9 Item(s)
per page
Review by: John R.
I am an old retread in this hobby. So....take that into consideration. The construction is first rate, I love the two speed focuser and the sliding dew shield, even the metal front cap exudes quality. The two quibbles are;
1. To rotate the foot for side mounting you have to completely un-hinge the ring, and then reposition the foot as desired, then close the ring and retighten the screw.
2. The telescope is very hard to balance. After attaching a 5 inch vixen style dovetail to the foot and attempting to use it side mounted, you just could not slide the scope forward far enough to balance a 2 inch diagonal + eyepiece. You cannot just use a longer dovetail because it would interfere with the two speed focusing knobs. I had to construct a counterbalance that weighs 2lb. 2oz. and rides forward of the dovetail to balance the telescope in a side mounted position. This makes the whole package hanging on the mount just break 8 lbs.
Optically nothing exciting to report, and that is as it should be. Nice wide field with pinpoint stars to the limit of the eyepiece. The instructions included with the telescope state the maximum practical magnification is 138x. I have tried it with a 6mm wide angle 68 degree eyepiece for 70x with excellent results, then used AT's Telecentric 2X for 140x which resolved Jupiter and Saturn to the limit of that night's seeing, which was very steady indeed.
I know it sounds like I'm nitpicking , after all, this is only $329! which is an amazing low price for a telescope built like this, the focuser alone is a work of art.
I am a visual observer only so cannot give any opinion about it's suitability for AP. (Posted on 12/6/2023)
1. To rotate the foot for side mounting you have to completely un-hinge the ring, and then reposition the foot as desired, then close the ring and retighten the screw.
2. The telescope is very hard to balance. After attaching a 5 inch vixen style dovetail to the foot and attempting to use it side mounted, you just could not slide the scope forward far enough to balance a 2 inch diagonal + eyepiece. You cannot just use a longer dovetail because it would interfere with the two speed focusing knobs. I had to construct a counterbalance that weighs 2lb. 2oz. and rides forward of the dovetail to balance the telescope in a side mounted position. This makes the whole package hanging on the mount just break 8 lbs.
Optically nothing exciting to report, and that is as it should be. Nice wide field with pinpoint stars to the limit of the eyepiece. The instructions included with the telescope state the maximum practical magnification is 138x. I have tried it with a 6mm wide angle 68 degree eyepiece for 70x with excellent results, then used AT's Telecentric 2X for 140x which resolved Jupiter and Saturn to the limit of that night's seeing, which was very steady indeed.
I know it sounds like I'm nitpicking , after all, this is only $329! which is an amazing low price for a telescope built like this, the focuser alone is a work of art.
I am a visual observer only so cannot give any opinion about it's suitability for AP. (Posted on 12/6/2023)
Review by: Justin
When I ordered this scope, it was listed as not in stock (more on the way), so I expected to be on a waitlist for a while. I was surprised when it shipped a few days later, and I thought I would take a moment to review it. Overall, this is a good telescope, with a couple minor issues that I will get to. I have used it for both terrestrial observing and astronomical observing.
The build quality is amazing, it has a good amount of structure which is mostly (if not all) metal. I doubt it would break if I dropped it, though I am not sure I want to test this durability. Even though the mounting plate is more of a mounting shoe, it is solid and seems to attach well to the makeshift plate I fashioned. 5/5.
The focuser is great; I would explain it as a 2-speed pinion. I can see no reason it would need to be upgraded at any point in the scope's life. It also accounts for 2/3 the scope's weight. It may be difficult for some eyepieces to come to focus without a diagonal, but this is a feature of every refractor I have used so far. I doubt it would be possible to put a focuser with more focus travel on this scope – it would either cause vignetting or impact the lens cell. I could see someone buying this scope for the focuser alone… 5/5.
Image quality I will divide into 2 parts - high-resolution (i.e. star test) and general-purpose (Jupiter, Saturn, star clusters, and terrestrial viewing).
For general-purpose viewing, this scope is very good. The stars are pinpoints, and even zooming in to see more (80-100x) remains, for the most part, fairly sharp. Star clusters such as the Pleiades look amazing at night, as does the landscape surrounding my home during the day. It is difficult to see any chromatic aberration below 80x zoom, and when it was visible it is not particularly obvious – CA is dimmer for this scope than a 100mm f10 achromat I looked through at similar power, and when used terrestrially, I have not noticed it. There is some field curvature, though that seems to be the nature of short focal-length refractors. The two main cloud bands (and hints of a third, fourth, and fifth) were visible on Jupiter, and Saturn was crisp to observe – though I could not quite make out the Cassini division (this may be due to aperture and seeing limits). 4.5/5.
