I started off with a York SkyRover N114 - the model up from the scope you have there. The difference was in general quality, not size.
I am very glad I started with it rather than a DOB for many reasons including:
- it looks like a telescope more than a DOB does, which matterred to me.
- it forced me to learn RA & DEC and associated aspects like how to find objects by RA & DEC, why RA & DEC are used, etc.
- it forced me to get a good understanding of the rotation of the sky, and all sorts of associated aspects.
- as shakey as it was it enabled me to easily follow an object by just moving in RA
- it allowed me to get started in astro photography, and, believe it or not many of my wide field photo's are taken from the SkyRover telescope, piggyback. They're professional quality, still selling them. BUT yours is not a SkyRover it's an Explorer so I woud not expect you to get much in this regard. Also I had patients and tinkerred with it a little.
- the understanding I learned from it provided a great foundation for future purchases of equatorial & wedge mounted scopes.
Having said all that, most people seem to recommend DOB's as a start scope, so surely the majority can't be wrong.
Also, when I started I was ... er.. thinking... umm, about 19. I'm not sure what it would have been like as a 13 year old, but it sounds like your son is smarter at 13 than I was at 19
Roger.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Michael
Hi y'all,
I have been given the opportunity to upgrade my sons telescope as he has proven that he is very keen on astronomy. The telescope we have been offered is a York Explorer N114. It is a reflector with a 114mm arpeture and is on equitorial mounts. The asking price is $150 AU. Is this a good price for this scope and is this a good scope for a beginner? I have attached a pic.
Thnx for any help.
Mic
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