Entry Level Telescope

Meli · #1 21-11-2006, 01:41 PM

Hello, I want to buy my dad a Telescope for Christmas, and was wondering whether the following specs are ok, being a novice myself.. 525 x Power
OBJECT FOCAL LENGTH: 700mm
OBJECT LENS: 60mm
MAIN TUBE POWER: 175X
MAX. POWER: 525X
ACCESSORIES INCLUDED: A)4mm eyepiece, B)12.5mm eyepiece, C)40mm terrestrial lensD)Lunar filter,E)90* erecting lens,F)3x barlow lens,G)1.5x errecting lens

iceman (Mike) · #2 21-11-2006, 01:53 PM

Hi Meli.

That telescope sounds like a generic ebay-type refractor, which generally should be avoided. It will be a waste of money and after a few frustrating tries with it, it will most likely will get put in the back of the garage never to be seen again.

How much money do you have to spend? What's your budget?

Will your dad use it from home or would he want to travel with it?

Where abouts in Sydney do you live? Is there lots of light pollution?

Is your Dad interested in astronomy? Has he done any observing before?

Does he have a pair of binoculars?

btw,

to the site!

ving (David) · #3 21-11-2006, 02:17 PM

hiya meli

mikes right, that sounds like a typical ebay refractor. i personally started with one of these and while it suited my purposes well and got me into astronomy i probably wouldnt recomend it. for about $300 (maybe a touch more) you can get a 6 inch (150mm) dobsonian reflector from bintel or andrews communications which will show you soooo much more

of course if you can spend more than that by all means get something bigger.

johnno · #4 22-11-2006, 03:34 AM

Hi Meli,

Welcome to the Forum,

Some wise advice here,from Ving,and Mike,as allways,

High Power,Small aperture,is Almost useless,

The Golden rule,ABOUT 50x per inch of Aperture is the Maximum,
SO,525x in a 2 Inch Scope = about 100x,in the best conditions,possible,Very Rare.

Please take heed,and buy the biggest,that is Reasonably easy for your Dad to move around.

Sure,The biggest aperture,is best,no doubt about that,,BUT,if it is a Pain to move around,it will Not get used.

KEEP AWAY FROM EBAY,Unless,you really know what you are looking for,

AND,give some thought to Binoculars,for your Dad,
They are also a very good,often, UNDERRATED, tool for Astronomy.

IE,EVERYONE,Thinks, I need a telescope,to start off with.

A Reasonably Good Binocular,will provide many hours of enjoyment,not only for Astronomy,but Daytime viewing as well.

Please Read,some of the very good advice here,on "Ice In Space"

Regards.John

astro_nutt · #5 22-11-2006, 03:35 PM

Hi Meli, and welcome to IIS!!
Check out www.bintel.com.au and browse through their inventory..and if not a telescope..how about a few books or cd's to start with...which is a good way of understanding the sky and knowing what to look for!!
Cheers!

Miaplacidus (Brian) · #6 22-11-2006, 08:07 PM

Welcom, Meli.

I must concur with the others. Binoculars plus the book "Astronomy 2007", membership to his local astro club, or maybe a 6-8 inch dobsonian-mounted reflector.

Cheers,

Brian.

jjjnettie (Jeanette) · #7 23-11-2006, 07:00 PM

Good choice there Brian.
With a pair of binoculars and Astonomy 2007 you and your Dad will have LOTS to look at.
Also concider buying a camera tripod and adapter to mount your binos on. It will make the views heaps more steady.
Welcome to IIS.
I have one of those 60x700 scopes, and fair dinkum, I can see more with my 10x50 binoculars than with the scope.