From: TerryMoselaol.com
Date: Tue, 16 Nov 2004 09:13:45 EST
Subject: A Lidl confusion 

Hi all,  
 
Further to the last email on the Lidl Telescopes; some clarification of their 
website info may be helpful!
 
A. The ETX-70 Computer telescope.
 
1. It refers to 3 eyepieces, but only gives details for one - a MA25mm (MA = 
Modified Achromat - a fairly basic type)
 
2. The reference to "planetarial fog" should of course be "planetary nebulae" 
(the joys of translation!)
 
3. By a process of deduction & some simple maths the highest power eyepiece 
of the three must be a 4mm (type not known).
 
4. That then explains the odd description given under "Magnification" as: 
"14x -262, 5x". It should be "14x - 262.5x" the latter figure being the power of 
the 4mm eyepiece + 3x Barlow used with a 350mm FL telescope!
 
5. The other eyepiece must be a medium power one, say about 10mm, giving a 
power of approx. 35x, or 105x if used with the Barlow. 
 
NB: Although I'm sure that the GoTo will indeed point the telescope, once 
it's set up properly, to any of the 1400 objects in the database,  bear in mind 
that you may not be able to see all of them through that telescope! For 
example, if you input "M76", it will probably point to get it in the field of view, 
but as it's magnitude 11.5, you may not see it, unless you have very clear, 
very dark, skies! Some of the NGC objects will be even fainter, and even harder 
to see!
 
B. The 70mm Skylux Refractor.
 
1. It doesn't specifically mention it, but a 3x Barlow is also included.
 
2. Again, the website doesn't specifically mention it, but there are slow 
motion controls on both axes. 

3. If the telescope package is exactly the same as last year, it will also 
include an accessory / stabilising tray on the tripod, and maybe an erecting 
(terrestrial) eyepiece too.
 
General:
 
My personal opinion is that for a reasonably competent & knowledgeable 
amateur, it's not worth paying the extra for the GoTo telescope. A telescope of that 
size will perform best on bright objects such as the Moon & major planets, & 
the Sun by projection or with a Mylar filter (but don't try observing the Sun 
unless you KNOW what ALL the risks are!), and bright objects such as the 
Pleiades, M31, M42, M13 etc. Most of you don't need 'GoTo' to find them! Also, with 
an F/ratio of F/5, it won't give as good images as the F/10 Skylux. It also 
has the benefit of powered tracking, but is that worth the extra 110 euro? But 
that's just my personal opinion, and if you want the convenience of 
battery-powered drive, & GoTo to find your targets, then it's good value.
 
Clear Skies,
 
Terry Moseley

Last Revised: 2004 November 16th WWW contact:webmaster@arm.ac.uk

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