First Scope Advice

[Mickayeel]

Hi All,

I'm ready to get my first scope and I've got my eyes on the below from Andrews:

Black Diamond FLEX-DOB 10" 254mm x 1200mm for $749

Is this a reasonable price?
Does Flex mean that it collapses, which I understand is better for Storage?
What are reasonable viewing (what can I see) expectations with this type of scope?

[whzzz28]

Hi Mickayeel,

The scope appears to be a Skywatcher. Details on the scope can be found here:
http://www.skywatcher.com/swtinc/product.php?id=139&class1=1&class2=106

It does appear to collapse, the truss section at least.
Will it be better for storage? Depends, but most of the time, yes. Is easier to transport as well.

As far as price goes - it's not too bad. You do pay for the convenience of it being a collapsible dob, possibly also pay for the brand name.

If space isn't as big of an issue then there are cheaper options.
For instance,
Guan Sheng GS-880 10" ASDX 250mm x 1250mm
$599
Also sold by Andrews.
It is basically the same except it has a solid tube construction. It is a very standard design, in fact it looks very similar to the skywatcher (the skywatcher might even be made by the same manufacturer).

What you can expect to see, i will point you to: http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=4315

[Matt Starwave]

My advice is buy the best telescope you can afford, best eyepieces, modern focuser sizes, even beyond the popular brands and keep it. When I first started, went through a whole lot of cheapies ,second hand- all a learning curve but it is expensive to keep changing telescopes. Keep your quality eyepieces always. Even if you have to beg, steal or borrow from within family, buy the very best, whether reflector or refractor get the best and advice on that is, ask the very experienced. Or watch what they have bought and how happy they are with it.

[Brian W]

What can you see in a telescope is not such an easy question to answer. Observing is a skill and the more you observe and develop your skills the more you will see. The is also the question of what your skies are like. Darker = better = more detail.

That being said if you can avoid aperture fever a 10" scope can give you a lifetime of viewing.
Brian

[Poita]

If you go to youtube and put in 10" telescope, or C8 or C11 you can get a good idea of what you can expect to see.