Hi All
Firstly let me apologise for asking a question that I know has been asked a thousand times before. I am really confused and all the research I have done so far (both with Google and this and other forums) only confuses me more and I just trying to get as many opinions as possible.
I am looking to buy a first (2nd) telescope that dad (me) and 5yo daughter can use.
First a bit of history, I own a cheap reflector with a horrible alt-az mount that was a nightmare to use. I have managed to find some of the gas giants but thats about as good as I got. The mount made it very difficult to point the scope in the right direction and it felt like I was constantly wresting with it, and the image would vibrate for around 15 seconds after is was touched/bumped. Because of this I didn't use it much.
What I am after is a telescope which I can use to view the moon's details up to nebulae and galaxys later on. I would like something that will give a bit of detail in the planets and not just a shape (Saturn) and a series of dots (Jupiter). I also want something I can use for photography a bit later on (I own a Canon 7D). I'd also like to be able to track things a bit closer to home like ISS but I think I might be dreaming on that one, from what I have read a few of the forum members have done it. I want to spend max $800.
I have come to the conclusion I want a reflector on a equatorial mount so I can easily track objects while the eyepeice is being shared, but please correct me if I'm wrong.
- I was hoping for a computerised mount but have read they are complicated to set up, is it actually difficult? Or is it more "I'm a consumer and don't read manuals and it wont work out of the box and I'm too impatient/lazy to work it out so I'm returning it" difficult? Also does my price range mean any computer mount I get will mean poor quality telescope?
- What if I settled for a motorised mount, can I upgrade that to a comuterised mount at a later date at a acceptable price (around $400)
- What are the good brands (i.e not toys) I should be aiming for?
- With the lack of specialised telescope/optics bricks and mortar shops (and the ones that do exist are too far and are not open when I'm able to visit) I will be forced to buy online. Which online store can I call up and talk to an honest knowledgeable salesman about their range? I'm happy to pay a bit extra for decent service and prefer an Australian online store with Autstralian stock. I visited an Australian Geographic shop today and I was not happy with the teenage store attendant knowledge to say the least, and it seemed to me they just sold overpriced toys (infact I think thats where the one I own now came from)
If you have read this far thank you, and I appreciate any advice you can offer.