is this a good buy???

[djeuro1981]

http://www.bintel.com.au/Telescopes/Dobsonian/Bintel-BT302-B-12--Dobsonian/73/productview.aspx

[GrahamL]

Hi David

That's a great scope that will show you plenty of the night sky :)

Not essential but one of these will help a lot with finding objects
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NH33pXGkNF8

Bintel are good guys to deal with to:)

[djeuro1981]

or should I spend the extra $$$ and grab this guy??
http://www.bintel.com.au/Telescopes/Dobsonian/Meade-Lightbridge-Deluxe-12--Dobsonian/74/productview.aspx

[Sarge]

David,

Pop into Bintel and have a chat with the guys. You will get great advice.
Some of things you need to consider are, what do you want to see, moon, planets, deep sky, do you need to transport it, can it fit into your car if you do, where to store it, how easy is it to use, do you want or need "goto" function, do you want to observe or photograph the sky, and the list goes on.
The guys at Bintel will help you decide.

The best scope for you is the one you will use, often.

Clear skies

Rod
:D:D

[Fox]

As Rod says, go into Bintel and discuss your expectations and needs. IMHO I would strongly advise thinking about a Dob with tracking and Goto function. With such a sizeable mirror, which will entice you to pump up the magnification, things will zoom past the eyepiece unless the mount is driven. Fox

[Profiler]

If you are uncertain about your particular parameters in terms of what you want it might be worth looking at the ebay Telescope section as I seem to recall 2 Dobs currently up for auction at quite reasonable 2nd hand prices

[casstony]

Hi David, the 10" solid tube is fairly portable but I would spend the extra for the truss design 12".