Which telescope?

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scopenoob

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What kind of telescope should I get? I want to send $150~, give or take $30~. It has have a motor and be able to navagtive itself to a object in the sky. I can be factory refrished but has to have a warrtory. Please major companys only.<br /><br />I'm carrently thinking of this one:<br />http://cgi.ebay.com/Meade-DS-114AATE-with-Autostar-04003-00RE_W0QQitemZ7554272239QQcategoryZ28181QQcmdZViewItem <br />or this one:<br />http://cgi.ebay.com/TeleStar-DS-2130AT-70131RE_W0QQitemZ7553573996QQcategoryZ28181QQcmdZViewItem
 
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bbrock

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I suppose, between the two scopes, the first one. <br /><br />However, I would suggest you look elsewere. Try Orion.<br />I'm afraid you are going to get what you pay for. <br /><br />Clear Skies. <br />Bill
 
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scopenoob

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How are they trouble some? What's wrong with the tracking? And I'm new at this (aka noob) so I may ask so dumb questions...
 
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frostbrewed

Guest
My 2 cents......<br />GoTo setups are ok if they are of extremely good quality and the GREAT quality ones are not as good as you would think they would be. It's not that hard to find objects in the sky with a good sky chart, which are numerous and free all over the internet and once you find something in the sky after a little bit of effort, you will never forget where it's located. I think you will be disappointed with either of these two scopes and should follow the above advice and go with something from Orion. A reflector scope of 4.5 aperture or above is a good place to start. You can see all the planets (except Pluto) and a lot of the deep sky objects....... M31 and a few others can be seen with the naked eye if you know where to look.........In my opinion, I would rather spend more money on better quality than a GoTo setup. <br /><br />Frost
 
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dick_in_mi

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Quick question, Frost.<br /><br />You say that the great ones are not as good as you'd think they'd be. Please elaborate.<br /><br />I'm likely going w/ an 8" Orion dob and was thinking about the Intelliscope version with "push to" capability. <br /><br />Right now I have a 3" Bushnell with all of the bad things that go with a scope like that. As a result, most of my viewing is through binocs. There is a sense of accomplishment in finding an object for myself, but I'm wondering if having Go-To functionality is nice for the especially tricky situations. your thoughts?
 
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bbrock

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I have the 10" Intelliscope. Don't try using an Intelliscope in the grass or on a wood deck. Concrete or Blacktop only. Otherwise, the Intelliscope Dobs work very well. My first search for M101 was made possible with the Intelliscope. I coulden't find it off hand. <br /><br />Now the Flip side. I have learned the location of many objects and learned to star hop. I used the Intelliscope for about two or three weeks after I first got it. --- Heven't used it since. Haven't had a need to. But I think it is nice having the capability to use the Push To Scope. Sometimes it's difficult locating objects by star hopping, such as in heavy light pollution. <br /><br />Clear Skies<br />Bill
 
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dick_in_mi

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A followup, Bill.....<br /><br />I'd be using mine in the backyard. My driveway is subject to too much pollution from streetlights.<br /><br />Given that grass & decks are a no-no (and I have snow on the ground as well for about 4 months), is there any other option? Perhaps a wooden platform ? (I'm thinking that because only the scope would be sitting on it, it wouldn't be subject to vibrations like a deck)<br /><br />Your thoughts?
 
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frostbrewed

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A good solid surface is a very important thing with a goto scope but it is also important to get the most accurate polar alignment as possible which is not to hard with a little practice. Most GOTOs will get the object in or close to the finder scope but with some of the faint objects, they will still be tricky to find. <br />As far as a solid surface goes, some people go as far as pouring a slab of concrete which is not a bad idea since it would only have to be the diameter of the mounts legs. My friend done this for under 20 bucks with quikrete and after the grass started growing up around it, you couldn't even tell it was there. <br /><br /><br />Frost
 
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scopenoob

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I suposse these are better, but about this "Intelliscope" thing.... well I've never used a telescope before and the only time I did any "real" star-grazing was when I went up on a mountian where there was no pollution. So I have no knowagle at all about telescopes/star location. Btw, I'm only 12 so don't expect me to know a lot
 
