Refractor Telescopes vs Reflector

Jimmy · #1 11-01-2005, 03:04 PM

Hi All. I know the basic differences between refractor and reflector but I just wanted to find out what the best value for money refractor would be (around $300-400) and best reflector (for around the same cost). I've been reading the forums about the 8in DOB's from Andrews. Please someone let me know! Im desperate to buy and get started. I have been looking through the Bino's for way too long now!!

Thanks all!

ving (David) · #2 11-01-2005, 03:35 PM

the 8"dobs from andrews are extremely good value for money. dont know bout refractors tho..

Jimmy · #3 11-01-2005, 03:37 PM

Would I be lucky enough to get the 399 quote from andrews as well?
Maybe. I checked their website, and there is nothing there for 399.
Please help.

ving (David) · #4 11-01-2005, 03:41 PM

they are only a phone call away

2 people from this forum got that deal recently

iceman (Mike) · #5 11-01-2005, 03:46 PM

I reckon you'd get it for $399, for sure.. Tell him you visited this forum and noticed some other members got them recently.

Reflectors give you more bang for your buck.. refractors are more of a specialist scope, or a smaller grab'n'go scope.. they are quite expensive for good quality, or they're cheap and nasty - in which case you should stay away from them.

The $399 deal is the best you'll get for the price anywhere at the moment. You get a good quality scope and 4 eyepieces - enough to last you until you save up for more eyepieces, a barlow lens, other accessories..

Just beware, this can be an addictive expensive hobby if you let it!

cometcatcher (Kevin) · #6 11-01-2005, 03:59 PM

For $400 you'd be lucky to get a 4 inch refractor and the 8 inch reflector would blow it out of the water.

Jimmy · #7 11-01-2005, 04:03 PM

if you check my other post you can see the refractor im considering. I think I will go with the dob but my wife likes the refractor (compact size etc).

dont know.

ving (David) · #8 11-01-2005, 04:25 PM

Aaahh! the wife!
I know all about that!

tell her you will paint the outside of the dob any colour she likes!

mch62 (Mark) · #9 11-01-2005, 04:47 PM

I would agree with Iceman in the Dob is going to give you the best bang for your buck as far as visual observing goes.
later on if you fell like dabbling in photography adding an EQ mount to that size scope won't send you into bankruptcy.

For $400 you will only get a 60-70mm refractor maybe on an EQ mount , but you may soon out grow that size or grow tired of the lack of performance and objects within its reach.

It all comes down to aperature and light grasp and 8" will win compared to sub 4".
Although small fast refractors make great wide field photo lenses , but that comes later on.

Go for the Dob.

The only thing you will need to be aware of , is a Dob is going to need continual attention to collimation and keeping the optical surfaces clean. So you will have to get phisical with them from time to time.
The refractor is fairly maintanence free.

Mark

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #10 11-01-2005, 05:11 PM

Buy the wife one of those useless but pretty brass telescopes as an ornament for her loungeroom! About $40 in some shops.

If you want to be serious about astronomy, get a reflector. The amount of light gathering power can't be beaten.

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #11 11-01-2005, 05:15 PM

Also remind her that the dob has a refractor on it as well! (the finderscope). 2 for the price of one. ha ha

mch62 (Mark) · #12 11-01-2005, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ballaratdragons
Buy the wife one of those useless but pretty brass telescopes as an ornament for her loungeroom! About $40 in some shops.

If you want to be serious about astronomy, get a reflector. The amount of light gathering power can't be beaten.

For the price

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #13 11-01-2005, 05:21 PM

OOPS! Sorry.

I meant 'light gathering power dollar per millimetre'.

[1ponders] (Paul) · #14 11-01-2005, 05:23 PM

For $300 - $400 Aus you will be flat out getting a halfway decent new refractor (went through this process at the start of 2004, yep guys I bought two new telescopes in 1 year, warning Jimmy when you get hooked you get hooked

) and if it is decent then I'd be really surprised if the mount was suitable.

Have a look in your local Trading Post newspaper if you want a refractor. They will take more (relative) abuse than a reflector so the chances are if a 4 inch one comes up for sale it would be ok, as long as it doesn't have anyobvious dings in it. But as everyone else here has said, "more bang for the Bucks" get a reflector.

[1ponders] (Paul) · #15 11-01-2005, 05:37 PM

I just checked you other post. We have the same scope, the smaller one, at the Mapleton observatory (sitting in a cupboard). Its not mounted but the view through it is not too bad, though nothing to write home about, however it does have a nice and wide Field of View (FOV).

Iwouldn't touch those two mounts with a barge pole, though. They would be lucky to hold a pair of binoculars steady. For the size of the scopes they are just too small and flimsy.

Go for Dob and really enjoy the skies. I would not like to see someone who is keen to get started Say "This sucks" and throw it all in because of poor mounting.

wavelandscott (Scott) · #16 11-01-2005, 08:58 PM

I agree with the comments and heartily endorse reflectors and a Dob in particular if you are getting started...

But, do know that you will need to most likely make a few modifications to help it perform better...you can check out some of the other posts...

You will also need to collimate it once in a while...while none of these things are difficult, it is something that you should recognize...it won't necessarily be "grab and go" with a Dob...

Dobs are literally "hands on"...and while you can get tracking systems for them...generally for beginners they are "push to" not "go to"...and they are not suitable for viewing during the day (wild life, neighbors etc.)

You will get more light catching ability and for me it was the right choice but, you need to think about how you want to work with the hobby and the gear...

Did anyone ask what you wanted to view?

That is another key question to answer before jumping in.

Sorry if you've already been through these thoughts...

Enjoy the hobby...

[1ponders] (Paul) · #17 11-01-2005, 09:20 PM

Here Here Wavelandscott. Very important question. What do you want to view?

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #18 11-01-2005, 09:30 PM

and don't say 'The Sky".

Jimmy · #19 11-01-2005, 11:02 PM

I was very interested in terrestrial viewing, saturn, jupiter, mars, the moon etc.

THat is my main purpose, but when you think about it there are only so many planets you can look at. Star clusters etc interest me a fair bit as well and I will get much more into looking at the further nebulae and clusters later on when I become more experienced.

Im not interested in photography as yet, but at a later stage I most likely will attach a computer controller to my laptop and use some astronomy software. But thats much later (I want to be well experienced....2 to 4 years down the track).

I am serious about making this a hobby. Im subscribing to Australian Sky and Telescope.

THanks for the help guys.

Jimmy · #20 11-01-2005, 11:07 PM

Here is a great begginers guide I have found on choosing a telescope.

http://www.scopereviews.com/begin.html

Try it, it's great.