first timer

the_red85 · #1 21-02-2007, 02:22 PM

Hi all

I have been wanting to get into star gazing for quite a while now and i finally have enough $$ and time on my hands to do so.

I am a total beginner, not sure what equipment to buy, or where to start out really.

Just wondering if anyone can please give me a few pointers in the right direction and also what is the best equipment that i can buy. My budget is between $150 and $250. I live in Perth WA if that helps.

Thanks in advance

ving (David) · #2 21-02-2007, 02:37 PM

g'day red!

i dont suppose you can stretch that to $300 ish?
that would give you a 150mm dobsonian from andrews communications. they'd post it to you of course as they are in sydney, but their service is good

welcome aboard.

erick (Eric) · #3 21-02-2007, 02:44 PM

My humble suggestions, the_red85

1. A pair of 20x80 binoculars (AOE have, on special, a pair that I bought - http://www.aoe.com.au/on_sale_now.html ) - $129 plus postage (approx $30 to Perth?)

2. A tripod - a Velbon from local discount camera store - spend about $110 min - will get you started

I think I've blown your budget, but you also need a Planisphere ($21 from Bintel - https://secure.attl.com.au/bintelshop/Stock/5338X.jpg ), a red light torch (make up a cheap one - maybe $5 max - from these instructions - http://www.iceinspace.com.au/index.p...63,278,0,0,1,0 ) and copies of Australian Sky & Telescope - http://www.austskyandtel.com.au/ - $7.95 every two months. And a garden chair or stool - easier to sit and observe.

Then you are in business and will learn a lot over many months. If you want a telescope, all the advice I have received is that you should keep saving until you have more like $400 to spend.

Good luck!

the_red85 · #4 21-02-2007, 02:48 PM

thanks for the quick reply ving, ill have a look at the 150mm dobsonian. ill have a look and try and understand all this terminology once i get home from work!

the_red85 · #5 21-02-2007, 02:55 PM

ouch might have to extend my budget, didnt think of accessories!

budget is now $350.. once i have the $$ and done some research

[1ponders] (Paul) · #6 21-02-2007, 03:29 PM

the_red85

These lads'll set you right.

astro_nutt · #7 21-02-2007, 03:46 PM

And another welcome to you the_red85...Ditto the above..and if you have a chance..get over to a star party with one of the local astronomy clubs and have a peek through the types of scope that you may in interesed in...don't forget to borrow some books, tapes and DVD's from the library for a bit of insight...and with the wealth of knowlege available from the good folk in this forum...ask away!!!
Cheers!

ving (David) · #8 21-02-2007, 04:58 PM

oh yeah, and hug a librarian while you are at it

davidpretorius · #9 21-02-2007, 05:30 PM

welcome!

the_red85 · #10 21-02-2007, 08:34 PM

that'll be easy my mum works in a library

rmcpb (Rob) · #11 21-02-2007, 08:41 PM

Welcome to IIS Red

If you can stretch to the Vingster's advice its really good otherwise, follow the plan from erik, I spent years with binocs before getting my first scope. Really learnt my way around the sky with them and still use them a lot when my scope is cooling. By the time I got the scope I was really familiar with the sky and could find things easily.

No time is wasted looking at the sky, no matter what tools you use.

wavelandscott (Scott) · #12 21-02-2007, 09:18 PM

I will repeat my "usual" advice for wannabe first time scope buyers...

Before you spend any of your own hard earned cash please take the time and make the effort to look through a few telescopes first...

Join a local astronomy society or club...identify people in your area that are already into the hobby...talk with them and go out observing with them a few times to make sure that you know what kind of scope and viewing that you like and then save up your money to get what you want.

It is all too easy to stroll into a non specialised shop and buy an "el cheapo" telescope...yes, they do work and have inspired some to move up to bigger and better telescopes in the future but I've found that the mounts are generally pretty frail and at least for me that takes some of the fun out of viewing...and less fun to me means less viewing...

So, take your time try a few scopes and then make your purchase...the night sky will be there tomorrow night I promise!

Good Luck and Clear Skies!

Blue Skies (Jacquie) · #13 21-02-2007, 11:10 PM

One local club in Perth is here. We have a meeting Saturdya night where you could look through some scopes.

the_red85 · #14 22-02-2007, 02:59 PM

thanks for all of your replies guys.. much appreciated

yeh ill have to go to a couple of viewings.

Blue Skies - i would love to take up your offer, but i have a family gathering that night :-(. if you could please let me know when your next viewing is, then i would gladly come along.

the_red85 · #15 22-02-2007, 03:53 PM

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI...._promot_widget

hopefully this link works, do the specs look pretty good for this one?

after reading quite a few posts and threads, ive decided to get a pair of binoculars as my first piece of viewing equipment. i think telescopes will come later down the track, once i have some experience.

also can anyone recommend a tripod, that is nice and sturdy and no more than $50.

erick (Eric) · #16 22-02-2007, 04:49 PM

I think some more research would help you.

Google "binoculars for astronomy" and try to find some good articles.

Go through threads on this site:-

http://www.cloudynights.com/ubbthrea...ard/binoculars

Look at the "Best of" thread there. Yes, many there are specialists spending big bucks for optimum performance, but you'll soon pick up what matters for good binoculars.

Read AOE's discussion of binoculars:-

http://www.aoe.com.au/binocular_guide.html

Though I have never tried, no-one seems happy with zoom binoculars for astronomical use - the ones you have located are zoom. Don't buy any with a red coating on the front objective lens - they are for daylight use.

Good luck.

Blue Skies (Jacquie) · #17 22-02-2007, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the_red85

Blue Skies - i would love to take up your offer, but i have a family gathering that night :-(. if you could please let me know when your next viewing is, then i would gladly come along.

Check the website that I linked to in my above post.

All details will be there.

styleman333 · #18 23-02-2007, 07:52 AM

Heya there red

Welcome . Take the advice of all these guys and as they said research research research .........and be wary of ebay , a lot of crap on there.

neB · #19 23-02-2007, 01:42 PM

Hey there,

I'm a relative newcomer to this game also - seriously anyway - maybe 8 months??

Start slowly. Buy a mag (AS&T) or printoff a whole of skychart from HeavensAbove, get a chair and go sit outside on a dark night for a while by yourself (feeding the mozzies as someone else on this site once said), look up and see if you really like it.

Go to a gathering and check out some scopes - what you see may not be what you expect.

If you're still happy, get some bino's (7*50 or 10*50) to start.

If you're still going in a few months get bigger bino's or a small scope. You'll have a better idea of what you want by then.

Enjoy,
neB

rmcpb (Rob) · #20 23-02-2007, 07:36 PM

The advice just given by neB is absolutely brilliant. Just because you can afford a 12" monster is no reason to start with one. Take it slowly and make wise choices as to what gear you want.

Above all else, keep looking up