Lidl telescope on sale 13.12.12

doh777

Could anyone comment on this please? Value, effectivness etc. Thanks.

http://www.lidl.ie/cps/rde/xchg/SID-F711EF41-EE2BD77C/lidl_ri_ie/hs.xsl/index_26862.htm

dlofnep

Not of much worth.

Kat1170

This one in Aldi any better ??

Nerro

Kat1170 wrote: »

This one in Aldi any better ??

same...nothing good.it actually can put you off altogether.

dbran

Any telescope that has the main selling point as the magnification is more then likely a junk scope.

ZeRoY

dbran wrote: »

Any telescope that has the main selling point as the magnification is more then likely a junk scope.

or good for land only.

muskyj

I would sooner buy a good pair of binoculars than either of these two scopes. btw the binoculars on sale in lidl this time around might not be the best. they used to sell a decent pair of Bresser binoculars once.

TheZestyLemon

I'm gonna take advantage of this thread if that's alright OP.

What can you tell me about this

ZeRoY

TheZestyLemon wrote: »

I'm gonna take advantage of this thread if that's alright OP.

What can you tell me about this

You can find a few reviews around on this Celestron Powerseeker 1000. I think you can get better for similar money on Ktec site, like this Skywatcher 130M (motorised) for instance.

TheZestyLemon

ZeRoY wrote: »

You can find a few reviews around on this Celestron Powerseeker 1000. I think you can get better for similar money on Ktec site, like this Skywatcher 130M (motorised) for instance.

To be honest, I'm only starting off and would prefer to stay away from motorised and automatic telescopes.

dlofnep

For that money, if you want simplicity - I'd invest in a Skywatcher Skyliner 200P. It's an 8" reflector on a dobsonian mount - For a sub-€300 scope, it's the best value for money in terms of visuals.

ZeRoY

TheZestyLemon wrote: »

To be honest, I'm only starting off and would prefer to stay away from motorised and automatic telescopes.

For the same money (even a bit less) I would still go to the motorized - You can simply switch on the motor when you have the target in sight and it will remain there - as opposed to having to keep rotating the slow motion control by hand! I would say its easier for a beginner with the motors, really.

TheZestyLemon

Would you mind telling me what I should be looking for in a telescope? I have read the sticky.

I understand (or would like to believe I do) all the parts to a telescope, but what makes a telescope better than another one?

E.g What makes this better or worse than this

endacl

Whatever happened to those LXD 75's Lidl used to do every xmas? That wasn't a bad price at the time for the mount alone.

endacl

OP, you'd be better off with those bino's also on offer. They look like re-branded Bressers. Good buy for twenty notes.

ZeRoY

endacl wrote: »

Whatever happened to those LXD 75's Lidl used to do every xmas? That wasn't a bad price at the time for the mount alone.

They get sold on adverts - a few sold recently, I got one for 250€, very happy with it so far. I think its a good few years since they were in sale in Lidl

Pat Dunne

TheZestyLemon wrote: »

I'm gonna take advantage of this thread if that's alright OP.

What can you tell me about this

Hi ZestyLemon, that's not really a great deal for the PS 1000 from Argos.

As far I can remember the PS1000 was discontinued by Celestron about 2 years ago and was replaced by the Astromaster 130 EQ. Which is selling for €199 in Astronomy Ireland https://astro1.securesites.com/sub/astromaster130eqform.htm

dlofnep

TheZestyLemon wrote: »

Would you mind telling me what I should be looking for in a telescope? I have read the sticky.

I understand (or would like to believe I do) all the parts to a telescope, but what makes a telescope better than another one?

E.g What makes this better or worse than this

It's all about Aperture - The larger the Aperture, the more light-handling ability it has. Remember - "Magnification" is utterly meaningless when it comes to telescopes. You can magnify anything, but it doesn't mean you'll see any detail unless the aperture is up the par.

As for the above - The aperture of those two scopes are the same, the only difference I see there is the focal length. The optics could be of a higher quality in one over the other, in so-far as how fine the mirror is in them - and the general build quality of the mount + telescope itself.

With reflector scopes - you ideally want at a very minimum 6 inches or above for it to be of much use.

