Needs some help with choosing telescope

[Mandi]

Hi all, :)

I have only just signed up to this forum, I found it while doing some searches on some telescopes.

I love space and physics however I have never really learnt anything about telescopes and I was hoping some of you well informed enthusiasts could perhaps give me some pointers.

What I am after is a telescope as a present to my boyfriend, its his birthday soon and I want to get him something I know no one else will and that he will really love. He loves space as well and wants to be an astrophysicist (lol even loves the mathematical equations that comes with it aswell). Now anyway he would like to search for deep space planets/solar systems etc.

So I have done a little bit of looking around and the more I dig the more questions it seems to raise for me :)

From what I can gather I'm thinking a reflector scope as they are better equipped for deep space (what he is interested in), I have seen a few skywatchers/saxon for sale that may offer a good starting point. And something with a decent sized circumference eg: 6" and so on.

Should I be choosing a newtonian over a dobsonian set up etc? Or is there something else I am overlooking? My budget is around 500-600ish.

If anyone could offer any help on this I would be very appreciative :) I also apologise for the long post but wanted to explain the situation ;)

Cheers, Mandi

[barx1963]

Hi Mandi and welcome to IIS:welcome:
A Dobsonian is a Newtonion telescope, it is the mount that makes it a Dob. Other Newts that you see are usually mounted on an equatorial mount. For $5-600 you will pick up a nice basic 8" Dob. This is the ideal beginners scope, and a great all rounder for DSOs and solar system objects.
Going for an equatorial mount or a computerised scope usually means you compromise aperture (circumference) in exchange for the mechanics, and in this game aperture always wins!
Equatorials also take a bit of learning to get the most out of, whereas a dob is just put it together and start looking.
One thing though, scopes are very personal items, and if I was going to spend hundreds, I would definitely discuss it first.
Good luck with your choices

Malcolm

[CarlJoseph]

Hiya Mandi,

Welcome to the forums. What a great idea for your boyfriend. My wife did the same for me the other year and I thought it was a wonderful gift. :D

I'm no expert but an 8" Dob is a very popular and great all-round scope. Heaps of people here seem to have them.


I agree with Malcolm here. There are a heap of different areas to explore ... not only up in the skies but also with the scope and accessories.

Maybe you could surprise him by taking him out to a local star/viewing night and then present him with the cash/voucher to buy his own scope. That way he can get an immediate first look at what's available, the different types of scopes and a bit of a sense for the area.

Just a thought, but the idea of buying him a scope is a wonderful one. I'm sure he'll love it!

Cheers,
Af.

[Paddy]

Hi Mandi and welcome!

Malcolm as ever offers sage advice. And I agree in principle that discussing a personal gift like a telescope is a good idea. But it would be very hard to go past an 8" dob as a starter scope. Except for a 10".

This is from my own personal experience. My beloved had often suggested that I get a telescope and even paid for an observing weekend for me which I loved and gave me a great idea what to expect. And what type of scope I'd like. And I thought "I probably wouldn't use it enough to justify the expense". She ended up buying me a 4" Tasco as a surprise present and I loved it and was out with it every night even though I knew it was nowhere near what I wanted (a 10" dob). If she'd discussed it with me first, I would have discouraged her. So she couldn't get me the right scope but she got me the right scope as it got me started. And then I got myself a 12" dob with rather indecent haste. So a bit of a ramble - there is a case for discussing and a case in my case for not! But an 8" dob would be a great start. 10" only $649 + $50 postage at Andrews' at the moment...

If you have time before his birthday, a session with a local group is always a very good idea.

Sorry for running on. Hope you and your love enjoy the new scope, whatever you choose and however you make the choice.

[ballaratdragons]

I spent about 20 minutes typing some great words of wisdom about the 8" Dob and future mounting on an EQ6 etc etc links to shops with good prices on the GS brand scopes etc and I clicked the wrong button and lost the lot :lol:

but pretty well much what the others have said :thumbsup:

[Brian W]

another vote for the 8" dob mounted reflector. I own one and it supplies an awful lot of 'oh wow'.
Brian

[Mandi]

Wow, thanks for the warm welcome and quick replies everyone, it's all very helpful and appreciated :) I think after reading everyones post I will look into getting him the 8" dob skywatcher :) the 10" is very tempting to get him however if he does want to upgrade then there is possibly not much reason to get him the 10" over the 8"
The skywatching session sounds like a great idea however I am located in tassie so we have alot less opportunity, plus I would really love to keep it a surprise and I'm more than happy if he upgrades down the track :)

Also ballaratdragon thanks for the effort you put in about a reply :), I have done that before on the car forums I frequent and it's such a pain!

