Telescopes - where to buy?

[Mojocvh]

Newts are a good choice if your backs on the way out, defiantly.

No stooping to the eyepiece.

[valiant]

Nice first choice..

Now be prepared for your inheritance to be spent on upgrading eyepieces, mounts, filters, etc.

And that's before he starts getting into astro photography.



Hope he enjoys it!!

[Big Rod]

parabolica said:

Just to close this out, made a decision to go with First Light Optics as recommended here; spoke with dad beforehand as it's a nieche gift and wanted him to choose some thing he'd be happy with; result was http://www.firstlightoptics.com/celestron-astromas.... Thanks for all your help guys

Impressive looking bit of kit.

Might have to look into one of them myself.

[budfox]

I got a telescope recently too. Went with a refractor as I'll be wanting to take photos, and an motorised equatorial mount for the same reason. Lots to learn, but I do have a great little telescope shop in town, and First Light optics are in Exeter just down the motorway near where I work.

I'm actually hoping to have a word with FLO and see if they'd be interested in a stargazing evening at my place of work.

[Moonhawk]

parabolica said:

Just to close this out, made a decision to go with First Light Optics as recommended here; spoke with dad beforehand as it's a nieche gift and wanted him to choose some thing he'd be happy with; result was http://www.firstlightoptics.com/celestron-astromas.... Thanks for all your help guys

This is a slightly larger version of my first scope - it lasted me a good 15 years before I upgraded (I still have it).

Good choice IMO.

[funkyrobot]

Moonhawk said:

funkyrobot said:

Incidentally, what are these telescopes like?

I don't have experience of that particular scope - but I have the 10" Meade equivalent (LX90) which is a pretty capable telescope.

SCTs are quite compact owing to the fact that they bounce the light path down the tube twice allowing for a shorter OTA. They are usually more expensive than their Newtonian or Dobsonian equivalents though as they have a glass correcting lens at the front.

Have a wander over to Stargazerslounge and ask some questions - somebody there will probably have one of these.

Thanks. Will do.

[BGARK]

Bump, any suggestions on a starter telescope for a 16 year old. Thanks!

[valiant]

This is a pretty good starter:

http://www.firstlightoptics.com/reflectors/skywatc...

However, it all depends on how much you want to pay, whether you want a goto mount (finds stuff for you),things like space (if you have the room, a proper dob scope is excellent) and whether you want it to be upgradeable so you may want to buy one with a decent mount from the start.

If you stick to well known brands like Skywatcher, Celestron and Meade you can't really go too far wrong.

Get over to www.stargazerslounge.com who'll offer excellent advice and will help steer you in the right direction.

[Moonhawk]

BGARK said:

Bump, any suggestions on a starter telescope for a 16 year old. Thanks!

Celestron Astromaster 130EQ would be pretty decent - the closer planets (Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn), the moon and plenty of deep sky objects will be well within range of its ~5.1" mirror.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Celestron-31045-Astromaste...

[BGARK]

Thank you both.

[VeeDubBigBird]

Similar question but opposite end of the scale (age wise). My son has been obsessed with the stars and planets for over a year now, which given his usual attention span of 5 minutes is impressive, and is now asking santa for a telescope (he's 5).

I've been against it as the usual range of beginner's equipment doesn't quite seem robust enough, and i live in Glasgow so the light pollution is horrible. Is it worth me buying him one now or continue with the DvD's models etc until i can trust him with something that will actual work in a built up area.

[Moonhawk]

VeeDubBigBird said:

Similar question but opposite end of the scale (age wise). My son has been obsessed with the stars and planets for over a year now, which given his usual attention span of 5 minutes is impressive, and is now asking santa for a telescope (he's 5).

I've been against it as the usual range of beginner's equipment doesn't quite seem robust enough, and i live in Glasgow so the light pollution is horrible. Is it worth me buying him one now or continue with the DvD's models etc until i can trust him with something that will actual work in a built up area.

Light pollution won't be an issue for the moon and planets. Even some of the brighter deep sky objects will be visible in a reasonable scope. If you buy a decent scope and he is hooked - you can combat the light pollution to a degree via the use of filters. If he loses interest - you can sell it on. Telescopes can hold their price reasonably well.

I guess it depends what your budget is. You can get a decent Newtonian for around £100. I have seen the 115mm version of the Celestron Astromaster I posted above for around that price.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Celestron-31042-Astromaste...

I had an older version of that scope (still have it actually) and I used it from my early teens right into my late 20s before upgrading.

I wouldn't go much cheaper than this though - otherwise you end up compromising optics and more importantly the mount - which makes observing much more difficult. You especially need to avoid cheap refractors (Discovery Channel, Tasco etc).

[thatdude]

Anyone in london might like to try the widescreen center. It's located about 5 min walk from baker street tube station. They deliver and they are very good.