1st scope

[SFlySnuka]

http://img.auctiva.com/imgdata/1/7/6...32446828_o.gif

RRP

$795.00

http://img.auctiva.com/imgdata/1/7/6...38995677_o.jpg
Refractor Telescope

This telescope has a Aperture of 150, and a huge Focal Length of 1400.
This is a high quality precision Telescope which is designed for looking at deep space objects like planets, galaxies, stars etc. It comes complete with a heavy duty German Equatorial Tripod or mount, enabling easy smooth tracking of objects across the sky.
This telescope is for the serious stars gazer. Its 150 aperture produces bright clear images. The 1400 focal point means images can be magnified more with better results. The Plossl lenses which are usually supplied with much more expensive telescopes enhance the overall viewing experience making this truly a powerful telescope.

Modern Telescopes come in two basic types.
The Reflective Telescope, which uses mirrors
The Refractive Telescope, which uses glass lenses.
Both types accomplish exactly the same thing, but in completely different ways.

Style, Functionality & Strength

The heavy duty German Equatorial Mount (EQ), sets this telescope apart from others on the market.
Right ascension and declination markers and the ability to micro adjust the position of the telescope make this telescope simple and accurate.

http://img.auctiva.com/imgdata/1/7/6...39138272_o.jpg

http://img.auctiva.com/imgdata/1/7/6...38995689_o.jpg
Reflector Telescope

http://img.auctiva.com/imgdata/1/7/6...39138266_o.jpg

What's in the Box?

• 150 Aperture 1400 Focal Reflective Telescope
• Sturdy German Equatorial Tripod
• Flexible micro-adjustment controls
• Sight Scope
• Barlow Lens
• Moon filter
• Erecting Eyepiece
• PL25mm Eyepiece
• PL6.5mm Eyepiece

How to pick a Telescope

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Basically a telescope is made up of 3 components.

• An objective lens (in refractors) or a primary mirror (in reflectors)
• A tube or housing, and
• An eyepiece lens.

The objective lens or primary mirror collects light from a distant object and brings it into the tube where it is gathered and blended into focus. It is then bent into a bright point know as a focal point, the image is then magnified through an eyepiece and brought to your eye.
When considering what telescope you need you should first ask what you would use it for. Stargazing, looking at the planets, moon or sun or looking at terrestrial objects like birds and whales.
Refractor telescopes are most suitable for viewing terrestrial or land-based objects, while reflectors are best suited to looking deep into the solar system and objects like nebulas and galaxies. Both types are suitable for looking at the moon, sun and planets. So how do you pick one?
There are four main areas to think about.

1. Aperture refers to how much light the objective lens or primary mirror collects, the more the better. Think of it like a digital camera, the more dots there are in a photo the better the image and the more it can magnify. The higher the aperture the more light is gathered and the clearer, sharper and better the image will be. Buy as high a aperture as you can.
2. Focal length is the distance required by the objective lens or primary mirror to bring all of the light collected to one point (Focal Point). Generally, long focal length telescopes are capable of delivering height magnifications than short focal lengths. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that this means that longer tubes are better as shorter tube telescopes use folded light paths, which provide larger focal lengths. They are also easier to transport but are more expensive.
3. Tripod choice is often over looked when considering a telescope and yet is just as important and the scope itself. There are two basic types of tripods or mounts, Alt-azimuths and German Equatorial (EQ). Alt-azimuths are most commonly found on toy or cheaper telescopes. They consist of two axes of rotation, horizontal axis and a vertical axis. Alt-azimuths are cheap to make and have no fine movement control features, which make zooming in on even the biggest targets difficult.
   German Equatorial (EQ) Tripods or mounts also have two axis of movement (right ascension and declination). However, instead of being orientated up and down, it is tilted at the same angle as the earth’s axis of rotation. These tripods allow for smooth tracking of celestial objects across the nights sky, and are essential if you want to take photos. German Equatorial Telescopes also come with varying levels of micro adjustment barrels, which are essential in effective stargazing.
4. The telescope's magnification, its ability to enlarge an image, depends on the combination of lenses used. The eyepiece performs the magnification. Since any magnification can be achieved by almost any telescope by using different eyepieces, aperture is a more important feature than magnification.
   
