Post by mamared on Mar 3, 2019 20:19:41 GMT -5
I recently picked this item up at the LA store. Here are some photos of the box (front and back) along with the website description, and my thoughts on the five different pieces that come with it ...
Luciana loves to search for stars and planets with her trusty telescope. This set includes:
1. A toy telescope that lights up and projects space scenes - This measures about 6.5 inches long and is a nice, heavy, and substantial piece, even before you add the necessary batteries (3 AAAs). It’s pink with a little “Seeing Stars” constellation logo on it (close up below).
There’s a push button to turn on the projector light and a knob that turns to show one of five different space scenes. You can twist the end of the telescope to bring the scenes into different focus. Here are a few of the images:
It’s worth noting that I took these during the daytime in a shadowy corner of the room, holding the telescope projector just about a foot away from the wall. I think they would be more clear if the room were darker, though. Of the five possible scenes, there was one I couldn’t quite get into focus (not sure if I was doing something wrong or if others have had that problem too).
2. A tripod to hold the telescope steady - This also seems like a nice piece. The telescope clicks securely into place and then can rotate and pivot easily. The tripod stands about 7.5 inches tall before the legs are spread out, and the legs can extend to 10.25 inches. I didn’t think it seemed wobbly at all, even with the heavy telescope on it.
3. A soft blanket to sit on - Cute blanket, measuring about 14.5 inches in either direction with rounded edges. I don’t think it’s particularly soft, but it’s not bad, either. One side has a constellation-type design, and the other has an all-over pattern of diamond-shaped stars. Both of them are in Luciana’s purple-pink-blue color scheme with a pink fabric edge.
A close up of the fabric:
4. A pretend smartphone - This looks really cute. It is white with clear edging and embedded sparkles (like a protective case), and has a strap to fit the doll’s hand in it. I haven’t taken it out of the packaging yet, so the photos show it inside its wrapping along with #5 below ...
5. Two smartphone screens with charts of the night sky - I think these slide inside the pretend smartphone case. I think it’s cute that the apps include American Girl and NASA, and the screen choices seem to correspond to some of the images seen on the telescope projector. Here are photos of the front and back, still in the packaging:
Overall, there’s a lot that I like about this set. It seems well thought out and well made. I’m not sure about the ongoing play value after the initial wow wears off, and I personally would’ve favored different color choices for the telescope. I also would have very much liked to see more information about the projector images provided as part of the set. (There may have been something along those lines that you could scan in the app during Luciana’s year - I don’t remember for sure - but printed material still would have been a nice touch.)
With all of this considered, I think I’d give the set a B if purchased at full price ($40), and maybe elevate it to a B+ for avid stargazers or if you’re able to get it at discount.
Luciana loves to search for stars and planets with her trusty telescope. This set includes:
1. A toy telescope that lights up and projects space scenes - This measures about 6.5 inches long and is a nice, heavy, and substantial piece, even before you add the necessary batteries (3 AAAs). It’s pink with a little “Seeing Stars” constellation logo on it (close up below).
There’s a push button to turn on the projector light and a knob that turns to show one of five different space scenes. You can twist the end of the telescope to bring the scenes into different focus. Here are a few of the images:
It’s worth noting that I took these during the daytime in a shadowy corner of the room, holding the telescope projector just about a foot away from the wall. I think they would be more clear if the room were darker, though. Of the five possible scenes, there was one I couldn’t quite get into focus (not sure if I was doing something wrong or if others have had that problem too).
2. A tripod to hold the telescope steady - This also seems like a nice piece. The telescope clicks securely into place and then can rotate and pivot easily. The tripod stands about 7.5 inches tall before the legs are spread out, and the legs can extend to 10.25 inches. I didn’t think it seemed wobbly at all, even with the heavy telescope on it.
3. A soft blanket to sit on - Cute blanket, measuring about 14.5 inches in either direction with rounded edges. I don’t think it’s particularly soft, but it’s not bad, either. One side has a constellation-type design, and the other has an all-over pattern of diamond-shaped stars. Both of them are in Luciana’s purple-pink-blue color scheme with a pink fabric edge.
A close up of the fabric:
4. A pretend smartphone - This looks really cute. It is white with clear edging and embedded sparkles (like a protective case), and has a strap to fit the doll’s hand in it. I haven’t taken it out of the packaging yet, so the photos show it inside its wrapping along with #5 below ...
5. Two smartphone screens with charts of the night sky - I think these slide inside the pretend smartphone case. I think it’s cute that the apps include American Girl and NASA, and the screen choices seem to correspond to some of the images seen on the telescope projector. Here are photos of the front and back, still in the packaging:
Overall, there’s a lot that I like about this set. It seems well thought out and well made. I’m not sure about the ongoing play value after the initial wow wears off, and I personally would’ve favored different color choices for the telescope. I also would have very much liked to see more information about the projector images provided as part of the set. (There may have been something along those lines that you could scan in the app during Luciana’s year - I don’t remember for sure - but printed material still would have been a nice touch.)
With all of this considered, I think I’d give the set a B if purchased at full price ($40), and maybe elevate it to a B+ for avid stargazers or if you’re able to get it at discount.