The argument then is based on your budget - How much money do you have to spend, and is tracking important. If you just want a simple mount, and aren't interested in tracking for photography and more precise viewing - then you could just get a reflector on a dobsonian mount, where all of your investment will be in the visuals. This of course will be at the expense of the mount, which will be pretty basic (but functional).

If you wanted to invest more money into your mount and get an EQ mount, or some sort of motorized GOTO system - it will be done at the expense of the actual visuals.

If you did want a GOTO system, you'd want to invest at least 700 or 800 euro to get an entry level system of any real worth.

So it really does depend on your budget, and what you want out of it.

DubOnHoliday

ZeRoY wrote: »

They get sold on adverts - a few sold recently, I got one for 250€, very happy with it so far. I think its a good few years since they were in sale in Lidl

I'm thinking of picking one up if another becomes available on adverts...so you think its a decent scope? How long to set it up, assuming you don't have an obeservatory in your back garden!!!

ZeRoY

DubOnHoliday wrote: »

I'm thinking of picking one up if another becomes available on adverts...so you think its a decent scope? How long to set it up, assuming you don't have an obeservatory in your back garden!!!

Its a good starting GOTO scope for astro-photo I think. The mount is very sturdy and weight at 45Lbs and 26Lbs for the 6" Newtonian. How easy to setup depends a lot on your own location, I carry mine from spare room to outside, a full setup takes under an hour (with Polar alignement, Goto setup) - but for visual viewing you only need 10-15min. Here's mine setup outside last Sunday

endacl

ZeRoY wrote: »

Its a good starting GOTO scope for astro-photo I think. The mount is very sturdy and weight at 45Lbs and 26Lbs for the 6" Newtonian. How easy to setup depends a lot on your own location, I carry mine from spare room to outside, a full setup takes under an hour (with Polar alignement, Goto setup) - but for visual viewing you only need 10-15min. Here's mine setup outside last Sunday

Well under an hour if you can store it covered in a shed or suchlike. A big plus is that the OTA is always at or near ambient temperature, ie feckin' freezin'! You won't need to wait too long till your really up and rocking. Fantastic piece of kit for the money. The mount is the key though. Next scope upgrade need only be the tube itself.

The_B_Man

Are any of the ones linked above portable? ZeRoys one looks like a nightmare to setup. I'd like to have one that i can keep fully setup and just bring out for 10 minutes here and there to look at a planet or two.

Would a budget of €350 get something small and powerful, with no need to photography? Maybe something table top size.
Also, is there a type of telescope thats better suited to light polluted areas, eg dobsonian/newtonian?


how's this: http://www.astroshop.eu/omegon-telescope-n-150-750-eq-4/p,22465
EDIT: (and preferably one that can arrive before xmas!!)

Nerro

The_B_Man wrote: »

Are any of the ones linked above portable? ZeRoys one looks like a nightmare to setup. I'd like to have one that i can keep fully setup and just bring out for 10 minutes here and there to look at a planet or two.

Would a budget of €350 get something small and powerful, with no need to photography? Maybe something table top size.
Also, is there a type of telescope thats better suited to light polluted areas, eg dobsonian/newtonian?


how's this: http://www.astroshop.eu/omegon-telescope-n-150-750-eq-4/p,22465
EDIT: (and preferably one that can arrive before xmas!!)

Then a dob would be your best choice...1min (even if) to set up.
Here is a link for a decent for your budget :
http://www.ktectelescopes.ie/By-Manufacturer/Skywatcher/Skywatcher-Dobsonian-Telescopes/Skywatcher-Skyliner-200P-Parabolic-Dobsonian-Telescope.html
8" of gathering power will let you see plenty of objects even in light polluted areas within reason.

ZeRoY

Nerro wrote: »

Then a dob would be your best choice...1min (even if) to set up.
Here is a link for a decent for your budget :
http://www.ktectelescopes.ie/By-Manufacturer/Skywatcher/Skywatcher-Dobsonian-Telescopes/Skywatcher-Skyliner-200P-Parabolic-Dobsonian-Telescope.html
8" of gathering power will let you see plenty of objects even in light polluted areas within reason.

