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Today, the privilege of witnessing the wonders of the cosmos isn’t exclusive to professional astronomers. With the Meade Infinity 70mm Telescope, anyone, from a curious child to an adult exploring a new hobby, can appreciate the beauty and grandeur of the night sky.
This instrument is not merely a gateway to the universe; it’s a bridge to a deeper understanding of our place within it.
If you’re a beginner who has just discovered a passion for astronomy or someone with a seasoned interest looking for an upgrade, knowing the specifics of the Meade Infinity 70mm Telescope can transform your astronomical exploration.
In this article, we will look into the details of this telescope, uncovering what it can reveal to us about the universe, examine if it’s the right fit for beginners, and assess its astrophotography capabilities.
Meade Infinity 70mm Telescope, in a nutshell
The Meade Infinity 70mm Telescope is a popular entry-level refractor telescope known for its combination of user-friendly features, decent optics, and affordability.
This telescope is easy to use, even for beginners, and it has decent optical quality for its price range.
However, it has some limitations for more advanced uses, and additional accessories may be necessary for optimal use.
What can you see with the Meade Infinity 70mm telescope?
The Meade Infinity 70mm Telescope offers an impressive range of observation, from celestial to terrestrial objects. It shines when observing the moon, capturing its craters, valleys, and mountains with remarkable detail and brightness.
Within our solar system, the scope brings into view Jupiter’s bands and moons, Saturn’s rings, and Venus’s phases.
While it provides a less detailed view of deep sky objects such as the Orion Nebula, Andromeda Galaxy, and star clusters, it still allows for their basic recognition and exploration.
Furthermore, the telescope’s upright images make it equally suitable for terrestrial viewing, whether observing birds, wildlife, or landscapes.
Is the Meade Infinity 70mm suitable for beginners?
The Meade Infinity 70mm is a great choice for beginners for several reasons. It is an altazimuth refractor telescope, which means it operates on a simple up-down, left-right movement.
Astronomy is a rewarding hobby, but it can be a little intimidating for those who are just starting out. One of the most important things to consider when choosing a first telescope is its ease of use.
This makes tracking celestial objects a breeze even for absolute beginners. The slow-motion control rod is a nice addition that enhances the tracking process by allowing precise adjustments.
Can the Meade Infinity 70mm be used for astrophotography?
The Meade Infinity 70mm altazimuth refractor telescope, while superb for observations, has limitations when it comes to astrophotography. This mainly stems from its altazimuth mount.
While perfect for manually tracking celestial objects across the sky, it’s not equipped to follow the arc of the stars, which is essential for long-exposure deep-sky photography.
The result could be star trails rather than clear, pinpoint images of celestial bodies.
The focal length of 700mm also limits the telescope’s deep sky photography potential. Deep sky objects typically require a higher focal length and larger aperture for better image capture.
However, the Infinity 70mm can be used for beginner-level lunar and planetary astrophotography.
Bright objects like the moon and planets, which do not require long exposure times, can be photographed using simple camera adapters that attach to the eyepiece.
Therefore, while the Meade Infinity 70mm is not ideal for advanced astrophotography, it can be a great starting point for beginners interested in photographing the moon, planets, or land-based objects.
You may also like: 15 Best Telescopes for Astrophotography (with camera)
Pros of the Meade Infinity 70mm
Here are some of the pros of the Meade Infinity 70mm:
Exceptional viewing experience
One of the major pros of the Meade Infinity 70mm refractor telescope is its ability to provide a truly exceptional viewing experience. The 70mm aperture, combined with a focal length of 700mm, enables the telescope to gather a significant amount of light.
This results in bright images of both the sky and land objects. The telescope’s high-powered magnification eyepieces further enhance this viewing experience.
Easy setup and use
The Meade Infinity 70mm is also known for its easy and quick viewing setup. It comes fully assembled with a pre-attached tripod and accessory tray, allowing you to get started with minimal effort.
This feature, coupled with its extremely lightweight setup, contributes to its suitability for beginners.
