getting started - buying my first telescope

tk421 · #1 08-06-2010, 09:06 PM

Hi all!!

I am sooo new in Astronomy. I have been several days surfing on Internet trying to find answer to this question: which telescope to buy. Too many parameters to look for one suitable for me and also too many different opinions.

I am living in Hurstville (this is relative close to Sydney airport, so there is light contamination) and I guess that the most of the time I will be using it there.

I would like a telescope easy to use but also something that I can use when my knowledge gets better.

I also have no idea about budget. I saw too many different prices out there and I really don't know if the price difference is worthy for a novice.

Where can I buy it on Sydney ? Maybe is it better buying it on Internet ?

Thanks in advance for reply to me. I really appreciate it.

Stu Ward · #2 08-06-2010, 09:37 PM

As for what type of telescope to recommend for you, it all depends very much on what you want to observe.

As for stores to visit and get some advise i would certainly recommend Bintel in Sydney.

Andrews Communications are good for price, but i don't find them to be as good in terms of advice and service. More of a bargain basement. They have the gear, but to me seem more intersted in your money

Stu

torana68 (Roger) · #3 08-06-2010, 10:01 PM

Bintel... you probably want a dob, 6-8" depending on budget, 6" is light and easy to move, 8" starting to get big.... F6 would suit if your just after a look around at "things" go the 8" if you can , Hurstville wont be too flash for darkness

if you have a small car try before you buy ( there are collapsable ones as well) there are other things to mention but do a search here, read, then post back here.
Roger

floyd_2 (Dean) · #4 08-06-2010, 10:25 PM

Something to consider in your location might be one or two LPR filters. Perhaps an OIII and a UHC filter might help things along in an 8".

Dean

madwayne (Wayne) · #5 09-06-2010, 07:33 AM

tk

Hi and welcome to a hobby you will grow to love and be very passionate about.

As you are in Hurstville why not enquire with the Sutherland Astronomical Society, our website is www.sasi.net.au. We have members viewing nights down at Waterfall (there would be one this Saturday night), adjacent to the Royal National Park, and I am sure that the committee would welcome new faces to our members nights. Waterfall Oval is in behind the public school across the railway line as you exit the highway at Waterfall. While it isn't a dark site it certainly is semi dark and as it would only be a 20 minute drive for you it could well be a viable option. What you will find particularly of help is the diverse range of equipment our members have from observing scopes like dobsonians mentioned in earlier posts through to computerised SCTs and there is also imaging equipment, my interest, in use. We are more than willing to discuss and offer you any advice you may require. I won't be there this weekend but have been known to frequent the place as it is only a 5 minute walk from where I live now.

One tip I would make if you do go down to Waterfall Oval. On your first visit get there before dark. It will make the event a bit more of a social outing but also it will enable you to align your car to the exit as it can be a bit tricky to find in the dark. Remember if you are leaving while others are observing parking lights only on the field and drive at walking pace. Red light torch for light to while you are walking around on the oval.

Otherwise if you want to wing it on your own my advice would be a trip in to Glebe for lunch at the fish markets and then duck across to Bintel after that. Their service is first rate and while they may be a bit dearer than others their service is well worth it. Note I have no tie in with Bintel, or the Fish Markets, just a very happy and regular customer at both

.

Good luck with your decisions, so far you have made the right one by coming on to this fantastic website and asking questions.

Wayne

wavelandscott (Scott) · #6 09-06-2010, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by madwayne

tk

Hi and welcome to a hobby you will grow to love and be very passionate about.

As you are in Hurstville why not enquire with the Sutherland Astronomical Society, our website is www.sasi.net.au. We have members viewing nights down at Waterfall (there would be one this Saturday night), adjacent to the Royal National Park, and I am sure that the committee would welcome new faces to our members nights. Waterfall Oval is in behind the public school across the railway line as you exit the highway at Waterfall. While it isn't a dark site it certainly is semi dark and as it would only be a 20 minute drive for you it could well be a viable option. What you will find particularly of help is the diverse range of equipment our members have from observing scopes like dobsonians mentioned in earlier posts through to computerised SCTs and there is also imaging equipment, my interest, in use. We are more than willing to discuss and offer you any advice you may require. I won't be there this weekend but have been known to frequent the place as it is only a 5 minute walk from where I live now.

