Telescope suggestions for a beginner please. :)

Crosslouglas (Shaun) · #1 03-09-2013, 04:58 PM

Hi everyone, I want to start looking at space, stars etc. I have a budget of $500-$600 AUD maybe a bit more, so I'm looking for a telescope to do that. I just need some suggestions on some good ones please.

Please do not post silly replies because I don't know anything about astronomy and I hate being "trolled".

Thanks in advance,

Shaun.

mulberry (Suz) · #2 03-09-2013, 08:28 PM

Hi Shaun,

Have you looked in the Projects and Articles section? There are two guides which are a really good read to start.

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/projects.html - scroll down to the beginners section.

I am currently considering between a dobsonian and a refractor. I am hoping to try some before I buy.

Cheers,

Susan

rogerco (Roger) · #3 03-09-2013, 08:54 PM

As someone who has brought a bit of gear since I started three or four years ago I can truly say that with that budget your best bet is an eight or ten inch Dobsonian telescope.

It may not be the scope that you will eventually aspire to but it is the one that will show you things and inspire you to keep you going. Just about anything else at that price range will be a visual disappointment. Later on an $699 refractor might be the basis for a start in astro-photography but until you can afford a mount and a camera it will not give you much.

Even once you have maybe got into astro-photography you will still pull out the dob for an easy setup quick look, it will never become a "wish I hadn't bothered with that" investment.

mattyb217 (Matt) · #4 03-09-2013, 09:33 PM

Hi Shaun,

I was in your shoes about a year ago & was asking about a good scope for a beginner, a lot of people suggest a Dobsonian. I ended up getting one just the other day an Ozscope 8" for $400 & i am really happy with it. It's so easy to set up & use.

Hope this helps

Cheers,
Matt

Crosslouglas (Shaun) · #5 04-09-2013, 01:09 PM

Thank you all for your replies, I will post some links to some of the ones I'm looking at later. Thank you for your mature replies too.

Thanks,

Shaun.

Crosslouglas (Shaun) · #6 06-09-2013, 11:18 AM

Here's one link.

http://www.ozscopes.com.au/skywatche...telescope.html

multiweb (Marc) · #7 06-09-2013, 11:25 AM

Get a small refractor ED80 or something like that. No collimation involved, works out of the box. You can stick a DSLR on it if you feel you want to try a little astrophoto, solar or planetary. Light. Cheap. Easy to use. Grab and go. No brainer. If you're not interested it's good resale value. If you want to get further into it all you can get a bigger scope and use it as a guider.

Crosslouglas (Shaun) · #8 06-09-2013, 11:33 AM

saw this http://www.ozscopes.com.au/skywatche...telescope.html

Crosslouglas (Shaun) · #9 06-09-2013, 11:34 AM

is this it?
SkyWatcher Black Diamond ED80 OTA Refractor Telescope

SKU# SKY-BDED80-OTA
Be the first to review this product
In Stock
Our Price:
$1,129.95

http://www.ozscopes.com.au/refractor...mond-ed80.html

pluto (Hugh) · #10 06-09-2013, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crosslouglas

is this it?
SkyWatcher Black Diamond ED80 OTA Refractor Telescope

SKU# SKY-BDED80-OTA
Be the first to review this product
In Stock
Our Price:
$1,129.95

http://www.ozscopes.com.au/refractor...mond-ed80.html

FWIW I love my Skywatcher ED80 though I got it for imaging.
That price is too high, try Andrews they have it for $899: http://www.andrewscom.com.au/site-section-10.htm

rogerco (Roger) · #11 06-09-2013, 01:09 PM

I have both these scopes although the ED80 was on an EQ5 and now an EQ6. The ED80 is an entry point into astro photography, but not on those mounts (with the exception of the moon and Jupiter Saturn). The 8" to 10" dobsonian will give a far better visual (non photographic) experience for your limited funds.

As for collimation, don't be put off, it is now difficult to do.

Crosslouglas (Shaun) · #12 06-09-2013, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crosslouglas

is this it?
SkyWatcher Black Diamond ED80 OTA Refractor Telescope

SKU# SKY-BDED80-OTA
Be the first to review this product
In Stock
Our Price:
$1,129.95

http://www.ozscopes.com.au/refractor...mond-ed80.html

I'll have to wait longer to get this one.

Kunama · #13 06-09-2013, 06:02 PM

I suggest that before you buy an 80mm refractor as your first scope you try one out.

