Newbie - Telescope choices, etc

[TheCrazedLog]

Evening all,

Just joined *checks watch* 2 minutes ago. This is my official newbie thread.

(and just because I like this one: )

I'm toying with the idea of getting into astronomy, as I've enjoyed a few nights out the back yard with a 10x50 set of binocs (despite some determined assaults by companies of mosquitoes), along with a star map and a red torch.

I'm looking at getting one of these:
http://www.bintel.com.au/BT202.html

What's people's experience with these? Is it good? Is it bad? Is it an overkill for a newbie who isn't too sure if he's gonna stay with the hobby?

What if I don't like the hobby and give it up? What is the possibility of reselling?

What if I want to get into taking pictures. Can I do it with this one? (I assume difficult because of the mount)

(*sigh*. And now They Might be Giants - The Sun is a Mass of Incadescent Gas starts playing).

What should I be looking for? What should I pay attention too?

Some info about myself
- Live in north shore of Sydney, urban.
- Current understanding of telescopes et all:
"Oooh look. Pretty numbers! It must be the bigger they are better! Except for price"


Thanks!

Anthony Sadler

[Miaplacidus (Brian)]

Hi Anthony, and welcome.

Yes, the Bintel scope you've selected is a very good option. (Reselling in Sydney ought to be pretty easy, too, I would think.)

As you say, Dobsonian mounts don't lend themselves to astrophotography, but I've never heard of anyone getting into astrophotography and staying satisfied for long with their first few set-ups.

But first thing you should do is join a local club and try out some OP's before you trot down to Bintel.

Cheers.

[wavelandscott (Scott)]

Welcome Anthony!

That scope is a pretty good one to start out with...depending on what you want to do and see there are others that will work well too.

I would encourage to get a veiwing night or two before you spend any money...try some other folks gear and see if you like it or not before spending any money.

Where on the North Shore are you?

I live in Roseville...I got a similar scope to the one you identified from Bintel (that is where I bought mine) as well as a bigger reflector and a smaller refractor...

Although I am getting ready to go overseas for business, move house and then go back overseas for holiday (won't be around much until mid January)...I'd be happy to show you my stuff after I get back.

I know the NSAS (Northern Sydney Astronomical Society) do pretty regular viewing nights at the Turramurra Golf course so check their website for contact details if you want to see some things in the meanwhile...

Good Luck!

[h0ughy (David)]

welcome,

don't do it don't look into an eyepiece, don't look at aperture of scopes and worst of all, don't under any circumstances purchase a telescope that you cant set up in less then 10 minutes by yourself following instructions in any language. nice choice -

welcome to your worst nightmare - cursing clouds!

Apart from that we are a well adjusted bunch of individuals who are pretty normal.

[EzyStyles (Eric)]

nice choice the 8". great scope to learn off from and welcome to IIS Anthony !

[iceman (Mike)]

Hi Anthony,

Great choice, sounds like you've done your research. The 8" scope is an excellent starter scope - easy to move around, plenty of aperture to show you faint stuff and detail on planets and the moon.

Observing under light polluted skies is never as rewarding as observing under dark skies. You should definitely try to get to a local viewing night, and/or you're most welcome to come up to Kulnura (1 hr north of Sydney) on the Central Coast. A group of us have observing nights there every new moon - the next one is on the 16th December - there's a thread about it in the Star Parties forum. You'll get to see and look through some 8" and 10" dobs, and decide if staying out late at night in the cold is something you want to do

If you want to get into astrophotography, the 8" dob may not be the best choice, but if you're not sure you want to stay in the hobby, then astrophotography probably isn't the best place to start either.

The 8" dob is cheap enough that if you don't enjoy it, you won't have broken the bank and it WILL re-sell easily, especially here on IIS, if it's at the right price.

You should only consider going to astrophotography after you've gained a bit of experience.. unless of course you're already a photographer who now wants to take pictures of the sky.. if that's the case, then the 8" dob isn't the place to start.

Anyway enjoy your stay here - hopefully forums like this lure you deeper into the hobby and you'll be hooked for life! Hope to see you at Kulnura on the 16th!

[rmcpb (Rob)]

Couldn't have chosen a better start with the binos and a star chart, I spent years doing just that before getting the exact scope you are planning on getting.

All other advice is great especially the local astro society or a run up to the next IIS observing night on the central coast.

[janoskiss (Steve H)]

Great choice of scope! Make sure you get one with all the bells and whistles including a 10:1 Crayford focuser. This one: https://www.bintelshop.com.au/Product.aspx?ID=7207

to IIS Anthony!

[cahullian]

Hi Anthony

I have the 200mm Dob and it is great for all my viewing needs. I am in no way interested in astro pics so the Dob works well for me. Don't forget to get a collimation tool. The 200mm don't go out of whack as much as the bigger ap scopes but you will need to learn very quickly how the collimate it. It's not hard to learn and there is plenty of threads on IIS to help you out.
Enjoy your new scope if you buy it. I know I have a great time with mine.

Gazz

[ausastronomer (John Bambury)]

I agree with Steve. You need to buy the 8" premium which has the better focuser and everything on it already for $549. It's a great 1st scope. As Mike suggested get yourself up to Kulnurra next Saturday night. There will be a couple of 8" and 10" Bintel dobs for you to try out as well as some other larger and smaller scopes.

CS-John B

[Ric]

Welcome Anthony, for general viewing an 8" or a 10" would be a good choice. I used an 8" for 30 years before moving up.
The best advice is as everyone has already said get along to a few viewing nights and see various scopes in action, It will give you a better idea of what you want.

cheers

[Jimboooo]

My first scope was a 70mm Refractor, the ETX 70AT. It is a fantastic scope, and I do not regret getting it. I recall many telling me (on this site) to go for the DOB. I saw seekers astrophotography on the cloudy nights website, and was hooked. So much fun, so much portability, and with GOTO and all, I was wrapped!!!

[ving (David)]

I like to play the drums.
I think I'm getting good,
But I can handle criticism.
TMBG.

hiya, i have a 8" dob excatly like the one you are looking at

heres a pic of what its like, you know size wise. i am about 6'
and if you find that later you want to start using a camera on it (say a webcam for planets and the moon) you can whack the OTA (optical tube) on a equatorial mount that will track the object (like the other pic attached)

[astro_nutt]

Hi and welcome to IIS Anthony!!!..I brought an 8" dob for my first "big scope" and it has opened my eyes to such magnifcent views of the skies....it will take a long time to fully explore all that a scope of this aperature has to offer....so here's wishing you many years of enjoyment!!!
Cheers!

[saturn c (Leo)]

hello!