Another new TElescope

[jmb]

I guess what i am looking for is something compact, that i can just take out on the balcony and use without any fuss...i would like something that actually has good optics and that encourages me to use it and develop skill in this fascinating hobby....something pretty simple, and that will give me lots of enjoyment....

I wouldn’t mind something that has a simple “go to” setup, finds targets...hey, i get lost just finding my way around Brisbane. But this is certainly not a major priority...and would prefer better optics, than great mechanics. So what would you recommend me start looking at.
I am in the market for a news telescope.
what i am after is something i can use as a 'grab and go', that can be quickly set up, good optics....
i want to look at the moon, planets, and pleides, orion and constellations...
hey, i just want to enjoy and learn more and have a scope which will not frustrate me and get stuck in the cupboard.
I did look at a 2nd hand Celestron C5 and actually like the idea of being able to use a good photo tripod (which i do have already). while there is a 2nd hand one available here, it is just a bit out of my price range....plus i am not sure at this stage it would be good for me to spend that type of money on a 2nd hand telescope.
just thought at this stage i would be best to get suggestions from those knowledgeable people on this forum.
maybe, you have been in my position and have advise.
i was leaning heavily towards the Orion shortube 80mm which got great reviews, but have been looking more at a Skywatcher 102 or 12mm
...good MAK....
anyway, i look forward to hearing from you with suggestions.

Regards

Janine

[Davros (Lauren)]

Maybe an Orion ED80 second hand on a goto alt/az mount like the ioptron cube. Should be able to put that together for well under 1K.

[multiweb (Marc)]

Here's the first scope I bought.
http://www.celestron.com/c3/product.php?ProdID=31
I still take pictures to date with the exact same scope.
Very good value for money and good to start with

[jmb]

http://www.yorkoptical.com.au/Produc...ee3%2cUnitCost
this is in my price range, what do you think???
Am i best to go for the higher ap this is 130mm
am i moving too far from a grab and go?

[dannat (Daniel)]

i think that 130mm is a cat-newtonian , meaning it is a short tube with an internal barlow - these are very difficult to collimate..

if you want grab & go you could think about a spotting scope - check andrews communications website under long perng/celestron, though the c5 mak will still gather a lot more light -let yu see more

[mswhin63 (Malcolm)]

Originally Posted by dannat

i think that 130mm is a cat-newtonian , meaning it is a short tube with an internal barlow - these are very difficult to collimate..

I have to agree, I have a smaller one of these, not really designed for propper astronomy. I can't colliminate it easily.

[Wavytone]

I'l suggest a fast 100mm refractor, around f/7 on a simple but rock-solid altaz mount. These are great for a casual look at things from the city and will keep you happy for a long time, without being to cumbersome to assemble or store.

The point of these refractors is that they are the equal of the SCT/Maksutovs or Cat Newts up to about 130mm aperture, as these have higher internal light losses and a central obstruction. Also the refractors are dead-easy to use, and at f/7 the field of view is wide enough to give good views of interesting starfield and the moon, without being a pair in the rear to aim.

For a good look at the planets though - even Jupiter, Saturn or Mars, you will need a longer focal length and at a later time you could upgrade to say a 150 - 180mm Maksutov if you are really prepared to get into it a bit more.

[light matter (Robert)]

One area that has taken my interest recently has been the Vixen fork mounted binocular telescopes. They have one at 80 mm and another around 125 mm, I think these look like they be a quick way of doing some good but higher power binocular observing.

Rob

[Screwdriverone (Chris)]

Originally Posted by jmb

http://www.yorkoptical.com.au/Produc...ee3%2cUnitCost
this is in my price range, what do you think???
Am i best to go for the higher ap this is 130mm
am i moving too far from a grab and go?

Hi Janine,

Nope, stay away from this one, pain in the butt to collimate and definitely NOT grab and go, heavy Eq2 mount.

You are better off going for a refractor as a nice, simple, no collimating, no fuss, fit it on a tripod, use it for terrestrial viewing telescope etc

Using the photo tripod as a base, my suggestion is to spend $599 on a GOLD tube ED80 Skywatcher (VERY nice widefield scope with very nice optics) and Bintel has it here https://www.bintelshop.com.au/Product.aspx?ID=7290 for only $599.

See if you can find one with the aluminium case for the same price.

You can use this later for an Astrophotographic scope when that bug bites.

Cheers

Chris