For high-resolution viewing, the scope has a couple minor issues. Mine is not in perfect collimation (one side of the defraction rings is slightly brighter than the other) and shows slightly pinched optics (defraction rings hint at a triangular shape). This would not be an issue if it were easy to adjust collimation, but on this scope it is not a simple task. Astronomics offered to change out the lens cell, though I have not decided whether to have that done as of this writing. These issues may not be present in other samples of this scope, and they mostly affect the maximum performance of this scope. Unless I am trying to split a double star I do not notice them. 3.5/5.
Overall optical quality 4/5.
Overall I am pleased with this scope and would likely buy it again. The optical quality is good, but the difficulty in tuning it makes this a 4/5 instead of 5/5. It is a step up from the entry level wide-field achromats (e.g. ST80) and makes a good travel scope, especially since it costs 30% less than other ED scopes its size.
(Posted on 11/23/2022)
The build quality is amazing, it has a good amount of structure which is mostly (if not all) metal. I doubt it would break if I dropped it, though I am not sure I want to test this durability. Even though the mounting plate is more of a mounting shoe, it is solid and seems to attach well to the makeshift plate I fashioned. 5/5.
The focuser is great; I would explain it as a 2-speed pinion. I can see no reason it would need to be upgraded at any point in the scope's life. It also accounts for 2/3 the scope's weight. It may be difficult for some eyepieces to come to focus without a diagonal, but this is a feature of every refractor I have used so far. I doubt it would be possible to put a focuser with more focus travel on this scope – it would either cause vignetting or impact the lens cell. I could see someone buying this scope for the focuser alone… 5/5.
Image quality I will divide into 2 parts - high-resolution (i.e. star test) and general-purpose (Jupiter, Saturn, star clusters, and terrestrial viewing).
For general-purpose viewing, this scope is very good. The stars are pinpoints, and even zooming in to see more (80-100x) remains, for the most part, fairly sharp. Star clusters such as the Pleiades look amazing at night, as does the landscape surrounding my home during the day. It is difficult to see any chromatic aberration below 80x zoom, and when it was visible it is not particularly obvious – CA is dimmer for this scope than a 100mm f10 achromat I looked through at similar power, and when used terrestrially, I have not noticed it. There is some field curvature, though that seems to be the nature of short focal-length refractors. The two main cloud bands (and hints of a third, fourth, and fifth) were visible on Jupiter, and Saturn was crisp to observe – though I could not quite make out the Cassini division (this may be due to aperture and seeing limits). 4.5/5.
For high-resolution viewing, the scope has a couple minor issues. Mine is not in perfect collimation (one side of the defraction rings is slightly brighter than the other) and shows slightly pinched optics (defraction rings hint at a triangular shape). This would not be an issue if it were easy to adjust collimation, but on this scope it is not a simple task. Astronomics offered to change out the lens cell, though I have not decided whether to have that done as of this writing. These issues may not be present in other samples of this scope, and they mostly affect the maximum performance of this scope. Unless I am trying to split a double star I do not notice them. 3.5/5.
Overall optical quality 4/5.
Overall I am pleased with this scope and would likely buy it again. The optical quality is good, but the difficulty in tuning it makes this a 4/5 instead of 5/5. It is a step up from the entry level wide-field achromats (e.g. ST80) and makes a good travel scope, especially since it costs 30% less than other ED scopes its size.
(Posted on 11/23/2022)
Review by: PeterM
I've had my AT-70ED for about a year. It was the third telescope I bought. It perhaps should have been the first but that's another story. I would describe it as the lowest cost refractor you'll find that high quality optics. The ED glass makes a massive difference compared with other inexpensive refractors. I have used it for visual observation and imaging, and it performs excellently for both. Although it has a 420 mm focal length the quality of the optics means that it will allow you to go to high magnification with short focal length eyepieces and Barlow lenses. For deep sky and wide field imaging it's also excellent when used with the option reducer/flattener.
Just recently I've started using it for solar observation using a Herschel wedge with very pleasing results.
