Aldi Solar Telescope

[Stub Mandrel]

Not sure what I think about this; might get some people into solar observing and its not a ghastly glass filter, but will they realise how to take care of the solar film?

https://www.aldi.co.uk/solar-filter-telescope/p/093993080218800?utm_source=Aldi&utm_medium=Email&utm_content=Product Button&utm_campaign=SpecialbuyEmail21stNovember

[Davesellars]

Well it's a reflector so it would have to be film - I don't believe it's possible to do otherwise without melting the scope?

[Alien 13]

I think with any solar observing people should know what they are buying and why they are doing it an off the shelf product like this aimed at the unwary is asking for trouble even if it should be capable of good views.

Alan

[barkis]

I  hope the sale of this,  especially from a store like Aldi,  comes with sufficient danger notices, and. Not just a small red warning label stuck on it  in an obscure place.   I like Aldi myself,  but I feel they are merely cashing in on the Xmas. Period,  A well meaning  parent might think this a good gift for a youngster in their family.   

Fraught  with danger in  my  book. 

[Davey-T]

Sounds like an accident waiting to happen if you give it to a child and it says solar scope they're going to point it at the Sun 

Hopefully Nat' Geo' are wary of being sued for millions of dollars so will have included large warnings stuck to the scope as nobody reads the instructions until it's too late.

Dave

Just being picky but they're calling it a Dobsonian

[barkis]

I think Aldi, and Lidl  should stick to Binos and Spotting Scopes.  Astronomical  Telescopes are the Domain of Qualified Dealerships,  or at  least ought to be. At least proper advice will be dispensed,  especially on Solar Instruments.                               Perhaps some form of legislation should be installed to that end, it might  prevent the unwary from serious injury. Eyesight is too precious to endanger for the sake of a few quid. 

[Stub Mandrel]

It is one of the extensive National Geographic range of basic scopes, also sold by some specialist astronomy companies.

http://www.telescopehouse.com/telescopes/telescopes-by-brand/national-geographic-telescopes.html

I would hope that National Geographic would only put there brand on something safe with clear instructions, even if it isn't optically outstanding.

[Ouroboros]

Surprised this got past the lawyers ..... But then they probably don't know much about astronomy let alone how to observe the sun safely. 

[Stub Mandrel]

6 minutes ago, Ouroboros said:

Surprised this got past the lawyers ..... But then they probably don't know much about astronomy let alone how to observe the sun safely. 

I'm not sure why it should be illegal for Aldi so sell something but not illegal for Telescope House to sell it?

[xtreemchaos]

Oh mia, this sorta thing gives me shivers down my spine, thay shouldn't temp fate, a accident waiting to happen . charl.

[Ouroboros]

14 minutes ago, Stub Mandrel said:

I'm not sure why it should be illegal for Aldi so sell something but not illegal for Telescope House to sell it?

No reason. It's more that this telescope is likely to be bought for or even by children, especially coming up to Christmas. It's easy to imagine the potential for terrible consequences.  Any reasonable company, like Aldi, will be sensitive about its reputation, let alone the possibilities of being sued. Hence my comment about lawyers - although the telescope probably comes with warnings, so not much chance of Aldi being successfully sued I would have thought. 

[Davey-T]

Also says it's suitable for terrestrial viewing.

Dave

[Ouroboros]

11 minutes ago, Davey-T said:

Also says it's suitable for terrestrial viewing.

Dave

If you stand on your head presumably. 

[RT65CB-SWL]

Instead of picking out the heath & safety legalities etc, has anyone thought about phoning the helpline that is in the advert?

i certainly would, but I am at work and do not have access to a landline.

[Davey-T]

Can't see any phone number only an email option that comes up with a security warning.

Dave

[Stub Mandrel]

I share worries about this being misused, but I'm not convinced a budget item like this will be bought & used more responsibly if purchased from a specialist supplier.

Which then begs the question should all sellers of solar scopes and filters be rung up and taken to task?

(What have I done by starting this thread?)

[Alien 13]

The problem with this particular scope is it will probably end up in the hands of a six year old totally un supervised who will stick the barlow and 4mm together and think "this is a bit dim" an whip off the filter. I cant see the difference between this scope and giving a child a some razor blades to play with, both legal in there own right but not in combination.

Alan

[barkis]

You go to an Astro shop to buy a scope, you have a direct confrontation with a shop employee, who is likely to be well versed in the products they are selling.
A reflector with a Mylar screen separating a child from possible blindness, should not be passed over by a checkout operator, who probably knows nowt 
about the thing he/she  is selling. A bar Code scan is all that is necessary for a buyer to pay the money, and go home with it.

"There you go young Jimmy, here's a prezzie Nana bought you for Xmas, it's for looking at the Sun with, and it's a lovely Sunny Xmas morning, so
go outside and come back later and tell us what you see on the Sun."
They then hear the screams from outdoors,
"Oh!, Young Jimmy must be excited, something he has seen on the Sun I think."
Their lovely little boy is now Blind in one eye, some Xmas present eh?

Yeah, I know, unlikely to happen most are saying, well, I bleddy well hope so.

 

 

[Alien 13]

1 minute ago, barkis said:

You go to an Astro shop to buy a scope, you have a direct confrontation with a shop employee, who is likely to be well versed in the products they are selling.
A reflector with a Mylar screen separating a child from possible blindness, should not be passed over by a checkout operator, who probably knows nowt 
about the thing he/she  is selling. A bar Code scan is all that is necessary for a buyer to pay the money, and go home with it.

"There you go young Jimmy, here's a prezzie Nana bought you for Xmas, it's for looking at the Sun with, and it's a lovely Sunny Xmas morning, so
go outside and come back later and tell us what you see on the Sun."
They then hear the screams from outdoors,
"Oh!, Young Jimmy must be excited, something he has seen on the Sun I think."
Their lovely little boy is now Blind in one eye, some Xmas present eh?

Yeah, I know, unlikely to happen most are saying, well, I bleddy well hope so.

 

 

I agree but couldn't bring myself to "like it" as a comment the thought of any child being injured by any Christmas present fills me with dread.

Alan

[oobydooby]

Stub Mandrell, you have done nothing wrong in bringing up this conversation, it has certainly raised some misgivings.

For my part I think it is a bl**dy dangerous item to be sold in a store such as this and any person buying this should be warned in the strongest terms by the retailer of the dangers and should only be sold to an adult.  Children are not allowed to buy a pack of party poppers and I would have thought they were less dangerous than a toy such as this.

Any parent seeing the warning that must surely be on the packaging or ignoring the retailers warning would be failing as a parent if they allowed their child to use it without supervision.

Bearing in mind the cost of a filter (this one looks similar to a Baader built one) the telescope would cost a few pounds so would be probably useless.

[barkis]

2 minutes ago, Alien 13 said:

I agree but couldn't bring myself to "like it" as a comment the thought of any child being injured by any Christmas present fills me with dread.

Alan

Worry not Alan, it isn't a likeable prospect is it?

[Chris]

Erm? a detachable solar filter on a super market scope!? I say No no no Aldi, this really isn't worth the risk!  

[knobby]

Someone's left a review on Aldi's web site ...

[A budding astronomer]

I would love a burnt retina for Christmas! Thanks Aldi! 

[Davey-T]

8 minutes ago, knobby said:

Someone's left a review on Aldi's web site ...

Hmm wonder who that was ?

Dave