Best telescope for $250 - $300

[Dodge (Neat)]

Hey guys, im new here and was wondering what would be the best telescope in the $250 - $300 price range ? Can you even get a good one for that price ? I was thinking it would be cool to have one for those nice clear nights.

I was just going to go to Dick Smith or something and buy one but i don't wanna spend my money on something crap.

[Garyh]

Hi Dodge and welcome to IIS.
First off, don`t go to Dick Smith or a department store to by one of those scopes unless its for the kiddies to play with. With just over $300 you should be able to get a nice 6" dobsonian which should give you some nice views....
Down the bottom of this page is a 153 x 1200 dob that should be close to your budget
http://www.btow.com.au/telescopes-tasco.shtml

or if you want a little refractor

http://www.btow.com.au/telescopes-skywatcher.shtml

But you won`t see as much as with the 6" dob.
cheers Gary

[okiscopey (Mike)]

Welcome to IIS, Dodge!

With all the new requests for 'best telescopes for a few hundred dollars' it must be nearly Christmas!

You're in the right section to ask your question, but it's the very place where much info has already been posted. Below are some links that may be of help to you.

Good luck and happy observing!

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...ad.php?t=38437

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...ad.php?t=38168

General principles for choosing your first telescope:
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/index.p...63,260,0,0,1,0

A non-IIS simple guide on starting off:
http://www.jeremysdirectory.com/astronomy.html

Binocular guide:
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/index.p...63,374,0,0,1,0

[PCH (Paul)]

Hi Dodge,

and welcome to IIS Y

ou won't get much worth having for that budget in the way of a decent scope. All the good stuff costs a bit more than that. Like the others have said though, please resist the urge to waste any money at all on the Dickie Smiths and dept store scopes. They mostly really are, in your words, - crap !

However, you will get real value for money with a pair of BIG binoculars from the likes of Andrews (www.andrewscom.com.au) or AOE (www.aoe.com.au). These will give terrific binocular views of the heavens, (and two eyes are definitely better than one where this is concerned !). You will need to get a tripod stand with them though - or your arms will be aching inside 30 seconds

Let us know what you decide hey!

Cheers

[PCH (Paul)]

In fact there's a pair of unused big binos in the trade section right now !! Why not PM them?

Cheers

[xelasnave]

Welcome from me Dodge to iceinspace the best astro site in all the world.
I love my 80mm binos and use them more than anything else even over 12 inch.... so dont underestimate the pleasure they will give.

Good luck just get into it.

alex

[Dodge (Neat)]

Thanks for the welcome guys

Ill have a look at those links posted. I have thought about it and i think ill spend a max of $500 instead. Might as well.

Originally Posted by PCH

Hi Dodge,

and two eyes are definitely better than one where this is concerned

Cheers

Well, binoculars are pretty useless to me because my left eye is blind. Id prefer to have a telescope anyways. Ive always wanted one since i was a kid.

Looks like i have to put some cash aside

Again, thanks for the welcome.

[TambourineMan (Chet)]

I am looking for my first non-(department store)toy telescope and I am in the US. The 6" inch Orion Skyquest XT6 "Classic" goes for $249 and the the 8" Orion SkyQuest XT8 goes for $300ish. From what I have read these are decent beginner scopes, but I do not know from personal experience as I have never even seen one.

[bmitchell82 (Brendan)]

I think your already on the right track, though remember that we are mostly in australia and our products are not the same as yours.!

[garyp]

Originally Posted by Dodge

Thanks for the welcome guys

Ill have a look at those links posted. I have thought about it and i think ill spend a max of $500 instead. Might as well.


Looks like i have to put some cash aside

Again, thanks for the welcome.

Hi Dodge &

I wondered how long it might take before your budget increased

I had to do the same initially when I was loooking at buying my first (and only) scope.

I'm glad i went a bit higher as now I have a scope that will last a life time of enjoyment over something that was a bit cheaper but I might have regretted buying later

Cheers

Gary