76mm Altaz Reflector in Aldi Nov 4th

Just got next weeks brochure today in Aldi, and I'm just passing this on. I can't seem to find any pictures of it on their website - its even ommitted actually, so it could be provisional at time of printing of the brochures.

Here are the specs:
76mm spherical mirror (F 9.2) 700mm focal length
6 X 25mm Finder
3 X 31.7mm (1.25") eyepieces - 20mm, 12.5mm, and 4mm
262X Max magnification
Full length aluminium tripod with accessory tray.
Black/dark grey colour tube, on altazimuth mount (left-right, up-down)
2 space maps and CD ROM astronomical guide
Instruction manual
Complete in smart carry case.

Price: €59.99 (€64.99 last year)

Personally, I wouldn't buy it, there isn't even a hint of a brand name. I am waiting for the 70mm refractors in Lidl (hopefully end of next month).

BUT, as far as a starting scope for a child, or even as a guide scope on a larger instrument, I wold say its a good bargain.

But I would recommend ditching the eyepieces in this one, and buying branded 1.25" eyepieces. Thats what I did with the Lidl refractor, and its a fantastic instrument.


Cheers,

Seanie.

Whooa, slow down there, a 76mm "mirror" ??

Now if that was a refractor, I'd say no problem, go for it, but I've never seen a reflector that small, anyone ever used one that size before ?
The smallest I've seen is a 4 inch (100mm), the secondary must be tiny.

Just got next weeks brochure today in Aldi, and I'm just passing this on. I can't seem to find any pictures of it on their website - its even ommitted actually, so it could be provisional at time of printing of the brochures.Seanie.

Seanie,

I wouldn't recommend this scope to anyone. Many years ago, I started off with a 76mm Tasco reflector, which sounds just like this scope (except for a few modern additions such as the CD and maps) and it really was a typical junkscope. I got rid of it after a few very disappointing months and bought an 8-inch Dob. 76mm is way too small for a reflector, especially with a crap mirror. It will put people off astronomy. 4.5 inches is the smallest reflector which should be considered.

Gordon

I had the same experience as Gordon. My wife bought me a Tasco reflector in Argos as a present years ago. It was a pretty useless scope, but I still have fond memories of looking at the Moon through it. That was all it was any good for though. Planets looked muck through it, and deep-sky objects were totally formless. At the moment it's sitting in the Physics lab in school so that the teacher can show the kids what a telescope looks like, if not what things look like through it!

I was interested enough to move on to the LX90, but many others might just be put off. I certainly wouldn't buy one for anyone.

Just in case Mrs Culleton reads this: I love you Honey and it was a great gift and I still treasure it almost as much as I treasure you!

Hhmmm... interesting, Shane and Gordon... oh, and Dave!

I got a 3" Tasco reflector from Santa many moons ago, and it still works fine. Today, minus the tripod and mount, the OTA goes well on my 8". Granted, age is going to force me to consider getting the mirror re-silvered soon.

I remember my first view of Saturn, the Orion Nebula, Jupiter's moons, and some great views of the Moon with it. I for one would not knock the 3" reflector on the head!


Seanie.

2 space maps and CD ROM astronomical guide

if it was bundled with, say, Rukl's atlas and Starry Night Pro then gimme ten!!!

John