 yr old.

scottman54 wrote:Here is what is offered today:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86-0YfIjiko

btw, am I the only one who hears "anus" instead of "venus" when the computer talks?

Time now for Uranus jokes.

and for comparison, here is a review of google sky map app people are mentioning:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bObhCDdE3w

Russ6169 wrote:Can't my iPad do everything that this can do?

Speaking of iPads, how come mine can't seem to play any videos Woot! posts these days? Little blank area comes up like it wants to show it, but nothing happens.

hey i am being turned down on my order!! i want one never a problem before. please reply

I use Stellarium Mobile for my Galaxy tab and it does a great job. Not sure if it does as much as this gadget, but it works good for me. Just letting you know there are some decent Android apps that can do this as well.

Stellarium Mobile for Android

There is an app for that...

I have had one of these for at least five years. They are great, and they work! Point at an object and it will id it! However, unless you have good 20/20 vision it can be almost impossible to read at night. Folks that wear bifocals or have near vision issues cannot see the display at night.