Is the HEXEUM Telescope worth a purchase? Telescopes can be an expensive endeavor, especially for a newcomer looking to whet their teeth on viewing the cosmos. Generally, getting an acceptable telescope is a matter of balancing features and usability with what you can afford.
HEXEUM’s telescope is a different matter. It’s priced affordably and is lauded by customers. But is it actually worth the price? This review will do a deeper dive into the popular telescope to find out if you should actually order it for yourself.
Best Deal Today
- 600mm focal length and 80mm aperture
- 24x and 60x magnification
- Three heights and three angles
- Comes with a phone adapter and an adjustable aluminum tripod
HEXEUM Telescope Overview
Price
The HEXEUM telescope retails for around $199.99. This includes both the black and white color selections. You can routinely find it for well below that, though. Sale prices generally hover below $150, making this quite an affordable purchase for the amateur astronomer.
Different Models
The HEXEUM telescope comes in two different color variations for the 80mm aperture model. You have your selection of a black body with white accents or a white body with black accents.
There are other models of telescope available, as well, with a 70mm aperture variant in differing colors. This one is generally priced lower, retailing for around $169.99. You can also find it on sale for considerably less, with sales prices under $100 not being uncommon.
Features
The HEXEUM 80mm telescope comes with a variety of eyepieces as standard equipment. You have access to 25mm, 3x + 25mm, 10mm, and 3x + 10mm eyepieces. The telescope comes with a wireless controller, which serves as a shutter control for a smartphone camera.
A smartphone adapter is included to capture pictures of planets, stars, and the Moon. You’ve also got a carrying tray, finder scope, and a tidy bag to tote everything around. The telescope itself is mounted on an aluminum alloy tripod that is height-adjustable.
Specifications
| HEXEUM Telescope | |
|---|---|
| Aperture Size | 80mm |
| Focal Length | 600mm |
| Included Lenses | 25mm, 10mm, 3x magnification Barstow lenses |
| Length | 22.8 inches |
| Width | 5.1 inches |
| Height | 8.2 inches |
| Tripod Range of Motion | 360° rotation, 180° vertical adjustment range |
HEXEUM Telescope Review
©AstroStar/Shutterstock.com
The HEXEUM telescope is challenging the notion of what a beginner’s instrument should be. When you factor in the low cost with the variety of accessories and the excellent image quality, it is a great choice for amateur stargazers. The telescope is designed for ease of use, meaning you’ll have minimal setup to actually view the sea of stars in the night sky.
Design
The overall design of the HEXEUM is intended to make the user comfortable with its operation. Adjusting the tripod is a cinch, with the adjustable angles easily sliding into place depending on where you have the telescope placed.
Putting the eyepiece into focus is also relatively simple, needing just a twist of the focus ring to bring things in or out of view. From top to bottom, this is a telescope engineered for hobbyists and beginners alike.
Performance
The overall image quality from the 80mm HEXEUM telescope is astounding for the price. You won’t be getting high-dollar visuals out of it, but there is more than enough to get a good view of the Moon and other astral objects.
The inclusion of a smartphone adapter means you can share your interstellar findings with friends and family. There are some slight complaints about the overall quality of the image, which comes under scrutiny if you’re more accustomed to better telescopes.
There is light bloom and bleed, which will be noticeable with brighter objects. Some users have complained that the magnification lenses aren’t adept at looking at the likes of Jupiter or Saturn when they’re more visible in the night sky.
Ease of Use
The HEXEUM is marvelously easy to get running. HEXEUM provides installation videos that you find online that will guide you through the entire process. Aside from that, it is simply a matter of locating the object you want to view through the zenith mirror.
Once located, you can install the eyepiece and bring the telescope into focus. The whole process shouldn’t take more than a few minutes for a beginner, as you aren’t having to calibrate viewfinders or other mechanisms.
You can also opt for using the finder scope, which functions similarly to the zenith mirror. The finder scope may be a more ideal choice, as you can align the telescope with an eyepiece already installed.
Optics Quality
©Fernando Astasio Avila/Shutterstock.com
If there is one weak link in the 80mm HEXEUM package, it’ll come down to the optics. The price is very much reflective of what you’re getting. They are average, which is a sight better than some of the lower-cost telescopes you’ll find on the market.
For casual stargazing, they are more than adequate. If you’re looking to do photography, you might want to invest in better equipment. Still, this is very much a beginner’s telescope for a hobbyist or a massive birthday present for a child, so you can’t expect all home runs.
Included Accessories
The 80mm HEXEUM comes with an eyepiece tray that is directly installed on the tripod. Other accessories include the tripod itself, which is angle and height adjustable, as needed. You also have a finder’s scope and carrying case.
Finally, the whole package includes a wireless remote and a smartphone adapter. You’ll want to use these in conjunction with one another to get steady photographs without having to mash your phone’s screen and jar the telescope.
HEXEUM Telescope: Pros and Cons
Pros
- It is a very affordable telescope
- The installation process is simple and comes with video instructions
- The 80mm aperture is more than enough for capturing light from most things you’ll see in the sky
Cons
- The optics are adequate but aren’t exemplary
- It doesn’t come with an adjustable finder scope
- The included manual isn’t very useful
HEXEUM Telescope: Is It a Buy?
Buy It if…
You’re in the market for a beginner’s telescope. There are few options as fully featured as the HEXEUM 80mm telescope, especially in this price range. You’ve got more than enough hardware to view the night sky. It’s built to be a friendly piece of equipment, so it’s a great introduction to telescopes that won’t break the bank.
Don’t Buy It if…
You’re expecting stellar visuals out of a $200 telescope. Yes, the image quality is better than most low-end telescopes would lead you to believe. However, you’ll find some drawbacks to the optics under closer scrutiny. The HEXEUM isn’t meant as a mid- to high-end telescope, so temper your expectations accordingly.
- 600mm focal length and 80mm aperture
- 24x and 60x magnification
- Three heights and three angles
- Comes with a phone adapter and an adjustable aluminum tripod
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Peakstock/Shutterstock.com.
