1st telescope PLEASE HELP

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michaelshai

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<p>hi there, Im in the market to buy my first telescope,</p><p>im a&nbsp;beginner..this is&nbsp;for me and my 5 yr old son, i want him to have an intrest in science and space.......and if its possible to tell me if ill be able to see other galaxies and planets with eigther of these 2 telescopes..and if it is something good to start of with.</p><p>but I need help, i dont want to but one then later regret it. I have come across&nbsp;2 and i was wondering if this is worth buying?..the specs are : </p><h2 style="margin:3.6pt0cm"><span><font face="Arial Unicode MS">Technical Specifications</font></span></h2><ul><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm0cm0pt;tab-stops:list36.0pt"><span><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">Objective Lens diameter: 130 mm </font></font></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm0cm0pt;tab-stops:list36.0pt"><span><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">Focal Length: 1000 mm </font></font></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm0cm0pt;tab-stops:list36.0pt"><span><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">Eyepiece: 1.25 &ndash; PLOSSL 10 mm & 20mm, SR4 </font></font></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm0cm0pt;tab-stops:list36.0pt"><span><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">Barlow Lens: 1.25-2x / Magnification: 50x-500x </font></font></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm0cm0pt;tab-stops:list36.0pt"><span><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">Finder scope: 6x30mm / Mount: EQ3&nbsp; </font></font></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm0cm0pt;tab-stops:list36.0pt"><span><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">Tripod: Aluminium </font></font></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm0cm0pt;tab-stops:list36.0pt"><span><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">Accessories: Accessory tray, 1.25-moon filter </font></font></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm0cm0pt;tab-stops:list36.0pt"><span><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">Tube material: Aluminium. </font></font></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm0cm0pt;tab-stops:list36.0pt"><span><p style="background:white"><span><font size="3"><font face="Arial Unicode MS">Gaze the heavens with the K-Way Celestial, an elegant aluminium scope with up to 500x magnifaction. The objective lense diameter is 130mm, and the focal length 1000mm. Includes an EQ3 mount and moon filter.<br /><img src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/Content/images/store/6/13/e6edbabd-5537-4640-adeb-a48304f2ad84.Medium.jpg" alt="" />&nbsp;&nbsp; <font color="#000000"><strong>this one i can get at R1600.00..</strong></font></font></font></span></p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm0cm0pt;tab-stops:list36.0pt"><span><p style="background:white"><span><font size="3"></font></span></p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm0cm0pt;tab-stops:list36.0pt"><span><p style="background:white">&nbsp;</p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm0cm0pt;tab-stops:list36.0pt"><span><p style="background:white"><span><span><font size="3"><font face="Arial Unicode MS">&nbsp;<strong><u><font size="5" color="#ff0000">then there is this one</font></u></strong></font></font></span></span></p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm0cm0pt;tab-stops:list36.0pt"><span><span><font size="3"><span style="font-size:7.5pt;color:black;font-family:Arial">- <font size="2">Diameter/Aperture: 114mm</font><br />- <font size="2">Focal Length: 500mm</font><br />- <font size="2">Aluminized and overcoated mirrors</font><br />- <font size="2">Red dot finder for easy locating of celestial objects</font><br />- <font size="2">125% more light than 76mm and 165% more than </font></span></font><font size="2"><span style="font-size:7.5pt;color:black;font-family:'TimesNewRoman'">70mm Refractor&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size:7.5pt;color:black;font-family:Verdana"></span></font><font size="3"><span style="font-size:7.5pt;color:black;font-family:Arial">- <font size="2">Smooth rack-and-pinion 1.25" focuser</font><br />- <font size="2">114 primary mirror collects enough light to reveal a wealth of celestial objects&nbsp;</font></span><span style="font-size:7.5pt;color:black;font-family:Verdana"></span></font><font size="3"><span style="font-size:7.5pt;color:black;font-family:Arial">- <font size="2">Paraboloidal secondary mirrior</font></span><span style="font-size:7.5pt;color:black;font-family:Verdana"></span></font> <p style="margin:0cm1.2pt0pt"><span style="font-size:7.5pt;color:black;font-family:Arial"><font size="2">- Sturdy Aluminum tripod</font></span></p></span></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm0cm0pt;tab-stops:list36.0pt"><span><span><span style="font-size:7.5pt;color:black;font-family:Arial"></span><span style="font-size:7.5pt;color:black;font-family:Verdana"><br /><img src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/Content/images/store/8/7/581dc985-c4c5-468d-b709-0b0ed35b4129.Medium.jpg" alt="" />....<font size="4">this one is R1200.00</font></span></span></span></li></ul><span><span><span style="font-size:7.5pt;color:black;font-family:Verdana">&nbsp;<font size="4">Your help and info is much appriciated</font></span><span style="font-size:7.5pt;color:black;font-family:Verdana"><font size="4">Kind regards</font></span><span style="font-size:7.5pt;color:black;font-family:Verdana"><font size="4">Michael.</font></span></span></span> <ul><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm0cm0pt;tab-stops:list36.0pt"><span><span><span style="font-size:7.5pt;color:black;font-family:Verdana"><font size="4">&nbsp;</font></span></span></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm0cm0pt;tab-stops:list36.0pt"><span><span><span style="font-size:7.5pt;color:black;font-family:Verdana"><font size="4"><br /></font></span>&nbsp;</span></span><span><span><font size="3"><font face="Arial Unicode MS"><br /></font></font></span>&nbsp;</span></li></ul><span><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></font></span>
 
