Beginner Telescope?

[riflemannl]

Hello,<br /><br />I want to buy a telescope sometime, but I don't know which. I'm pretty low on budget (I'm just 15 :-(). I did a search on google but I found multiple telescopes. And well, since here are people with experience, I'd like to ask here which one you think is best and pretty 'cheap' ($/€100,00 or so?)

 

[bbrock]

Rifleman<br /><br />I would suggest you look at the Orion Dobsonian XT telescopes, and you decide your price range. These are excellent scopes and the dobsonian design is the simplist to use. Always go with the largest aperature you can afford. You can buy the 4.5" for around $200. This will include everything you need to get started including "The Sky" software for computer star chart. <br /><br />If you can afford more then the $200 + shipping, then move up to the 6 inch or 8 inch. In any case, the dobsonian reflector telescopes will be the least expensive for the aperature, and will be the easiest to use and to learn astronomy. <br /><br />Other manufacturers also sell dobsonian telescopes and they have excellent products. My only experience has been with Orion telescopes. However, the Orion products are priced well and are excellent telescopes. <br /><br />Best of luck. <br /><br />Bill

 

[tfwthom]

Read the post:<br /><br />http://uplink.space.com/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=askastronomer&Number=595&page=5&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=0&fpart= <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <font size="1" color="#3366ff">www.siriuslookers.org</font> </div>

 

[nevers]

Hi Rifle - <br /><br />In case nobody told you yet: Welcome to SDC!<br /><br />Ok, here's the deal. I don't want to sound discouraging, but...$100 for a telescope is not going to get you much of a telescope. But, like you said, your looking for a beginner telescope.<br /><br />Here's what I think would happen. You'll get a $100 'scope, not be able to see very much through it and get disappointed about astronomy all together. Or, you may get it and (like I like to think because it happened to me), like astronomy so much and you realize you want a bigger 'scope! Or, you'll be totally happy with what you get because it is everything you EXPECTED it to be. I just hate when companies advertise inexpensive 'scopes along with promises of "High Magnification" next to pictures of Galaxies taken through the Hubble Space Telescope! A $100 dollar 'scope will NOT get you that. Heck, $5000 'scope won't even get you that!<br /><br />What I think $100 will buy are very nice images of the Moon. (Nothing fancy like your looking at the floor of a deep crater) You will be able to see some of the planets as disc-like and not point's of light like stars are. (No detail is what I mean) You will also be able to see some of the larger Open Clusters, a few things like the Orion Nebula and maybe some resolution of stars in the big Globular Clusters. You will also be able to pick out quite a large number of Double Stars if you interested in that. (Which I also love to hunt) And that's what a lot of it will be like: "Hunting".<br /><br />There is much to learn not only about Telescopes but about the quality of the image each one of them give. I have 5 telescopes of varying size and I use all of them for different reasons.<br /><br />If you get a $100 telescope, just be forewarned of what to expect. Please don't buy anything with plastic eyepieces.<br /><br />My best suggestion would be to hang on to your money and first attend a Star Party hosted by a local astronomy group. They will be more then happey to s

 

[riflemannl]

I now got a Spectron F70060 Telescope.<br /><br />- Focal length : 700m<br />-diameter : 60mm<br />-coated lens<br /><br />I got the following parts :<br />- H12.6MM Oculair (and 90 degree turn sight scope)<br />- 1 . 5x Ereting Eyepiece<br />- Barlow Lens 3x<br /><br />Bummer the moon is on the other side of the house <img src="/images/icons/frown.gif" />. Later tonight then <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" />.<br /><br />BTW I don't have Sky with it, will try to search it.

 

[nevers]

Hi Rifle - <br /><br />Congratulations - welcome to the club! We will be expecting a review of your new 'scope and daily observational reports. I wish the Moon would stay on the other side of my house! Dang ole, dang ole Moon! Enjoy and don't be a stranger...

 

[riflemannl]

Hehe thanks <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" />. It ws kinda cloudy last night but I managed to focus on a bright star.. but.. I forgot to clean my lense and well... too much blur . Also the moon wasn't visible in my place here <img src="/images/icons/frown.gif" />.

 

[nevers]

Tomorrow's another night...

 

[riflemannl]

comming 2 nights we'll have hard winds and a 'closed sky'. fully clouded and well.. no sight on space <img src="/images/icons/frown.gif" />.<br /><br />You guys have MSN messenger? add me : rifleman@bdt-team.net. We can talk there if we want too <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" />

 

[nevers]

I'm in the same boat. I live in the so-called "Arid" desert of the American Southwest. Hmmm...with only one week knocked out of the new year, we've already doubled the normal annual rainfall. I think I may need to trade one of my 'scopes in for some oars!<br /><br />Keep on lookin' up. The skies have to part sometime...(I hope)

 

[riflemannl]

clear sky... but well, the wind would blow my telescope away.. <img src="/images/icons/frown.gif" /> oh well another night tomorrow..