Science Mad Planetarium, SM56, One Colour

The idea of a projecting planetarium is very appealing and a good way to involve young children in learning about the star constellations.However, this product is next to useless. The ‘projector’ relies on the pinhole camera concept; there is no lens system to focus the device. The holes are relatively large so, unless you are projecting a very short distance, say onto a piece of paper right next to the device, the stars are too blurred to see. You cannot project onto the ceiling, for example. Secondly, the manufacturer didn’t have the foresight to print the names of the constellations in reverse so that when you project, they are the right way round.You could make a screen out of tracing paper and back project onto it so that the names would be the right way round. However you would still need to be very close to it to make it work.I suppose the manufacturer might say ‘what do you expect for £14.95’. My answer is, I expect a product to do what it says, irrespective of price. If you cannot make a good product at that price then make a more expensive one that works.

Brought for 8 year old granddaughter for Xmas as she has asked for it but it looks amazing can't wait to try out

Poor design and build.The constellations are backwards and show on the walls and celling extremely blurryThe thin plastic globe was full of dents so it doesn't spin as it is supposed to as the wheels get stuckNo option to have light on without it spinningBatteries dead within 24 hours.Was bought as a night light but not going through 30+ batteries a month to keep it going.

Bought for my grandson. Seems happy enough with his gift. Uses as a nightlight to project against his bedroom wall at bedtime.

Bought this for my 8 year old who loves studying the constellations & we’re both so disappointed. Plastic globe is very flimsy & the battery compartment wouldn’t close properly after inserting batteries. Moved the globe around many times but projection was always out of focus. In addition, because the constellations are printed onto the globe, when they are projected they are in reverse, including the writing! Will be returning this and replacing it with something else.