Quote:
Originally Posted by dugnsuz
Agree 100% - BUT, (the ominous big but!!) if you can't access viewing evenings/ star parties...acquaint yourself thoroughly with review sites such as IIS, Cloudy Nights etc etc. There will be items which are outstanding and consistently reviewed as such at a variety of budgets. A few spring to mind...Televue 13mm T6 Nagler, Televue 24mm Panoptic and (not EPs but...) Orion ED80 refractor, Telrad etc.
It must be remembered though that many EPs are reviewed by users of varying experience and objectivity so one must take any recommendation or criticisms with that in mind.
By checking out these various sources you'll pick up lots of information on the journey too!
I have found however that the equipment which is consistently reviewed favourably (ie 100s of reviews) tends to be because it is deserved.
This is my experience with optical gear in general - astronomy accessories and camera gear.
BUT, (the big but again) - if you can get "hands on" - do it!!!
All the best
Doug  |
I don't disagree ...as with all things "posted" you need to be careful about the source and situation of the information (myself included).
With the OP living in Sydney there are many options to catch-up with people or even go to a shop or two and try things out.