[Screwdriverone]

Hi Mandi

Yup, 8" dob is the way to go.

Collapsible version at Andrews (http://www.andrewscom.com.au) is $449 plus $50 shipping to you, therefore $499 delivered.

Bargain. Less than $500 large. Might be a good idea to get him a laser collimator too for $59, planisphere for $15 and an astronomy 2011 magazine for $10. The collimator is an essential tool to help him align the mirrors to perfection and makes everything sparkle. The mag and the planisphere will be all he needs to use for now to find his way around the sky. A $10 red light torch "swlight" wouldnt go astray to be able to use the books in the dark and keep your eyes dark adapted.

So, all up I suggest $449, $50 delivery, $59, $15, $10 and $10 = $593
Yes, it all adds up but this is a great beginners package and the best place to start. AND its still $7 within your budget.

Cannot go wrong with this. Telescope comes with a 6 year warranty too which is great peace of mind.

Cheers

Chris

[renormalised]

Hi Mandi, welcome to IIS :):)

I concur with all the advice offered here...an 8" dob would (and will) make a fantastic first scope for your boyfriend.

Oh, and if your boyfriend wants some advice about becoming an astrophysicist, I would be more than happy to help out. I have a masters degree in the subject (astronomy and astrophysics):):)

[ballaratdragons]

Mandi, before you race out and buy the Skywatcher dob, look at other brands too.

Andrews (http://www.andrewscom.com.au/site-section-10.htm) and Bintel (https://www.bintelshop.com.au/welcome.htm) sell the 'GSO' brand under the names of 'GS' at Andrews, and 'Bintel' at Bintel.
A very reputable scope from 2 reputable dealers.

Then there are the Skywatchers and Saxon's from MyAstroShop (http://www.myastroshop.com.au/products/dob.asp), and more Saxons at OzScopes (http://www.ozscopes.com.au/telescope/dobsonian-telescope).
Plus other Astronomy Shops.

Read through hundreds of posts in here about Dobsonian telescopes and you'll soon notice which brands are more popular. The skywatcher, Saxon or the GSO.
Not necessarily one better than the other, just different reviews.

Check all the prices too. They are all different.

[barx1963]

Second what Ken says.
GSO, Skywatcher, Saxon and Bintel (Which are rebadged GSOs) scopes are all pretty much equivalent as far as performance goes. After all theres only so much innovation one can have with a Dob in the 8-10" range!
Factors that come into it are the price, delivery costs and what accessories come with the scope. Some scope will come with a large number of eyepieces (my 12" came with 5!) Just remember that the small focal length ones under 10mm will probably be next to useless.

Malcolm

[hotspur]

Yes,the good old 8 inch Dob,is a great scope,and in your budget,If at all possible I'd try to go for a 10 inch Dob,personally I found the 8 inch a bit low,I had to bend down a lot.

The really good thing about a 8 inch or 10 inch Dob,should you move on to another scope,it can be sold and a reasonable amount of funds come back.Those cheap refractors from the electronic shops in the shopping centres are to avoided.

Good luck,and do not forget to buy a 'Astronomy 2011' at the book shop-about $25 well worth it.

Chris

PS I see a mention of 'Myastroshop'.These chaps are well worth a call,they are astronomers,know their stuff,and very reasonable with prices,I just bought a mount from them,and the service was great.Be careful where you buy from,in the past I have bought items of retailers that know very little about scope gear,and I found it not good.There is another chap in WA-the astroguy he has good knowledge and gear too.

[Waxing_Gibbous]

My 2 cents:
While less innovative in terms of tube design, the GSO newts/dobs have better, or at least more consistant quality control.
I've had 2 Skywatchers and a Saxon over the years and all 3 needed to be returned for optical defects.
However others have had no such bad luck and its probably just me! :)
Oh yes - Welcome!
Peter