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What's wrong with them - supermarket telescopes?
Hi Guys
Just beginning - hence the thread!
I'm looking to buy a telescope - and given I live in the inner city, will really only be using it occasionally up bush where the lights low. I don't mind fiddling with the mount etc for an hr or so and taking a while to setup to get 'quick looks' at things, rather than setting up for an evening of viewing (at this stage). I guess I'd get the buzz from seeing Jupiter for 2 minutes, rather than tracking a whole lot of objects all night if you know what I mean.
Like most other beginners, I've looked at the Celestron range - and read vociferous and disparaging criticism of these 'supermarket' telescopes on this site, vs. the Dobs.
Reading some postings here, it would seem that having a focal length greater than the length of the telescope is one reason a cheap scope is crap, but specifically in relation to the Celestron 127mm Power Seeker (yep the DSE one), what is it technically that is no good? Is it the mount or the lens or the setup time, or the collimation (can that be sorted out?). Or is it just the sheer hassle factor of a telescope that has a suboptimal mounting system, and is hard to collimate well.
I'm happy to go to a specialist provider if I have to, but I've got to admit, like alot of other beginners, the attraction of heading down to DSE is there. If I really enjoy my foray, I'm happy to buy a better telescope off a specialist later on too. Hope that gives you experts some info on my 'needs' - looking forward to your considered replies!
Pete
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