What Telescope To Buy?

[holden68]

Hello, l'm new to this, my wife wants a telescope for gazing at the stars, she has been hassling me for a week to go buy one but l dont want to buy something thats not suitable, she has circled one in a magazine it's - CELESTRON ASTROMASTER EQ130 Telescope ASMAS, are these any good or can you suggest anything aruond a budget of $400 - $700 just for looking up, we hope to get good at this new hoobie so we may teach our 7 month old daughter when she's old enough, also it doesnt have to be portable as we live in the Mountains, thanks

[acropolite (Phil)]

$400-700 would buy an 8 inch or 10 inch dob. You won't buy anything that's decent with Go-To capability at that price, so you may as well have decent optics and some aperture. The larger aperture of the 10 inch will allow you to see fainter objects, but will swallow up most of your budget, leaving little for any accessories. If it were me I would go for a 10 inch dob. Check the major Astro shops, e.g. Bintel, Andrews Communications, My Astroshop York optical etc. It's a good idea if you can to attend a get together somewhere and have a look through different scopes.

[Glenhuon (Bill)]

Can only back up what acropolis says, 10" Dobsonian would give you the best bang for buck. Easy to set up, lots of light gathering, and you don't need any fancy extras to get great views of the cosmos.
Welcome to IIS Holden.

Bill

[BluMoon (Guy)]

Holden 68,...Have you thought about binoculars??for that kind of budget you could certainly buy a very nice pair.
If you know somebody with a pair see if you can have a lend for a clear night and just have a look up when its dark and clear..beleive me you will both be amazed at what you can see!!
Say for instance you buy a pair for $200.00 You will get EXCELLANT value for money and it will be MUCH easier to find your way around when "looking up"
If you rush out and buy a telescope you may find in a month or two you cant see much and get bored.IMO only.
The last thing you want is to have a piece of optical equipment collecting dust and regreting buying it when the opportunity of stargazing is so gratifying.
hope this is of some help and good luck

[Argonavis (William)]

Originally Posted by holden68

Hello, l'm new to this, my wife wants a telescope for gazing at the stars, she has been hassling me for a week to go buy one but l dont want to buy something thats not suitable, she has circled one in a magazine it's - CELESTRON ASTROMASTER EQ130 Telescope ASMAS, are these any good or can you suggest anything aruond a budget of $400 - $700 just for looking up, we hope to get good at this new hoobie so we may teach our 7 month old daughter when she's old enough, also it doesnt have to be portable as we live in the Mountains, thanks

Binoculars are an excellent choice.

An 8inch to 10inch dob, whilst excellent value for money
http://www.andrewscom.com.au/site-section-10.htm
can be heavy to move around.

A good choice for a first telescope is:

http://www.amazon.com/Orion-StarBlas.../dp/B0000XMT38

which is reviewed here:

http://www.astromart.com/articles/ar...?article_id=93

It is an excellent balance between $, convenience and aperature.

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

I vote for the 10" Dob

Straight off the Andrews site:

Super Deluxe (M-CRF) version has Crayford style 10:1 micro-focuser, 8 x 50 right angle correct image finderscope, four (6/9/15/25mm) Plossls, a bonus 2" 32mm SP-series eyepiece - and fan!!

$699.00 AUD
(This model sold out)
Next shipment due late Oct.

All you'll ever need for years!

Image below doesn't show right-angle finder, but same scope.

[xelasnave]

Go for the 10 or even a 12. If the wife is on side go for it. Mine wasnt she went.
alex

[Phil]

Wish i could find a women that likes stargazing. You lucky man. Go the 10'
Phil