Hi Everyone,
I'm a first timer, literally never looked in a telescope in my life, but I've read a lot on astronomy, love watching for falling stars and satellites when I'm out bush and would love to have a better look into the heavens. I really enjoy camping too so I thought the two hobbies might fit together neatly.
I've done a lot of reading online and I believe I'd like to go with an 8" F/6 Dobsonian as a first telescope. Price range can be up to about $600 (can push just over but really only just). From my readings I believe this should give me plenty to enjoy up close, a decent view of some of the planets and a good hint at more when it comes to distant nebula.
I have narrowed it down to the following but I've gotten to the point where I'm a little stuck differentiating on much else than price. Would really appreciate your thoughts and/or opinions on the following:
1. Saxon 8" Full Tube: $495
http://www.astropetes.com.au/telescopes.html
Benefit with this seller being that I live in Brisbane so any problems I can take back to store; appears to include some eyepieces (presumably a 10mm and 25mm but not sure).
2. GSO 8" Full Tube: $599
http://www.andrewscom.com.au/site-co...-guansheng.htm
Just over a $100 more and a different brand but benefit being that it comes with an extra SC30 2" eyepiece, 15mm eyepiece and moon or neutral filter.
3. Saxon 8" Full Tube (DOB 8): $460
http://www.telescopes-astronomy.com....icroscopes.htm
Benefit being it's the cheapest 8" Dobsonian I could find online; website doesn't instill a lot of faith though (looks a little basic).
OR a collapsible one...
4. Saxon 8" Collapsible: $575
http://www.astropetes.com.au/telescopes.html
Benefit with this seller again being that I live in Brisbane so any problems I can take back to store (again presumably includes 10mm and 25mm eyepieces).
5. SkyWatcher Black Diamond 8" Collapsible: $624
http://www.ozscopes.com.au/dobsonian...le-8-inch.html
Benefit being it looks cooler with the black paint and ... not sure what else; presumably more as it was priced around $1,000 initially?
The only attractiveness to the collapsible one is it looks like it would retract into a much smaller size for transporting (not that it's an issue really - I have a ute) but on longer trips when space is more scarce perhaps. It also does look a little cooler.
Really, really, really appreciate any guidance you can offer.
Thanks,
Josh