If you don’t already have a good pair of binoculars, this kit is an incredible value and a great way to get started. First you get very good quality 7 x 35 wide–angle binoculars having fully anti–reflection–coated optics, and 7x magnification with center focus (the most expensive kind). The wide viewing angle (9.2°) is useful in astronomy in that you can see more stars at once, and identify them more readily. Rubber armor coating protects against knocks and moisture. A carrying case, neck strap, lens cleaning cloth and lens caps complete the accessories.

Also included in the kit is Starry Night Special Edition software which is an excellent introduction to amateur astronomy, and runs on both Windows XP and Mac OS X. Finally, a star planisphere (8.5 inches diameter) optimized for North American latitudes is included with a red LED keychain light for reading it while preserving night vision. SW 3 lbs.

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