First Scope Help

Coach Ramsies · #1 17-06-2005, 09:21 PM

Hey everyone

I saw jupiter today and it made me want to get a telescope

I'm in sydney and I'm still in school so I dont have much to spend, ~$150.

Do you guys think I could get a reasonable one for that much ?

thx for any help guys

~CR:3000

toetoe (Peter) · #2 17-06-2005, 09:36 PM

Hi Coach and welcome to IceInSpace.

Ther are lots of cheap and nasty scopes out there at a cheap price so be careful before you buy. You may be able to get a decent 2nd hand one for that price, check out the buy and sell forum section and have a look. Perhaps other members will be able to help you out a bit better then i can so just potter around and you should get some feedback.

cahullian · #3 17-06-2005, 09:39 PM

hi and welcome to the forum.
For $150 it may be hard to get a good scope unless you score a good cheap one from ebay(but I doubt it) you may be better saving a bit more and getting a better quality scope.$299 will get you a 6" Dob from Andrews communication. Or for a nice look at the night sky a pair of binoculars might be a better choice. For $150 you will get a decent pair of bino's and a star map or a planisphere.

Gazz

RAJAH235 · #4 17-06-2005, 09:39 PM

Hello Coach Ramsies. Welcome to the nut house. My only early advise is, SAVE UP. You'll probably need around $400.00 for an 8" 'DOBSONIAN' type t'scope. That is not a brand name, but the type. It's a very easy t'scope to use & transport. Just push & pull to find/track the objects.
An 8" is probably the best one to start with, but before you buy, why not contact your local Society, & have a look thru some of theirs? Get a better idea then, of what is available.
HTH.

L.

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #5 17-06-2005, 09:53 PM

Hi Coach,

Have a look through this site for telescopes. They are about the cheapest shop that anyone in here would recommend. Avoid Ebay scopes, it is all junk.

www.andrewscom.com.au

Coach Ramsies · #6 17-06-2005, 09:55 PM

hey thx for the fast reply.

So you guys think I shoudl save up for a Guan Sheng GS-580-LTD for $299.00? ( Is that a 6" ? )

$400 is probably out of my league

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #7 17-06-2005, 10:06 PM

Yep! It's a 6".
Hit the folks for some more and get the 8" if possible. Otherwise the GS 6" is a very good start. GS are very good quality.

RAJAH235 · #8 17-06-2005, 10:17 PM

I know you WANT IT NOW, but please visit a local Astronomy Club first. There must be one or two that are fairly close to you in Sydney. What suburb? I know that Ving is in the S/W. Wait for others with more info.

L.

acropolite (Phil) · #9 17-06-2005, 10:22 PM

Hey Coach, it would be worth waiting until you have some extra funds for at least an 8 inch. Buy the biggest you can afford, even if you have to wait; whatever size you get, you'll never say you wished you had bought a smaller one....

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #10 17-06-2005, 10:22 PM

Hey Ram (easier to type)

Check this site out to wet your apetite to save.

http://www.telescope-service.com/dob...iansstart.html

Greg Bryant · #11 17-06-2005, 10:23 PM

Nothing wrong with a 6" scope.

My first telescope was a 6" scope (Newtonian reflector on an equatorial mount), bought from Astro-Optical Supplies in 1985, just in time for Comet Halley.

I still take it out from time to time - last weekend, my two sons looked through it for the first time, at the Moon.

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #12 17-06-2005, 10:26 PM

True Greg.

My first scope was a 4.25" 20 years ago and I've only just stepped up to 12" back in February this year.

RAJAH235 · #13 17-06-2005, 10:28 PM

RE-SALE VALUE??? Who wants to go down in size? Remember 'Aperture Wins'. SAVE UP. Look at/thru others first. Why not try binoculars first? (interest might wane). & a planisphere.

L.

Greg Bryant · #14 17-06-2005, 10:30 PM

I should add I also have a 10 inch dobsonian...well it's my wife's, but that's why I married her!

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #15 17-06-2005, 10:32 PM

WANTED
Woman for marriage. Must own large telescope.
Please send photo of telescope.

Greg Bryant · #16 17-06-2005, 10:35 PM

Ken,

It gets worse...she's an astrophysicist at Sydney University.

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #17 17-06-2005, 10:43 PM

WANTED
Woman for marriage.
Must be Astrophysicist
and MUST own large telescope.
Willing to stay up late regularly
outside on cold nights, carry
5 beers at once, cook for my
friends at the drop of a hat,
generous and preferably mute.
Please send photo of telescope.
Greg Bryant. c/o AS&T Magazine

Coach Ramsies · #18 17-06-2005, 10:48 PM

Aww you guys are going to make me save up for an 8" aint you

Oh well I guess I should get the Guan Sheng GS-680-LTD $399.00 ( 8" I think? )

I'm in Maroubra, eastern suburbs.

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #19 17-06-2005, 10:55 PM

Yes we are Ram. 6" is a good start but for the price and saving a bit longer the 8" is a much better buy.

Hopefully you can meet some of the members in here and thy can help you. They are happy to meet with you (I'll dob them in). 'Dob'. Get it! I crack myself up

RAJAH235 · #20 17-06-2005, 10:56 PM

Read all previous posts.

L.