Meade 20218 NG-70SM 70mm Altazimuth Refractor Telescope

by Meade

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 29 x 11.8 x 5 inches ; 9.8 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 14.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B001WMC9K4
• Item model number: 20218
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank:
  • #4 in Camera & Photo > Binoculars, Telescopes & Optics > Telescopes > Refractors
• Date first available at Amazon.com: January 24, 2004

Product Description

Amazon.com Review

Meade 20218 NG-70SM 70mm Altazimuth Refractor Telescope Meade's value priced NG-70SM Altazimuth Refractor is an affordable entry level telescope that features an easy to use Altazimuth mount with slow motion controls for precise tracking. The complete 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 ahead and try 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 produce an image that is right side up but the diagonal mirror reverses the image left-to-right. That's no problem most of the time, but an optional correct image diagonal is available. The low power 25mm eyepiece produces a magnification 28X which is just right for spotting the Moon or the planets, while the 9mm eyepiece (78X magnification) can 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 literally 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, about 110X magnification.

The Altazimuth mount included with Meade's NG-70SM is lighter and easier 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 sensitive to vibration, however, so a high power eyepiece can 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:

Light and easy to use

Altazimuth mount includes slow motion knobs

Easy to add better eyepieces

Instructional DVD included;

Cons:

MH eyepieces have narrow field of view

Vibrates while focusing at high power

Product Description

The Steadicam Smoothee is specifically designed and engineered to work with your Apple iPhone 4. Based on the same technology as the big $60,000 rigs used in Hollywood, it allows iPhone 4 owners to capture incredible video without the shakes normally associated with hand-held video shot on the go, right out of the box, the very first time. The Steadicam Smoothee is small and agile enough to take on vacations or follow the action at sporting events. The Smoothee let's you "fly" wherever the scene takes you--up and down steps, indoors and outside, through crowds--almost anywhere, with precise, elegant control and ease. Its quick release mount lets you instantly swap camera connections between your Smoothee and any tripod. While designed for the Apple i-Phone 4, the patented quick release removable i-Phone mount also serves as a tabletop stand or can be mounted to any tripod with a standard ¼ x20" camera mount. The comfortable ergonomic hand-grip folds up securely when not in use. Also included with the Steadicam Smoothee is a quick guide DVD on how to get the best possible shots, along with a carrying strap. The lightweight, compact, agile, and easy to use Steadicam Smoothee features an innovative, patented design built around a durable mono-frame metal structure that requires no complicated instruction to use. With its "go anywhere" compact dimensions, the Steadicam Smoothee is approximately 8"W x 14.5" H x 2.5" D (20.3 x 36.8 x 6.4cm) in operating configuration.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

34 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Suprised, January 18, 2011

By 

Robert - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Meade 20218 NG-70SM 70mm Altazimuth Refractor Telescope (Electronics)

I must say this is a big improvement 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 movement for tracking objects. I noticed the lenses (they are not cheep) inside nice protective cases along with a nice lens accessory tray between the legs of the stand. I can't wait until the weather clears so I can take this outside.

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


what else could you ask for besides a starry night.

28 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Meade Teleschope, January 6, 2010

By 

Susan S. Young (Woodstock NH) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Meade 20218 NG-70SM 70mm Altazimuth Refractor Telescope (Electronics)

We purchased this telescope to give to our grandsons who live outside the country. On delivery to them we discovered that the switch on the red dot viewfinder was broken. On contacting Meade, they immediately agreed to send us a new part. We are delighted with the quality of the telescope and attribute the broken switch to shipping. With the replacement 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 its product.

22 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Value, a real gem of a starter Telescope! NG-70SM, March 22, 2011

By 

David C. Gulliver "DCGULL" (Stratham, NH United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Meade 20218 NG-70SM 70mm Altazimuth Refractor Telescope (Electronics)

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 share & 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 great addition to our family!

Overall, assembly was intuitive & simple- the balance of the refracting tube on the tripod is perfect 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 incredibly sharp, especially when considering the low price for this 'beginner' telescope. Although many parts 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 assembly is lightweight, my 7 year old was dragging it around the driveway & parking area to get the 'perfect view' of many stars!

Bad news/Good News! There were multiple items missing/broken when opened. A quick call to the Meade Customer Service line [phone] created 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 purchase receipt- I'm still not sure if they'll be willing to ship my parts without it! My bad- don't let it be yours too!

More Good News! [...] is a veritable cornucopia of interesting sites & products. Although I found the website moderately annoying to navigate (I ended up with over 8 'open' pages, not to mention countless tabs on each page) I was able to locate everything I was looking for. As a novice, I want to learn all about our new 'family' telescope- there's lots of great information available. I wanted to know if there were additional products that would enahnce our 'little, beginner' - yes, there are several excellent & reasonably priced- products that really 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 really useful items, packaged together at a price lower than the initial investment of the telescope would be fantastic. Not a negative, just one man's opinion 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, magnification & visual clarity & detail.