The AT70ED is an excellent first refractor. It's inexpensive (yes there are cheaper refractors but not with these optics and build quality) and the quality is so high that it will be a first scope that will stay with you for a long time. I now own a Takahashi refractor but I will never be parted from my AT70ED. (Posted on 9/14/2022)
Just recently I've started using it for solar observation using a Herschel wedge with very pleasing results.
The AT70ED is an excellent first refractor. It's inexpensive (yes there are cheaper refractors but not with these optics and build quality) and the quality is so high that it will be a first scope that will stay with you for a long time. I now own a Takahashi refractor but I will never be parted from my AT70ED. (Posted on 9/14/2022)
Review by: Terry
I'm amazed at the quality of this little ED telescope,...especially at the current price of $299. I don't see how Astronomics does it. The scope is very sharp, has excellent color correction, and the build is fantastic. The focuser is also very smooth and precise. What's not to like? Get one. (Posted on 3/21/2022)
Review by: Phxbird
Purchased this scope a couple of months ago and it has been used almost every clear night to do photometry. The scope it replaced came back from repair so I finally was able to use it as a color scope. Wow, it works well. With a Sony NEX-3N Mirrorless camera taking images it did a good job of color correction. Star are not bloated and I did not have to use any Minus V filters. Build quality is good as well as the durability. Big Bang for the Buck! (Posted on 3/14/2022)
Review by: Ken H.
I purchased this scope in November 2021 and have since used it on multiple occasions and it's superb!! Lunar, planetary, and brighter deep sky objects look fantastic in this 70mm ED!! Given its size, I've successfully employed magnifications of up to 168x and just under 200x on close double stars and have successfully split them on nights of good seeing and transparency. This diminutive little scope punches way above its size in performance and is supremely portable and an outstanding, versatile instrument!! Highly recommended!! (Posted on 12/28/2021)
Review by: StarHuggerX2
I purchased the AT80ED and being very happy with it I then decided to buy the AT70ED to create a 2 scope solution for whitelight and h alpha solar observation "with the proper solar filters added" and to do some traveling eaa (electronic assisted astronomy) its serving those applications extremely well while having good optics and a beautiful finish with very good mechanicals (just like the AT80ED but with a much higher cute factor. The AT70ED also has an afinity for being an excellent spotting scope with an added 45° prism diagonal and 8-24 zoom, as close to a perfect spotter as there may be I think and great on heavy photo tripods using hd video heads too.
I also own the Astro-Tech 50mm right angle finderscope and this has an outstanding optic, finish and mechanicals as well.
Great quality, superb function, appearance and price.
Thanks Again, Astronomics...
(Posted on 12/8/2021)
I also own the Astro-Tech 50mm right angle finderscope and this has an outstanding optic, finish and mechanicals as well.
Great quality, superb function, appearance and price.
Thanks Again, Astronomics...
(Posted on 12/8/2021)
Review by: Thomas
Astro-Tech AT-70ED OTA 06/24/2021
I just got my new AT-70ED ($299.00)from Astronomics today. My intention was to use my Nexstar 6SE GOTO mount and tripod to mount the OTA and start doing some simple astro photography with it. To this end, I have also ordered a ZWO ASI224CS camera for it. My main intention for the scope is AP or EAA and not much visual astronomy use since it is a small aperture scope.
The scope arrived on time from FEDEX Home Delivery in excellent shape. I ship a lot of heavy and pricey items so I was impressed to see the little scope was triple boxed. Great Job Astronomics! I opened the boxes to get a look at it and discovered that it looked exactly like in the online store photos...no surprises there.
I took the scope out and attempted to mount it to the Nexstar 6SE mount I have but it would not seat and tighten up properly in the dovetail clamp. A little visual checking and I decided to attempt to attach the original OTA bracket to a heavy 8” dovetail I had laying around. At first I used the 1/4-20 bolts I had which were hex head. It bolted up fine but the hex heads caused interference in the mount clamp so I decided to get a set of 1/4-20 Allen wrench bolts with smaller and rounded heads. These use a 5/32 Allen wrench to tighten. This solved the problem right away and now the OTA clamps right up to the Nexstar mount without any problems.