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frostbrewed

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scopenoob:<br /> A good place for you to start learning star positions and messier object positions is http://www.m31.spb.ru/StarCalc/main.htm<br />Visit this site and download Starcalc. It's a free programme and is very small but powerful. You can input your location (latitude longitude) If you don't know yours, you can google it up with your city and state and the keyword "latitude" ....... Starcalc will show you the position of most of the stars and planets you can see, and with setting circles, and almost any Orion scope you should be able to find your way around the sky. It gets easier with practice....... My suggestion to you is......Start with a small but good quality scope that's nonGOTO and learn the sky. Google up everything you can about messier objects and planets. Also go to http://www.heavens-above.com and set up a free account. They have info on many of the visible satellites like where they will be and what time they will be there. It seems like a lot to learn but the more you learn, the more fun you will have with this hobby...........<br /><br />Frost
 
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scopenoob

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How about a motor, should I get a motorized one? I read something about the earth turning and stuff....<br />Also, can I mount that dob telescope on a tripod of something? I don't excatly want to setup a table everytime...
 
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frostbrewed

Guest
You don't need to worry about the earth turning unless you are doing astrophotography and for that you need an expensive scope anyway............ Dobs sit on the ground, no table required .... they are tall enough for comfortable viewing .......... go to the top right-hand corner of this page and click on the Orion link and read all the help stuff on different scopes. I think it will help you decide which scope to get ..... If I were you , it would be something similar to this one <br />CLICK HERE or this one CLICK HERE<br /><br />Frost
 
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frostbrewed

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That's something you need to decide. Read up on the two scopes and see which one you like best or you may find one you like even better... Those are the best ones I could find in the price range you gave us. Go to "learning Center" on the Orion site and read it from top to bottom..... This will give you a better idea of which scope is right for you.... research, research, research.......<br /><br />Frost
 
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bbrock

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I absolutely agree. I would recommend you purchase a Dobsonian Telescope. ( No Motors or Tracking or GoTo ). All of that is quite expensive and advanced. <br /><br />Purchase the largest aperture telescope you can affort and transport. The Orion XT Telescopes are a good place to start. There are many other expenses to consider besides the telescope. There is a vast selelction of eye pieces, barlow lenses, lazer collimators, filters, star charts or planitarium software. Etc. etc. etc. ---- this stuff never ends. The telescope is just the beginning, not the end. If you are truly interested in amature astronomy, you will find the learning curve to be " Astronomical", but very enjoyable. <br /><br />Bill
 
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scopenoob

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How much do you think a 12 year old can afford <img src="/images/icons/tongue.gif" /> ? I'm going to wait intil chrismas when prices drop and I can afford an even bigger one! yay!
 
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scopenoob

Guest
Yeah I got my catalog yesterday and I've been thinking about that one all day <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" />
 
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frostbrewed

Guest
The images will be smaller and half as clear in this scope compared to the scope I suggested a few posts back and refractor scopes are only good for Planets (unless you have an expensive one) while reflector scopes are good for both planets and deep sky objects like galaxies and nebula for example.<br />Buy this scope and find out for yourself why cheap GOTO scopes are not as good as bigger aperture non-GOTO scopes in the same price range.<br />You get what you pay for.<br /><br />Frost
 
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bbrock

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I need to jump into this discussion. I'm afraid crazy is right. You would think, someone at Meade would read these comments once in a while. It's not that Meade can't have better quality control or customer service, they choose not to. I guess it isn't cost effective for them to do so. Some day, that will catch up with them. <br /><br />You will do well by sticking with Orion or Celestron or Hardin or anyone else but Meade. Orion is 180 degrees of Meade. My many experiences with Orion is they fall all over themselves to serve you, back their product and make sure you are happy with your equipment. ---- period. I have never had any different experience then this with Orion on many occasions. I can't even get angry with them when I want to, - they will always make it right, in my opinion. <br /><br />There is another advantage to purchasing the Orion XT6, or any other Orion Telescope. You get a free copy of Starry Night software. Starry Night is a Planitarium software that is fantastic. Starry Night is my primary tool for locating and identifying objects in the night sky. If you use Starry Night effectively, you won't need a GoTo Telescope. <br /><br />Clear Skies<br />Bill
 
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frostbrewed

Guest
I agree Bill, Orion's customer service is matched by nobody. Thats why I buy everything I need from them even If I could get it maybe 5 dollars cheaper somewhere else. I have had atleast 10 flawless orders from Orion.<br /><br /><br /><br />Frost
 
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scopenoob

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Nah I'm sticking with a XT6, but..... it's 3.7 feet tall and 6 inches round lol I'm going to have to get a bigger room <img src="/images/icons/tongue.gif" />
 
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