New to this, what telescope

Steph134197 (Stephanie) · #1 16-07-2016, 10:32 PM

Hi all,
Ok, this has probably been done to death by now but i need your advice.
I'm totally new to this, and I'm looking to by my first telescope.
Ive found a couple of second hand ones to start with and was wondering what you thought of them as beginner scopes.
Konus sky FL200 1000mm or the Celestron Power Seeker 127.
Thoughts?
Thanking you all in advance
Steph

StuTodd · #2 17-07-2016, 12:13 AM

Hi Steph!

Welcome to a beautiful, fascinating universe.
You may well get a hundred different answers to a simple question but here is my advice

Get a good guide book/star chart and learn your way round the sky with the naked eye, coupled with a pair of 10x50 binoculars. I (and every astronomer I have known) still uses a pair, every observing session.

Also, join your local astronomy club and have a look through their telescopes, reflectors and refractors, lift them, and have a feel of what you would be happier using.

A nice line I was told is "The best telescope for you is the one you will use"..

Have you considered a 8 or 10" dobsonian? Easy to use, superb views.

Whatever you choose, just enjoy it Steph.

Stu

Somnium (Aidan) · #3 17-07-2016, 12:46 AM

+1 to everything Stu said. you also need to understand what you want to do with the telescope, planets, Deep sky objects, imaging, casual star gazing ... each will have different requirements. regardless, i dont think i would choose either of the options you have put forward. Newtonians on an Eq mount are good general purpose scopes, however, i dont believe these are astrographs so you may have trouble hooking up a camera and the EQ mount is not driven so you cant track the sky with any real accuracy. in short, you are getting all the pain of a astrophotography rig without being able to do astrophotography. a much better, cheaper and easier to use option would be a dobsonian, the largest you can comfortably handle.

OzEclipse (Joe Cali) · #4 17-07-2016, 01:23 AM

Hi Steph,

Welcome to the hobby.

You've already received some very good advice in the other posts. I'll just add that the Astronomical Association of Queensland has a wide range of telescopes for hire to members. Membership & hire is quite cheap.

They have 12 inch skywatcher goto dobsonians, and 8 inch Schmidt Cassegrains on HEQ 5 equatorial mounts among others. They also run regular observing nights every month. There is a short observing night (weather permitting) after the monthly meeting and another deep sky night at a remote location. Before you spend a lot of money, go to some field nights and look through diffferent scopes and when you narrow it down, test drive a few different scopes for a couple of months each. through the rental program.

the web site is : -

http://www.aaq.org.au

Good luck

Joe

Steph134197 (Stephanie) · #5 17-07-2016, 07:12 AM

Thank you so much for all of you advice.
I'm after something Tha i can view the planets and moon with, as well as maybe getting to see some deep space wonders.
I might hold fire with the purchasing and hire one instead.
Being able to attach a camera would be fantastic.
I'll let you know how i go and hopefully I'll be posting pictures in no time.
Thank you all so much
Steph

raymo · #6 17-07-2016, 11:04 AM

If you want to attach a camera, be careful, most Newtonian scopes
[dobsonians] do not have enough back focus to allow that. All Skywatcher
ones do allow it, but many others don't. If buying other than a Skywatcher, check with the retailer that you can attach a camera.
raymo

glend (Glen) · #7 17-07-2016, 11:24 AM

Steph, drop by Astro Pete's Astronomy Cafe, 2120 Logan Road, Upper Mt Gravatt (opposite the Garden City Shopping Centre). They conduct regular observing nights and have different scope types available. You can find them online at www.astropetes.com.au

Troy.k · #8 17-07-2016, 02:54 PM

Hi steph,
As someone who has only just got into this hobby, I bought an 8" Dobson from bintel, wanting to see exactly what you described.
I have been absolutely blown away with the planetary views I have seen in my first 2 nights I've had it out.
It seems most of the experienced people on here will point you in the direction of a Dobson and in following that advice I have not been disappointed.

Steph134197 (Stephanie) · #9 17-07-2016, 05:52 PM

Thank you all so much for the advice.
I'll definitely have a look into AstroPetes

I've got a feeling the the line I gave my other half " Once I've bought the telescope, that's it, it doesn't cost anymore" may have been a lie.

I'll let you all know how i get on.

Plus if anyone is in Brisbane and wants to show off their telescope, I'll bring the chips and dip

Somnium (Aidan) · #10 17-07-2016, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steph134197

Thank you all so much for the advice.
I'll definitely have a look into AstroPetes

I've got a feeling the the line I gave my other half " Once I've bought the telescope, that's it, it doesn't cost anymore" may have been a lie.