Once I got the OTA mounted, I also added a 6x30 finder scope to the accy bracket provided on the top of the OTA. I went outside and set the scope up for a test and align the finder. I popped in a 20mm WA eyepiece and removed all the OTA and finder scope caps so I could see thru it. I focused in on a bird house out in my side yard and I was happily impressed with the view. It was the clearest view I have ever had of that bird house from my drive way. I have had all kinds of scopes here mostly CATS and NEWTS but none of them produced a tack sharp view as well as this little 70ED. Then I tried my Celestron 8-24 Zoom eyepiece to see how well the image held up under more power. It remained sharp all the way up to the 8mm setting, albeit somewhat dimmer. I should say, I am not a refractor person. That is I have had some APO’s before 80 and 100mm, but just for a very short time. I never gave them a chance to satisfy me. They just seemed too small to be of any visual use to me. But now, since my plans are for mostly AP, I can see how this will fit in my routine such as it is and provide some quick grab and go visual use also. As a matter of fact, I may save up and get the AT-102ED version in the future. I will also probably have to get a heavier mount probably a GOTO GEM in the future also. Time will tell if all this takes place or not. Will attempt to use it out at night ASAP especially when the camera arrives.
All in all, seems like a very nice OTA for the money. Time will tell.
Tom H (Posted on 6/24/2021)
I just got my new AT-70ED ($299.00)from Astronomics today. My intention was to use my Nexstar 6SE GOTO mount and tripod to mount the OTA and start doing some simple astro photography with it. To this end, I have also ordered a ZWO ASI224CS camera for it. My main intention for the scope is AP or EAA and not much visual astronomy use since it is a small aperture scope.
The scope arrived on time from FEDEX Home Delivery in excellent shape. I ship a lot of heavy and pricey items so I was impressed to see the little scope was triple boxed. Great Job Astronomics! I opened the boxes to get a look at it and discovered that it looked exactly like in the online store photos...no surprises there.
I took the scope out and attempted to mount it to the Nexstar 6SE mount I have but it would not seat and tighten up properly in the dovetail clamp. A little visual checking and I decided to attempt to attach the original OTA bracket to a heavy 8” dovetail I had laying around. At first I used the 1/4-20 bolts I had which were hex head. It bolted up fine but the hex heads caused interference in the mount clamp so I decided to get a set of 1/4-20 Allen wrench bolts with smaller and rounded heads. These use a 5/32 Allen wrench to tighten. This solved the problem right away and now the OTA clamps right up to the Nexstar mount without any problems.
Once I got the OTA mounted, I also added a 6x30 finder scope to the accy bracket provided on the top of the OTA. I went outside and set the scope up for a test and align the finder. I popped in a 20mm WA eyepiece and removed all the OTA and finder scope caps so I could see thru it. I focused in on a bird house out in my side yard and I was happily impressed with the view. It was the clearest view I have ever had of that bird house from my drive way. I have had all kinds of scopes here mostly CATS and NEWTS but none of them produced a tack sharp view as well as this little 70ED. Then I tried my Celestron 8-24 Zoom eyepiece to see how well the image held up under more power. It remained sharp all the way up to the 8mm setting, albeit somewhat dimmer. I should say, I am not a refractor person. That is I have had some APO’s before 80 and 100mm, but just for a very short time. I never gave them a chance to satisfy me. They just seemed too small to be of any visual use to me. But now, since my plans are for mostly AP, I can see how this will fit in my routine such as it is and provide some quick grab and go visual use also. As a matter of fact, I may save up and get the AT-102ED version in the future. I will also probably have to get a heavier mount probably a GOTO GEM in the future also. Time will tell if all this takes place or not. Will attempt to use it out at night ASAP especially when the camera arrives.
All in all, seems like a very nice OTA for the money. Time will tell.
Tom H (Posted on 6/24/2021)
Review by: TomH
Astro-Tech AT-70ED OTA 06/24/2021
I just got my new AT-70ED ($299.00)from Astronomics today. My intention was to use my Nexstar 6SE GOTO mount and tripod to mount the OTA and start doing some simple astro photography with it. To this end, I have also ordered a ZWO ASI224CS camera for it. My main intention for the scope is AP or EAA and not much visual astronomy use since it is a small aperture scope.
The scope arrived on time from FEDEX Home Delivery in excellent shape. I ship a lot of heavy and pricey items so I was impressed to see the little scope was triple boxed. Great Job Astronomics! I opened the boxes to get a look at it and discovered that it looked exactly like in the online store photos...no surprises there.
