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More telescopes in Lidl

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  • 03-12-2009 10:32am
    #1
    Popoutman
    Registered Users Posts: 1,363 ✭✭✭


    Lidl telescopes again!
    From Thursday 10.12:
    1. Meade LXD75 6" f/5 newtonian with Autostar 497, and 1 26mm Super Plossl eyepiece: €600
    2. Bresser 102mm F/10 achromat on a Mon2 german equatorial with slo-mo controls, 3 plossls and a 2x barlow: €300
    3. Meade ETX 70 AT with 3 eyepieces: €150
    4. Bresser 90mm spotting scope on alt-az tripod with zoom eyepiece €140
    5. Skylux 70mm f/10 alt-az refractor

    Suprised to see the ETX 70 again considering it's been discontinued. Fantastic scope for the price - I got one the last time they were around.

    The LXD75 is a good price too, but I don't think that this is the schmidt-newtonian version, just the again-discontinued f/5 normal newtonian.
    Tagged:


«13

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    #2
    premiercounty
    Registered Users Posts: 33 ✭premiercounty


    I have the etx-70 since the last time they had them
    Deffo good value for a starter at that price
    Its 10 yoyo cheaper this time if I recall correctly !


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    #3
    MayoForSam
    Registered Users Posts: 2,267 ✭✭✭MayoForSam


    The ETX-70 looks to be the bargain within the bunch.

    How does the AutoStar work on the ETX-70? Can you connect the scope to a laptop?

    What are the eyepieces like quality-wise?

    Is it possible to manually adjust the telecope or does every thing have to be done using the AutoStar?

    Anyone ever tried mounting a camera and doing some astrophotography with it? I've seen one or two efforts online and they don't look too bad at all.


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    #4
    Ostrom
    Registered Users Posts: 3,483 ✭✭✭Ostrom


    Gonna try pick that up. Is morning demand usually high? (should you be there early...?)


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    #5
    premiercounty
    Registered Users Posts: 33 ✭premiercounty


    MayoForSam wrote: »
    The ETX-70 looks to be the bargain within the bunch.

    How does the AutoStar work on the ETX-70? Can you connect the scope to a laptop?

    What are the eyepieces like quality-wise?

    Is it possible to manually adjust the telecope or does every thing have to be done using the AutoStar?

    Anyone ever tried mounting a camera and doing some astrophotography with it? I've seen one or two efforts online and they don't look too bad at all.

    The autostar is a computer guidance system. You can connect to a laptop but I havent tried.

    Eyepieces are reasonably good quality IMO

    Yes you can adjust manually

    Never tried a camera but you can attach one

    Here is a link to the ETX 70AT manual all yisser questions answered !

    http://www.meade.com/manuals/TelescopeManuals/ETXtelescopes/ETX-60-70AT%20manual.pdf


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    #6
    premiercounty
    Registered Users Posts: 33 ✭premiercounty


    efla wrote: »
    Gonna try pick that up. Is morning demand usually high? (should you be there early...?)

    I'd say you should be there early alright

    Noting that you are in Kildare, you have a choice of many Lidls, Naas, Newbridge and Kildare Town.

    If you cant find any left in them try Lidl, Portarlington in Laois. A few times I have gotten stuff there that was sold out in the others. The yokels there aren't into buying the quare stuff it seems.:D


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    #7
    dmcdona
    Registered Users Posts: 1,188 ✭✭✭dmcdona


    I used the ETX for astrophotography - and it performed very well indeed. Funnily enough, the Skylux performed better. But the ETX has a better mount.

    As regards connecting to a laptop, IIRC, it required the upgrade (purchase) to another Meade keypad.

    Dave


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    #8
    rahtkennades
    Registered Users Posts: 615 ✭✭✭rahtkennades


    dmcdona wrote: »
    I used the ETX for astrophotography - and it performed very well indeed. Funnily enough, the Skylux performed better. But the ETX has a better mount.

    As regards connecting to a laptop, IIRC, it required the upgrade (purchase) to another Meade keypad.

    Dave

    Howdy,
    quick question from a total novice: I presume you were using a webcam-type camera connected to the ETX? I have one from a previous Lidl sale and have been thinking of connecting a camera, but I was thinking of using a dslr. I'd be concerned the mount would be too wobbly. Any advice?
    Cheers


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    #9
    dmcdona
    Registered Users Posts: 1,188 ✭✭✭dmcdona


    I was using the next step up from a webcam - the Meade DSI. Nice and light and peltier cooled.