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shuttle_guy

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<p><BR/>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>hi there, Im in the market to buy my first telescope,im a&nbsp;beginner..this is&nbsp;for me and my 5 yr old son, i want him to have an intrest in science and space.......and if its possible to tell me if ill be able to see other galaxies and planets with eigther of these 2 telescopes..and if it is something good to start of with.but I need help, i dont want to but one then later regret it. I have come across&nbsp;2 and i was wondering if this is worth buying?..the specs are : Technical SpecificationsObjective Lens diameter: 130 mm Focal Length: 1000 mm Eyepiece: 1.25 &ndash; PLOSSL 10 mm & 20mm, SR4 Barlow Lens: 1.25-2x / Magnification: 50x-500x Finder scope: 6x30mm / Mount: EQ3&nbsp; Tripod: Aluminium Accessories: Accessory tray, 1.25-moon filter Tube material: Aluminium. Gaze the heavens with the K-Way Celestial, an elegant aluminium scope with up to 500x magnifaction. The objective lense diameter is 130mm, and the focal length 1000mm. Includes an EQ3 mount and moon filter.&nbsp;&nbsp; this one i can get at R1600.00..&nbsp;&nbsp;then there is this one- Diameter/Aperture: 114mm- Focal Length: 500mm- Aluminized and overcoated mirrors- Red dot finder for easy locating of celestial objects- 125% more light than 76mm and 165% more than 70mm Refractor&nbsp;- Smooth rack-and-pinion 1.25" focuser- 114 primary mirror collects enough light to reveal a wealth of celestial objects&nbsp;- Paraboloidal secondary mirrior - Sturdy Aluminum tripod....this one is R1200.00&nbsp;Your help and info is much appriciatedKind regardsMichael. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <br />Posted by michaelshai</DIV></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Hang on, I am sure that the experts here will be able to help you.<br /></p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>
 
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MeteorWayne

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<p><BR/>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>&nbsp;Hang on, I am sure that the experts here will be able to help you. <br />Posted by shuttle_guy</DIV><br /><br />In the meantime, I'd suggest reading though the thread titled "Looking to buy your first telescope <strong>Part 2</strong>". There's a ton of good information there. Pay particular attention to the suggestion to attend visit a local astronomy club.</p><p>It's the best advice I can recommend before buying your first scope.</p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080"><em><font color="#000000">But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id.</font></em> </font></p><p><font color="#000080">I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function</font><font color="#000080"> </font></p> </div>
 
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michaelshai

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<p>thanks guys ill have a look at that thread....</p><p>what do u guys think of the skywatcher</p>
 