Or one of the carry - Alt-AZ Goto from Skywatcher/Celestron, good selection at http://www.ktectelescopes.ie/Starter-Telescopes/

The_B_Man

Nerro wrote: »

Then a dob would be your best choice...1min (even if) to set up.
Here is a link for a decent for your budget :
http://www.ktectelescopes.ie/By-Manufacturer/Skywatcher/Skywatcher-Dobsonian-Telescopes/Skywatcher-Skyliner-200P-Parabolic-Dobsonian-Telescope.html
8" of gathering power will let you see plenty of objects even in light polluted areas within reason.

Ye I was looking at that one, as it was linked above, but when I googled for reviews, the first result (which was very favourable) had it down as €300. In the link there its €375. That's why I was asking for a site thats good value.

ZeRoY

The_B_Man wrote: »

Ye I was looking at that one, as it was linked above, but when I googled for reviews, the first result (which was very favourable) had it down as €300. In the link there its €375. That's why I was asking for a site thats good value.

It may be more expensive on the Irish site linked but you must also think of the added benefit of the Irish shop being local, think support and advice, etc... Its all well and good to buy on cheap site abroad but the after sale service is often inexistant.

The_B_Man

Ye I suppose,

Which one of these would give the best image:
http://www.ktectelescopes.ie/Christmas-Gift-Ideas/Skywatcher-Skymax-102-SynScan-AZ-Goto.html
http://www.ktectelescopes.ie/Christmas-Gift-Ideas/Skywatcher-Skyliner-200P-Parabolic-Dobsonian-Telescope.html

Also, are they that heavy? I cant seem to find a mention of their weight.

EDIT: Holy crap, that 200P is MASSIVE!!! See the first image HERE.
Think I'll go with the 102. Seems a fraction of the size and roughly the same quality image.

Kersh

I would be very interested to know who had it for sale, delivered to Ireland, for €300?

Im always watching the competition, even TS cant put it out at that price, they are €341+ €28 delivery (or €43 delivery).

The_B_Man

Just google the telescope. The first result is a review where he says he got it for €299.
It seems a beast of a thing though. Me mother wouldnt be able to carry it by herself at all, especially compared to the little ones like the Skywatcher Skymax 102 or 127.

Is this one any good off adverts? Seems to have a lot of replies....

ZeRoY

Talking about LXD75 ... another one, good price too!!

http://www.adverts.ie/telescopes-binoculars/meade-lxd-75-6-newton-telescope/2433320

DubOnHoliday

ZeRoY wrote: »

Talking about LXD75 ... another one, good price too!!

http://www.adverts.ie/telescopes-binoculars/meade-lxd-75-6-newton-telescope/2433320

It would have to be so far away!!!

Kersh

Boardsie Christmas time favour time so . . .

If anyone far away from Limerick wants this, I can organise to get it collected for carrier cost.

Just do your sale on adverts, and organise paying them, get the seller to put your address and phone number clearly on it and contact me, and I will get it shipped to you.

If a mod has any problem with this just takethe post down and let me know.

Stephen.

The_B_Man

That one is sold anyway.
Is this one any good? Its around my budget.
http://www.adverts.ie/telescopes-binoculars/celestron-nexstar-5i-telescope-beginner-to-amateur-level/2417508

I'm actually buying for my mother so need something light, that she can just bring out to the back garden and look at Jupiter or whatever in good detail. It seems from research that with those GOTO mounts, you can't actually manually just browse around and look for stars/planets. Everywhere I look, people are recommending those skywatcher 150p dobs, but they seem huge!!! Dunno where she'd store it, and doubt she could lift them. No point getting her something she can't use when I'm not there.

Is it possible to get a table top sized one, that is capable of viewing Jupiter and Saturn in pretty good detail, and maybe some DSO, which isnt too sensitive to light pollution, and which can also be put on top of a tripod with GOTO if needed?

sunny2004

some great advice in this thread..

