Need help

[solost (Alita)]

My daughter loves to learn about space and I wanted to buy her a telescope I cant afford to buy her anything to expensive but need to know which telescope under $500 is worth it.

I have no clue about anything to do with telescopes but she wants one for Christmas and I want to make sure she gets something worthwhile.

If anyone can help please do as I will be here after wards to learn more to help quench her thirst for learning about the solar system.

The only two I can find are the star tracker 127mm and the celestron 127mm but have no clue if they are any good.

[PCH (Paul)]

Hi Alita,

I'd guess you've been looking in Australian Geographic perhaps? Probably best to avoid retail shops and stick with online and/or specifically astronomy related outlets. The only thing is you might be pretty much too late to get a scope shipped. However, there are several good stores on the east coast and even in QLD that might be best able to help given the time frame.

Have a look at ,,,

www.andrewscom.com.au
www.staroptics.com.au
www.myastroshop.com.au
www.bintelshop.com.au

When you buy a telescope, the optics are the thing that you should really be spending your money on, - not the stand or the box - get it?

So, you might like to look for the dob, or dobsonian, type of scope. These have very simple point-and-look type mounts, and have relatively large mirrors for the money you'll pay. With other types of scopes you'll be paying a significant portion of the cost price for the mount and maybe automatic goto, which is not strictly needed for a first scope.

Many of the more advanced guys here have 'dobs' - they go to 12 and 16" off the shelf, yet start at 6", 8" and 10" for those not wishing to spend so much. They are a great way into astronomy.

Look at the above sites and nmaybe call them and see what they can do in time for Xmas. Good luck

[solost (Alita)]

Thank you PCH, I have been looking for two months but was really put off as they all told me different things I will look at those sites thank you I am glad I came across this site it has already opened my eyes my camera takes awesome pics of the moon and I have a feeling better than I would see through those telescopes after reading about them.

I like the saxon dob but do not want to go overboard we may wait until we move and buy something like that where we have the room, and want her to have something worthwhile without going OTT.

I realize the others I looked at were not any good but which would be best for seeing planets even if not in greatest detail

Thank you for the links will go look now.

[JethroB76 (Jeff)]

At those websites you will find a 6" or even 8" dob which will outperform by far the scopes you listed previously - and your daughter will find the dobs very easy to use as well..

[Blue Skies (Jacquie)]

A 6" dob for around $300 which gives you some change to get a few books and star charts to help her along. Its not big, its a necessary size. Don't be put off by it. Anything smaller will be a big disappointment in viewing. A 6" can give excellent views of the planets and is what I would consider the minimum for serious planetary viewing.

[solost (Alita)]

Thank you for replies, I will be seriously looking at the 6" dob she is only 5 but is very keen on learning about space it is all she has been asking for so she can see the planets.

That is why I came searching for a place where I can get advice not a sales pitch.

Thank you.

[V-Man]

Another vote for the 6" Dobsonian. An average 5 year old will be able to use this scope easily, in a natural stance as opposed to needing to stand on milk crates etc, and you will be able to use it comfortably seated in an outdoor chair.

I recommend the Sky Watcher brand as maintaining a known quality, and suggest that since My Astro Shop is based in Hervey Bay and therefore the closest distributor to Cairns, a purchase from them may save you a few bucks in freight. (do check out the freight costs, some distributors charge a lot more than others)

[Shep]

I live in Cairns too, I bought my first scope a few months ago now from Suncoast optical down on Spence Street. I would have loved to have bought one off the net and everyone here gave me great advice about what to get etc but i'm a tactile person and really need to see and touch what im gonna get before parting with my cash. I bought a Celestron astro master for $600, Its great for the moon and i've also used it for Jupiter. I think it really depends on your budget, for sure get the best for what you can afford but the scopes just keep getting better and better and pricier and pricier so just figure out your price range before you even look or you'll end up spending way too much. I bought this one to test the water, I didnt want to spend more than that incase It wasnt something I would stick with but its been great and i'm ready for upgrading to a 10" Dob. If your interested in a 2nd hand one let me know and i'll pm you the details