Classifieds for beginners

[CockneyNutjob]

Hello,

I look through these forums a few times a day, mostly at the beginners lists.
As I work my way down the lists I end up at the classified ads. The ads are all nice but as a noob I find them way above my level, I don't know what most of the equipment is even after googling, let alone be able to afford it.

Does anyone one know of any classified sites selling beginner type equipment. I've tried Gumtree but that is mostly cheap Tasco rubbish, or other stuff with no specs.

I'm not looking for anything specific just basic equipment at a low price,

Cheers

[pluto (Hugh)]

I'd say this is the best place to look for beginner gear. You can get good deals and the vast majority of stuff being sold is good quality (in my experience).

Perhaps put up a post in the beginner section asking for some advice, but be sure to describe what you want to achieve, ie. looking at the planets/moon, looking for faint fuzzies like nebulae or galaxies, and/or whether you want to go down the route of astrophotography.

Regarding the classifieds, if something looks interesting then don't be afraid to ask the seller any questions you have about it.

[AstralTraveller (David)]

Short answer: No

Long answer: There does seem to be a shortage of lower-end equipment for sale at the moment, though there are a few cheaper eps around. I think there is normally a bit more available but I haven't followed the classifieds closely for a few years. There could be a few reasons for this

• bad luck - it's just an anomaly. Don't worry, just after you shell out for a new item a second hand one will turn up. I waited for nearly a year for a 31mm Nagler. After I gave up and bought a WO 28mm (which is actually really nice) a Nagler appeared within a fortnight.
• not worth the sellers effort. I have a few GSO plossls that I may give to a good home one day but the effort to sell them, package and post them is just not worth the reward. Also, lower end items tend to sit around unsold for ages. Better gear sells like hot cakes, though really big expensive systems (eg full imaging rigs) can take a while to sell.
• maybe you want too much of a bargain. Many noobs do. I've had someone express disappointment that they couldn't get a scope that would show them all they want for $50. Gear here in basically perfect order normally goes for 70-75% of new price. That is reasonable. Perhaps if you are new to astronomy you don't realise just how cheap astro gear is at the moment. You would actually paid more dollars in the 70's than you do now. I recall a friend affording a 4" Unitron on an alt-az and I think he paid >$2000. I think my Celestron silver-top plossls were >$100 each.

I don't know of other Australian astro classifieds and I would stay away from general classifieds. If someone hasn't found IIS they can't be too serious about astronomy. So, what sort of gear do they have and how has it been treated? Gear here tends to be pre-loved by people who know and care about equipment. When I decided to upgrade my eps I had to spread the purchases over a year or more so as not to upset the Dept of Finance. But quality lasts and you will be able (and proud) to give good gear to your grandkids.

[OzStarGazer]

Maybe a good way to start is to know what you want (like making a short list) and then look for it in the ads. And not everything that is advertized is suitable for all telescopes of course, so first you should buy a scope (you can also look for a scope in the ads too).
There is indeed a lot of stuff and it can be confusing for beginners...

[CockneyNutjob]

I've already decided on a new 6" inch Dob. After a previous post I thought I might also like something like a 80 or 90 refractor or even a small SCT for a bit of variety and to learn stuff before buoying my next decent scope. I know people will say I should save money for a decent EP etc but that's just me.

I've only been on here for around a week but realise that people on here know and trust each other so I value their opinion.

I wasn't after a sale of the century just a cheapish pre-loved scope at a level I could understand and use and enjoy.

[GeoffW1 (Geoff)]

Originally Posted by AstralTraveller

I don't know of other Australian astro classifieds

Just FIO generally

http://www.astrobuysell.com/au/

Some adverts here get duplicated in IIS (or the other way round )

Cheers

[raymo]

Sorry to upset your apple cart, but if you have the extra dollars available,
I would strongly recommend an 8"; still easily portable, and the extra
aperture should hold the ensuing aperture fever at bay for quite a while.
raymo

[CockneyNutjob]

In my first post I spoke of portability and only having a motorbike, I've checked things and can just getaway with a 6" Dob, an 8" inch is just too awkward.

[raymo]

Sorry, my poor old brain had forgotten that you said that.
raymo

[OzStarGazer]

Originally Posted by CockneyNutjob

I've already decided on a new 6" inch Dob. After a previous post I thought I might also like something like a 80 or 90 refractor or even a small SCT for a bit of variety and to learn stuff before buoying my next decent scope. I know people will say I should save money for a decent EP etc but that's just me.

I've only been on here for around a week but realise that people on here know and trust each other so I value their opinion.

I wasn't after a sale of the century just a cheapish pre-loved scope at a level I could understand and use and enjoy.

Yes, I remember that, but I thought you were not 100% certain yet.
You know, I was thinking of buying a small refractor or a small SCT for some variety too. If you do and are happy, let us know.

[acropolite (Phil)]

Patience grasshopper, there are lots of affordable "basic" OTA's and equipment in the classifieds at one time or another, one simply has make a wish list, sit back and wait.