   Click on this link if you have any other questions about this Telescope

http://img.auctiva.com/imgdata/1/7/6...39138267_o.jpg
Whether you are just exploring the night sky or following a star chart don't use anything but an (EQ) Mount.
http://img.auctiva.com/imgdata/1/7/6...39138270_o.jpg
You are bidding on a brand new Newtonian short tube Equatorial Reflector Telescope.

http://img.auctiva.com/imgdata/1/7/6...39138268_o.jpg



Hi All

I'm new to these forums. Went to local telescope viewing nite - was great. Now I'm interested in buying a scope - saw the 1 above on ebay. Do u think its any good for beginner? I would like to able to see planets & gaseous clouds, star clusters.

Your views would be welcome

[iceman (Mike)]

Hi there
to IIS. Your first post is a bit confusing cause at first I thought you were selling it

Really you should stay away from ebay scopes. What's your budget?

[SFlySnuka]

budget is $500 - $600

[dannat (Daniel)]

I second staying away from ebay big scopes
I think this from andrews coms in sydney is cheaper(below) - Or you could do what most IISers do and get a guan sheng Dob - Andrews has the 8" starting at 350 for the basic model, prob beter to get the focuser upgrade though for extra 100. Look up their webiste http://www.andrewscom.com.au/site-section-10.htm

The cash you saved could go toward a collimator & maybe one god eyepiece
daniel


Guan Sheng GS-500 6"
150mm x 750mm on SV1

Super low price!
$349.00 AUD
Absolutely outstanding quality and value 150mm x 750mm parabolic mirror Newtonian reflector on the SkyView 1 high grade medium duty equatorial mount with adjustable height aluminium tripod.
Includesa6 x 30 finderscope and9mm and 25mm GSO Plossl eyepieces.

Optional single axis motor drive with hand controller $129.
GS-500 Super Deluxe version includes a Crayford style 10:1 microfocuser, polar alignment scope and four Plossls for only 449

[SFlySnuka]

Daniel, what is the diff btwn this one:

http://www.andrewscom.com.au/images/...ctor/gs600.jpg
Guan Sheng GS-600 8"
200mm x 800mm on SV1

Super low price!
$499.00 AUD
Absolutely outstanding quality and value 200mm x 800mm parabolic mirror Newtonian reflector on the SkyView 1 high grade medium duty equatorial mount with aluminium tripod.
Includes a 8 x 50 finderscope and 9mm and 25mm GSO Plossl eyepieces.

Optional single axis motor drive with hand controller $129.




AND


Guan Sheng GS-880 10"
250mm x 1250mm

Limited version
Super, super low price!
$399.00 AUD
Deluxe Crayford version
Super, super low price!
$449.00 AUD Super Deluxe version
Super low price!
$549.00 AUD

In terms of what I will be able to see, which is best?

What things ( details ) could I see for both diff scope types above?
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[dannat (Daniel)]

Ok the difference is the first one is on an equatorial tripod - pic 1 http://www.andrewscom.com.au/images/...ctor/gs500.jpghttp://www.andrewscom.com.au/images/...nian/gs880.jpg
- that is if you line it up properly turning the handle will keep the object in view {it allows for your latitude}- the second type - pic 2(or dobsonian ) works by you pushing it either up/down/across to keep items in view.

To start with the Dob will be easier to use - you just take it out & push it to what you want to look at. The EQ mount takes about 10 mins to setup and can be fiddly if you don't know/ have not been shown how to use it properly.