I'll let you all know how i get on.

Plus if anyone is in Brisbane and wants to show off their telescope, I'll bring the chips and dip

HAHA, i gave my wife that line 3 telescopes, 2 cameras and 2 mounts ago

Zubenel (Wes) · #11 17-07-2016, 10:25 PM

Hi Steph ,
Not sure about shipping on the below scope but I have successfully recommended this size scope to a number of friends.A great way to start ( simple set up , easy transport and a half decent light grab ) from basics and learn the sky at the same time. http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...d.php?t=147354
Cheers

Scorpius51 (John) · #12 17-07-2016, 11:18 PM

Hi Steph

The mount on the Konus looks a little light for an 8" and you should check that the 'scope has local vendor support. A 6" or 8" f/6 Dobsonian would be my choice for a beginner. They are easy to set up and use, and they represent very good value. As mentioned by others, a pair of good quality 10 x 50 mm binoculars is also must for anyone looking up into the night sky.

An equatorial mount can be a real pain for a beginner and should only be considered if you are going down the imaging path - and that can be a slippery slope. Also, Raymo has already mentioned the potential issue of back focus when attaching cameras to some Newtonians, particularly if you use a flip mirror with the camera.

Whatever you do, going along to an observing session with a group that has a range of 'scopes is the best way to try before you buy, and get great advice while you're trying them.

Cheers
John

gaseous (Patrick) · #13 18-07-2016, 09:28 AM

Hi Steph, I would also recommend a trip to AstroPete's - he won't try the "hard sell" on you, and will offer great advice on the best scope for your needs. In my experience his prices will also be hard to beat.

AEAJR (Ed) · #14 19-07-2016, 05:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steph134197

Hi all,
Ok, this has probably been done to death by now but i need your advice.
I'm totally new to this, and I'm looking to by my first telescope.
Ive found a couple of second hand ones to start with and was wondering what you thought of them as beginner scopes.
Konus sky FL200 1000mm or the Celestron Power Seeker 127.
Thoughts?
Thanking you all in advance
Steph

I don't know the Konus scope. I have used a Power Seeker 127 and was not impressed. The scope was fine but the mount was very wobbly.

You need to state a budget.

There are no beginner telescopes. There are beginners, there are telescopes and there are budgets. Every recommendation will be based on your budget. And be prepared to raise it.

Where will you keep it?

Aperture is king so people will recommend the largest aperture you can afford. And, If you can keep your telescope in your ground floor garage or shed then weight and size are less important. However, if you are in a 3rd floor walk up then size matters more and you might be better served by a smaller telescope that will not be a burden to use.

Is there a club near you?

If there is, go talk to the club. Attend some meetings. Most have observation nights that are open to the public. Go see their telescopes. Most will be happy to tell you all about them and give you a look. Often you can pick up a great used scope from a club member who will be happy to show you how to use it.

How will you find your targets?

Are you a hunter who likes to work the charts and maps?
Or
Are you more of a GPS person. Put in the address and take me there?

Over time you will likely accumulate binoculars (great starting point). A smaller "grab and go" scope for quick set-up and tossing in the car. And a "light bucket", something large. What is large to you may be small to others.

You can start anywhere.

I went, 10X50 binoculars, then Meade ETX 80 GoTo 80 mm refractor, and then an Orion SkyQuest XT8 Intelliscope 8" Dobsonian reflector.

Some start with a 12" scope an then fill in the other way. And some would consider my 8" scope their grab and go scope.

Not everyone has all three but if you look at the signatures you will see a lot do. So you can start anywhere that fits your budget and your current situation. It won't go to waste.

sil (Steve) · #15 19-07-2016, 03:12 PM

Definitely go attend a few observation nights, local observatories also run them. A lot of what you'd like to do are commonly heard wishes to newbies but by attending a few ob nights you can ask questions and find out just how much is really involved before you throw money away on gear you don't need or will never use. Each scope type has its strengths and weaknesses as do the mounts they are on. There is no such thing as "this telescope does everything best" plus you have to contribute time and dedication to a lot of things, especially astrophotography. Yes you can start anywhere but sensibly on a budget you are likely to buy the wrong thing right now. Several things are universal: star charts (plenty of free apps on phones etc), a red light torch to get around outside safely and not ruin your night vision (no matter how expensive the equipment your eyes won't get the best view if you have regular torches, the eyes need time to adjust to the low light conditions and a red light torch helps preserve that), a pair of decent binoculars (don't buy those cheap chinese ones on ebay or from your local markets anything Bintel has will be good, choose something like a 10x50 but dont be afraid of the smaller ones, i use a 8x20 most of the time but its a high quality pair and was worth the extra cost), pick up a large planisphere, and a copy of Astronomy Australia 2016 which is published annually with tons of great information on the night sky throught the year and interesting upcoming events to observe, even old editions are a wealth of information.

