First Telescope

[brigalow]

Hi all !
Just joined and i am looking for some advise on which telescope would
be a suitable first buy for my nephew and myself ?
My limit is about $800.
Can you help please ?

[Starkler (Geoff)]

Most people will suggest buying a dobsonian mounted newtonian reflector which is the best bang for the buck.

The search function on the toolbar will find many threads with answers to your questions as yours has been asked many times in here before.

[atalas]

to IIS brigalow ,hope you enjoy your time here. On the subject of
which scope for your nephew, an 8"dob would be easy and fun for him to use .

Louie

[wavelandscott (Scott)]

I am sure everyone will offer heaps of sound advice...

What do you want to do with the scope?

Visual only, Astrophotography, Bird Watching, sail boat watching, etc....

What is your level of experience with astronomy?

Do you have a particular passion for Planets, DSO, Moon?

How serious do you want to be?... Out every night, casual observer etc.?

Do you have any limitations (physical) or do you live on the 3rd floor of a building with no lift?

While many will jump in (myself included) and immediately recommend an 8 inch Dob (I have one too)...and it is a good beginners scope...if you can try before you buy that would be great...

My first advice would be for you to find an astronomy club (or a fellow IIS member) near your home and I strongly encourage you to go and look through a few different scopes before you buy one...

This hobby offers many many different ways to enjoy it be it through a telescope, binoculars or just naked eye...there is no one size fits all easy answer to you very good question...

Anyway, the more clearly you can describe your interests, the better help the folks here can be...

Good Luck!

[acropolite (Phil)]

8 inch dob or 10 if you have the room to transport etc,; there's no substitute for aperture...

[Striker (Tony)]

10" dob....

That will leave some cash for some eyepieces and accessories.

[iceman (Mike)]

Where abouts in Sydney are you?

You're more than welcome to come up to the central coast and check out my scope (10" dob), or come to the next central coast meetup where there'll be lots of scopes to see.

But given your budget, the 8 or 10" dob, and a few eyepieces, you can't go wrong.

The 3 main suppliers around you are Bintel, MyAstroShop and Andrews.

[RAJAH235]

Hi brigalow & li'l nephew. & welcome. Seems as tho. all your basic q's have been answered. Either local club/society or event/open night to "Try before you buy".
HTH. L.
ps. "Aperture Wins".

[SpaceGeek]

Not dat dis shood influence ur decision...

http://www.skywatchertelescope.net/ProductsTR.html

But it has some good info on ur first scope

[brigalow]

Thank you all for for the info.

[ving (David)]

welcome aboard.
where in sydney are you?

i have a 8" dob, works wonders