The DOb also has a slightly bigger mirror - meaning it will take in more light from faint objects (so you will see slightly more)- the magnification will be the same though.
Lastly if you want you can mount the dob on EQ mount later on ( & choose a more sturdy one than the aluminium from pic 1)- you just buy the mount separate & get a hold of some rings to fit around the tube. You would only do this if you were interesting in taking photos/short movies of the planets (really only jup/saturn) & moon

[§AB]

SFlySnuka:

I suggest you RUN from those ebay 150/1400 scopes. Those things have some of the worst reputation of any scope and often have cheap, flimsy plastic parts and that infamous correcter lens in the focuser with allows a 1400mm focal length in a short tube. Those inbuilt barlows reduce image quality and make collimation a royal pain up da backside.

Here's a review of one of these things: http://www.cloudynights.com/item.php?item_id=1105

For $500-600 you can get a nice quality 6-8" EQ mounted newt or a 8-10" dob from Bintel or Andrews.

[Kokatha man]

Hi - you'll be able to "see" more with the 10" scope (bigger mirror/aperture, greater light collecting capacity - 50% plus more than the 8")

The reason the 8" is more expensive is because it's on an equatorial mount: I can't comment on the quality of this particular one, though I'm sure some IIS members have used/owned them.

The 10" scope is a "dob mount" type, which is very easy to use for beginners, a point and view type (easier to get used to than an EQ mount, particularly for reflectors.)

They (dobs) are more limited when it comes to imaging and tracking, but are really the ideal combo of mount and scope for the starter - many of us older hands swear by them too, and often have both dob and EQ mount scopes as our spending increases!

Cheers, Darryl.

[SFlySnuka]

Ok, so a dobs scope means u can see more, at longer distances? Is this right? Would I be able to clearly see for eg. saturn, nebulea, gas clouds, star clusters with a dobs?

They are just bulkier to carry around!

[dannat (Daniel)]

Its not that Dob's see more but the size of the mirror - the first one you mentioned was 8 inches diameter on the EQ mount, the second was 10 inches; bigger mirror more light gathering power.
The focal length eg 250mm x 1250mm determines the magnification seen thru your eyepiece, lower the eyepiece number bigger the magnification.

You would be able to clearly see saturn/jupiter/star clusters/nebulae - with the scopes mentioned. THe dobs aren't that much bulkier - the tubes are nearly the same size - any big scope is buky to move around.

[dannat (Daniel)]

secodly - there is something weird about the viewing of this thread: it is very WIDE - no other threads are affected - WHo's doing it - I'm gonna zap you over the internet with my 5mw laser pointer, - lol, not really

[SFlySnuka]

Meade Lightbridge Deluxe 08" Dobsonian https://www.bintelshop.com.au/Images/Stock/7111.jpg
Click here for larger picture

$699.00



Stock code: 7111 It's not just a big telescope. It's a big telescope that goes anywhere. The LightBridge truss-dobs from Meade take down and set up quickly so you can take one of these massive windows on the universe out to your favorite dark sky locations with ease. • Diffraction Limited Optics (Bk7 optical glass): Meade optics consistently outperform telescopes of similar and larger aperture. Owners of the Lightbridge telescopes regularly marvel how detailed, crisp and full of contrast the views are through these telescopes. • Meade Optical Coatings: Aluminum Coatings with magnesium fluoride over coat provides bright images full of detail. • 2" Crayford-Style Machined Aluminum Focuser With 1.25" Adapter: Smooth precise focusing without backlash is achieved with this classic design. A unique focus tension knob and focus lock design gives complete control over focus. • Built-In Primary Mirror Cooling Fan: Bring the telescope into thermal equilibrium quickly and efficiently with the battery powered cooling fan. Specifications: Aperture: 203mm
Focal length (f/#): 1200mm (f/6)
Limiting magnitude: 14.2
Resolving power: 0.6 arc sec.
Finder: Deluxe zero power, reflex site with 4 reticle shapes and variable brightness.
Eyepiece: Meade Series 4000 QX 26mm (2" 70°wide field)
Accessories: Mirror cooling fan and power pack, detailed instructions.

what about this one? any good

[dannat (Daniel)]

this has the same mirror 8" (made by the one company) as the guan sheng dob from andrews site - it is slightly more expensive because it does not have a solid tube, but poles which join the mirror cage at bottem to where the eyepiece sits at the top. Hence they are slightly more portable and pack away slightly better - although because they are not a solid tube you cannot mount them on an EQ mount later on.