One tip I would make if you do go down to Waterfall Oval. On your first visit get there before dark. It will make the event a bit more of a social outing but also it will enable you to align your car to the exit as it can be a bit tricky to find in the dark. Remember if you are leaving while others are observing parking lights only on the field and drive at walking pace. Red light torch for light to while you are walking around on the oval.

Otherwise if you want to wing it on your own my advice would be a trip in to Glebe for lunch at the fish markets and then duck across to Bintel after that. Their service is first rate and while they may be a bit dearer than others their service is well worth it. Note I have no tie in with Bintel, or the Fish Markets, just a very happy and regular customer at both

.

Good luck with your decisions, so far you have made the right one by coming on to this fantastic website and asking questions.

Wayne

I'd echo Wayne's comments about getting to an Astro Club before purchasing anything if you can.

"Seeing is believing" and it is hard to beat looking through a few scopes prior to purchase to give you a better feel for the type of scope that is best suited for you.

I'll also echo and recommend the good folks at Bintel for their service and advice (there are other good shops around too) but I always enjoyed a stop at the Bintel store and even often learned something new (and occasionally that learning was actually worth something).

Clear Skies and Good Luck!

dulwich.hill (James) · #7 09-06-2010, 05:03 PM

Hi Scott,

My son and I were in a similar situation to you 6 months ago. Santa promised to buy us a telescope for Christmas, but we just couldn't work out which one to ask him for.

We spoke with Bintel, York Optical and we scoured the internet for information on Refractors, Dob/Newtonions and SCTs. Basically there is just too much information out there for a beginner to digest! With Christmas approaching fast, I came across some sage advice, which was "just buy something"! Basically, you can spend too much time researching and end up in "analysis paralysis" as you find that each scope has its advantages and disadvantages.

I will add to that advice and make it: "just buy something - BIG"! The bigger the aperture, the more detail you will see. And the longer the focal length, the more magnification you can achieve (great for planets). The bigger telescope will get you hooked on the hobby. You might lose interest using a smaller telescope.

So within 3 days, a second hand 6" 1200mm focal length (F8) refractor/mount combination came up for sale, and Santa bought it for us. I soon learned this is BIG for a refractor, but was pleasantly surprised at what detail I could see of Jupiter and the Orion nebula the first time I got it out. I am very glad I bought as large as possible! Bintel then provided some improved eyepieces and immediately I could see a polar ice cap on Mars from our backyard in Dulwich Hill (despite very bad light pollution).

But to summarise a couple of days of internet reading on the 3 telescope types that I know about:

* Newtonion/Dobsonion - best bang for buck in terms of size. Buy at least an 8". Some maintenance is required to maintain collimation and clean the main mirror but this is relatively simple, but important to do. A Dob includes its own mount.

* Refractors - best contrast and longer focal lengths. Most people say a 5" or 6" refactor will equal or better a 8" newt (I don't really know). Buy at least a 4" aperture. Negligible maintenance required. Refractors are heavy and more expensive. You will need to buy a mount.

* SCT / Maks - Very compact given the focal lengths on offer. But they do need occaisonal collimation maintenance. But like a refractor, they are essentially sealed so cleaning is not normally required much. Buy at least a 5" aperture. You either need to buy a mount, or it might come already mounted on a fork.

What ever you end up buying, I would allow $1000 to get you a good basic setup. Make sure you don't scrimp on Eyepieces. Most new telescopes come with very poor quality eyepieces which really reduce the telescope performance.

I also highly recommend buying second hand from this site. So if you end up with something too small (remember, there is nothing too big, just make sure you can fit in the boot of your car and store it somewhere), you can upgrade without losing too much money. You can trust people who sell their gear on this site.

Good luck!

James.

Suzy · #8 09-06-2010, 09:25 PM