Question Suggestions for personal telescope

[COLGeek]

Greetings,

I have decided it is time to purchase my first "good" personal telescope in many years. I've previously owned (more than 30 years ago) several low-quality reflector and refractor telescopes that were simply not very good.

What recommendations would you offer?

Budget: $3000 max.
Location: USA
Uses: Personal use. Planets, deep space objects, not really looking at the moon or sun. Portability a plus.

 

[rod]

COLGeek, that is a healthy budget Orion makes good telescopes, I use an Orion XT10i, cheaper than your limit but reflector on a Dob mount and about 60 lbs. when setup TeleVue refractors are excellent too but TeleVue currently is closed because of COVID-19 lock up (I received e-mail notification 21-March). Quite a few shops are closed too, non-essential business it seems Some still ship online though. I use a 90-mm refractor and XT10i. Both use 1.25 inch focuser and the 10-inch, will use the 2-inch eyepieces too. I find TeleVue optics excellent, some others on the Forums use TeleVue also. Celestron and Orion are good from reviews I read.

*Portability* is a big issue. The larger the primary mirror, generally the heavier the system will be including the telescope mount like a big equatorial with heavy, counter weights. Here is a shop I use, they do online too, http://www.company7.com/home.html

 

[COLGeek]

COLGeek, that is a healthy budget Orion makes good telescopes, I use an Orion XT10i, cheaper than your limit but reflector on a Dob mount and about 60 lbs. when setup TeleVue refractors are excellent too but TeleVue currently is closed because of COVID-19 lock up (I received e-mail notification 21-March). Quite a few shops are closed too, non-essential business it seems Some still ship online though. I use a 90-mm refractor and XT10i. Both use 1.25 inch focuser and the 10-inch, will use the 2-inch eyepieces too. I find TeleVue optics excellent, some others on the Forums use TeleVue also. Celestron and Orion are good from reviews I read.

*Portability* is a big issue. The larger the primary mirror, generally the heavier the system will be including the telescope mount like a big equatorial with heavy, counter weights. Here is a shop I use, they do online too, http://www.company7.com/home.html

Thanks for the source and info. Will check it out. Much appreciated.

 

[COLGeek]

Going with one of these:

NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope | Celestron

www.celestron.com

Will use the optional smart phone mount for viewing/pictures as well.

 

[Wolfshadw]

Going to get a dedicated laptop/digital camera to go with it?

-Wolf sends

 

[COLGeek]

Will use an existing laptop. Not intending to buy a digital camera.

 

[Wolfshadw]

No astro-photography?

-Wolf sends

 

[COLGeek]

No astro-photography?

-Wolf sends

Will try with phone. If not good enough, I may go a different route.

 

[ManuelD]

Hello, I was also looking for a telescope and I leaned for the Celestron Astromaster 114EQ. I am content with the choice and it is not expensive at all. I leave you the article where I found the information for which I leaned for this telescope.

https://www.deconstelaciones.shop/telescopio-astronomico-celestron-astro-master-114eq/

I hope I have helped you, since I am also starting in this observation, I really like it.

regards