[Screwdriverone (Chris)]

Hi All,

I was just replying to a thread about what a beginner should buy for a budget of up to $1000 and decided to start a thread which may help beginners on the track to lots of fun and Astronomy delights in the night sky.

Please note, these are my opinions on what to buy to get you started and I encourage all members and visitors to comment on what they think is right or wrong with my choices, I am simply offering up a starting point which offers the most value for money versus performance and ease of use....Having started myself with an EQ2 mount and 5 inch reflector, I then bought a 12" dob reflector and now have an 8" reflector on an HEQ5 mount, I have pretty much (apart from refractors) gone through most choices that beginners are looking at....good quality refractors are much more expensive compared to reflectors so I have not mentioned these here.

I have decided to put forward two choices to get you started, the Premium Starter pack and the Budget Starter pack. They are very similar and only really differ in the main scope's price and features.

So, here goes:

Premium Starter Pack

1) Skywatcher Black Diamond 8" Goto Collapsible Dobsonian = $999
2) Skywatcher 6.3mm Super Plossl Eyepiece = $49
3) GSO Laser Collimator (align the mirrors) = $59
4) ED 2x or 3x Barlow lens (magnifier) = $29
5) Portable jump start power pack (Super Cheap Auto) power for the scope = $60
6) Bob's Knobs secondary screws (helps adjust the secondary mirror) = $30
7) Red/White Head torch (Energizer) to see in the dark = $30
8) 2011 Astronomy Handbook to find things to look at = $20

Total = $1276

Budget Starter Pack

1) Skywatcher Black Diamond 8" Collapsible Dobsonian (manual) = $549
2) Skywatcher 6.3mm Super Plossl Eyepiece = $49
3) GSO Laser Collimator (align the mirrors) = $59
4) ED 2x or 3 x Barlow lens (magnifier) = $29
5) Bob's Knobs secondary screws (helps adjust the secondary mirror) = $30
6) Red/White Head torch (Energizer) to see in the dark = $30
7) Large Planisphere (star wheel) to find things to look at = $15
8) 2011 Astronomy handbook to find things to look at = $20

Total = $781

Notes: The only real difference between the two packages is the main telescope, one being the goto motorised version and the other being a manual non motorised one. The GOTO has motors and a handset computer which allows you to select an object from the database and then the telescope finds the object for you and tracks it. This allows you to keep an object in the eyepiece for longer. It also allows you to find more things than having to "star hop" using the manual telescope with star charts and having to find objects using the finderscope and knowledge alone. The telescope should come with a 10mm and 25mm eyepiece which give 120x and 48x magnifications respectively. Add the 6.3mm and you get 190x magnification. Using the 3x Barlow makes these magnifications 144x, 360x and 570x which are about as much as anyone needs for almost any object in the night sky.

Of course, you can start anywhere, these are simply my suggestions to help you put together what I think is a comprehensive beginner's pack to help cut through all the options which may confuse and discourage you.

The 8" telescopes selected are both collapsible designs which are highly portable, easy to set up and use and provide excellent views for beginners and experienced users alike. The telescopes can be used by children as well as adults and are stable, reliable and are a great place to start this wonderful hobby.

Prices quoted are from Andrews Communications and other suppliers such as Coles and Super Cheap Auto (I have no affiliation or interest in any) and can be purchased from many other optical suppliers whom often price match to keep competition alive.

I welcome comments and suggestions from anyone who may have an opinion or criticism of anything listed here.

I hope this helps anyone who is looking at starting out in Astronomy either for themselves, their kids or as a gift for a loved one.

Cheers

Chris