Hi all!
What a great forum you have here! There's lots of info, however I'm certainly confused!
I'd like to surprise my husband for Christmas with a telescope. Unfortunately I can't afford hundreds of dollars, but surely I can get a decent (read: beginner) one for about $100-$200?
I've been looking in Dick Smith and the Australian Geographic shop but I'm confused as to what's best. I know you all rave about the Dobsonians but do you need to always have that on a table or some sort of stand? Plus I think they are out of my price range.
I know an Alt-Az mount is probably best for us beginners. Is a reflector or refractor better?
We might use the scope for landscapes/birds too.
I've seen the following (all Celestron):
Powerseeker 76mm AZ Reflecting Telescope - $87 (on special) at Dick Smith
http://www.celestron.com/c3/product....D=5&ProdID=521
Powerseeker 127mm EQ Reflecting Telescope - $226 at Dick Smith
http://www.celestron.com/c3/product....D=5&ProdID=501
Astromaster 70mm AZ - $229 at Australian Geographic
http://www.celestron.com/c3/product....=62&ProdID=422
I've just come across this...
http://www.dse.com.au/cgi-bin/dse.st...uct/View/L8255
What are we likely to see with these telescopes? Obviously the moon, but what planets? Star clusters? Galaxies? My husband is very much interested in astronomy (and is using his binoculars a lot to look into the sky) but I'd rather spend a little amount first up for an "entry level" telescope and then if he decides he wants to further his hobby he can get a better one.
Also, once our son grows up, maybe he can use this cheap one?
Any help would be much appreciated!