    I'd imagine a DSLR being way too heavy for the telescope to support it without any significant wobbliness. Also, being a fork mount (and a small one at that) you'd be limitied by the physical space between the forks. If the DSLR is bigger than that, you'll not be able to image very high up in the sky.

    The Skylux would probably handle a DSLR quite well but the mount would let it down badly.

    The LXD75 would probably do a good job - but its comparatively expensive.

    Hope that helps. Fire away if you need anything else.


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    #10
    Ostrom
    Registered Users Posts: 3,483 ✭✭✭Ostrom


    Hope i can grab one, money is tight and i have outgrown the binoculars :) Thanks for the reply


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    #11
    lostboy75
    Registered Users Posts: 485 ✭✭lostboy75


    for someone that has spent about 10 hours working on his brothers toy telecsope, trying to get it stable,(broken mount, alot of "engineering" to fix :-)) then deciding yes what he feared most has come to pass, the optics are rubish.

    now wants to actually get a decent scope, had checked out the "optus 76mm Telescope" that was in Aldi on 25th Oct.
    decided that adding 30-40 euro to the 100 euro price tag would get me a much better scope.

    now Lidl has 4,
    the cheapest, 70. Bresser Skylux. if i chose this one, and find i am quite interested, wil i kick myself for not getting a large one?

    150 euro, Meade ETX-70AT, dont undrstand this type at all? to me it apearrs to be less powerful than the cheaper one? is the extra just for the computer controll?

    300 euro, Bresser Messier R-102, if this was 200, i would just jump at it i think? sems like all i could want?

    600 euro, Meade LXD75, no way i could justify this if i am struggleing with justifying 300.

    would deff. like the idea of attaching a camera, also the idea of connecting to a computer is quite interesting.

    any more advice to give guys?


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    #12
    djhaxman
    Registered Users Posts: 1,351 ✭✭✭djhaxman


    I'm tempted by the LXD75, but as lostboy75 has said it's hard to justify that kind of money if it's not a great scope. Has anyone here used one of them before? I'd rather hear from someone on here rather than read reviews which could've been written by a Meade employee to boost sales.

    Edit : Found what I was after http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055020855&page=2

    Think I'll go ahead with this now.


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    #13
    MayoForSam
    Registered Users Posts: 2,267 ✭✭✭MayoForSam


    I came across this site which has a load of information on the ETX: http://www.weasner.com/etx/menu.html

    Although quite a old scope (its being discontinued), it has got some pretty good reviews and is ideal for someone who wants the Autostar / GOTO functions (maybe the purists would prefer the manual approach to star-gazing but I don't think my kids have that much patience).

    I'm picking one up anyhow.


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    #14
    dmcdona
    Registered Users Posts: 1,188 ✭✭✭dmcdona


    Lostboy75 - the difference in price between the skylux 70mm and the ETX 70mm is down to the electronics. The Skylux has none - so you need to know where to point it (i.e. have access to star charts or PC planetarium programmes). For a seasoned observer, that's fine. But for a newbie, its hards going.

    The ETX 70 gives you both tracking and a GOTO database. The motorisation and computerisation element is what you pay for and its certainly worth it for a newbie.

    The Bresser 102mm refractor, I'm not sure about. They make functional binoculars alright but I've no idea about the quality of the mount.

    The LXD75 - its a Meade and so would be pretty respectable. But an F5 Newtonian would need regular collimation - which can seem like black magic but is necessary.

    At the end of the day, its horses for courses. You get what you pay for. And fundamentally, these (including the 600 Meade) are cheap telescopes. Bear in mind that for an advanced amateur astrophotography setup geared towards deep sky imaging, the starting price would be in the region of 10k and go well into six-figure sums if you're really serious.

    For more context, the Keck telescopes cost about $200 million dollars and one night on them would set you back about $50,000.

