Skywatcher SW450

[Oliver Gigacz]

Hi
I am looking to spend up to $200 for a telescope and was wondering does anyone sell the Skywatcher SW450 for that or less?

[stephenb]

Hi Oliver,I'm only aware of Andrews Communications at $199.00 - plus you will have shipping from Sydney.

http://www.andrewscom.com.au/site-section-10.htm (http://www.andrewscom.com.au/site-section-10.htm)

Is there any particular reason why you have decided on this one? Are you just starting out in the hobby, perhaps? I notice you've also chosen an equatorial mount. Did you specifically want this type of mount?

[Oliver Gigacz]

No I am just interested in viewing the moon and planets at the moment and maybe some deep space stuff is there another around the same price which is better?

[Oliver Gigacz]

I am willing to go to around $300 now so for that price what is the best option?

[picklesrules]

Look at the 8" Dobsonians in the GSO Brand on andrewscom Geung Sang or sumthing there great for a beinger and only about $300 or so i think

[stephenb]

Hi Oliver, Nicholas has it right. I would save my money and look at a 6 or 8" Dobsonian telescope. I don't know your level of experience in finding your way around the night sky, so I'll assume your just starting out :) and forgive me if I sound like I'm "talking down" to you.

Instead of your choice of an equatorial mount (a mount which enables the telescope tube to move in the same directions as the motions and paths of the stars across the sky), I think you would be just as capable in using an alt-azimuth mount (up-down-round and round, does not move in the same directions as the stars).

You will see a lot more with an 8" Dobsonian than the SW450.

Just my 2 cents.

[picklesrules]

Also download stellerum great program :D