The Sky-Watcher 70mm (2.8") f/7 telescope is a two-element, air-spaced refractor with fully multi-coated objective lens. This telescope gives images which are crisp and with very little chromatic aberration.

One of the greatest assets of this solidly built telescope is portability. The light-weight optical tube (1.25kg), and the compressed length of about 380mm (15") makes it a "take it with me" telescope. The optical tube can be adapted to fit into an airline carry-on bag, or into a hiker's backpack. Whether used as a beginner's telescope, a "rich-field", a backup, a guide scope or a travelling telescope, the very reasonable price makes it worth serious consideration.

The telescope is quick and easy to set up and the low-maintenance, enclosed optics come fully collimated from the factory. Alignment of the finderscope is all that's needed to start viewing. The optical tube assembly is held firmly by hinged, felt-lined "tube mounting rings" which allow easy installation and optical tube rotation and balancing. Mounting this telescope on the supplied aluminium alt-azimuth mount or a photographic tripod is quick and simple with the supplied "multi-function mount plate".

The telescope performs well as a fixed aperture lens for both astrophotography and terrestrial photography. The "fast" focal ratio, combined with today's digital cameras or high speed films, makes it useful for capturing lunar and solar eclipses as well as nature photographs. With a suitable T-adapter, a camera can be connected directly to the T-mount thread on the eyepiece holder and a supplied 60mm (2.4") extension tube allows closer focussing for terrestrial photography.