There are quite a few users here who have lightbridges, they' re quite similar to the GS/bintel dobs dob apart from the design of the truss poles.

[SFlySnuka]

OK, so dobs is way to go, thx all

[dannat (Daniel)]

you have not entered your location -best thing to do is look thru someone's scope- where are you?

[Kokatha man]

Originally Posted by dannat

secodly - there is something weird about the viewing of this thread: it is very WIDE - no other threads are affected - WHo's doing it - I'm gonna zap you over the internet with my 5mw laser pointer, - lol, not really

Must be your fault Daniel, it was looking fine earlier - either that or the young fella is asking too many questions!!!

[Kokatha man]

See, I fixed it: soon as I posted (and I could barely find the "quote" button) and it returned to normal!!!

[Kokatha man]

Well, that is if you forget about having the IIS site menu column on the left.....

[Ian Robinson]

Not wanting to be a party pooper .... but perhaps you should hold off on buying your first scope until you have had a chance to bed down your interest in astronomy and buy a GOOD pair of binoculars (at least 60mm objective , 80mm is better) to start with.

In the mean time learn something about the pros and cons of different types of scopes and mounts while you are saving the pennies and then in 6 or 12 months if you are still keen on buying a scope , you will know more and make a better choice.

Many people rush in and buy a telescope (new or secondhand) and it is either too small or too junky (yes there is some junk out there sold even by so called reputable manufacturers and retailers) with wobbly tripods, dodgey optics, nasty cheap plastic focusors which wont focus or which sag, and with cheap nasty mounts (dobs with laminated particle mounts .... you know what happens to particle board when is gets wet ?) or german equatorial mounts which have too much play in them or are hopeless for serious astrophotography.

Buying you first telescope - two rules :

APETURE IS EVERYTHING (BIGGER IS BETTER)
BUY QUALITY (it might cost more initially but you will be happier with it in the long run).

My advice if you are hell bent on buying a telescope ....

1) at least 6" aperture (if a newt or a dob) , or 80mm if a refractor (an APO is better).
2) don't bother with Goto mounts - altaz or fork or GEMs (best learn your way around the sky the sky the old fashioned way)
3) don't pay attention to outrageous claims like 450x and 600x, they are nonsense unless you have a BIG telescope.
4) buy a quality telescope - there is no way a 6" telescope retailing for
under $900 is going be much quality (and it will probably be a flat pack mount made from laminated particle board too, the focusor will be rubbish , and the tube will likely be formatube (cardboard) , and if it comes with a GEM and tripod - they will be rubbish.
5) decide what kind tasks you want the telescope to do , that will detemine things like mount, apeture and f number (photographic speed) and what other add ons are necessary (ie coma corrector, field flattener, focusor type) etc.

I know the resident retailors here will say otherwize. But they probably all hope to sell one of those cheap dobs or cheap newts with a cheap and nasty tripod and gem.

There are lots of cheap telescopes out there that people bought and were disappointed with that are now in back in the box and collecting dust.

[Miaplacidus (Brian)]

(Sheeshz, we're up to 20 posts already, and it's only 8 o'clock. What's the matter? Is it cloudy everywhere?)

Hi,

First scope advice 101: DON'T RUSH INTO BUYING A SCOPE!

Join a club and look through some members' scopes. Look at the moon and planets. Go again on a moonless night and look at some nebulae and globular clusters and galaxies. Are you happy with the view? Are you comfortable? Do objects jiggle annoyingly? Is it easy to use?

Ask the owners of the scopes if they'll allow you to pick each one up, then ask yourself if you will be happy to lug it as far as you will need to. Will it fit in the car? All sorts of questions. Think before you leap.

And binoculars are always excellent.

Welcome.

Regards,

Brian.