Talk to me about telescopes
Discussion
Is my eldests birthday in a couple of months, asking her what she'd like gave me a very exciting answer, she would like a telescope. She has always been interested in the night sky, and thoroughly enjoyed watching Brian Cox's 'Wonders' programs with me. On a clear night she can easily point out various constellations. Now a decent telescope is something that I have always wanted too so I am very excited at the thought of perhaps getting one for her birthday.
Personally I would like something that would give a good view of Jupiter or Saturn, Nebula and Galaxies, so she can see that these do actually exist and are out there.
Normally for a birthday budget is capped to around the £150 mark, but I am willing to up that as it is something I would very much like too, perhaps £300 or a bit higher for the right product.
Thanks.
Just to add, I of course will let her use it.....
Personally I would like something that would give a good view of Jupiter or Saturn, Nebula and Galaxies, so she can see that these do actually exist and are out there.
Normally for a birthday budget is capped to around the £150 mark, but I am willing to up that as it is something I would very much like too, perhaps £300 or a bit higher for the right product.
Thanks.
Just to add, I of course will let her use it.....
Not me.
It's a gadget though int it ? Kind of ....I'm by no means an expert but here's my tenpenneth anyway.
If you want to look at planets get a refractor (traditional shaped telescope).
If you want to look at deep space objects get a reflector (one of the fat dumpy ones).
Don't skimp on the mount. I think I did and as a result mine is very wobbly.
If you want to look at planets get a refractor (traditional shaped telescope).
If you want to look at deep space objects get a reflector (one of the fat dumpy ones).
Don't skimp on the mount. I think I did and as a result mine is very wobbly.
No doubt others will come along but I'd say that the best bet is to go for something easily portable.
The main choices for that price range are:
Meade
Celestron
TAL
Personally I'd avoid Meade but that's just me.
Celestron have a 'decent' reputation.
TAL (usually) produce excellent optics for a budget.
Probably the best thing you can do is to find out where your local geeks meet and ask their opinion. Most of them are pretty strange and sniff at 'bought' equipment as they like to make their own. However, they are usually a good port of call for information and will usually point you in the right direction.
For that kind of money, you probably won't be seeing deep space stuff to any great degree. The problem with the telescope game is that it can start off fairly cheaply but turn out very very expensive if you're not careful.
Good luck.
The main choices for that price range are:
Meade
Celestron
TAL
Personally I'd avoid Meade but that's just me.
Celestron have a 'decent' reputation.
TAL (usually) produce excellent optics for a budget.
Probably the best thing you can do is to find out where your local geeks meet and ask their opinion. Most of them are pretty strange and sniff at 'bought' equipment as they like to make their own. However, they are usually a good port of call for information and will usually point you in the right direction.
For that kind of money, you probably won't be seeing deep space stuff to any great degree. The problem with the telescope game is that it can start off fairly cheaply but turn out very very expensive if you're not careful.
Good luck.
For your budget, you might want to consider a 'bird watching' telescope. They are more portable and generally offer a fantasticaly clear view, if not so magnified. I have a 25 year old one and I find the 20x eyepice clearer than the 60x. Also, the invert the image to the correct view, rather than upsidedown like the astro ones. I could clearly see the rings of Saturn and clouds on Jupiter at just 20x. I can see galaxies, but very faintly.
Don't forget, if you up the magnification, then you'll need one that can track the objects you look at else it will just whizz across the field of view in no time. You can get manual or computer tracking ones - some even let you hook up a laptop, type in what you want to see and it points it there for you!
Don't forget, if you up the magnification, then you'll need one that can track the objects you look at else it will just whizz across the field of view in no time. You can get manual or computer tracking ones - some even let you hook up a laptop, type in what you want to see and it points it there for you!
Come on PH - up to now all telescope and astronomy queries have been in the Planes, Trains etc forum. Why has this one been treated differently? There was a thread the other day on what binoculars to use for astronomy. That wasn't moved.
I have no intetest in "gadgets" but I am interested in astronomy. I will not be trawling through endless threads on iPones, iPads, Dingles, Dangles or Dongles just on the off-chance I mioght spot an astronomy related question.
I have no intetest in "gadgets" but I am interested in astronomy. I will not be trawling through endless threads on iPones, iPads, Dingles, Dangles or Dongles just on the off-chance I mioght spot an astronomy related question.
OP, you should consider Skywatcher. They are Celestron's parent company, and have been making great strides in the last few years.
Here is a nice one to consider:-
http://www.google.co.uk/products/catalog?hl=en&...
I am totally also confused by this thread being moved to Computers, Gadgets & Stuff. We really need an astronomy sub-forum.
Don
--
Here is a nice one to consider:-
http://www.google.co.uk/products/catalog?hl=en&...
I am totally also confused by this thread being moved to Computers, Gadgets & Stuff. We really need an astronomy sub-forum.
Don
--
Eric Mc said:
Come on PH - up to now all telescope and astronomy queries have been in the Planes, Trains etc forum. Why has this one been treated differently? There was a thread the other day on what binoculars to use for astronomy. That wasn't moved.