Also, keep in mind that size does matter and an 80-90 refractor isn't a good choice for visual use.

[OzStarGazer]

Well, in my care the refractor would not only be for variety. I just wanted something really light for travelling and also to look at the sun with a solar filter because my dob is collapsible and not suitable for solar viewing.

[julianh72 (Julian)]

Originally Posted by acropolite

Also, keep in mind that size does matter and an 80-90 refractor isn't a good choice for visual use.

But an 80 mm / 90 mm Short Tube (or Mak) can be an excellent choice where Grab'n'Go / travel portability is a primary concern, and for flexible all-round use, including terrestrial viewing, etc. (Have you ever tried to pack a 6" - 8" Dob into your airline carry-on baggage, or motorcycle back-pack? ) It may not be the 'best" astronomical telescope, but there's an old saying:

The best telescope is the one that you actually use.

As noted by several others - EVERY telescope purchase is a compromise!

[niko]

I consider myself only a small step above beginner and I have bought almost everything I own secondhand from here. It does seem that the gear currently up for sale is higher end but that's just an anomoly.

On another related note - how will you carry the base of a 6" dob on a motorbike?

niko

[jenchris (Jennifer)]

A DOB on a bike? Wow that's adventurous.
I would think a mak or SCT would make more sense - a lot shorter and quite light.
The tripod is going to be less cumbersome than a DOB base too.

[astro744]

Unless you've got a side-car, a Dob of any size will be awkward on a motorbike. Have a look at the following option which has its own 'mount' but you need a table top to place it on for a more convenient height, or just hold it as it will work well for scanning the sky at low power.

http://www.scientificsonline.com/ast...telescope.html

This telescope has been around for over 30 years and the new model has a few good improvements.

I would recommend either the above telescope or a small refractor for portability but you still need a mount for the refractor although you could get away with a camera tripod.

As far as having separate classifieds for beginners, all you would be doing is creating a separate list or lists of equipment for sale and you cannot really stop non-beginners buying from it nor should you. There are really good bargains at times and at other times not so. Just keep looking and you will eventually find something you like.

[AstralTraveller (David)]

How to carry a Dob on a motorcycle?? There should be some inspiration here. (BTW I don't condone any of this.)

[julianh72 (Julian)]

Originally Posted by astro744

I would recommend either the above telescope or a small refractor for portability but you still need a mount for the refractor although you could get away with a camera tripod.

My 90 mm Short Tube (bought 2nd-hand on GumTree - wasn't listed on IIS) came with a lightweight manual slow-motion drive GEM mount and tripod (comparable to an EQ-1, but non-standard, so it won't take a standard EQ-1 motor drive). The whole lot packs into a carry bag (also supplied with the scope) which would just about be suitable for airline cabin carry-on use, and could be secured onto the back of a motor-bike with a couple of occy-straps. Despite its compactness and light weight, the supplied mount is fine for casual visual use. (For use at home, I have an EQ-2 mount and motor drive, which is pretty well rock-solid.)

No, it doesn't hold a candle to my Dad's 8" GoTo scope - but it's a hell of a lot more portable!

The telescope will mount straight onto a standard camera tripod for simple Alt-Az use, meaning you can travel with one less piece of equipment (leave the GEM at home). It's pretty wobbly on my lightweight backpack tripod, but it would be fine on a sturdier tripod, at low to moderate magnification.

It also came with three short steel legs (about 300 mm long) which screw into the underside of the GEM for table-top use. The scope, GEM and three short legs easily fit into a (largish) backpack, so if the OP can find something similar, it may be a really good option for a Grab'n'Go for a motor-bike owner.

E.g. Meade make an 80 mm Short Tube (with AutoStar GoTo mount) which they sell as a complete back-pack observatory kit:
http://meade.com/etx/specifications

[julianh72 (Julian)]

Originally Posted by AstralTraveller

How to carry a Dob on a motorcycle?? There should be some inspiration here. (BTW I don't condone any of this.)

Not sure exactly what this KickStarter project will come up with, but it might be interesting to keep an eye on it:

Bicycle Astronomy is a project to bring sustainable stargazing to the people via a bicycle-propelled telescope.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects...ycle-astronomy

[kittenshark (Cheryl-Ann Tan)]

Originally Posted by CockneyNutjob

In my first post I spoke of portability and only having a motorbike, I've checked things and can just getaway with a 6" Dob, an 8" inch is just too awkward.

I only have an electric bike at my disposal, and I suppose I can something smallish in its various panniers and baskets, but I do run into minor accidents now and then and I don't want to know what'll happen to the scope (or me!) if that happens (and even if it can fit in a bagpack, there's no guarantee that it will not not smash into the ground if I take a spill)!

These days I just learnt to borrow scopes and hitch rides with other people. The 8" dob rented from the club mostly makes trips from my apartment to the building's rooftop.

My only advice is to go for the 8" (or 10"!) and make friends who are willing to ferry you around.