FYI, this is the latest exchange between Aldi and I this morning.
I think I've done all I can to alert them, just hope no poor kid loose their eyesight during Xmas....
Now to just hope that the worst outcome from this "Sale" item is the general disappointment that is very likely to result from a buying $100 "astronomical" telescope from a supermarket.
I think the point is that the seller is not qualified to sell the item, but I don't think that is a crime.
If a telescope shop sold it it would probably be Ok as they could advise the purchaser of the dangers. So it can't be banned because it is dangerous.
If pressured enough Aldi may remove the item from sale because of the potential danger to kids (and bad publicity) or in fact anyone who didn't take care. However I don't think it can be banned because it is inherently dangerous.
Now to just hope that the worst outcome from this "Sale" item is the general disappointment that is very likely to result from a buying $100 "astronomical" telescope from a supermarket.
I do fear something worse, sunny day, dad gets out the solar scope, the image is too dim as the eye has not adjusted. Dad wanted to see the "real" sun as printed on the nice packaging box, decides to take the filter off for a better view.....
@ ZUTS
Actually, I saw somewhere on the ACCC website, staff MUST be suitably trained in any product they are selling.
trouble is, I can't find that page again
OK so I went out and bought one of these here in Colac. Firstly the good new.
-These appear to be made by Bresser, who at least are a known telescope
manufacturer
-They appear to be superior to the little dobs that Aldi sells from time to time
- Appear to at least partly collimated
- Have a fork mount which is better than the useless dob mounts that they sell (there is simply not enough weight in these scopes to make the dob mount useful
- Has a reasonably good instruction book
- Has large warning labels to say that the filter must be in place to do solar observing
Bad news!
The filter is a plastic rim with a film filter. The plastic rim push fits inside the tube. So I have a couple of concerns:
- The filter is only a push fit, so could easily be removed or if not push in all the way, could blow off or be knocked off.
- The tube is black, so on a sunny day will warm up, expand (potentially) and create a looser fit
- The filter itself has no warnings about checking to make sure it has no holes etc that would render it unsuitable
So while it is not as bad as it could be ( I am actually keen to try it out for night time use) I remain convinced that it is a potentially dangerous product.
Malcolm, this is awesome, thank you so much for the great review, all done so quickly too, you're a gem. Troubling as it is .
Guys, I have just done a post on our facebook page if you'd like to share it out. I wanted to be careful not to attack ALDI too much (the want was there!) and put the focus on buyer aware. I hope I covered everything okay. https://www.facebook.com/iceinspace/...type=3&theater
I might just go buy one (if have in local Aldi here) and test it, video the ep from a small distance and angle (Like the linked video 1st page - post #4 )
Well, I own one now Cool ornament in scope room also use on the spot grab & go outside
Can Say that one could Not possibly miss the "Warnings" of solar viewing without the filter, - at least it is a Full Aperture Filter, tho only made from a flexible plastic 'film/sheet' type material, bit thicker than you get in those 'solar-viewing-glasses/specs' - not sure of its properties or coating, nothing specified in detail anywhere in the box or booklet ?
It all appears to be certified/tested by USA Dinn Standards ? Whatever that means ?
Anywho, here are some pics on opening
Last pic of aperture filter against the sky, unfortunately overcast ATM
Seems a great little unit, overlooking the safety aspect.
I gather you can take photos with a phone.
It will be interesting to see how a Moon shot turns out.
On the bright side I bet some folk get into the game via this scope.
It will be interesting to see photos... Who can wring the best out of this unit. Maybe useful for terrestial???
Alex
I wish printers had similar warnings about "please make sure you know your printer model or ink cartridge number before buying new ink" ...and wasting people's time for something so simple ... also I looked at my toaster, it has no warning label stating that sticking the knife in to dislodge stuck muffins may cause death .... :/
I hope common sense prevails in whatever case is thrown up in the air
Matt
Thank you Bob for going to so much trouble and taking all those pics. You've done a fantastic job covering everything, I feel I don't need to see the scope myself now! You've put me out of my misery .
It all appears to be certified/tested by USA Dinn Standards ? Whatever that means ?
DIN stands for 'Deutsches Institut für Normung' which means 'German Institute of Standardization'. They are one of the recognised international standards bodies, and the logical Standards body for a German vendor such as Bresser.
It would mean more if they confirmed exactly WHICH DIN standard they tested against - hopefully it is the DIN standard for solar filters, and not the DIN standard for sunglasses!
OK, so I have had the chance now to pop the little scope outside and use it for some solar observing. It was very easy to use and find the sun, of course when observing in white light, you need sunspots to make it worthwhile and really test it out and there are not any ATM.
As I expressed earlier it is not a bad little setup for $100, certainly way better that the table top dobs!.My concerns over safety I think are still valid, although it has warnings on the tube and on a swing tag attached to the focuser, there is only one place that the instructions mention checking the filter for damage and only being a press fit, it could be easily knocked off during use. The instruction do say that this device should not be used by children, but a $100 scope in a supermarket at this time of year? Who do they think it will be bought for?
It is a nice sunny afternoon here today so I have put the scope outside in full sun so see if the tube warms up and that affects the fit of the filter.
Good review Malcolm.
Just hope people read the instructions carefully and follow them...
I am right in saying the solar filter acts as a front cap, or is there a proper front cap that goes over the filter?
Filter dmange would be a major concern if it is not stored between uses and inspected prior to each use...
Bo
Bo
There is no front cap, so I assume the makers are anticipating the Solar Filter being used as a cap, not very good IMHO.
Also I left it in the sun for about 20 minutes (and this was about 4-30 this afternoon, and I don't think the temp was much above 20 degrees C) and the solar filter was noticeably looser. Still OK but on a really warm day it could become quite loose. The tube is definitely metal which would contribute to this.
and my favorite chestnut ,,,
.
Cool ornament in scope room also use on the spot grab & go outside 
.
