Uncle Milton Homestar
by Uncle Milton
(Click here)
Product Summary
Manufacturer: Uncle MiltonBrand: Uncle Milton
Release Date: 2007-08-10
Model: 12530
Product features:
- Enjoy an amazing starry night view in the comfort of your own home with our pro series planetarium
- Futuristic sphere design with motorized rotation of star fields
- Two interchangeable hi-res image disks for different starfield views
- Adjustable projection angles which display up to 10,000 stars on walls and ceiling
- Recommended for 10 years and up
Toys and Games Reviews of Uncle Milton Homestar
Customer Review: Simply Amazed...Cloudy Night Joy!
Summary: 5 Stars
My interest in star-gazing and astronomy has really taken off in the last few years. I've taken two college-level astronomy classes; I have subscriptions to Sky & Telescope & Astronomy magazines. I am the proud owner of a Celestron SkyScout Personal Planetarium, a device that teaches one the REAL night sky, and a fantastic pair of Orion Mini-Giant 8x56 binoculars. So, you could say, I'm fairly familiar with the night sky and a tougher, more demanding customer on astro products than the ordinary Amazon shopper. Therefore, when I decided that I wanted an indoor planetarium, I knew that I wanted the best quality (most realistic night sky) that I could get for an affordable price. I also knew not to expect professional planetarium quality or totally true-to-life night views in any home-device and didn't expect anything too "colorful" or dramatic. My other planetarium deal-breakers were 1) technology-- I didn't want something so hard to use that I'd just give up on it after a while, and 2) childish--I didn't want some silly product with dancing UFO's, waving aliens, or such.
Armed with these criteria, I researched many days before I purchased this planetarium. I read the grand reviews and the not so grand ones for this product and for many other similar products offered at Amazon. I was slowly convinced that anything LESS than this Homestar would be a crushing disappointment and a waste of time and money. So, I justified the price as a much needed gift to myself---long over due, a reward for good grades :) ! I clicked "add to cart" and took the plunge...and it was one of the BEST decisions that I have ever made in Amazon!
My Homestar arrived today, a cloudy day that turned into a cloudy night. Thus, I was eager for the product! My first in-box impression of the Homestar was this: Sweet! The friendly, inviting box was well designed to protect the special device in it. Quality packaging was my first clue that this would be a truly "stellar" product--well worth the money. I unpacked the items carefully and found the planetarium with its image disks and adapter in good order. A pleasant surprise proved to be the curious Soundtrack CD "Le Jardin De La Sorcière" that came with the product! That actually made me smile. Here was a 15 minute sampling of that cool, spacey, otherworldly music that you hear in real planetariums! // Homestar is totally a fantastic out-of-box experience! You really feel like you have something unique in your hands, in your own home!
I loved the Special Note on the box that said: "Designed by the renowned Takayuki Ohira, who has been recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the builder of the 'world's most advanced planetarium." [For those who love cutting-edge products, I believe an updated Homestar Pro product with more features than this one I purchased has been, at this writing, developed and is entering / has entered the market. However, for the price and for my personal needs regarding a home planetarium, this Amazon product on this page satisfies me.]
The detailed Instruction Manual, a friendly booklet with a nice-sized reading font and English, was as impressive as the product's packaging. The text was well-written, well organized, and easy to follow. Good, clear graphics accompanied the directions and re-enforced key concepts. Great night sky facts and "star-hopping" tricks offered a nice touch, ensuring this product's label as educational. Much better than some pretty night light!
After reviewing the manual, I understood within minutes how to make my new planetarium shine its First Light, produce shooting stars, and move the sky image. My only little challenge was adjusting the focus for the first time, and this was partly from me being tired from the days work and forgetting my right from my left! [And as with a camera and telescope, it's always good business to take the lens cap off! LOL You really can see so much more of the world / universe that way! :) Fortunately, the manual reminded me to do this!] Focusing is one part of the product that may frustrate very young children under the age of eight, so parents may wish to note that as they shop (Durability factor if the all-too-eager young ones twist too hard the wrong way!).
The genuine excitement happened when I acquired sharp focus and had my first real view of the product's ability. It seemed as if the whole universe had stepped inside my house on this cloudy night. I gasped at the Milky Way splashing onto my living room ceiling like a river of stars. Yes, points and patterns of light--not shadows. I spotted Orion the Hunter and the Dippers. The shooting stars appeared--subtle but very appealing. [And yes, like another reviewer has stated: Homestar's shooting stars always appear in the same sky location, but that's OK by me, especially if the Diurnal motion (revolving sky) is switched on. I like this because it is a peaceful feature, not disorienting or distracting, especially if you are studying sky relationships among groups of stars. It's actually kind of interesting to focus on the shooting star area, pondering the universe, meditating, just being there with no particular worries. Pop the Homestar's audio CD in your stereo system and just relax.
So, this product earns my respect and my appreciation! Don't waste time and money on anything else. If you or your loved one loves star-gazing and wants to learn more about astronomy and star-gazing, then I highly recommend this product as both a learning tool and entertainment. No lesser device will do! If your astronomical appetites are larger than this Homestar device and you want more disks / features, you may want to check out what Takayuki Ohira is up to currently! :)
Only you can decide how much "space" you need. Either way, get Sirius! Get a home planetarium and never be gloomy on a cloudy night again. // UPDATE: December 2008. I have used this personal planetarium during mythology lectures in a darkened school lecture hall with great effect. The students were amazed at the stunning site of the Milky Way, and as they gazed up, I told them world myths related to the night sky. So, this is a great prop! :)
Description of Uncle Milton Homestar
Enjoy an amazing starry-night view in the comfort of your own home with the Homestar Optical Star Planetarium. Watch as a crystal-clear, rotating field of 10,000 stars is projected on your ceiling or wall, with random streaking meteors. Measures 7" x 7".Features:
- Displays up to 10,000 stars on walls and ceiling.
- Motorized rotation of star fields
- Two high-res interchangeable image disks (for different starfield views)
- Futuristic sphere design
- Optical-quality lens system with adjustable focus
- Ultra-bright white LED light source
- Automatic timer for motorized image rotation
- Random streaking meteor mode
- Adjustable projection angle
- AC adapter
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