Is this good for my first scope?

ThunderChild (Chris) · #1 16-01-2006, 11:16 AM

Hi all,

I am a complete newbie who wants to enter into astronomy,
but who's head is spinning from all the research I've been doing
into telescopes and how to get started.

I have found the following telescope for sale and am interested
in people's opinions as to whether this would be worthy of a
first scope (for the price).

Bushmaster Star Explorer 114 900 reflector EQ for $200.
(comes with 6mm, 20mm lenses, 2x barlow and moon lens).
It uses 'magnification' as it's main advertising pitch, which would
normally have scared me away - but I figure a 114mm aperture
for $200 AUD can't be all that bad. I can't tell by looking how good
the EQ mount is or if it's going to shake all over the place.

Can anyone shed any light on the Bushmaster brand? They would
appear to be on the lower end of the scale. Can't get much info
from their website.

Can anyone help me decide if this good value for money?
Will I just be frustrated at the performance or is it Ok to get me
started?

Much thanks,
Cheers,
Chris

rochler · #2 16-01-2006, 11:32 AM

I'd be wary of the Bushmaster, it's basically a 'Dept. store' brand and is more likely to frustrate you & put you off Astronomy for good. While it might seem good value for $200 (and probably is) it will definitely be very wobbly (cheap mount), have a slack focuser (mebbe even plastic R&P) etc. The eyepieces & barlow will be junk.

You can't get a decent scope for $200 unless you are lucky enough to get a second hand bargain from another amateur who is upgrading and is prepared to offload his/her old one at a third of what he/she paid. You'd be MUCH better off getting a decent pair of binoculars & a tripod and start off with that while you save up for something good. If you can scratch together $600 or more, then go for a decent Dob. to get you started.

Above all things, don't be in a hurry to fork over your cash - go to your local Astro club and attend a viewing night. Try out different scope types & find what you like & what you are comfortable with.

Good luck on your mission!

Cheers, Fred....

janoskiss (Steve H) · #3 16-01-2006, 11:34 AM

That's what I thought when I got my 114mm for $199. It's gotta be a bargain at that price; how bad can it get? After having owned the reflector for over 1 year, I can say confidently say that it is not worth it. You will get poor optics and a near useless mount. A 60mm refractor will do at least ass well as that scope. If you are on a very tight budget, I would recommend a 6" Dobsonian for $299 from Andrews Communications, or if you want a more compact scope grab one of 80 or 90mm refractors on an AZ3 mount from AOE.
www.andrewscom.com.au
www.aoe.com.au

ving (David) · #4 16-01-2006, 11:46 AM

yeah for about $50 more go for the 80mm f/7.5 from aoe.com.au as steve showed ya

the 6" dob at andrews will show you a hell of alot more tho

Noidea · #5 16-01-2006, 11:55 AM

On the subject of dob's from Andrew's. I am currently looking at buying a Dob myself and noticed that they stock a Chinese sounding brand which seems to offer more value for money than the popular Skywatcher. Can anyone comment on this? Paul

ving (David) · #6 16-01-2006, 12:10 PM

guan sheng. most dob owners here have one

very good value for money. there have been a few minor complaints but nothing too dramatic.

I have the 8"

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #7 16-01-2006, 12:12 PM

Paul,

Are you talking about the 'Guan Sheng'? If you are, that's the good brand known by the name 'GS' or 'GSO'. That's what most of us dobbers have! I have their 12" model and love it!

If you mean 'Synta' the quality isn't as good but they are OK (just).

ThunderChild (Chris) · #8 16-01-2006, 12:12 PM

Hi everyone,

Thanks for getting back so quickly! And thanks for steering me away from the bushmaster. The only thing I would say in it's defense is that $200 wasn't the RRP - it looks like it's being discounted from $300-$350 to get rid of the last of the stock.

janoskiss : Thanks for the links and advice. I must admit to wanting to
stay cheap, but could probably stretch to $300. The 6" Dob from andrews comms would be great depending if it's feasible to ship to Melbourne without blowing the cost out.

Does anyone know of Melbourne based stores with comparable prices to these? I've seen some specialty astronomy shops around who definitely seem to know what they're on about, but are much more expensive.

Really appreciate this help guys! You're probably saving me from buying something which would have turned me off the hobby for good.
Any good Melbourne based stores? (or is shipping from NSW not all that bad?)

