Help picking a Telescope

jninness · #1 09-01-2006, 05:18 PM

I'm looking at getting a telescope but the problem is I have no idea and don't want to spend a fortune. Do you reccomend a reflector or refractor? and I want to see as far as the Saturns rings so what is the min aparure and focal lenght (mm) and magnification would been needing? Please Help Thanks

janoskiss (Steve H) · #2 09-01-2006, 05:29 PM

Wecome Jninness!
Click on the links to threads at the bottom of the page. They will have posts that would be repeated in replies to your query here.

As for Saturn's rings, you can see them in a modest pair of tripod mounted binoculars at a magnification of 10-15x. I can easily see them in my 60mm refractor. I don't know what the minimum aperture would be, but it's an easy target, you can see it in just about any telescope.

What's your budget?

mick pinner · #3 09-01-2006, 05:31 PM

you really need to have some sort of budget, you can see the rings of Saturn in a relatively small cheap telescope, either refractor or reflector but how good that image will be will generally correspond to how much you spend.
it is also not just the telescope to consider but what sort of mount it is on, no good having a good telescope on a cheap mount that moves and shakes while your looking.
the cheapest option but by no means the cheapest scope would be a dobsonion mounted reflector around the 200mm mark, check out www.bintel.com.au or www.andrewscom.com.au.

davidpretorius · #4 09-01-2006, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jninness

spend a fortune......I want to see as far as the Saturns rings

ok please define fortune!!

saturns rings can be seen by most telescopes i would imagine, but what we really need to work out is what money spent = great value for your experiences you will get.

I will take a punt and say straight away, do not spent less than $500. This will get you a 8" reflector on a dobsonian mount http://www.andrewscom.com.au/site-section-10.htm

Yes saturns ring are probably one of the most spectacular sights, but there are so many more.

I believe it works like this:

Less than $300:
go to diick smith and buy a cheapie and you will have something that is ok, but not spectacular. It is a fun toy to use, but really will not get used much.

$500 - $1500:
Dobsonians reflectors from 8" up to 12" and some good accessories to add to it. You will have years of fun learning about space and will see more than a lifetimes worth of intersting stuff

>$1500:

you are now looking to specialise. ie you want to take image of nebulas etc

I went through the same thought process in june last year. I look to spend under $300 and get a refractor for my daughter and i to look thru. Using this site and talking to the suppliers, i eventually went for around $1000 of equipment, a 10" reflector on a dob mount, a camera for planets and a couple of good eyepieces.

I have since added to that, but then this is my obsession.

janoskiss (Steve H) · #5 09-01-2006, 05:53 PM

Dave you forgot binos in the under $300 category.

AOE should be able to get you a decent pair of 15x70s on a sturdy tripod for $300. But in any case, you should really get a low magnification pair of binoculars for hand-held use to complement whatever scope you end up buying.

Edit: 6" Dob is not too shabby for $299 either.

jninness · #6 09-01-2006, 05:57 PM

Hi everyone, thanks for the superquick responces. I didn't realise that you could so easily see Saturns rings. I got a refractor telescope at Christmas and was very nonimpressed so I took it back hoping to upgrade. Unfortunatly I am limited to Saxon brand. I am hoping to not spend more than $600.

janoskiss (Steve H) · #7 09-01-2006, 06:07 PM

In the Saxon line, for under $600, I'd recommend the 8" (200mm) Dobsonian.
MyAstroShop sell them (under the SkyWatcher brand name) for $440 with a couple of eyepieces, so whoever you are dealing with should be able to get you one well within your $600 limit. Nothing else in the Saxon range will have anywhere near the bang-for-buck factor. Grab a Cheshire/sighttube collimating tool (they are worth between $30-$70 and a must have for keeping the optics nicely aligned), and other accessories (eyepiece(s), barlow) with the change.

mick pinner · #8 09-01-2006, 06:11 PM

whereabouts do you live maybe you could get together with some guys and have a look through some scopes to see what your getting before you buy.

jninness · #9 09-01-2006, 06:30 PM

Thanks for your suggestions, I'll ring the shop tomorrow about the 8" Dob.

iceman (Mike) · #10 09-01-2006, 06:56 PM

Welcome jninness! Where do you live?

How did you hear about us?

mickoking · #11 09-01-2006, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jninness

Thanks for your suggestions, I'll ring the shop tomorrow about the 8" Dob.

Welcome jninness I hope you enjoy your stay

For wot its worth I also recomend the Dob.

Miaplacidus (Brian) · #12 09-01-2006, 09:13 PM

All things being equal (which they never are), Dob.

jninness · #13 09-01-2006, 10:00 PM

Hi all,

I live in Stroud NSW, and I heard about this site from the shop where I was looking at buying a telescope. Everyone here seems really pro dobsonian. What exactly is that and how does it differ from a regular reflector telescope? Also, I know this is a silly question (but what he hell I'm new to this) but does the dobsonian 8" in saxon have some kind of tripod to go up or down cause from the pic in their website it's very confusing????

mickoking · #14 09-01-2006, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jninness

Hi all,

I live in Stroud NSW, and I heard about this site from the shop where I was looking at buying a telescope. Everyone here seems really pro dobsonian. What exactly is that and how does it differ from a regular reflector telescope? Also, I know this is a silly question (but what he hell I'm new to this) but does the dobsonian 8" in saxon have some kind of tripod to go up or down cause from the pic in their website it's very confusing????

Dob's are really popular for 2 main reasons;
1, For their size they are inexpensive, you get a lot of 'scope for ya money.
2, They are very easy to use.

Dobs dont have a tripod as such they are mounted similar to how a canon is.

davidpretorius · #15 09-01-2006, 10:28 PM

refractor on a tripod
http://www.andrewscom.com.au/images/.../70x500az3.jpg
Reflector on a eq mount:
http://www.andrewscom.com.au/images/...50x1200eq6.jpg
reflector on a dobsonian mount
http://www.andrewscom.com.au/images/...nian/gs980.jpg

As you can see, once you have chosen between refractor or a reflector, if you go a reflector, then you get to choose what mount you put your telescope on. An eq mount or a "dob" mount

Dob is short for dobsonian and is the mount only, but it is now accepted that a dob is the whole telescope and mount

ving (David) · #16 09-01-2006, 10:41 PM

just to give ya some sort of perspective on how big a 8" heres my with my 8"

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...h_Dsc03554.jpg

RAJAH235 · #17 09-01-2006, 11:51 PM

Hi Jo.

. Welcome to IIS. An 8" or 10" dob is a good starter.
IIMA, why only a 'Saxon' brand?

L.

Miaplacidus (Brian) · #18 10-01-2006, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jninness

Hi all,

Everyone here seems really pro dobsonian. What exactly is that and how does it differ from a regular reflector telescope?

The main problem for beginners is that they resist putting money into the mount, and yet the commonest mistake by far is to compromise on the mount. Without a stable mount, even excellent optics aren't going to compensate for the fact that whatever you're looking at will shake around like crazy in the eyepiece. The cheapest, stable mount that will allow you to still spend the bulk of your money on a decent aperture? A dob.

Cheers,

Brian.

Astroman (Andrew Wall) · #19 10-01-2006, 10:28 AM

My suggestion would be to contact your local astronomical society and see when they hold their members nights, it's better on members nights as you get a more one on one with the person showing you. 9 times out of ten they will let you play around with the scope so you can get a feel for it. Public nights are also good but there are usually more people around and you dont really get a good one on one session with the scope. Dont be affraid to spend money on a good telescope, good telescopes can last you a lifetime if you look after them..

Damn I wish I could take my own advise sometimes.