I am interested in getting a scope around 300-500
My main interest is taking photos..

quick questions, I like the review on this, especially that they could see the moons of saturn..

http://www.ktectelescopes.ie/By-Manufacturer/Skywatcher/Skywatcher-Dobsonian-Telescopes/Skywatcher-Skyliner-200P-Parabolic-Dobsonian-Telescope.html

What would I need to get photos from this scope ?
Should I look at another scope instead to connect a camera ?
I'm new to this, but not to photography... so any help appreciated...

ZeRoY

sunny2004 wrote: »

What would I need to get photos from this scope ?
Should I look at another scope instead to connect a camera ?
I'm new to this, but not to photography... so any help appreciated...

It does advertise this: Direct SLR Camera Connection

So my guess is that it has a T2 Adapter ready to screw onto a DSLR T-Ring (you can find those on that site or ebay for all make of DSLR).

The_B_Man

The Skywatcher 200P is fairly big. Look on YouTube and you'll get an idea of its size, eg (go to 2 mins in): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hr3ibgERFzU

sunny2004

Thanks to THE B MAN and ZeRoy

ZeRoY wrote: »

It does advertise this: Direct SLR Camera Connection

So my guess is that it has a T2 Adapter ready to screw onto a DSLR T-Ring (you can find those on that site or ebay for all make of DSLR).

Ok, so I should look out for a T2 adaptor....

I also came across this...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CELESTRON-NEXIMAGE-5-SOLAR-SYSTEM-IMAGER-5MP-Fits-1-25in-Scopes-BNIB-UK-Stock-/321032230141?pt=UK_Photography_Telescopes&hash=item4abf0314fd

Now I also fancy taking Solar images... What do you think ?

sunny2004

I also wanted to ask if there was a cheaper alternative to this for Solar work....
http://www.ktectelescopes.ie/Coronado-PST.html

ZeRoY

sunny2004 wrote: »

I also wanted to ask if there was a cheaper alternative to this for Solar work....
http://www.ktectelescopes.ie/Coronado-PST.html

I dont know anything about Solar Scope sorry, im yet to get into imaging the Big Star myself!

Looks like this scope you linked is dedicated for Solar observations however and so this would limit you quite a bit.

sunny2004

ZeRoY wrote: »

I dont know anything about Solar Scope sorry, im yet to get into imaging the Big Star myself!

Looks like this scope you linked is dedicated for Solar observations however and so this would limit you quite a bit.

I agree on the limitation, in fact its my lack of knowledge that is showing here..

Is there a way(filter) to allow the other scopes above to be pointed at the sun safely ?
I fancy the idea of taking images of both Planets, as in Saturn and also the Sun....

ZeRoY

sunny2004 wrote: »

Is there a way(filter) to allow the other scopes above to be pointed at the sun safely ?

Yes most definitely! You can get Solar Filter for fixed Diameters or get Solar sheet to make one yourself.

sunny2004

ZeRoY wrote: »

Yes most definitely! You can get Solar Filter for fixed Diameters or get Solar sheet to make one yourself.

great stuff, that stops me from buying the other thing that I neither need or can afford lmao...
good man !!!

The_B_Man

Does anyone know where I can get some Barlow eyepieces for a Skywatcher Heritage 130P?
Cheers.

ZeRoY

The_B_Man wrote: »

Does anyone know where I can get some Barlow eyepieces for a Skywatcher Heritage 130P?
Cheers.

Providing its 1.25" you're after, just about anywhere. Amazon, First Light Optics, Ebay, ktectelescopes.ie

tonyduggan

Hello everyone. I'm just recently starting to get into the planets, etc... and am considering purchasing my first telescope. I was just wondering could someone provide me with a link to a site that is safe to order from (and reasonably priced of course!). The idea of star watching is something ive always found very interesting but ive only recently decided to do something about it. Ill have a good read of the advice threads over the next few weeks to get some sort of background, ive never done any more than watch a few documentaries so it should be very helpful. I would like to get a fairly decent telescope, this might sound a bit newbie but one that has a strong enough view in it, in that you can see more than the moon and a few stars with it. Like i said, spoken like a true noob! Any help would be greatly appreciated!

ZeRoY

Here's two I mentionned in previous post but many more exist. Good to shop around ...

http://www.ktectelescopes.ie
http://www.firstlightoptics.com