Meade Refractor Telescope Self Guided Computer

ReviewMeade 20218 NG-70SM 70mm Altazimuth Refractor Telescope Meade’s value priced NG-70SM Altazimuth Refractor is an lowpriced entry level telescope that features an easy to use Altazimuth mount with slow motion controls for precise tracking. The finish package includes a sturdy metal tripod, a red dot viewfinder, two 1.25 inch eyepieces and a star diagonal, and a software DVD with instructional video.

The NG-70SM Refractor Telescope comes disassembled in a compact box, but the instructional DVD video guides you through all the steps required for assembly. Go in front and undertake it out in the daytime, that’s the best time to align the red-dot finder scope while looking at a distant tree or telephone pole.

The optics of Meade’s NG-70SM give rise to an effigy that is right side up but the diagonal mirror reverses the effigy left-to-right. That’s no problem most of the time, but an optional rectify effigy diagonal is available. The low power 25mm eyepiece develops a exposure 28X which is just right for spotting the Moon or the planets, while the 9mm eyepiece (78X magnification) may be used to zoom in for more detail. The MH25 eyepiece at 28X shows a lovely view of the Lunar disk in a dark sky, while the MH9 eyepiece at 78X shows in a literal sense hundreds of craters on the Moon and begins to show the rings of Saturn and the cloud bands of Jupiter. For even better views it’s easy to add better eyepieces. My best view of Saturn, for example, came with an optional 6.4mm Super Plossl eyepiece, in regards to 110X magnification.

The Altazimuth mount included with Meade’s NG-70SM is lighter and more comfortable to use than an Equatorial mount, yet the slow motion knobs make it easy to keep objects in view. The rotation of the Earth causes the Moon or planets to appear to drift out of the eyepiece, but the slow motion knobs make it easy to keep the telescope on target, even with a high power eyepiece. The telescope is sensible to vibration, however, so a high power eyepiece may be difficult to focus.

Meade’s NG-70SM is a good entry level telescope at a very good price. The optics are good, the Altazimuth mount is easy to assemble and easy to use, the instructional DVD includes a nice Lunar Atlas as well as planetarium software, and it’s easy to add better eyepieces to improve your view of the planets. –Jeff Phillips

Pros:

Meade Refractor Telescope Self Guided Computer Photo

Meade Refractor Telescope Self Guided Computer Photo

Meade Refractor Telescope Self Guided Computer Picture

Meade Refractor Telescope Self Guided Computer Pic

Most helpful client reviews

32 of 32 persons found the following review helpful.
Suprised
By Robert
I ought to say this is a big betterment over my last telescope. I was eager to put it together. After I got the box open and the stand together, I mounted the scope. the azimuth mount feels more like an equatorial mount with out the weights and cables. The dials are easy to use and they provide slow precise motion for tracking objects. I noticed the lenses (they are not cheep) inside nice protective cases along with a nice lens accessory tray amidst the legs of the stand. I can’t wait until the weather clears so I may take this outside.

70 MM aperture, steel leg tripod with accessory tray, azimuth mount for ease of control, and a outstanding pair of lenses plus software for finding those stars.

what else could you ask for besides a starry night.

26 of 29 humans found the following review helpful.
Meade Teleschope
By Susan S. Young
We purchased this telescope to give to our grandsons who live outside the country. On deliverance to them we ran into that the switch on the red dot viewfinder was broken. On contacting Meade, they without delay consorted to send us a new part. We are delighted with the quality of the telescope and attribute the broken switch to shipping. With the alternate part, we will be very, very satisfied. A good telescope for the beginning astronomer at a most reasonable price, with a company that stands behind it is product.

22 of 24 persons found the following review helpful.
Great Value, a real gem of a starter Telescope! NG-70SM
By David C. Gulliver
I purchased this telescope & a mini R/C helicopter while on a ‘get-away weekend’ with my partner. Of course, these items were for BOTH the 4 children we part & me! Sadly, the helicopter (like all R/C toys & young children) only lasted a few charges before it wobbled & stopped flying- however- the telescope has been a outstanding addition to our family!

Overall, assemblage was intuitive & simple- the remainder of the refracting tube on the tripod is perfective for using the azimuth slow motion knobs to get & keep objects in view. The optical lenses, mirrors & eyepieces are of amazingly high quality and the level of visual detail is fantastically sharp, exceptionally when giving careful consideration to the low price for this ‘beginner’ telescope. Although a good deal of elements are plastic, the fit & finish is outstanding, controls are well placed & user friendly and the red dot viewfinder is easy to use. Everything aligned well right out the box & everyone from the age of 7 to 70 was impressed with the visual clarity, ease of use & stability of the telescope on the tripod. Because the whole assemblage is lightweight, my 7 year old was dragging it around the driveway & parking area to get the ‘perfect view’ of galore stars!

Bad news/Good News! There were multiple items missing/broken when opened. A quick call to the Meade Service line (800)626-3233 formulated an Order#, the representative verified that all of the missing/broken items were available & offered to ship them out immediately. Keep a copy of your buy receipt- I’m still not sure if they’ll be more than willing to ship my constituents without it! My bad- don’t let it be yours too!

More Good News! [...] is a veritable cornucopia of interesting internet sites & products. Although I found the website moderately annoying to navigate (I ended up with over 8 ‘open’ pages, not to mention innumerable tabs on each page) I was capable to locate everything I was looking for. As a novice, I want to learn all in regards to our new ‘family’ telescope- there’s lots of great info available. I wanted to know if there were further and added merchandise that would enahnce our ‘little, beginner’ – yes, there are assorted splendid & somewhat priced- productions that genuinely add value & functionality to this high precision instrument! There are astromony ‘clubs’/forums to join, articles to read, etc…

Downside? NONE! However, I do dream of a ‘bundle pack’ for the newbie (like me & my family!). 4 genuinely utile items, packaged together at a price lower than the original investment of the telescope would be fantastic. Not a negative, just one man’s sentiment who wants MORE good stuff to use with this outstanding instrument.

The NG-70SM has exceeded all of my expectations: assembly, fit & finish, user controls, balance, stability, ruggedness, exposure & visual clarity & detail.

See all 24 client reviews…