December 10th Lidl scope "review"

What is the difference between the astronomical telescope bundles on offer on Monday 10th at Lidl and what can you expect? This is based on a mixture of personal experience and information provided by others; however I have the Skylux myself, some friends have ETX70s that I've used, I've used a scope that's comparable in quality and design to the Messier R102 and I've used all of the eyepieces in the kits.

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Bresser Messier 102mm:

Optical tube:
- objective: 102mm
- focal length: 1000mm
- focal ratio: 1:9.8 (f/9.
- Dawes Limit of resolution: 1.14 seconds of arc
- Light gathering power compared to 70mm scope: 208%
- Recommended maximum magnification: 200x
- Chromatic abberation: expect some above 100x

Eyepieces: 10mm, 15mm, 25mm Plossls
- best quality eyepiece set with the kits on offer.
Barlow lens: 2x achromatic

Other accessories:
- 8x50 illuminated reticle finderscope for precise selection of viewing targets.

Usable magnifications available with this kit:
- Low powers: 40x, 67x -
- Medium powers: 80x, 100x -
- High powers: 133x, 200x

Mount: Bresser Mon2 - manual
- Load Max: 6" f/8 Newtonian, 6" f/5 refractor, 5-6" SCT or Mak.
Mount accessories:
- Illuminated reticle finderscope to align mount for precise tracking.

Comments: Most complete of the three kits on offer, best telescope and in my opinion good value for money. Dual axis motor kit available as option (not from Lidl).

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Meade ETX70:
Optical tube:
- objective: 70mm
- focal length: 350mm
- focal ratio: 1:5 (f/5)
- Dawes Limit of resolution: 1.65 seconds of arc
- Recommended maximum magnification: 140x
- Chromatic abberation: expect it above 70x

Eyepieces: 4mm, 12mm, 25mm MA (Modified Achromat)
Barlow lens: 3x

Other accessories:
- 45 degree prism diagonal for terrestrial use.

Usable magnifications available with this kit:
- Low powers: 14x, 29x -
- Medium powers: 42x -
- High powers: 87.5x (262.5x theoretically possible but not recommended)

Mount: Computerised telescope-specific mount with Autostar controller. Can be used without tripod if preferred but needs to be on a stable bench or table (e.g. a picnic bench in a public park or picnic area).

Comments: Good educational tool (computerised database) but relatively low magnification. Best performance is on the Moon, bright, large nebulae or terrestrial static targets. Better eyepieces than the Skylux. No finder but it's easy to locate objects with 25mm eyepiece.

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Bresser Skylux Refractor:
Optical tube:
- objective: 70mm
- focal length: 700mm
- focal ratio: 1:10 (f/10)
- Dawes Limit of resolution: 1.65 seconds of arc
- Recommended maximum magnification: 140x
- Chromatic abberation: expect it above 70x, strong with 4mm eyepiece.

Eyepieces: 4mm, 12mm Kellner 20mm Reverse Kellner
Barlow lens: 1.5x

Other accessories:
- 45 degree prism diagonal for terrestrial use.

Usable magnifications available with this kit:
- Low powers: 35x,
- Medium powers: 58.33x
- High powers: 87.5x, (175x with 4mm eyepiece, on a perfect night!)

Mount: Light but usable equatorial mount - manual.

Comments: Good budget telescope and mount but poorest eyepiece kit and the Barlow lens is barely usable. Best performance is on the Moon and planets, much better with Plossl eyepieces and a decent Barlow. Never use for solar observing with a sun filter, the plastic parts may heat and warp. Single axis motor kit available as option (not from Lidl).

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Conclusion:

In my opinion the Skylux is a better buy than the ETX70 if you already have better eyepieces (and perhaps a good barlow), otherwise the ETX70 is the most usable kit of the two 70mm scopes. However for overall quality, performance and price the best value for money of the three products as a standalone kit or as an addition to an existing stable is the Messier R102, if a refractor is what you're looking for.

All three will benefit if you use a filter to minimise false colour when viewing the Moon and planets. I recommend the Baader Moon & Skyglow filter or Celestron LPR filter for all urban use, the Baader Fringe Killer for planets and the Baader Contrast Booster for viewing the Moon and bright diffuse objects at dark sites. The Contrast Booster is also a good MArs filter. The Baader IR/UV Cut Filter is useful for digital photography and may also help with dim diffuse objects.

None of these telescopes are perfect - that costs much more - but they are good value.

Fair dues John fr taking the time to write that up. Now you've gone and confused us even more! :lol: Only kidding!

I also agree about the Skylux. GoTo is not always the best way to go with regards to the ETX-70, and the mount on the Skylux, even though is manual, can easily be motorised (just did it myself recently).

Thanks for the reminder Seanie, I've added comments about the optional motor kits.

Also adding that such motor kits like the EQ1 for the Skylux mount are peanuts. Mine cost me €30 (and was in fact an EQ2 mount, slightly more heavy duty) from Andy in North Down Telescopes (might have been second hand).

Seanie.

hi folks

I have done up a simple page which i hope covers the basics on these offers. These are not detailed reviews but should prove helpful for beginners.

feel free to link from your club's site

www.kerryastronomyclub.com/lidl.htm