With a planisphere, redlight torch, comfy chair and a pair of quality binoculars you are set to observe meteor showers, the moon, planets, nebulae and learn your way around the night sky. All of this you will continue to do even 20yrs after buying a big-ass telescope. If you cheap out on your optics and buy a rubbish pair of binoculars it will give bad views and be uncomfortable to use and may turn you off astronomy altogether. Also do not get hung up over magnification numbers, they are pretty meaningless. Aperture size is more important especially to newbies who want to see galaxies and nebulae as it allows for more of the faint amount of light to reach your eyes, some structures in the sky are huge but too faint to see normally but will appear in a good pair of binoculars. A 10x50 pair of binoculars can be found for a few hundred, My Pentax ones were under $300 and are fantastic, the "10x" part denotes ten times magnification and the "50" refers to 50mm aperture size. All binoculars follow the same convention eg: 8x42 10x21 20x70 etc. While there are some binoculars made special for astronomy they tend to be big, heavy and require a tripod to mount them on. If you're an outdoors person you might already have a pair or could use a pair for other uses besides astronomy. Contact Bintel and see what they advise for your budget they know their stuff and will steer you to a sensible purchase decision.

Make sure to read through this beginners forum too, "first telescope" questions come up regularly and the advice is always the same even if you said you're know nothing and have a million dollar budget the answers will be the same. The biggest limitation right now is your understanding of everything and your expectations.

Rodmac (Rod) · #16 25-07-2016, 02:13 PM

Hi Steph,
I agree with talking to Pete at astropetes.
Astro Anarchy are having their next star party in a couple of weeks and there are usually quite a few different scopes out and people willing to let you have a look and ask questions so please talk to Pete about this and scopes in general - he's alway happy to help. You could always go to his shop on Friday evening and discuss with him and look through a few scopes as well as he has a viewing night every Friday.
Cheers
Rod

gaseous (Patrick) · #17 27-07-2016, 07:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rodmac

Hi Steph,
I agree with talking to Pete at astropetes.
Astro Anarchy are having their next star party in a couple of weeks and there are usually quite a few different scopes out and people willing to let you have a look and ask questions so please talk to Pete about this and scopes in general - he's alway happy to help. You could always go to his shop on Friday evening and discuss with him and look through a few scopes as well as he has a viewing night every Friday.
Cheers
Rod

Yeah Steph - Astro Anarchy's facebook page has just announced the next star party at Wyaralong Dam on 6th August - check it out https://www.facebook.com/Astro-Anarchy-295399253967757/ There is usually a good turnout and you can look at a lot of different scopes and people are more than happy to give you all the info you need. And yes, your line about not having to spend any more money after buying the telescope is a big fat whopper! (particularly if you hang out near the astrophotography people and catch the bug...)

Steph134197 (Stephanie) · #18 31-07-2016, 09:27 PM

Thank you all for your advice. Defo going to the dam to have a look through a few scopes, also i have just joined the AAQ and will be going tobtheir AGM in August to have a look through a few of their scopes if the weather is with us. Getting so excited about this........

steve.garner (Stephen) · #19 03-08-2016, 09:28 AM

Hi, I bought a secondhand 8" Dobsonian and have been kind of teaching myself with a lot of reading from this site. All I can say is that it's an amazing journey of discovery so far - the first time you manage to find the faint fuzzies gives you a real buzz. Astro Pete is a great guy and his prices are really good.
Stellarium is a free planetarium software which helps immensely tracking down objects. I keep meaning to make it to Wyalong but haven't managed it yet - one day

Zubenel (Wes) · #20 03-08-2016, 05:23 PM

Great first choice Steve

It's a great pursuit of discovery that is virtually endless. I'm a newbie at this as I built my first scope 14 years ago. The awe and wonder

have not let me . Have you thought about coming to QLD Astrofest ? Hang on . That may lead to only one of a very few negative sides of Amateur astronomy . Aperture fever