I have no intetest in "gadgets" but I am interested in astronomy. I will not be trawling through endless threads on iPones, iPads, Dingles, Dangles or Dongles just on the off-chance I mioght spot an astronomy related question.
Sorry Eric that would be my fault ........ I have no intetest in "gadgets" but I am interested in astronomy. I will not be trawling through endless threads on iPones, iPads, Dingles, Dangles or Dongles just on the off-chance I mioght spot an astronomy related question.
We really need an astronomy sub-forum."
Yep, but the magazine market's pretty sewn up, and not by Haymarket
Anyway back to subject, anything less than 8" is sub optimal IMO. A lot of purists snub sct/mak's as being jack of all trades, but that can also be a great strength. Most instruments are a compromise of some kind, be it in cooling times, available focus, COST, etc,etc.
I've always had a hankering after a Mewlon, if nothing for more than the carrying handle
but the sheer commonality of the mainstream SCT manufacturers optical accessories/components make an exotic like the Tak less attractive despite any supposed optical superiority.
Put it this way (with our splendid observing weather) even having a lowly C8 sitting on it's mount collecting dust is frustrating and not particularly good value for money.
E.G.
Takahashi Mewlon 210 OTA.
Ref: TAK-TLK21000
Price: £2,743.15 (Including VAT at 20%)
OR
8" Schmidt-Cassegrain Optical Tube with StarBright XLT coatings.
6x30mm finderscope .
1.25" 25mm Eyepiece
Star Diagonal
CG-5 dovetail rail (Vixen type).
FREE option, please select any one of the following:
Opticstar SL-131C COOLAIR 1.3 megapixel colour video camera for planetary, Lunar and Solar imaging (USB 2.0). (R.R.P.: £99.00).
2 x Ascension Super Plössl Eyepieces. Fully multi-coated, 4-element design with rubber eyeguards (R.R.P.: £40.00).
Opticstar LRGbB Filter Set. Includes Luminance, Red, Green, Lt Blue and Blue filters (R.R.P.: £39.95).
CLSC8OXV £ 828.00
Everything in astronomy is a compromise of one kind or another.
Yep, but the magazine market's pretty sewn up, and not by Haymarket
Anyway back to subject, anything less than 8" is sub optimal IMO. A lot of purists snub sct/mak's as being jack of all trades, but that can also be a great strength. Most instruments are a compromise of some kind, be it in cooling times, available focus, COST, etc,etc.
I've always had a hankering after a Mewlon, if nothing for more than the carrying handle
but the sheer commonality of the mainstream SCT manufacturers optical accessories/components make an exotic like the Tak less attractive despite any supposed optical superiority.Put it this way (with our splendid observing weather) even having a lowly C8 sitting on it's mount collecting dust is frustrating and not particularly good value for money.
E.G.
Takahashi Mewlon 210 OTA.
Ref: TAK-TLK21000
Price: £2,743.15 (Including VAT at 20%)
OR
8" Schmidt-Cassegrain Optical Tube with StarBright XLT coatings.
6x30mm finderscope .
1.25" 25mm Eyepiece
Star Diagonal
CG-5 dovetail rail (Vixen type).
FREE option, please select any one of the following:
Opticstar SL-131C COOLAIR 1.3 megapixel colour video camera for planetary, Lunar and Solar imaging (USB 2.0). (R.R.P.: £99.00).
2 x Ascension Super Plössl Eyepieces. Fully multi-coated, 4-element design with rubber eyeguards (R.R.P.: £40.00).
Opticstar LRGbB Filter Set. Includes Luminance, Red, Green, Lt Blue and Blue filters (R.R.P.: £39.95).
CLSC8OXV £ 828.00
Everything in astronomy is a compromise of one kind or another.
Edited by Mojocvh on Monday 12th September 17:42
OP
You'll find your answers and possibly some great 2nd hand kit here.
Www.stargazerslounge.com
I have used many scopes and helped people buy their first ones. Most people expect to see Hubble type images and are usually disappointed with what they do see through a reasonable scope, but if your expectations are not too high you'll be amazed and moved by what it's possible to see with a £300 scope. The most important factor in seeing good stuff is a dark moonless sky, well away from city or town. Given a really dark location and a good night (about one in ten on average over a year) you can see great views with a £70 pair of binoculars.
I would go for other's recommendations of something like this to start with.
http://www.celestron.com/c3/product.php?CatID=62&a...
You'll find your answers and possibly some great 2nd hand kit here.
Www.stargazerslounge.com
I have used many scopes and helped people buy their first ones. Most people expect to see Hubble type images and are usually disappointed with what they do see through a reasonable scope, but if your expectations are not too high you'll be amazed and moved by what it's possible to see with a £300 scope. The most important factor in seeing good stuff is a dark moonless sky, well away from city or town. Given a really dark location and a good night (about one in ten on average over a year) you can see great views with a £70 pair of binoculars.
I would go for other's recommendations of something like this to start with.
http://www.celestron.com/c3/product.php?CatID=62&a...
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