Looking to buy your first telescope? Part 1

[shadow735]

<p>I am planning on buying a Dob, I was looking at the <strong><font face="Arial" size="2" color="#000066">Orion SkyQuest XT10 Classic Dobsonian</font></strong>&nbsp; my question if anyone has any info on this is which is the better brand Meade or Orion? I have gone into some telescope shops and been told Meade is better quality.</p><p>Can anyone give me some feedback on this? Thanks</p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[crazyeddie]

<p><BR/>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>I am planning on buying a Dob, I was looking at the Orion SkyQuest XT10 Classic Dobsonian&nbsp; my question if anyone has any info on this is which is the better brand Meade or Orion? I have gone into some telescope shops and been told Meade is better quality.Can anyone give me some feedback on this? Thanks <br /> Posted by shadow735</DIV></p><p>You didn't say which Meade dob you were considering, so it's hard to compare. &nbsp;Personally, I do not like Meade. &nbsp;They market cheap, poorly designed telescopes made in China and sell them through distributors such as Wal-Mart, and the poor experiences unsuspecting buyers have with these scopes have probably done more harm to the hobby of amateur astronomy than anything else I can think of. Yet, they also make some very good, albeit more expensive, telescopes, such as their schmidt-cassegrains and Lightbridge dobs. &nbsp;Unfortunately, they also have a reputation for poor quality control, so that some buyers wind up with lemons, which is why it is essential to buy from a reputable dealer if you are going to buy a Meade product. &nbsp;Orion, on the other hand, practices good quality control (even though they may be selling some of the same scopes Meade sells), and they have outstanding customer service. &nbsp;You can't really go wrong with Orion.</p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[shadow735]

<p><BR/>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>You didn't say which Meade dob you were considering, so it's hard to compare. &nbsp;Personally, I do not like Meade. &nbsp;They market cheap, poorly designed telescopes made in China and sell them through distributors such as Wal-Mart, and the poor experiences unsuspecting buyers have with these scopes have probably done more harm to the hobby of amateur astronomy than anything else I can think of. Yet, they also make some very good, albeit more expensive, telescopes, such as their schmidt-cassegrains and Lightbridge dobs. &nbsp;Unfortunately, they also have a reputation for poor quality control, so that some buyers wind up with lemons, which is why it is essential to buy from a reputable dealer if you are going to buy a Meade product. &nbsp;Orion, on the other hand, practices good quality control (even though they may be selling some of the same scopes Meade sells), and they have outstanding customer service. &nbsp;You can't really go wrong with Orion. <br />Posted by crazyeddie</DIV></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>From what I have read Meades customer service is horid, while orions is excellent. I was going to get a dob and I still am but its been put aside as I now have to fork over 1k in car repairs, talk about Chaos Theory, when you have extra money to play with it gets eaten by unexpected events.</p><p>&nbsp; I am pretty much set on Orion its just when I will be able to get in probably in a few months.</p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[RonMaverick]

<p>Hello fellow astronomers!&nbsp; I have never owned a telescope of my own.&nbsp; I was wondering what is a good, beginner, telescope for under&nbsp; $500.&nbsp; I know most are well into the thousands however I'm a college student I don't have $24,000 to spend on a telescope.&nbsp; I'm sure it will be on the sucky end for that kind of price but what is the "best of" the sucky end?&nbsp; I will&nbsp; admit I have not done much research into telescopes it is hard to find an unbiased opinion (brands reccomend THEIR brand).&nbsp; The links in the original first post here seems to have expired also.&nbsp; </p><p>I would like to be able to see planets up close, assuming I will be able to see past the moon for one at that price.&nbsp; If possible I would love to see farther out but at least seeing mars' freatures would be a treat.&nbsp; I'm hoping there is something digital or GPS related that I can use I have a Intel Mac.&nbsp; If someone could point me in the direction where there are good telescopes under $500 it would be great.&nbsp; Please do not "reccomend" something over that amount because I just don't have the money.&nbsp; I live in Richmond VA.&nbsp; Although light pollution is everywhere in my area it is very dark and clear most of the time. Our house even gets a shadow from the moonlight,&nbsp; Well thanks! </p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[crazyeddie]

<p><BR/>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>Hello fellow astronomers!&nbsp; I have never owned a telescope of my own.&nbsp; I was wondering what is a good, beginner, telescope for under&nbsp; $500.&nbsp; I know most are well into the thousands however I'm a college student I don't have $24,000 to spend on a telescope.&nbsp; I'm sure it will be on the sucky end for that kind of price but what is the "best of" the sucky end?&nbsp; I will&nbsp; admit I have not done much research into telescopes it is hard to find an unbiased opinion (brands reccomend THEIR brand).&nbsp; The links in the original first post here seems to have expired also.&nbsp; I would like to be able to see planets up close, assuming I will be able to see past the moon for one at that price.&nbsp; If possible I would love to see farther out but at least seeing mars' freatures would be a treat.&nbsp; I'm hoping there is something digital or GPS related that I can use I have a Intel Mac.&nbsp; If someone could point me in the direction where there are good telescopes under $500 it would be great.&nbsp; Please do not "reccomend" something over that amount because I just don't have the money.&nbsp; I live in Richmond VA.&nbsp; Although light pollution is everywhere in my area it is very dark and clear most of the time. Our house even gets a shadow from the moonlight,&nbsp; Well thanks! <br /> Posted by RonMaverick</DIV></p><p>It's the same one I've always recommended, the Orion XT8:</p><p>http://www.telescope.com/control/product/~category_id=dobsonians/~pcategory=telescopes/~product_id=08943</p><p>You will need to buy two additional eyepieces, and I strongly recommend you also purchase some kind of adjustable observing chair, and perhaps an upgrade to a 9x50 finderscope. &nbsp;That should still keep you under the $500 limit.&nbsp;</p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[_A__Z_]

<p>What do you think about the Williams Optics <span class="subNavLink">ZenithStar 80 II ED APO?</span></p><p><br /> <img src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/Content/images/store/8/3/0844d10c-77a7-4aaf-a37c-70e22c429fc7.Medium.jpg" alt="" /><br />&nbsp;</p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[_A__Z_]

Has anyone ever tried the Williams Optics <span class="subNavLink">ZenithStar 80 II ED APO, and would you recommend it?<br /></span> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[crazyeddie]

<p><BR/>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>What do you think about the Williams Optics ZenithStar 80 II ED APO? &nbsp; <br /> Posted by _A__Z_</DIV></p><p>I don't know much about them, but William Optics is a reputable dealer. &nbsp;This looks like it would make a good "grab and go" scope, for quick looks at the moon and planets.&nbsp;</p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[MeteorWayne]

<p><BR/>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>I don't know much about them, but William Optics is a reputable dealer. &nbsp;This looks like it would make a good "grab and go" scope, for quick looks at the moon and planets.&nbsp; <br />Posted by crazyeddie</DIV><br /><br />This thread has become quite bloated, so I am going to unstick it. There is a new thread (Read This!) that has been pinned. Over the next few days I will copy some of the more useful posts from this one to the new one so what is in here is not lost.</p><p>Meteor Wayne</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>

 

[_A__Z_]

Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>I don't know much about them, but William Optics is a reputable dealer. &nbsp;This looks like it would make a good "grab and go" scope, for quick looks at the moon and planets.&nbsp; <br /> Posted by crazyeddie</DIV><br />Thank you so much CrazyEddie You are the ONE!!! <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>