Advice on telescope

[thatguywhojuggles]

I'm thinking I'd like to buy a telescope, and learn to use it. I'd love to be able to check out the planets. I've had limited experiences with telescopes, but each time I was blown away by the experience.

Any suggestions of a telescope in the $300 range?

What's the least you (yes you) would spend on a telescope that you consider worth buying?

 

[Skwinty]

Meade 114EQ-AR 114mm Telescope 4.5" Equatorial Reflector
Complete with tripod and laser finder, this telescope is an ideal first scope for any astronomer wannabe.
Celestron AstroMaster 114 AZ Reflector Telescope Altazimuth 31043
This funky reflector is great for both low-budget terrestrial and celestial viewing.
Konus Konusmotor-130 Telescope 1786
The Konusmotor is a cracking little motorized telescope that would make an ideal second or third scope.
Bushnell Voyager Sky Tour 900mm x 4.5" Reflector Telescope 789945
A smart little reflector that includes built-in audio guidance.
Zhumell Eclipse 114 Reflector Telescope
An ideal scope for anyone who wants to start out looking at celestial bodies further away than the norm.

The telescopes below are all solid options for any first-time, cash-strapped stargazer: http://www.coolscopes.com/top5telescopesunder300dollars.html

 

[thatguywhojuggles]

Also, is a computer controlled telescope worth it, or would the cost be better used on a higher quality, but manual unit?

 

[thatguywhojuggles]

Meade 114EQ-AR 114mm Telescope 4.5" Equatorial Reflector
Complete with tripod and laser finder, this telescope is an ideal first scope for any astronomer wannabe.
Celestron AstroMaster 114 AZ Reflector Telescope Altazimuth 31043
This funky reflector is great for both low-budget terrestrial and celestial viewing.
Konus Konusmotor-130 Telescope 1786
The Konusmotor is a cracking little motorized telescope that would make an ideal second or third scope.
Bushnell Voyager Sky Tour 900mm x 4.5" Reflector Telescope 789945
A smart little reflector that includes built-in audio guidance.
Zhumell Eclipse 114 Reflector Telescope
An ideal scope for anyone who wants to start out looking at celestial bodies further away than the norm.

The telescopes below are all solid options for any first-time, cash-strapped stargazer: http://www.coolscopes.com/top5telescopesunder300dollars.html

Thanks. I'll look at those.

 

[Skwinty]

For a beginner the computerised mount may be a bit over the top.
A good setup for a largish telescope is pricy and only really required for astrophotography.

You will learn a lot more by using a star chart and trying to find objects.
Once you are totally and utterly hooked on astronomy then consider splashing out with your hard earned money.

There are far too many telescopes (expensive ones) gathering dust in some storage area.

 

[Wangler]

I would add to what Skwinty said...although buying a good pair of 8x42 or 7x50 bincoculars might be a good investment with the star chart.

Orion (www.telescope.com) is a good place to order from..the full gamut from binoculars to higher end scopes, all pretty good quality, and very good customer service IMHO.

 

[roger]

craigslist. There is an endless supply of 'scopes, and you can end up with a smaller computerized reflector, or a pretty wide (8-10") Schmidt Cassegrain, Dobson, or the like.

 

[Wangler]

or, try astromart.com


used scopes and binocs sold by amateur astronomers and birders, for the most part. typically they don't BS about what they are selling, as the audience is "in the know" so to speak.

 

[kookbreaker]

*cough*

At that price range I suggest the Orion StarBlast 6, The SpaceProbe 130ST, and lastly SkyQuest XT6 (that XT6 may require some more investment in the long run).

I do suggest Orion at that price range and I do not do so lightly.

 

[kookbreaker]

Also, is a computer controlled telescope worth it, or would the cost be better used on a higher quality, but manual unit?

Any computerized telescope at that price range is *not* going to be worth it. If you want CG I would suggest upping the price level a bit.

