Looking to buy your first telescope? Part 1

[madgaff]

<p>Hi all, i have recently become very interested in astronomy. The idea mainly came from watching a series call "Universe" It is most exubrating. I was taken aback by it. I have decided that i would like to get telescope. I live in a subarban area, rather built up but i think i could still beinifit. I do not want to spend more than 500 euro on one. Im also curious about ways to capture the photo of what i will see?</p><p>I will buy a telescope from this website because it is local and ships to my area for a good price. </p><p><font color="#5574b9">http://www.astronomy.ie/telescope.html</font></p><p>Could somebody please recommened a scope from this site please. Thanks in advance </p>

 

[tfwthom]

<p><BR/>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>Hi all, i have recently become very interested in astronomy. The idea mainly came from watching a series call "Universe" It is most exubrating. I was taken aback by it. I have decided that i would like to get telescope. I live in a subarban area, rather built up but i think i could still beinifit. I do not want to spend more than 500 euro on one. Im also curious about ways to capture the photo of what i will see?I will buy a telescope from this website because it is local and ships to my area for a good price. http://www.astronomy.ie/telescope.htmlCould somebody please recommened a scope from this site please. Thanks in advance <br />Posted by madgaff</DIV><br /><br />None......The ones that are there are the lower Synta/Celestron ones (at least in your price range) I'm not impressed with the DTG they are selling.</p><p>Go with a Sky-Watcher. &nbsp;http://www.skywatchertelescope.net/swtinc/index2.php</p><p>That the name that Synta uses in the UK. Synta makes the Orion telescopes that are sold in the US. Synta also own Celestron but I'm not seeing the Orion/Synta dobs on the website</p><p><strong>Optical Vision Limited<br /></strong>Unit 3, Woolpit business park<br />Woolpit, Bury St. Edmunds, <br />Suffolk IP30 9UP, UK<br />Telephone: 01359 244 200 <br />Fax: 01359 244 255<br />Web Site: http://www.opticalvision.co.uk</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>A&nbsp;200mm diameter dob &pound;&nbsp;349.00 sounds about right. </p><p>I'm not up on Europe so maybe it's harder then I guess to buy from the UK.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <font size="1" color="#3366ff">www.siriuslookers.org</font> </div>

 

[crazyeddie]

<p><BR/>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>Hi all, i have recently become very interested in astronomy. The idea mainly came from watching a series call "Universe" It is most exubrating. I was taken aback by it. I have decided that i would like to get telescope. I live in a subarban area, rather built up but i think i could still beinifit. I do not want to spend more than 500 euro on one. Im also curious about ways to capture the photo of what i will see?I will buy a telescope from this website because it is local and ships to my area for a good price. http://www.astronomy.ie/telescope.htmlCould somebody please recommened a scope from this site please. Thanks in advance <br /> Posted by madgaff</DIV></p><p>I'm not sure I would want to buy anything from this company. &nbsp;I don't trust vendors that do not list prices, and instead insist that you "call". &nbsp;Plus, they post inaccurate information about their own telescopes, which implies that they don't really know much about what they sell....not a good sign.</p><p>Since they do not list prices, I can't recommend any scopes, because I can't tell which ones you can afford.&nbsp;</p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[madgaff]

<p>http://www.astronomy.ie/shop.html</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Thanks for your suggestions but i am still a bit confused... The other website does not list prices and i am uncertain about their shipping piolicies.... Could you reccemend a few from the link i gave here ( last time i did not give the correct one) My budget is around &euro;400.. Thanks very much.</p>

 

[tfwthom]

