I could not resist

[LewisM]

I bought one of the "Dobson" scopes from Aldi for my daughter. They had one marked down to $29.95 (missing just the CD), so I grabbed that one.

I guess I got lucky - the secondary is positioned correctly, and the EP's are semi-decent (though will give her my GOOD Orion 40mm).The views through it are actually not THAT bad - not great but certainly quite useable and bright. The coma is of course HARSH to put it mildly :) Hmmmm... anyone got a spare MPCC (JOKING!!!)

I look at it this way - she hopefully will spend some time with Dad under the stars, maybe get her even more interested than she is (the binos are really awkward for her). If she likes astro, she moves up to the Toya 50mm refractor, and Dad gets to use the "Dobson" as a finderscope :)

All in all, worth the money really. I got lucky by the sounds of it regarding the secondary (and the balance seems fine actually). I was surprised to see these are Bresser branded also remarked Nat. Geographic.

[LewisM]

Well, I just tried a Vixen 20mm LV in it, and I have to say, the image is VERY VERY RESPECATBLE!!! Sure, coma as expected, but the image is sharp, good contrast, good colour.

I am surprisingly happy!

[Kunama]

Come on Lewis, get that CCD onto it you know you want to..... :rofl:

[PeterM]

Ok, I will own up, bought one for $49.95 has the cd in it....bummer, $29.95 without CD sounds better.
The Scope is fine for its intended purpose. The moon looked nice with some craters, and when my grand daughter (aged nearly 5) finds a supernova........

[noeyedeer]

nice work .. my sis get her son one .. won't know till Santa drops I off how good it is. my recommendation so fingers crossed it was a good one

[noeyedeer]

I'd laugh if she does Peter :) you do a fantastic effort (not that ive seen any)
matt

[LewisM]

Hmmmmmmmm, the SBIG comes with a 1.25" nosepiece too... Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm.....