 

[nota]

+1 on used

for bigger and higher power you need a motor driven one equatorial mount

smaller simpler scopes are better to start with

I have a small portable 4 1/2 inch folded Cassegrain design
and a huge 8'' Newtonian with a motor drive
but the little guy is far eazyer to use esp away from home
so gets used far more often

 

[Patricio Elicer]

Useful thread. It came at the precise moment my brother is becoming increasingly interested in astro observation and photography, and needs advice on a telescope.

He's not a forum member, but knows that there are lots of knowledgeable people in this place, so here I go.

His primary goal is to be able to photograph galaxies. That being said, he wants the scope to:

• be portable
• be motorized
• have a reflector in the 10" - 12" range.
• have a Schmidt-Casegrein configuration
• be from a prestigious and quality-recongnized maker.

He tells me his main problem in deciding for the best choice, is that he doesn't have any chance to carefully compare optics between different models and brands, a side by side comparison so to speak. That's why he needs advice on the subject from experienced people.

Oh, and he's in a position to spend US$5,000 on the toy. Going crazy

Thanks in advance.

 

[kookbreaker]

Useful thread. It came at the precise moment my brother is becoming increasingly interested in astro observation and photography, and needs advice on a telescope.

He's not a forum member, but knows that there are lots of knowledgeable people in this place, so here I go.

His primary goal is to be able to photograph galaxies. That being said, he wants the scope to:

• be portable
• be motorized
• have a reflector in the 10" - 12" range.
• have a Schmidt-Casegrein configuration

• 
  
  Ummm. Which? SCT or Reflector?
  
  

  [*] be from a prestigious and quality-recongnized maker.

He tells me his main problem in deciding for the best choice, is that he doesn't have any chance to carefully compare optics between different models and brands, a side by side comparison so to speak. That's why he needs advice on the subject from experienced people.

Oh, and he's in a position to spend US$5,000 on the toy. Going crazy

Thanks in advance.

I'd suggest looking at a very strong mount such as the Orion Atlas or a Losmandy if he wants to put up the big bucks. Then either get a tube with it or buy OTA (optical tube assemblies) to fit his needs.

 

[Patricio Elicer]

Thanks, kookbreaker. I'll ask him the technical question you posed.

 

[JoeTheJuggler]

Ummm. Which? SCT or Reflector?

I would take that to mean "have a primary in the 10-12" range". (But to be technical, a SCT is a type of "reflector"--it's just not a Newtonian reflector--ETA or at least it's a telescope with a reflector.)

 

[MG1962]

As a few people suggested get some binoculars to begin with. If astronomy is not for you - the binocs have many other uses

If you go balls out and get some say ex navy 25 x 100s spring for the tripod

 

[CurtC]

I'll third the suggestion to start with a good pair of binoculars. At least 50mm, bigger is better (will gather more light and let you see fainter objects). The second number divided by the first number should optimally be about 7 for nighttime viewing.

And this book.

 

[alfaniner]

I just bought one for about $130 from Amazon, hoping to show the Moon and Jupiter at a fall party this weekend. I'm hoping it won't be cloudy!

 

[JoeTheJuggler]

For a beginner the computerised mount may be a bit over the top.
A good setup for a largish telescope is pricy and only really required for astrophotography.

You will learn a lot more by using a star chart and trying to find objects.
Once you are totally and utterly hooked on astronomy then consider splashing out with your hard earned money.

There are far too many telescopes (expensive ones) gathering dust in some storage area.

I would second this advice. Years ago, I had a 10.1" reflector on a dobsonian mount (very simple alt-azimuth mount), and I used the thing. Later, I sold it, and just a couple years ago, I decided I wanted a telescope again. I bought an 8" reflector on an equatorial mount, and I almost never use it. It's too much set-up, take-down and transport. (The 10.1" was *much* easier to transport--just two pieces.) Also, the equatorial mount I got is junky and rickety.

 

[BenBurch]

Also, what telescope you buy depends on where you are and where you plan to use it.

In the heart of a city, there is not much use for a really large telescope because the light pollution washes out so much.