Cheers,
Chris

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #9 16-01-2006, 12:14 PM

Bintel in Melbourne sell the same scope! They call it a 'Bintel' scope instead of a 'GS'.

janoskiss (Steve H) · #10 16-01-2006, 12:15 PM

There are two brands: GSO (Guan Sheng Optical) from Taiwan, and Synta (sold under Skywatcher and Saxon brand names amongst others) from China. I expect these scopes to be similar optically. The design of the mount is a little different and it's personal preference which one you like better.

ving (David) · #11 16-01-2006, 12:19 PM

bintel.com.au

they have a melbourne store

janoskiss (Steve H) · #12 16-01-2006, 12:19 PM

Andrews had the 8" shipped to me (Sydney to Melbourne) for $40 last year, so I expect the 6" to cost no more. I'm not sure if Bintel sell the 6", and probably it will cost more anyway. Bintel have more stringent internal QC and experienced people so their stuff is a bit dearer. Worth paying the extra if you can afford it. If not then Andrews is cheapest.

Noidea · #13 16-01-2006, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ballaratdragons

Paul,

Are you talking about the 'Guan Sheng'? If you are, that's the good brand known by the name 'GS' or 'GSO'. That's what most of us dobbers have! I have their 12" model and love it!

If you mean 'Synta' the quality isn't as good but they are OK (just).

Yes, I did mean Guan Sheng, and if they are ok with you guys, then I'm sure they're more than good enough for a newbie like me.

ThunderChild (Chris) · #14 16-01-2006, 12:31 PM

Bintel - yes, when I spoke about having seen a store nearby that seem to know
what they're talking about - that was them infact.
But their cost did seem to be more than many other stores I've seen on the net.

Also, bintel do not stock a 6" Dob, from what I've seen. Would have to go to an 8" (for >$500). I'm not ready to spend that much for my first scope - call me a cheapskate! ;-)

There seems to be a consensus that the best thing I could do sub $300 is the 6" Dob from andrews comms.
Might have to ask about their shipping rates (and what lenses/accessories comes with it).

Cheers,
Chris

ving (David) · #15 16-01-2006, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Noidea

Yes, I did mean Guan Sheng, and if they are ok with you guys, then I'm sure they're more than good enough for a newbie like me.

yeah you'll be fine with it

you'll have to learn collimation tho... but that easy once you know how

janoskiss (Steve H) · #16 16-01-2006, 12:48 PM

The 6" GSO Dob should be a nice scope. You will probably just get two eyepieces, 25mm and 9 or 10mm perhaps. If you do not want to spend any more then just the two EPs will do nicely. If you can spend a bit more this is what I'd get (in order of priority):
- collimating tool $29
- 15mm eyepiece ($29-$39, depending on brand)
- 2x barlow lens (<$50)

Just make sure you do not get any eyepieces shorter than 9mm in focal length, because they will be near useless.

Striker (Tony) · #17 16-01-2006, 02:22 PM

And shipping shouldn't be too much from Andrews...I ordered a 8" dob and only cost me $50 postage 1 year ago....from Sydney to Brisbane.

ThunderChild (Chris) · #18 16-01-2006, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by janoskiss

The 6" GSO Dob should be a nice scope. You will probably just get two eyepieces, 25mm and 9 or 10mm perhaps. If you do not want to spend any more then just the two EPs will do nicely. If you can spend a bit more this is what I'd get (in order of priority):
- collimating tool $29
- 15mm eyepiece ($29-$39, depending on brand)
- 2x barlow lens (<$50)

I just wanted to thank everybody for all your help.
I ended up ringing Andrews Comms and getting that 6" Dob.
In case anyone's interested, it comes with 2 Plossl eyepieces
(25mm and 9mm), a 6x30 finder scope, binoculars and moon filter.
Shipment to Melbourne was $40 - but even with that on top, I'm
still coming out pretty well for what I'm getting (at least I hope so!).

janoskiss, thanks for your help.

I notice you live very close to myself (Box Hill).
Are you part of a local club or society?
Any recommendations for good clubs or good locations? Now I need to start learning... :-)

Cheers,
Chris

ving (David) · #19 16-01-2006, 02:24 PM

congrats chris, it'll be a tops scope to start with

janoskiss (Steve H) · #20 16-01-2006, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThunderChild

janoskiss, thanks for your help.

I notice you live very close to myself (Box Hill).
Are you part of a local club or society?
Any recommendations for good clubs or good locations? Now I need to start learning... :-)

You're off to a good start. You're getting a lot of scope for your money.

I'll try to send you a PM later tonight. I'd better get back to work now.