Choosing a scope for a noob.

[IRT]

Hey fellas,

Recently I've decided to buy a scope to check out the moon and maybe saturn or other planets if possible...
I have searched the net trying to find help choosing a scope and am very confused.
One place tells me to do one thing and another place says not to do that and get another thing.

haha so I really don't know what to choose.

My budget is around the $300 or less mark. I don't really want to spend more then that at the moment (on my first scope) untill i really find it to be a regular thing.

So if you could help me choose I would be more then happy :help:

:thumbsup: Thanks!

I have found a few scopes ill post them below

http://www.ozscopes.com.au/celestron-firstscope-telescope-official-product-of-iya-2009.html

http://www.opticscentral.com.au/brand/celestron/celestron-astromaster-70az-refractor-telescope-reviews.html#.UgWVC5LQmx1

^^ Or even the EQ version.

Can somebody tell me what I should be getting?

P.s Sorry for the topic I know it's probably been asked 1000's of times... but I just really can't find a definitive answer :(

[absolut]

Hi and :welcome:

First scope choice can seem a little daunting even when you aren't on a budget... I'd ask a few questions about where you plan on doing most of your viewing - do you need to transport the scope to a darker site?
I'd also ask about how technical you might be, and are you frustrated easily?

If you plan on travelling to your site and you don't want to spend alot of time setting up/pulling down, I'd heartily recommend a short refractor.
Refractors are virtually zero on the maintenance side, and if you get one on an AZ (Altitude-Azimuth) mount you don't have to spend any time doing a polar alignment when you set up each time. AZ mounts tend to be cheaper. For example: http://www.bintel.com.au/Telescopes/Refractor/SkyWatcher-SW708/138/productview.aspx

Alternatively, if you don't mind only slightly more maintenance and bumping your budget up a few dollars, aim for a 6" dobsonian. You end up with alot more scope and it is still simple to setup. It is a bit more to transport than the refractor though. For example: http://www.bintel.com.au/Telescopes/Dobsonian/SkyWatcher-6--Dobsonian/567/productview.aspx

In my experience, EQ mounts can be a little frustrating on a first scope and they tend to be somewhat flimsy and prone to wobbles.

Good luck in your research and clear skies!!

Rob

[IRT]

Hi absolut

Thanks for the quick reply that helps alot :thanx:

I like the idea of the mounted scope and don't mind travel from place to place to set up..
Though another question is what is the difference between these two scopes?
Which one is better and if so by how much ?

http://www.bintel.com.au/Telescopes/Refractor/SkyWatcher-SW708/138/productview.aspx

vs

http://www.opticscentral.com.au/brand/celestron/celestron-astromaster-70az-refractor-telescope-reviews.html#.UgWeFJLQmx1

:shrug:

[mental4astro]

Hi IRT,

The difference between the 2 scopes is the quality of the mounts. The second link's mount is very flimsy & will tend to tip back when the scope is pointed high up unless you over tighten the clamp, which won't do the mount any favours. The first link's mount is much more sturdy, & has slow motion controls that will allow for fine, smooth movement adjustments - a bonus when using high magnification. The second mount is much more crude in action & can be tedious to use.

The first scope would be the better choice of the two.

[IRT]

Thanks for the info! helps alot.

Also would you recommend one of these at all?
http://www.bintel.com.au/Telescopes/Dobsonian/Orion-Sky-Scanner-100mm/1007/productview.aspx

[absolut]

You're welcome! :D

On the 100mm reflector, it isn't on a tripod, so the eye piece is going to be at a height suitable for a small child if you placed this scope on the ground. So to make it more confortable to use a sturdy table or similar would be required - this would detract from the portability alot. :shrug:

Short tube refractor is the winner for portability, ease of use and no fuss maintenance. :thumbsup:

Rob

[IRT]

Cheers and yes that makes lots of sense!

Thanks for all who have replied so quick I am so glad I made a post it really has helped. :D

Now my only decision to make is between the Astromaster 70AZ and the SkyWatcher SW708 as to weather I want to spend the extra $100 for the better stand (tripod) ... I am thinking going for the cheaper option. If however further down the track I really want to step up my game i'd get a much better scope and aim for something around the $500 mark. :question:

[absolut]

Pondering leads on an endless list. Ultimately you need to prioritise on what is going to get you out under the stars enjoying the night:
1. Budget/what you can afford, given some latitude for accessories (eye pieces/filters/etc)
2. Portability/what is the biggest/heaviest thing you can carry happily to get to your preferred dark site
3. Aperture/what you want to see - the bigger that primary, the more light you get and the more you'll see.

If you are considering increasing your budget and don't mind lugging a few extra kgs of scope around - I'd recommend the 6" dobsonian. It is a big step up in what you can see from the 70mm refractor - but it is also an enormous step up in bulk/weight.

Consider this: 70mm refractor is more than alot of the earlier astronomers had when they started charting the sky, so things like the Messier list, planetary and the moon are going to be attainable targets and if you decide not to go any further or lose interest - you've spent $250 and you'll get some of that back if you sold your scope. If you step up to $500 market and get a dob or larger refractor, you'll see all the same things in mre detail and if you decide it isn't for you, you'll lose alot more.

Something that hasn't been offered so far... consider buying some binoculars... 8x50 or 10x50 is going to be attractive and you just need to "invest" a few dollars in a kids inflatable boat for a comfy place to recline and you're ready to rock and roll. For example: http://www.bintel.com.au/Binoculars/Orion-Binoculars/Orion-Resolux-10x50/1047/productview.aspx
there are other choices around that size, but I'd encourage you to stay at the 50mm size as the 70mm tend to be pretty heavy to hold and you'll need to get a tripod (extra cost).
Allan knocked out a huge chunk of the Messier list with a pair of 10x50 binocs at IISAC2013... so never underestimate the humble binocs...

Some more ponderations for you!! :D

Sorry for the long posts, but the subject can involve some educated choices and you don't get the right edumacation without reading!! :lol:

Rob

[Suzy]

Hi IRT,
Robert has given you some great advice and I'm with him- go the 6" dob. :D
6" is considered entry level for deep sky observing. I had one and it was a great performer. Yes they are bulky, but I found it easy to carry- if you carry the tube separate to the base. I'm a featherweight and I had no problem carrying it. Dobs tend to give the best aperture for your $dollar$.

[brian nordstrom]

:) PM'd you .
Brian.

[bigjoe]

Hello IRT.
IF you were me, Id go for a 6"" dob or at least an 90mm alt az refractor.
Otherwise you may just be dissapointed by dim unresolved views and abandon the hobby.
Cheers bigjoe.:)
PS: andrewscom.com.au, have dirt cheap prices for these.
Good luck!

[Steffen]

You may want to take a look at this Vixen 80mm f/11 refractor, that was recently offered for sale on IIS: http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=110362

Last asking price was $335. Ian withdrew it from sale after getting no bites, but if you contact him he may change his mind :)

Cheers
Steffen.

[IRT]

Thanks for the help guys and girls.

I have deiced on a Astromaster 70AZ due to budget at the moment.
I will have some fun with it and if I decide to get more involved in star gazing, I'll sell it and upgrade to a 6 or 8 inch dob.

Wish me luck and once again thank you, great community here. :)