Aldiscope?

Aldi are offering a 76mm Newt next Thursday for €99.99. It's an in-house brand so it's probably Chinese made but that's not the reason that I wouldn't recommend it. Even the best made 76mm Newt is pushing the limits of what's possible.

In daylight, given the eyepiece and Barlow combinations 243x magnification might just be possible. For the night sky the best anyone should hope for with the included accessories is to be able to use the 3 eyepiece for a best magnification of 78x or perhaps the 20mm with the Barlow for 105x. Using the 12mm eyepiece and Barlow with this size Newt would be pushing it.

Better to wait for the Lidlscope... refractors are way better at these small objective sizes.

I agree. I started out with an Aldiscope of that spec in 2003 and it's just OK, no more. It cost £39.99 then which is rather less than €99. I have since acquired a Lidl Skylux (70mm refractor) for exactly the same money and it is by far the superior article standing comparison with equipment five times the price.

Lidl usually have them round about Xmas.

I would also agree with Paul, if anyone is looking for a scope of this class the Skylux is far superior. This looks 'rickety' at best and €99 doesn't appear to be great value. I also don't like that the advertise a 76mm telescope as being capable fo 233x magnification. I think I feel a complaint letter coming on!

I also don't like that the advertise a 76mm telescope as being capable fo 233x magnification.

Yea, when you see something like that, don't go near it, that is usually the sign of a junk scope.

Thanks for the advice.

I'll wait for Lidl's offering.