Lidl "Computer Telescope" forum

I was 6th in the queue at the Waterford Lidl when the store opened at 9:03am GMT.... Daylight Saving Time (Just practising!)


Luckily some of those in front of me were looking to get the Microscope. I think there were between 6 and 8 ETX70's available.. not sure.... by the time I walked down the store the 3 or 4 ahead of me were diving into the scopes. I got one and opened to box. Everything looked ok but the box was slightly damaged. I went back and changed it and got the only remaining one apart from the one I was holding. I left Lidl at 9:10 with the scope and by then there were none left. There were still loads of the other scopes there this afternoon.

Anyway, I'm very pleased with my purchase. The 5 year guarantee is unexpected and I notice that Lidl provided their Customer Service Details in Great Britain. Everthing was in perfect conditiion and well wrapped.

Other nice surprises were the Batteries that were included.. nice touch. Three Eyepieces plus a Barlow, a carry bag and some software.. Cartes du Ciel....sure you couldnt go wrong!

Tested the scope out tonight and everything works as it should.

Nice sharp images with good contrast.

Now its no Hubble Telescope........ but I never expected it to be. Its a nice 70mm refractor that does exactly what it says on the tin.

With all the extras included I'm pleasantly surprised. Well worth the €169.

Put the lot into the carry bag. My wife is pleased.. the whole thing is stored out of sight at the bottom the wardrobe..... Unlike my Celestron 8...... !!!!

Oh.... to connect this scope to a PC get #506 Astrofinder Software and Cable from Colorado Scientific Instruments. $49.95 + PP.

www.sciencecompany.com

The actual page is:

www.secure.sciencecompany.com/thescience...SID=1&Product_ID=103



Liam

Hi all.

I’ve been watching how things went today on here, everyone seemed in a good mood for there purchase from the supermarket. But I had confidence in what I said all along and I don’t go back on it. Everyone had there say about all this today and I didn’t know whether to post or not as I said in a recent post that I felt uncomfortable because it was me against the forum or should I say forum against me? that’s what it seemed like.

Also my suspicions have been confirmed already by a few of you.
You all know the risk about buying from supermarkets and so on. Department stores that by in bulk generally means that your gonna get a few rejects in with the batch that’s why there cheap. For those of you that was lucky enough not to get a reject your views will remain the same. What about the people that got rejects? You had been warned by me in advance. Its no good saying get your money back or pick another to replace it, like some said open the box and check the items before you buy, dose that mean if you opened it saw something missing you will keep trying to you get the complete one? First sign of a scratch I would be outside the door like a shot. I also noticed that the so called computer scope has a problem or two although fixable by yourselves……but you shouldn’t have to after all it’s a Meade so everyone keeps reminding me.
My daughter wanted me to buy her one, she loves astronomy, but I said no and had a hard job explaining why to her, it wasn’t easy!! But I think I made the right decision. She can make do with the binoculars for now. The 6 inch reflector I have is a bit awkward for her because the height I have it set at, so as you can tell im also looking for a small scope for her, I know where im getting it but it wont be this side of xmas or at lidls.
Maybe now I might be banned from the forum for speaking my mind? Like I said in one of my post you have to prove me wrong before you can judge me…….well it seems like ive been proven to be right in everything I said.

Thanks

Orion.

Hey orion

I followed this debate and you make a lot of valid points. I didn't need another scope but if I did I would of got one. But I think I am aware of the pitfalls due to your posts.

Why do you think you would be banned....for disagreeing with everyone?

I don't think you need worry if fact it is good for forums to have disagreements from time to time.

Anyhow keep posting.

Cheers

Conor

Orions neb,
I'd imagine your far from been banned, everyone is entitled to their opinion as long as no one goes completely over board as has happened in the past.

I think the real test for this little scope willbe under a clear sky
It even came with a dew shield, nearly every other meade scope out there doesnt come with one, and the erecting prism is a nice bonus.
Not use how good the barlow will be ??
I'm always suspicious of these.

Hello everyone, this is my first time posting.
I was lucky enough to get an ETX in New Ross yesterday, Just wondering can I use it for guided astrophotography, piggyback or prime-focus without carrying out any major modifications?

Hi,

Just wondering can I use it for guided astrophotography, piggyback or prime-focus without carrying out any major modifications?

I'm not the best person to speak about astrophotography, but I'll start off the replies anyway!

The main problem would be that the scope is on an alt-az (left-right-up-down) rather than R.A.-Dec. (where the motor moves with direct respect to the earths rotation), this results in whats called Field Rotation. Even though the scope is tracking the object, over time it will appear to rotate in the eyepiece.

For short low magnification exposures this is not a problem but for longer exposures it will be. It can be rectified by purchasing a `wedge` like this one http://store1.yimg.com/I/hardin-optical_1817_2889723 Personally I'm planning on getting a couple of peices of decent plywood, a solid hinge, and making one!

piggyback photography should be fine, provided you can find a way to bolt/strap on a camera. www.scopetronix.com/etx60acc.htm sells such a device.

For prime focus you would need to buy the adaptor to screw into the back of the scope and allow you to screw the camera into. Search for Meade #64ST on the above link. The scope has only a 350mm focal length so in efect you have a 350mm lens.

Cheers,
~Al