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Saiph

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<p>My general advice to first time telescope users is: Stay simple!&nbsp; </p><p>My other one is: Diameter is what matters!</p><p>Don't worry about "magnification", that's a marketing red herring.&nbsp; The <em>main</em> determining factor of the performance of a telescope is the diameter of the main objective lense/mirror.&nbsp; A 4" mirror is a good start for a beginner.&nbsp; Gives you a good view of easy to find objects, is light and easily transported, and doesn't require much finesse to find/center an object.&nbsp; 6" is also a good, and only slightly more expensive prospect.</p><p>The big key here is ease of use and transportation.&nbsp; Take a look at the telescope mount on the scope you posted, that's a nice equatorial mount...but it's canted at odd angles, has nobs and counterweights...and could just prove frustrating for someone who isn't even used to just looking at the stars through the scope.</p><p>I highly suggest a simpler design, commonly called a 'dobsonian' after the man who popularized it.&nbsp; Here's Orion's page for them:&nbsp; http://www.telescope.com/control/category/~category_id=dobsonians/~pcategory=telescopes </p><p>They're easy to use, setup and transport.&nbsp; They also give a large diameter - price ratio.&nbsp; This means you'll likely use it, and even if you don't, you haven't burned a hole in your wallet for an expensive paperweight.&nbsp; And once you get accustomed to using one of these, it's far easier to step up to more elaborate scopes. </p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p align="center"><font color="#c0c0c0"><br /></font></p><p align="center"><font color="#999999"><em><font size="1">--------</font></em></font><font color="#999999"><em><font size="1">--------</font></em></font><font color="#999999"><em><font size="1">----</font></em></font><font color="#666699">SaiphMOD@gmail.com </font><font color="#999999"><em><font size="1">-------------------</font></em></font></p><p><font color="#999999"><em><font size="1">"This is my Timey Wimey Detector.  Goes "bing" when there's stuff.  It also fries eggs at 30 paces, wether you want it to or not actually.  I've learned to stay away from hens: It's not pretty when they blow" -- </font></em></font><font size="1" color="#999999">The Tenth Doctor, "Blink"</font></p> </div>
 
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crazyeddie

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I advise you to not buy either one of these scopes. &nbsp;The first one is one of those notorious "short tube" reflectors which are noted for terrible optics. &nbsp;The second one is somewhat better, but only marginally. &nbsp;I suggest that you buy a 6" F/8 dobsonian reflector from Orion telescopes, or the 8" F/5.9 version, if you can afford it and have the room. &nbsp;The former one will excell at viewing planets, and the latter will be better for viewing galaxies, due to it's greater aperture. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>
 
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adrenalynn

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Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>The former one will excell at viewing planets, and the latter will be better for viewing galaxies, due to it's greater aperture. <br />Posted by crazyeddie</DIV><br /><br />The former limited by how stable the atmosphere is (high pollution and haze need-not-apply), and the later limited generally by how dark your sky is. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p>.</p><p><font size="3">bipartisan</font>  (<span style="color:blue" class="pointer"><span class="pron"><font face="Lucida Sans Unicode" size="2">bī-pär'tĭ-zən, -sən</font></span></span>) [Adj.]  Maintaining the ability to blame republications when your stimulus plan proves to be a devastating failure.</p><p><strong><font color="#ff0000"><font color="#ff0000">IMPE</font><font color="#c0c0c0">ACH</font> <font color="#0000ff"><font color="#c0c0c0">O</font>BAMA</font>!</font></strong></p> </div>
 
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AstroHurricane001

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Almost any telescope will show you the Andromeda Galaxy, the rings of Saturn, the moons of Jupiter, the cresent of Venus, incredible detail on the moon, etc. A 130-mm telescope has about 30% more light-gathering power than a 114-mm. I personally own a telescope similar to the second one, but longer (see my picture). Short-tube telescopes are better for deep-sky objects than planetary detail. Make sure your mount is sturdy enough for the telescope. Also, is "R" in Rupees? <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>
 
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AstroHurricane001

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Also, make sure you know what you are looking for when you view an astronmical object, and where in the sky it is. There are some books that can guide you in finding these objects. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>
 
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