Dipping toe in water - suggestions requested

[mprenzler (Michael)]

Hi All,

I've recently decided to take up a new hobby, and given a long interest in astronomy have been spending a few days reading up on beginner's tips, including some excellent stickies on this forum.

I have just signed up for the local (Adelaide) astronomy society and would like to start getting some hands-on experience with a telescope. While I am prepared to pay for a quality telescope, I know from past experience that you 'don't know what you don't know' until you actually stop reading and start doing, so would like to start my education with a cheap 'disposable' scope. I realise it won't give a great quality image, may cause some frustration, but it will teach me some lessons like aiming, telescope care, setup etc. far quicker than just reading about it. It will also help me decide on what scope to buy in the future with minimal financial risk. I'm coming from a really low base, so just seeing the moon closer up, a planet or two, will be exciting for me at this stage I know I'll soon want more, but at least then I can make a more informed purchase!

I have hopped onto Gumtree and found a number of 2nd hand scopes which meet my initial budget of $100. It would be great if someone could suggest which one to go for (and the reasons why), since there a mix of sizes/types to choose from:

1) Australian Geographic refractive

2) Tasco 9F refractive

3) Tasco 280 Power reflective

4) Startracker 127 reflective

I was thinking a refractive may be better for my situation as I can always use it for terrestrial viewing once I upgrade? Apart from that I really have no preference. I am a mechanical engineer so am not afraid to tinker if necessary to get more out of the scope (e.g. swap out components).

Many thanks in advance for your help, and I look forward to your suggestions.

Cheers,

Michael

[loki78 (Jon)]

Rather than those, on your budget and for what you want it to do, look on ebay for a Celestron powerseeker 60AZ refractor. They are selling brand new for $95 with $25 p&h.

It's a decent brand, comes with a few eye pieces and a solar filter so you'll be able to view the sun also and i would think a much better option than the 2nd hand tascos you have seen.

But then, I haven't used a tasco so lets see what some other people think.

[Rex]

Welcome to the forum Michael. Looking at the options u have there, go the 127 reflector. you will see so much more with it than any of the others. It won't be fantastic quLity but as I'm sure u have read elsewhere arpeture rules. I started out with a scope similar to this and given darkish sky u will see many things with it. I could see bright nebula such as M8 and M20, and after owning it for a while i could even see some brighter galaxies such as m104 and ngc5128. Remember the more practice u have the more u will see. In a way u have to train ur eyes. have fun and enjoy ur new hobby. And don't be afraid to ask questions. ThTs my two cents worth.

[mprenzler (Michael)]

Originally Posted by loki78

Rather than those, on your budget and for what you want it to do, look on ebay for a Celestron powerseeker 60AZ refractor. They are selling brand new for $95 with $25 p&h.

It's a decent brand, comes with a few eye pieces and a solar filter so you'll be able to view the sun also and i would think a much better option than the 2nd hand tascos you have seen.

But then, I haven't used a tasco so lets see what some other people think.

Thanks for the tip Jon, the Celestron looks quite good for the price. I like the inclusion of a solar filter. Will see what others think before making a decision.

Cheers,

M

[mprenzler (Michael)]

Hi Rex,

Thanks for the welcome and advice.

Originally Posted by Rex

I'm sure u have read elsewhere arpeture rules.

Yes, I've read this, but also that a poor mount can destroy any benefits gained by larger aperture?

I've tried to find out more info about the Startracker 127 but have drawn a blank. Just wondering if a smaller but 'named' brand like the Tasco 280 is likely to give a better image than a discontinued Dick Smith import?

Thanks,

M.

[Poita (Peter)]

Oh Jeez, a hundred dollars is pretty limiting.

You may be better off posting a 'wanted' ad in the classifieds here on IIS, most of those ones you listed are actual junk and just don't work at all. I don't know about the last one.

You would be better off spending a few hundred and getting a GSO dobsonian (reflector) or similar.
There were some Celestron 80GTL refractors going a short time ago for $200 as well, and they are actually not bad and come with a solar filter for viewing the sun, and are on a computerised GOTO mount, good value for the money.

[mprenzler (Michael)]

Originally Posted by Poita

You may be better off posting a 'wanted' ad in the classifieds here on IIS, most of those ones you listed are actual junk and just don't work at all. I don't know about the last one.

Hi Peter,

Thanks for the post. Would you mind explaining your comment that the telescopes 'don't work at all' (genuine question, not meaning to be smart)? As I explained in my original post I was thinking there might be some value even in an el-cheapo model (as a newbie I've got plenty to learn, especially the basics which would now be second nature to you old hands). But of course if a <$100 scope doesn't even produce an image then of course I'd be better off saving up for something usable for twice the price.

I'll keep the 'wanted' ad in mind, thanks, although I'll have to wait 30 days before I can post (I'm not in a rush, though; still plenty to learn on this site ).

Cheers,

M.

[Rex]

Michael, the problem with most of these cheap refractors is that they have plastic opjective lenses (the lense at the front of the scope) that simply don't show very good views. The other problem is to conteract these inferior lenses they have such long focal length that the field of view is so small, you can't fit anything much bigger than one star in them. These inferior optics along with small arpeture mean that even to look at the moon, you can't get enough magnification to see anything exciting.

Peter makes a strong point and if its at all possible you should go for the 6" dobs as this is the best beginners scope. It will literally last you years and years.

Or if you really want something now Try something like the scope in the link below. Not exactly what you were looking for but Orion is a known brand and Bintel is a reputal dealer.

http://www.bintel.com.au/Telescopes/...oductview.aspx

[stardust steve (Steve)]

Hi Michael. I have found some bargains on Gumtree. I check it regularly. I have a Celestron C102-HD (4inch) refractor on an equatorial mount(EQ), an 8'' Skywatcher Newtonian Reflector on EQ mount and a small 76mm Celestron reflector on an ALT AZ mount. You are welcome to come over and put them through their paces if you like. Drop me a PM to discuss it further if you like.
This way you can get to use a variety of telescopes to see which you like.

[mprenzler (Michael)]

Thanks Rex, that makes a lot of sense. I'll steer clear of cheap refractors then. Yes, I came across a few of these little Dobs, but reckon it doesn't cost much more to upgrade them to the 6". I'm not opposed to spending more money as long as I spend it on the right thing

Steve, that would be great! Will send you a PM.

Thanks all for your help.