<p>Doesn't matter about the link.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Look since you are a beginner you should be thinking&nbsp;about a 6" to 8" dob. That's the best scope to start out with and they cost the least. Forget about a refractor you can't afford a good one and a cheap one is only going to piss you off with it's bad color (violet) and the cheap mount (my refractors cost about $2000 (TV85) and about&nbsp;$10,000 (FS128) when they were new and that&nbsp;didn't include the mounts) Add a couple of hundred more in eyepieces and you can see why you can't just spend &euro;400 for a good refractor but you might just get away with that for a dob.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>I don't care if you buy from Sky-Watcher or any one else, just don't waste money on a toy scope and come back and ask why it doesn't work. There are scopes made by Meade, Synta, Celestron, Orion, etc that shouldn't be allowed on the market. They make them just for people like you.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>I keep telling beginners to go out and observe with a local club and see what a scope looks like. Go do that and you will be able to answer most of your own questions.</p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <font size="1" color="#3366ff">www.siriuslookers.org</font> </div>

 

[MeteorWayne]

Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>&nbsp;I keep telling beginners to go out and observe with a local club and see what a scope looks like. Go do that and you will be able to answer most of your own questions. <br />Posted by tfwthom</DIV><br /><br />I also keep repeating that same advice. If you are going to spend your money, find out what you are going to be spending it on, so you'll know what you can get for your budget. <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>

 

[warpfactor999]

I used to have a Edmund Scientific mirror grinding kit built 6" reflector, unfortunately I had to let go of years ago. Still want to skygaze and this scope sounds like a good buy. Any comments/ratings out there? Or alternate suggestions? Help!

 

[madgaff]

ok i think ill go for the dob.... sounds like the best option at the moment... thanks for your help guys

 

[my_chemical_science]

<p>Is Celestron Powerseek 50mm telescope a good one, or should i keep looking for my telescope?</p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p align="center"><font color="#808080"><strong><em><br /><img id="efe57d21-8154-4fbb-93b5-7c5f4a8303be" src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/Content/images/store/15/3/efe57d21-8154-4fbb-93b5-7c5f4a8303be.Large.jpg" alt="blog post photo" width="197" height="106" /><br />If everyone treats you like a kid, you might as well act like one and throw the TV out the hotel window ~Gerard Way</em></strong></font></p> </div>

 

[MeteorWayne]

<p><BR/>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>Is Celestron Powerseek 50mm telescope a good one, or should i keep looking for my telescope? <br />Posted by my_chemical_science</DIV><br /><br />DEFINATELY KEEP LOOKING. DO NOT BUT THAT SCOPE!!</p><p>A 50mm scope is darn near worthless. Please find a local stronomy club so you can test fly some different types of telescopes and see what fits in your budget</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>

 

[my_chemical_science]

<p><BR/>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>DEFINATELY KEEP LOOKING. DO NOT BUT THAT SCOPE!!A 50mm scope is darn near worthless. Please find a local stronomy club so you can test fly some different types of telescopes and see what fits in your budget <br />Posted by MeteorWayne</DIV></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>So, I'm still a little new at telescopes, what does 50mm mean? *blushes*<br /></p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p align="center"><font color="#808080"><strong><em><br /><img id="efe57d21-8154-4fbb-93b5-7c5f4a8303be" src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/Content/images/store/15/3/efe57d21-8154-4fbb-93b5-7c5f4a8303be.Large.jpg" alt="blog post photo" width="197" height="106" /><br />If everyone treats you like a kid, you might as well act like one and throw the TV out the hotel window ~Gerard Way</em></strong></font></p> </div>

 

[TahaSiddiqui]

Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>&nbsp;So, I'm still a little new at telescopes, what does 50mm mean? *blushes* <br />Posted by my_chemical_science</DIV><br /><br />A telescope with 50mm means the diameter of the scope is 50mm which is extremely low. With higher diameter comes superior quality, and better visibility for fainter objects. A 50mm is one of the smallest sizes avalible for telescopes. I'd recommend buying a 150mm or 200mm for ur first telescope otherwise you would be very disappointed with your purchase. Hope I helped

 

[MeteorWayne]

Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>&nbsp;So, I'm still a little new at telescopes, what does 50mm mean? *blushes* <br />Posted by my_chemical_science</DIV><br /><br />50mm means the lens is less than 2 inches in diameter. That's fine for binouculars, but if you're ging that small, binoculars are a better deal, and likely to be higher quality <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>

 

[aethyr]

<p>http://www.celestron.com/c2/product.php?ProdID=74 </p><p>Is this a good first scope? I know its a really good scope, but is it too much scope for a beginner?</p><p>How about the mount? The mount+scope is discontinued. Was there something wrong with the nexstar mount? </p><p>What is a good used price for one? What's the lowest I should offer? He claims its in great condition - only used it a couple of times. </p>

 

[tam8tec]

<p>Anybody interested in going to the Atacama Desert ( CHILE ) to see a real big telescope?</p><p>QUOTE]This is a very popular question to ask here. So in the interests of helping out budding new backyard astronomers, we've decided to create a sticky thread for the topic. Ask your questions here, and the wonderful community of backyard astronomers here will be overjoyed to help! And if nobody has any questions right away, perhaps some of the established backyard astronomers would be willing to share some helpful advice right off the bat. <br />Posted by CalliArcale[/QUOTE]<br /></p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[crazyeddie]

<p><BR/>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>http://www.celestron.com/c2/product.php?ProdID=74 Is this a good first scope? I know its a really good scope, but is it too much scope for a beginner?How about the mount? The mount+scope is discontinued. Was there something wrong with the nexstar mount? What is a good used price for one? What's the lowest I should offer? He claims its in great condition - only used it a couple of times. <br /> Posted by aethyr</DIV></p><p>I think that's a fine first scope, if a bit pricey and sophisticated.....but if you like gadgetry and computerized things, it could be right up your alley, and it's big enough that you won't get bored with it for a long time. &nbsp;It was discontinued because Celestron came up with a newer, easier-to-use GPS technology, the "CPC" series. &nbsp;I don't know what they cost new, but a good used price is at least 20% less than that for a scope that is in almost-new condition.</p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[aethyr]

<p><BR/>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>I think that's a fine first scope, if a bit pricey and sophisticated.....but if you like gadgetry and computerized things, it could be right up your alley, and it's big enough that you won't get bored with it for a long time. &nbsp;It was discontinued because Celestron came up with a newer, easier-to-use GPS technology, the "CPC" series. &nbsp;I don't know what they cost new, but a good used price is at least 20% less than that for a scope that is in almost-new condition. <br /> Posted by crazyeddie</DIV></p><p>Thanks for the response. What is the lowest you think I should I offer? Is 50% too low? Any sort of easy "kick the tires" checks I should do with the scope before I buy? </p>

 

[Anglocowboy]

<p>How's this for a beginner's telescope?</p><p>http://www.celestron.com/c2/product.php?CatID=62&ProdID=429</p><p>What kinds of cool things could I see with this?</p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> "Make like Siamese twins and split... and then one of you die." </div>

 

[TahaSiddiqui]

Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>How's this for a beginner's telescope?http://www.celestron.com/c2/product.php?CatID=62&ProdID=429What kinds of cool things could I see with this? <br />Posted by Anglocowboy</DIV><br /><br />Do NOT buy that telescope. I bought the Celestron Astromaster 114AZ which is the same series as the 130EQ and i recommend you not to buy it. The finderscope attatched to the telescope is horrible and is permanently attatched as well. The red dot is so&nbsp;bright&nbsp;that the stars become washed out, the&nbsp;glass for the finderscope is blurry and scratchy, as well as the&nbsp;awkward way to align it to the telescopes view.&nbsp;The mount is not sturdy however it could just be the telescope I bought and maybe because it was Alt-Az. I recommend buying a 6" or 8" Dobsonian as everyone in these discussions are always recommending. *One more problem with the finderscope is that there were many complants about the wire for the red dot being broken.