    HTH
    Dave


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    #15
    jamie crx
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6 ✭jamie crx


    the meade etx 70at is a savage little telescope,i got mine in lidl 2 years ago.if u know how to use a telescope,it will surprise u.now for the good news.....if ur thinking of getting one and aint got 150euros,im selling mine for 90euro.i think i paid 169 at the time.everything is included,lens,barlow,bag.even new batteries.in perfect nick. im in monasterevin,so any kildare people want a bargain;)


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    #16
    lostboy75
    Registered Users Posts: 485 ✭✭lostboy75


    thanks dmcdona, it kind of is what i was expecting,
    actually think i will skip these, and get myself a good pair of binos, that or the spotting scope on offer,
    damn, here i go again
    :)


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    #17
    Stargate
    Registered Users Posts: 2,680 ✭✭✭Stargate


    Popoutman wrote: »
    Lidl telescopes again!
    From Thursday 10.12:
    1. Meade LXD75 6" f/5 newtonian with Autostar 497, and 1 26mm Super Plossl eyepiece: €600
    2. Bresser 102mm F/10 achromat on a Mon2 german equatorial with slo-mo controls, 3 plossls and a 2x barlow: €300
    3. Meade ETX 70 AT with 3 eyepieces: €150
    4. Bresser 90mm spotting scope on alt-az tripod with zoom eyepiece €140
    5. Skylux 70mm f/10 alt-az refractor

    Suprised to see the ETX 70 again considering it's been discontinued. Fantastic scope for the price - I got one the last time they were around.

    The LXD75 is a good price too, but I don't think that this is the schmidt-newtonian version, just the again-discontinued f/5 normal newtonian.

    Hi All ,

    Heres a shot i took with an old Skylux 70mm f/10 alt-az refractor , holding my Digital camera to the EP . Nothing too fancy lol , This scope is coming up on sale in Lidel for about €69 i think on th 10th Dec , the version i had i got a good few years ago and the mount that came with it was far far better than the one that comes with this one as far as i can tell from the picture of it on the their site , just in case anyones interested in checking it out ;-) For that kind of money it was excellent value !!

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/4533795...27900/sizes/l/


    A little video i made of the moon the same night with the Skylux 70mm

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/45337950@N05/4167522027/

    Might give you a few ideas :D

    Wish you luck in your choice of scope

    Regards
    Stargate


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    #18
    Hornswoggle
    Registered Users Posts: 328 ✭✭Hornswoggle


    Picked up the ETX at in Citywest Lidl this morning. Only two were left on the shelf when i was there,a few other people were buying scopes at the time so i reckon these will fly out over the next few hours. Can't wait to get home and test it out tonight, IF it isn't as cloudy as the weather forecast suggests :pac:


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    #19
    Ostrom
    Registered Users Posts: 3,483 ✭✭✭Ostrom


    Hornswoggle wrote: »
    Picked up the ETX at in Citywest Lidl this morning. Only two were left on the shelf when i was there,a few other people were buying scopes at the time so i reckon these will fly out over the next few hours. Can't wait to get home and test it out tonight, IF it isn't as cloudy as the weather forecast suggests :pac:

    Got one too in Maynooth. Hope the cloud stays away!! My first proper scope (always used binoculars) so I am very excited :)


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    #20
    MayoForSam
    Registered Users Posts: 2,267 ✭✭✭MayoForSam


    Yup, I got one as well - maybe we should set up a boards ETX 70AT support group? :)

    The powers-that-be have dictated that mine must go under the tree for the next 2 weeks however :D.

    The forecast is looking quite promising for stargazing over the next week or two as well, some clear and frosty nights expected.

    I've ordered some fingerless gloves from Ebay in anticipation of some outdoor activities over the next while (might get me away from the Xbox for a bit too).


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    #21
    thecretinhop
    Registered Users Posts: 6,510 ✭✭✭thecretinhop


    Great stuff have been lurking here for a while decided to join up got etx 70 also, have to wait for chrimbo also! have moved in last year to new house, much better view of stars etc could see fk all for years at other house, also got a 55-250mm IS lens for my dslr, for the first time in years im like a child for christmas, great work here on helping me pick what i wanted, lidl Galway got it this morning 6 gone in about 10 minutes...


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    #22
    Ostrom
    Registered Users Posts: 3,483 ✭✭✭Ostrom


    Scary similar... Been so busy I haven't had time to crane my neck, let alone beat on with assassins creed 2 :)

    I didn't look in the smaller boxes yet as I was heading out to work, is there a barlow included? I had a strange moment this week where I realised I hadn't properly looked around in months and everything had moved places in the sky... :)


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    #23
    djhaxman
    Registered Users Posts: 1,351 ✭✭✭djhaxman


    efla wrote: »
    Got one too in Maynooth. Hope the cloud stays away!! My first proper scope (always used binoculars) so I am very excited :)

    I walked into the LIDL in Maynooth at about 8:02 only to find out they'd already sold their 2 Meade LXD75, so I had to drive to the one in Leixlip to get it! Luckily they had one left so I picked that one up.