I love refractors and now have 6 of them but I would suggest that you go with an 8" reflector in a dob mount as a first foray into astro.

The difference in what you will see between an 80 and a 200mm scope is enormous.

brian nordstrom (As avatar) · #14 06-09-2013, 06:56 PM

Bang on again Matt , old mate , yes I have a few refractors my self, Shaun and as good as these are it takes time ( and

$$$'s ) to appreciate how good they really are , most are on an EQ style mount , hard to use first up ( lots of budding astromoners loose their enthusiasm fast trying to sort out how the hell these blardy thing's work

).

Grab a Newtonion reflector on a Dobsonion mount in the 6-8 inch size , it will blow your sox off in what one of these will show

, and if this astronomy thing is your buzz , keep it and step up to a nice EQ mounted refractor / Schmitt/ RC / Newt .... on a $2000 German EQ mount

.
True , but from the mount , there is cameras , filters , eyepieces ...etc , etc etc .

Stick with a nice Dob, ( Newtionion on a Dobsonion mount ) in the 6-8 inch range , brand new .

ps. there are no TROLLS ! here . ( you should not even think there are people like that here Shaun , shame on you ! , they get sorted before their feet even touch the ground around here , us Amateur Astronomers ant dumb ! )

Your price range will get you one of the above , 2-3 eyepieces , and other great starters gear .
And if you like astronomy , cool , keep it , if not just move on , and you will be able to sell it easily for not much loss

.

Brian

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kunama

I suggest that before you buy an 80mm refractor as your first scope you try one out.

I love refractors and now have 6 of them but I would suggest that you go with an 8" reflector in a dob mount as a first foray into astro.

The difference in what you will see between an 80 and a 200mm scope is enormous.

Logieberra (Logan) · #15 06-09-2013, 07:14 PM

ED 80mm for $1,129.95 -- that really is astronomical! They come up often in the classifieds section of this site, used of course, but for around $300.00 they really are hard to beat for a first time refractor

brian nordstrom (As avatar) · #16 06-09-2013, 07:24 PM

yep brand new these great scopes are $699 max if you shop around , even less . A little off track here ( sorry Shaun ) but,,,

,,,, Damn at 2wice that at $2200 you can get a brand new Takahashi FC100D , here in Australia , from an Australian supplier ( 5 year guarantee ) !

.
If I was gonna spend $1100 on an ED80 ( good as they are ) I would save my $$$'s and grab one of these new Tak's , what a great price ! .

I wonder who's gonna be first to get one here in Australia ?

Brian.
.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Logieberra

ED 80mm for $1,129.95 -- that really is astronomical! They come up often in the classifieds section of this site, used of course, but for around $300.00 they really are hard to beat for a first time refractor

Logieberra (Logan) · #17 06-09-2013, 08:34 PM

Why stop there? Just get a FSQ and be done with it

GrahamL · #18 07-09-2013, 09:29 AM

Roger and others advice is spot on Shaun

for an instrument for that will keep you going for many years its easily an 8 or 10" dob the 8" is very portable.

while I found my old 80mm refractor great for lunar viewing and planets
it really had little use for deep sky observing.

one of these little finders in addition to what comes with the scope (they don't cost a lot)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NH33pXGkNF8
and some simple star maps available free around the web
and you'll be busy for years.

Crosslouglas (Shaun) · #19 07-09-2013, 03:31 PM

Well thanks guys, I will have to wait until around mid next year for the more expansive ones when I'm bringing home around $5000 a month. Thanks.

linkpng (Alfred) · #20 08-09-2013, 04:38 PM

As others have said: Join your local astronomical club or society (see the BINTEL "Night Sky" newsletter on the web for addresses) and they will tell you (a) to use one of their club scopes, and/or (b) to look for a used 8" Dobsonian for $300 - 400 (local paper, Gumtree or eBay). Dead easy to set up and use, fits easily in your car, nice bright images and nearly always decent optics. Will keep you and the family happy for years!

Details: the Dobsonian mount is cheaper and MUCH easier to use than any other and easy to modify to suit your needs, e.g to make the movement lighter or heavier. Most people can live with the lack of a motor drive. A 10" Dob is much heavier than the 8. A 6" Dob gives noticeable dimmer images. All three will typically have the same 1200 mm focal length. You will find that if an observer has later bought a $2000 refractor, she or he will always keep the Dob, because they like them!