I took the scope out and attempted to mount it to the Nexstar 6SE mount I have but it would not seat and tighten up properly in the dovetail clamp. A little visual checking and I decided to attempt to attach the original OTA bracket to a heavy 8” dovetail I had laying around. At first I used the 1/4-20 bolts I had which were hex head. It bolted up fine but the hex heads caused interference in the mount clamp so I decided to get a set of 1/4-20 Allen wrench bolts with smaller and rounded heads. These use a 5/32 Allen wrench to tighten. This solved the problem right away and now the OTA clamps right up to the Nexstar mount without any problems.
Once I got the OTA mounted, I also added a 6x30 finder scope to the accy bracket provided on the top of the OTA. I went outside and set the scope up for a test and align the finder. I popped in a 20mm WA eyepiece and removed all the OTA and finder scope caps so I could see thru it. I focused in on a bird house out in my side yard and I was happily impressed with the view. It was the clearest view I have ever had of that bird house from my drive way. I have had all kinds of scopes here mostly CATS and NEWTS but none of them produced a tack sharp view as well as this little 70ED. Then I tried my Celestron 8-24 Zoom eyepiece to see how well the image held up under more power. It remained sharp all the way up to the 8mm setting, albeit somewhat dimmer. I should say, I am not a refractor person. That is I have had some APO’s before 80 and 100mm, but just for a very short time. I never gave them a chance to satisfy me. They just seemed too small to be of any visual use to me. But now, since my plans are for mostly AP, I can see how this will fit in my routine such as it is and provide some quick grab and go visual use also. As a matter of fact, I may save up and get the AT-102ED version in the future. I will also probably have to get a heavier mount probably a GOTO GEM in the future also. Time will tell if all this takes place or not. Will attempt to use it out at night ASAP especially when the camera arrives.
All in all, seems like a very nice OTA for the money. Time will tell. (Posted on 6/24/2021)
I just got my new AT-70ED ($299.00)from Astronomics today. My intention was to use my Nexstar 6SE GOTO mount and tripod to mount the OTA and start doing some simple astro photography with it. To this end, I have also ordered a ZWO ASI224CS camera for it. My main intention for the scope is AP or EAA and not much visual astronomy use since it is a small aperture scope.
The scope arrived on time from FEDEX Home Delivery in excellent shape. I ship a lot of heavy and pricey items so I was impressed to see the little scope was triple boxed. Great Job Astronomics! I opened the boxes to get a look at it and discovered that it looked exactly like in the online store photos...no surprises there.
I took the scope out and attempted to mount it to the Nexstar 6SE mount I have but it would not seat and tighten up properly in the dovetail clamp. A little visual checking and I decided to attempt to attach the original OTA bracket to a heavy 8” dovetail I had laying around. At first I used the 1/4-20 bolts I had which were hex head. It bolted up fine but the hex heads caused interference in the mount clamp so I decided to get a set of 1/4-20 Allen wrench bolts with smaller and rounded heads. These use a 5/32 Allen wrench to tighten. This solved the problem right away and now the OTA clamps right up to the Nexstar mount without any problems.
Once I got the OTA mounted, I also added a 6x30 finder scope to the accy bracket provided on the top of the OTA. I went outside and set the scope up for a test and align the finder. I popped in a 20mm WA eyepiece and removed all the OTA and finder scope caps so I could see thru it. I focused in on a bird house out in my side yard and I was happily impressed with the view. It was the clearest view I have ever had of that bird house from my drive way. I have had all kinds of scopes here mostly CATS and NEWTS but none of them produced a tack sharp view as well as this little 70ED. Then I tried my Celestron 8-24 Zoom eyepiece to see how well the image held up under more power. It remained sharp all the way up to the 8mm setting, albeit somewhat dimmer. I should say, I am not a refractor person. That is I have had some APO’s before 80 and 100mm, but just for a very short time. I never gave them a chance to satisfy me. They just seemed too small to be of any visual use to me. But now, since my plans are for mostly AP, I can see how this will fit in my routine such as it is and provide some quick grab and go visual use also. As a matter of fact, I may save up and get the AT-102ED version in the future. I will also probably have to get a heavier mount probably a GOTO GEM in the future also. Time will tell if all this takes place or not. Will attempt to use it out at night ASAP especially when the camera arrives.
All in all, seems like a very nice OTA for the money. Time will tell. (Posted on 6/24/2021)
9 Item(s)
per page