First telescope

[Petethegalah (Jared)]

Hi everyone,

I'm brand new to astronomy and am looking to buy my first telescope. I have been looking around for relevant specifications and brands and came across this
>http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3704408 85758&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT<

I'm sure that telescopes are like everything else in that you get what you pay for. This does seem to tick the boxes for what i'm looking for however (+100mm aperture, long focal length, under $300).

Can anyone give me some advice as to whether this is a surprisingly good deal or a fantasy that will drive me mad?

Any advice at all would be much appreciated!

[Jutscher (Sam)]

Hi and ,
Where to begin...? Okay, am not sure what that link is (doesnt work for me), but if it does have a long focal length, I would probably avoid it for a first scope.
If you search the forums, I think you will find that this question is asked a lot, and there is a wealth of information in the archives in regards to choosing your first scope.
In the mean time, you need to decide what you want from your scope. Generally, the golden rule is aperature, aperature, aperature. Forget focal length at this stage.
When starting out a dobsonian scope (newtonian reflector) offers the greatest aperature at the best price IMHO. These cost anywhere from $100 for a tiny skywatcher heritage (not all that practical) to many thousands. I started out myself with a skywatcher 10" dob and couldnt have been happier with its ability to view the moon, planets and deep sky. the bonus of buying a cheaper dobsonian is that you can later uprgade the parts (focuser, primary mirror cell, cooling etc) to make very capable astrographs etc.
I think the best suggestion that you will see coming up again and again is if in doubt, find one of your local clubs and have a look through some of their gear. Most are more than happy to see a new amateur astro fan, just dont get caught up in the fever of bigger and better gear, as I have not doubt that if you do go to a club night, you will see some pretty fancy gear.
Have a look at bintel.com.au (I am not affiliated with them) as they have a good selection and are good to deal with

Good luck
Sam

[Scorpius51 (John)]

Hi Pete (I assume that's your name?)

I tried the link you supplied and it said that that item was not available or had been withdrawn. Personally, I would NOT buy a telescope off eBay as most are junk - there are exceptions, sometimes! I totally agree with Sam's advice and that you go along to a local group to get hands on what's available and there will be plenty of good advice. Look through the threads on this forum - there are many in your situation just starting out and eager to BUY SOMETHING NOW!!! But wait, think and listen to others who have been there.

Think about what you want from this potential obcession and don't spend your money on something that will just turn you off after a few weeks of frustration. A 6" - 8" Dobsonian is probably the best way to introduce yourself to the night sky. They are low cost (close to your budget) and generally very good value when purchased from reputable vendors (Bintel, Andrews, York Optical, Astro Optic Supplies, etc). A good pair of binoculars is a great way to start, too (say, 10x50).

Cheers
John

[Petethegalah (Jared)]

Thanks John and Sam,

The link may not have worked because i automatically added > and < at the ends as if I was referencing the site. Sorry.

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI....=STRK:MEWAX:IT

I will have a look at the other threads. Sam, i am curious though about what you said about focal length as most things I have read say a longer focal length gives better magification. Is it that as a new comer its harder to locate objects with higher magification?

At the first oppurtunity I intend to go along to a public night at the Astronomical Society of Victoria. Its the last 3 weeks of semester at uni for me though and most nights I'm tied to my computer... Soon!

Thanks for the advice guys.

Cheers,

Jared.

[Scorpius51 (John)]

Hi again Jared

I got it this time. Personally, I would stay away from claims like this:

"High End Professional Telescope Diameter 114/1000mm 750

Two Barlow lens 2x 3x Unique on ebay magnification 750"


It is absurd to claim that a 114mm aperture will give you a usable x750 magnification!!!!! You would need a much much bigger aperture to get that. The eyepiece(s) and Barlows supplied would probably be of very inferior quality, too.

While the 'scope and mount might be worth $165 as a "Buy it Now" item, you are still better off spending atl east $300-$500 and get a 'scope with better optics and a few good quality Plossl eyepieces into the bargain.

Again, don't forget the binoculars. A good quality pair will be much better value than a low quality 114mm Newtonian 'scope on a flimsy mount - and much more portable and easy to use.

Yes, for a given eyepiece, a longer focal length gives you higher magnification. BUT, if the 'scope has only a limited aperture, then the magnification is useless. That 114mm 'scope will probably have a useful mag of ~x200, at best! At higher mags you are limited by aperture and atmosheric turbulence.

Yes, it is harder to find objects visually with high mags - you would usually start at low mag, then work up higher. It's not too bad if you have a well aligned finder 'scope.

Cheers
John

[Petethegalah (Jared)]

Hi John,

That was what I was looking for, a judgement of the worth of this particular telescope based on experience! Cheers. As I said in the first post I assume you get what you pay for so this was something of a 'finger crossed I'd lucked into something good but cheap!'.
Oh well. Time to start saving! And I'll look into some binoculars in the mean time!

Thanks again John,

Jared.

[justme (Cathy)]

Hi Jared,

I'm a newbie and have been looking around for a decent first scope. In fact I posted a "help me choose" post only a little while back.

I was looking at a 6" dobsonian (have since decided to throw in a little extra cash and go for the 8") for the family for christmas.

In my search for "inexpensive but useful" I found that Astonomy Alive (advertised on the right of your screen) have a 6" dob for $329. Since you mentioned a budget of $300 I thought you might be interested in checking it out.

Good luck with your search for the right scope. It took me months to decide and since I haven't actually ordered one yet there is still time to change my mind a few more times.

Cheers
Cathy

[torana68 (Roger)]

Ill add stay away from short focal lenght newtonians, you do not want an f4!, it will send you nuts colimating and is more of a specalised length. look for F6 ish, do not buy a "high end professional" anything the ebay ones are "low end toy's" and a real one is hugely expensive (think over $20k )
Long focal lengths arnt an issue as such, refractors are normally longer and there is nothing wrong with F9/10 in a 4.5" or 6' if its a good one. As for apature a real crappy 8" wont be as much fun as a really good 6" you do get what you pay for and its the mirrors you should be worried about, other stuff can be upgraded later comparitavely cheaply. The bintel 8' F6 is probaby THE beginner recommendation. They do pop up second hand.

[Jutscher (Sam)]

Sorry, yeah I should have qualified that focal length comment with a but... what I meant to say was not to get too caught up with a long focal length as a prerequisite for buying. Around the F8 mark is normally pretty good, avoid the really fast scopes designed for imaging (no good for visual)

[GraemeT (Graeme)]

Purely on a factual basis, 1000 divided by 6 ie. the shortest eyepiece, is only 160x so where the 750x comes from would appear to be from a fertile imagination. The eyepieces are labelled K which, I assume, means they are Kellners, which are VERY basic in design, just an achromatic step up from the original Ramsden design.
Disclaimer: An astronomical newbie but a lifetime in optics!
Cheers
Graeme

[bmitchell82 (Brendan)]

All i can suggest is look though the beginners forum, and then zone in on the help me my first scope, newbie looking for suggestions kinda threads. grab your chair and a drink because there is that much information almost telling the same thing over and again

I don't find short focal length newtonians a issue to collimate its as easy as a longer focal length. More critical to be right yes but in any case no different. Like always the better your equipment is the better your outcomes are!

Good luck

[Geoff45 (Geoff)]

Let me reinforce other posts. Any scope under 12" that advertises 750 magnification is one to be avoided. The mount looks pretty shaky. It will wobble everywhere at the slightest touch. Avoid! Avoid! Avoid!