Good value for money
Given its range of features, this telescope offers excellent value for money. It’s competitively priced and offers high-quality features and reliable performance.
This makes it a worthy investment for those starting their journey in astronomy.
Cons of the Meade Infinity 70mm
Despite its many advantages, no telescope is without its downsides.
Let’s explore some of the cons of the Meade Infinity 70mm telescope.
Small aperture
While the 70mm aperture of the Meade Infinity telescope provides good light-gathering capability for viewing bright objects like the moon, planets, and some star clusters, it might limit the details when observing dimmer celestial objects.
Its small aperture can restrict the level of detail and resolution, making it less suitable for deep-sky observation of galaxies and nebulae.
Limited astrophotography capability
The Meade Infinity 70mm refractor telescope isn’t the best choice for those interested in astrophotography. While it can provide great views of celestial objects, capturing those views in photos requires a more specialized setup.
Its mount doesn’t provide the tracking precision necessary for long-exposure astrophotography.
Plastic parts
Some components of the Meade Infinity 70mm, such as the accessory tray and certain parts of the mount, are made of plastic.
This can potentially affect the overall durability and lifespan of the telescope, especially with regular use outdoors, where the elements might accelerate wear and tear.
Features of the Meade Infinity 70mm Telescope
The Meade Infinity 70mm Altazimuth Refractor Telescope is packed with features that enhance your stargazing experience.
Let’s delve into some of these key features.
Altazimuth mount
The Meade Infinity 70mm comes with a precision Altazimuth mount. This type of mount allows you to move the telescope in two directions (altitude – up and down; azimuth – left and right), making it easy and quick to view in different directions.
The smooth functioning of the altazimuth mount ensures you can track celestial objects efficiently as they move across the night sky.
Slow motion control rod
One standout feature of the Meade Infinity 70mm is the slow-motion control rod. This rod allows you to make fine adjustments to the telescope’s position without having to manually move the entire setup.
This is particularly useful when trying to keep a fast-moving celestial object in view or when trying to share the view with others.
Optical tube
The optical tube of the Meade Infinity 70mm is durable and robust. The refractor telescope design ensures bright images, capturing amazing views of both the sky and land.
The 70mm aperture allows enough light for viewing a range of objects, from moon craters to distant star clusters and even terrestrial objects like far-off mountain tops.
Specifications of the Meade Infinity 70mm Telescope
Below is a summary table of the technical specifications of the Meade Infinity 70mm Altazimuth Refractor Telescope:
| Specification | Description |
| Aperture | 70mm |
| Focal Length | 700mm |
| Focal Ratio | f/10 |
| Mount Type | Altazimuth |
| Eyepieces Included | Two (9mm and 26mm) |
| Finder Scope | Red Dot Finder |
| Weight | 7 pounds |
What accessories are included with the Meade Infinity 70mm?
The Meade Infinity 70mm Altazimuth Refractor Telescope comes with several accessories that enhance its functionality.
These accessories make it easier for beginners to start using the telescope right away and for experienced users to extend its utility.
Let’s take a look at them:
Red Dot Finder
The Red Dot Finder scope that accompanies the Meade Infinity 70mm Telescope is a practical tool for users. This accessory helps in accurately pointing your telescope at celestial objects.
Two eyepieces
The Meade Infinity 70mm Telescope comes with two eyepieces – a 9mm and a 26mm. These two eyepieces provide varying levels of magnification power, allowing for both wide-field, low-magnification viewing and more zoomed-in, high-powered magnification.
This makes it versatile enough to observe a range of astronomical and terrestrial objects.
2x Barlow Lens
Also included in the package is a 2x Barlow lens that effectively doubles the magnifying power of each eyepiece. This allows you to view objects in greater detail.
When used with the included eyepieces, it provides you with four different levels of magnification to explore the night sky.
Accessory tray
The accessory tray included is a handy addition that assists with organizing and quickly accessing your eyepieces and other telescope accessories. It attaches to the tripod and helps to keep everything you need within reach while observing.