    Won't get a chance to set it up till next week though.


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    #24
    thecretinhop
    Registered Users Posts: 6,510 ✭✭✭thecretinhop


    efla wrote: »
    Scary similar... Been so busy I haven't had time to crane my neck, let alone beat on with assassins creed 2 :)

    I didn't look in the smaller boxes yet as I was heading out to work, is there a barlow included? I had a strange moment this week where I realised I hadn't properly looked around in months and everything had moved places in the sky... :)

    wow! i have assassins creed 2 for pressie also, I know im highly excited to get at it, but dont know on your question i got it and the missus locked it up, im very childlike if let near things... i have to wait:) the meade website is very good by the way for online charts etc


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    #25
    Ostrom
    Registered Users Posts: 3,483 ✭✭✭Ostrom


    Had great fun with it! Brought her for a spin last night, good views of mars, few messiers which were a little disappointing due to location (estate lights). Goto is great, looking forward to having a look at jupiter tomorow


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    #26
    Stargate
    Registered Users Posts: 2,680 ✭✭✭Stargate


    efla wrote: »
    Had great fun with it! Brought her for a spin last night, good views of mars, few messiers which were a little disappointing due to location (estate lights). Goto is great, looking forward to having a look at jupiter tomorow

    Lol @ efla , haha did you give her a name , go on , tell us ?? :D:D:P


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    #27
    skelliser
    Registered Users Posts: 2,985 ✭✭✭skelliser


    got one of these myself, think i got the last one in galway!
    anyway im looking to hook up my nikon d90, anyone now what i need, i believe i need some t-ring or something?!!
    any advice


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    #28
    Ostrom
    Registered Users Posts: 3,483 ✭✭✭Ostrom


    skelliser wrote: »
    got one of these myself, think i got the last one in galway!
    anyway im looking to hook up my nikon d90, anyone now what i need, i believe i need some t-ring or something?!!
    any advice

    Thats it AFAIK, looking to get my D80 hooked in. I'm concerned about the tracking though, the alt/az autotrack makes both vertical and horizontal adjustments and doesnt track in RA, so the image is never centred in the eyepiece.

    Loving it so far, cant wait to get out of the glare of estate lights. Had a nice view of M42 last night, and great fun just browsing up and down :) Well worth it


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    #29
    dmkdr
    Registered Users Posts: 10 ✭dmkdr


    I've probably missed the boat on the Lidl telescopes. The ETX-70 is the one I'd like (for my son). How does that compare to this ETX-60 kit on sale in ebay (this can be bought for £150 +£20 p/p to Ireland, which comes to about €190 in total):

    http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Meade-ETX-60-AT-TC-GOTO-Astronomical-Telescope-Kit_W0QQitemZ140366614110QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Telescopes?hash=item20ae808e5e

    I don't know a lot about telescopes, but I guess the ETX-70 is better (so at it €150 sounds like a great deal). Just wondering if someone knows whether the Lidl one includes the various bits mentioned in this ebay one (e.g. rucksack, dewshield, various eyepieces, AutoStar /instructional DVD).

    I want to figure out if it's worth my while going around the various Lidls in Cork to see if I can get one, as I imagine they may be hard to get, or should I just order the ebay one (seems like a reputable seller). Thanks in advance!


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    #30
    superdog
    Registered Users Posts: 71 ✭✭superdog


    Hi folks,

    I'm new to this but I picked up the ETX 70 in Lidl. Got it going last night and will give it a serious going over the coming months. Impressed so far with it.

    dmkdr - they still had them in Lidl in Mullingar yesterday (Tuesday) - don't know if that is any good for you.


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    #31
    dmkdr
    Registered Users Posts: 10 ✭dmkdr


    Thanks, superdog. Spoke to someone tonight who saw the ETX-70 in Lidl Carrigaline, which isn't too far away. She thought there was no tripod included - is that right? I might go ahead and order the ebay one just so I have it (not as good a deal al Lidl I'm sure, but it possibly does have a couple of extra bits included).


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