 

[my_chemical_science]

<p><BR/>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>http://www.celestron.com/c2/product.php?ProdID=74 Is this a good first scope? I know its a really good scope, but is it too much scope for a beginner?How about the mount? The mount+scope is discontinued. Was there something wrong with the nexstar mount? What is a good used price for one? What's the lowest I should offer? He claims its in great condition - only used it a couple of times. <br />Posted by aethyr</DIV></p><p>it's okay for a first tele.. but I think the price is too high for it.. look on ebay or any used store for it. but you have be able to see it in the flesh before you buy a used tele. because it could be broken</p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p align="center"><font color="#808080"><strong><em><br /><img id="efe57d21-8154-4fbb-93b5-7c5f4a8303be" src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/Content/images/store/15/3/efe57d21-8154-4fbb-93b5-7c5f4a8303be.Large.jpg" alt="blog post photo" width="197" height="106" /><br />If everyone treats you like a kid, you might as well act like one and throw the TV out the hotel window ~Gerard Way</em></strong></font></p> </div>

 

[my_chemical_science]

<p><BR/>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>How's this for a beginner's telescope?http://www.celestron.com/c2/product.php?CatID=62&ProdID=429What kinds of cool things could I see with this? <br />Posted by Anglocowboy</DIV><br /><br />i asked my friend who used to have that same one, and he said it was bad, even though he hates science, and his mom made him put it in his room...</p><p>if he didn't like science, why did he even USE it????????</p><p>^off topic, sorry^</p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p align="center"><font color="#808080"><strong><em><br /><img id="efe57d21-8154-4fbb-93b5-7c5f4a8303be" src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/Content/images/store/15/3/efe57d21-8154-4fbb-93b5-7c5f4a8303be.Large.jpg" alt="blog post photo" width="197" height="106" /><br />If everyone treats you like a kid, you might as well act like one and throw the TV out the hotel window ~Gerard Way</em></strong></font></p> </div>

 

[my_chemical_science]

<p>Is it okay to buy&nbsp;a used telescope on Ebay for a cheeper price? </p><p>I've been saving money for a telescope, but then my sister asked me to be her Maid Of Honor! I needed to use the money for her shower I'm planning. Which is okay, because my sister is worth <em>way</em> more then a telescope to me.</p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p align="center"><font color="#808080"><strong><em><br /><img id="efe57d21-8154-4fbb-93b5-7c5f4a8303be" src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/Content/images/store/15/3/efe57d21-8154-4fbb-93b5-7c5f4a8303be.Large.jpg" alt="blog post photo" width="197" height="106" /><br />If everyone treats you like a kid, you might as well act like one and throw the TV out the hotel window ~Gerard Way</em></strong></font></p> </div>

 

[tfwthom]

<p>I wouldn't buy anything on Ebay scope related.</p><p>Buy from Astromart http://www.astromart.com/ </p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <font size="1" color="#3366ff">www.siriuslookers.org</font> </div>

 

[lukman]

I am not an astronomer, not even an amatuer one, about 2weeks ago (when was the last full moon in equator?)? sky is very bright, but i still can see a star very bright just beside the moon, it was around 7pm and i live in south east asia near equator. I believe it was nothing but a star because it didnt move, i was just curious how bright it is without the moon beside it. The rest of the sky is almost nothing due to the moon brightness, although there are a few dimmer star near horizon. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[my_chemical_science]

I want to take pictures of the sun from a telescope view, so i can see green spots on the sun&nbsp;without going blind... How can i do this? <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p align="center"><font color="#808080"><strong><em><br /><img id="efe57d21-8154-4fbb-93b5-7c5f4a8303be" src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/Content/images/store/15/3/efe57d21-8154-4fbb-93b5-7c5f4a8303be.Large.jpg" alt="blog post photo" width="197" height="106" /><br />If everyone treats you like a kid, you might as well act like one and throw the TV out the hotel window ~Gerard Way</em></strong></font></p> </div>