How to set up the Meade Infinity 70mm telescope
Setting up the Meade Infinity 70mm Telescope is a straightforward process, thanks to its easy and quick viewing design.
Here are the steps to get you started:
- Start by assembling the tripod. Extend the legs to the desired height and secure them in place.
- Attach the accessory tray to the tripod. It will help keep your eyepieces and other accessories within easy reach during your observation session.
- Mount the optical tube onto the altazimuth mount. Ensure it is securely fastened to prevent any wobbling during use.
- Insert the diagonal into the back of the telescope, followed by the eyepiece.
- Remember, start with the lowest magnification eyepiece (26mm) if you’re observing large and bright objects like the moon or land-based objects. The higher magnification eyepiece (9mm) will be better suited for smaller and fainter celestial objects.
- Attach the Red Dot Finder to the top of the telescope. Ensure it is aligned properly with the telescope’s optics for accurate tracking of celestial objects.
- If desired, insert the 2x Barlow lens before the eyepiece to double the magnifying power.
- Finally, adjust the slow motion control rod for precise movements while tracking celestial objects across the sky.
FAQs about Meade Infinity 70mm
Let’s answer some common questions about the Meade Infinity 70mm Altazimuth Refractor Telescope.
How does the Meade Infinity 70mm compare to similar telescopes in its range?
The Meade Infinity 70mm is a standout option among telescopes in its range, particularly due to its high-quality optical components and easy-to-use design.
It’s especially competitive when it comes to value for money. The Celestron AstroMaster 70AZ, for instance, is a comparable model.
However, the Meade Infinity 70mm outperforms it in terms of ease of setup, accessory inclusion, and the addition of the slow-motion control rod for easier tracking of celestial objects.
Read the full review: Celestron Astromaster 70 AZ Telescope Review (Read This First!)
Does the Meade Infinity 70mm need additional accessories?
While the Meade Infinity 70mm comes with several accessories, it might benefit from additional accessories.
A Moon filter, for example, can enhance the viewing experience when observing the moon by reducing glare and increasing contrast. The Celestron 1.25″ Moon Filter is a popular choice.
Does the Meade Infinity 70mm have any warranty?
Meade offers a Limited Warranty covering material and workmanship defects for a period of two years starting from the date of purchase, exclusively for the original retail purchaser, with full warranty details available upon contacting Meade.
Can the Meade Infinity 70mm be easily transported and set up in a different location?
The Meade Infinity 70mm is known for its extremely lightweight setup and maximum portability.
This telescope can be easily disassembled, transported, and reassembled in a different location, making it ideal for stargazing trips or viewing both the sky and terrestrial objects from different directions.
Takeaway: A Meade Infinity 70mm Telescope will enable you to see terrestrial and celestial objects
The extremely lightweight setup of the Meade Infinity 70mm makes it a perfect pick for stargazers who prioritize mobility and ease of setup. With this telescope, you can observe objects in both the sky and on land with remarkable clarity and detail.
If you’re a beginner taking your first steps into astronomy or a seasoned observer searching for a portable and convenient scope, the Infinity 70mm won’t disappoint.
Its wide field of view and efficient slow-motion control rod make tracking celestial objects a breeze.
The powerful magnification eyepieces and 2x Barlow lens allow for high-powered magnification to reveal stunning details of the moon, planets, and even some star clusters.
The bright images produced by the 70mm aperture are sure to keep you gazing at the sky for hours.
The robust set of included accessories, such as the red dot finder enhance the experience, providing tools and guidance for both astronomical and terrestrial exploration.
With its precision altazimuth mount, setting up and maneuvering the telescope is easy and quick, even for beginners.
However, like all scopes, it does have its limitations. While perfect for observing bright objects in our solar system and on land, its small aperture may not provide the most detailed view of dimmer deep-sky objects.
And without a motorized mount, long-exposure astrophotography may be challenging.
All in all, the Meade Infinity 70mm is a remarkable, affordable tool that opens the door to the infinite wonders of the universe, one clear, detailed view at a time.
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