Which Telescope to buy??????

[Xeelee (Chris)]

OK, Help me out I need a scope under $3000 that can do astrophotography, see deep sky, and planets with resonable contrast.

I'm 14 at the moment and I already have a 60mm refractor ( with mount that is falling apart) and I need help with what I can afford.

I don't need money left over from the telescope to buy other equipment but any info about astrophotography equipment would be helpful (apart from SLR Cameras (already have one)) .

Thanks for the Help!



Novice Astronomer Xeelee

[seeker372011 (Narayan)]

welcome to the forum

Do take the time to read some of the threads here where similar issues have been discussed. A useful starting point is

Chris Venter's SPSP presentation:


http://www.dslrfocus.com/support.html

(click on the link to the SPSP presentation to view Powerpoint slides)

and come back and ask as many questions as you like, I 'm sure someone here will be able to help

[acropolite (Phil)]

3 grand is about entry level for what you're after, with nothing left to buy imaging gear or guiding extras. Meade and Celestron make good quality go-to scopes in that price range. http://www.users.bigpond.com/lansma/Default.htm is a good site which gives an idea of what can be achieved with a Meade LX90, ToUcam and Canon DSLR. There are also some 8 inch Maksutov-Cassegrain scopes, (e.g. Saxon M20325EQ5) with equatorial mounts, coming soon, that would probably be around $3k with goto, although the quality is an unknown factor at this stage. http://www.splendourtrading.com.au/new.html

[Xeelee (Chris)]

I found a forum that said most telescopes are made by the same place in China and that most dealers just stamp their name on them

[Xeelee (Chris)]

I would like to say that after much deliberation and hard thinking sweating and careful and considerate thought between Celestron and Meade (Holden and Ford) I choose the Meade LXD75 Schmidt-Cassegrain from Star Optics. The great staff at Star Optics also recommended a power tank from Super Cheap Auto which I picked up for 29.95. I would like to thank the guys at Star Optics for the great tip which has saved me lots of money.

Xeelee

[astro_south (Andrew)]

Xeelee

Congrats on the purchase

You should bring your new scope out to Glenore Grove next weekend! see:
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...ead.php?t=4044

[davidpretorius]

well done xeelee, top stuff

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

Good luck with your Scope xeelee. I have the same 8" sct (different mount though) and its a great little performer. Quick work of advice, first thing to do when you get your scope it so train the drives. The mount won't work properly until you do. We'll see you back here soon to talk about polar alignment.

[ving (David)]

hi! welcome to the forum

guess your problems are either solved or just starting

[TidaLpHasE]

Congrats Xeelee, glad to see you got good service

Hope to hear soon how awsome the views are, and see a few pics with your new machine.