Exclusive to Scopes'n'Skies!

The Mars-76RDF Newtonian reflector with red dot LED finder is our all-time best-selling astronomical telescope. Classical design and affordable pricing make this telescope the ideal entry-level instrument. The alt-azimuth mount allows the observer to point the optical tube simply and without fuss.

The whole telescope, tripod and accessories comes packaged in a hard plastic case which is ideal for storage and to transport the instrument. The Mars-76RDF is supplied complete with full-sized aluminium tripod, 1.5x erecting lens, red dot LED finder, three eyepieces (6mm, H-12.5mm and H-20mm), accessory tray and hard storage case.

Specification

Telescope: Newtonian Reflector

Focal Length: 700mm

Aperture: 76mm (Primary mirror diameter in mm)

Finder: Red dot electronic

Weight: 3.80kg

Brightness 117 (Light transmission factor)

PC Ocular compatible: Yes (Suitable for use with an electronic eyepiece)

Mount: Alt-azimuth type

Resolving power in arc-seconds: 1.82

Focal Ratio: f9

Stars visible up to magnitude: 12

Viewfinder: red dot LED

Magnification: 35x-232x (Range of magnifications with eyepieces supplied)

Tripod: Full sized aluminium field tripod

Focuser: Rack & pinion type: accepts 1.25" and 0.96" eyepieces.

The Mars-76RDF may seem budget-priced but it´s power-packed and is, in our opinion, one of the the best small astronomy telescopes around for under 80 quid.

Despite the up-to-date design, this telescope is a classic Newtonian reflector - and it´s a well made one. The heart of the Mars-76 is a top-quality 3-inch (76mm) modern primary mirror that produces pin-sharp, high-contrast images free of false colour (a common and frustrating shortcoming of most low-cost astro scopes) and images that are over 130% brighter than typical 2-inch (50mm) astro scopes.

We realise you may be buying this as a gift, but allow us to get slightly technical for a moment:

The telescope is ready to go virtually out of the box - simply erect the garden tripod and install the optical tube. Insert an eyepiece and you are ready to explore - it´s that simple!

Red dot LED finder The Mars 76RDF is equipped with an electronic red dot finder (CR6 3V battery included!) that superimposes a red spot on the sky to show you exactly where the scope is pointing - this makes finding targets easy, and this high-tech finder has a two-position brightness control so that it can even be used in bright daylight if required!

The Mars-76 comes with a special erect image lens for comfortable terrestrial viewing.

2x Free guide books: As well as the manufacturer´s instructions, the Explorer also comes with two great guide books that introduce the night sky and some of the marvellous and extraordinary things that can be seen with the Venus-76RDF telescope from your back garden (Normally £15.98).

Atlas of Stars and Planets - An explorer's guide to the Universe by Ian Ridpath.

Ian Ridpath's excellent starter guide will inspire and inform explorers of all ages. Written in a format designed to engage children and young adults, its clear text makes no assumptions and is ideal for young explorers aged 8 to 14 - but even adults will find much to marvel at in this comprehensive overview of the visible universe. The Atlas of Stars and Planets is the ideal guide book to accompany the use of binoculars or a small telescope.

Star Finder By John Woodruff and Wil Tirion. (64 pages)

A month-by-month calendar for stargazers in the northern hemisphere. Twelve aspects charts show the position of stars and other celestial objects in both northerly and southerly directions for each month of the year.

This well-written introduction explains the basic facts of astronomy.

The maps show easily recognisable naked-eye stars and hops from bright stars to simple star patterns and onto recognising major constellations.

The included guide books educate and inspire and round out this kit, making it an ideal introduction to the wonders of astronomy.

For more information about the included guide books click on Books & Software on the main menu at left.

What´s so great about the Mars-76 RDF?

This is a great little telescope to awaken a first interest and the fantastic hobby of astronomy. It´s lightweight and easy to set-up and use (good for kids, to be sure - but good for adults too!). It can be employed rather like binoculars. But remember, this little scope has a 3" (76mm) diameter mirror delivering high-magnification images.

What can you see with the Venus-700

At low power the "seas" and craters of the Moon will be seen (too many to count) as will the four large moons of the giant planet Jupiter. The phases of Venus (much like the moon) can be observed. At higher powers and at favorable observing times, Jupiter will appear as large in the eyepiece as half the diameter the full Moon does to the unaided eye, and the main bands in its dense gaseous atmosphere will be discerned. The rings of Saturn can be seen with this scope, and the Moon becomes an incredible ancient landscape of impact craters and intricate rills and valleys with views of the most spectacular mountains in the solar system (and all from your back garden and for less than £90!). Deep-sky targets like the Great Orion nebula and the giant M31 galaxy in Andromeda (over 2 million light years away from Earth!) are unforgettable views in the Venus-700