total newbie - HELP!!

[newbie]

Hi, I have just joined the forum, hoping to get a bit of help in choosing a first time telescope. I've never so much as looked through one before, but have always been interested in astronomy. My 6 year old son is now also showing an interest and I would like to encourage that.
Can anyone recommend a reasonably priced, good quality scope that is not too difficult to use.
Thanks very much, Beth.

Ps I was interested in the comments others had made about telescopes on ebay, because that's where I've been looking!! I'm steering clear now!!

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

Beth and to the forum.

If you are buying for your 6 year old then it need to be something he can reach now but still be enjoyable as he gets older. Plus it needs to be something that he can move around himself. Maybe not now but certainly by the time he is 8 or 9.

For an older and larger person most advice would be for an 8" dobsonian or bigger However IMO they would be too big to move around on his own as well as carry out the necessary mirror adjustments that have to be carried out every now and then. The other option is a small refractor on an AzAlt mount. He will soon want bigger and better but he will never out grow it.

The best suggestion I can give is to go along to an observing night with one of your local Amateur Astronomy clubs and look through as many scopes as possible.

BTW what do you consider to be a reasonable price?

[seeker372011 (Narayan)]

let me be the first to suggest an 6 inch dobsonian from either Andrews or Bintel, mainly because an 8 inch may be a bit big for a little one

but please....try before you buy

go along to a viewing night-there are plenty of opportunities in Brisbane, take your son along and look through a few scopes before you spend a cent

[seeker372011 (Narayan)]

Paul got in before me!

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

If you don't mind a bit of a drive and the weather is fine, then some of us Iceinspacers will be getting together at Astroron's place near Kenilworth (hour and a half from Brisbane) on the next new moon, Dec 3.

PM me or Astroron for details if you want to come up. There will be a range of types of scopes and sizes of scopes to use. From simple push to (your move the scope to where you want it to go) to goto (let the inbuilt computer do all the work)

[Starkler (Geoff)]

We really do need a pinned up FAQ for first telescope buyers.

Im glad that you saw the warnings here about ebay scopes. I regularly take a peek, and its about 1in50 scopes advertised that a clued up person might consider owning. The rest are pretty much trash.

Any scope that you choose will need to be weighed against a set of comprimises, portability,size, weight, stability, optical quality, price and performance for what you want to view.

IMO in the sub $500 range, there is only one choice, a dobsonian mounted newtonian, such as the 8 inch dob sold by Andrews for $399, or the 6 incher for $299.
Anything on a tripod mount in this price range is going to be a wobbly dissapointment.

[janoskiss (Steve H)]

Hi Beth. Welcome. I will give you the standard answer for those on a modest budget: 8" Dobsonian for around $400-$550 is excellent value and will let you see lots of things. But to get the most out of the hobby you need a few essential accessories. My recommendation for a basic visual observing setup would be:

- pair of binoculars around 7x50 or 8x40 size. Good choices on a budget are Olympus DPS I 8x40 (nice wide field) from centre.net.au or the 7x50 from aoe.com.au (brighter stars, better optics, narrower field). But even cheaper 7x50s will do. Just don't get ruby coated ones. IMO binos are a must. They are very nice on their own and they help you finds things to point the telescope at.

- planisphere and sky charts, e.g. Southern Sky Guide by Ellyard & Tirion or get the charts from http://www.astrovisuals.com.au/skymaps.html

- 8" GSO Dob (andrewscom.com.au, bintel.com.au, maybe you can find it in Brisbane too?) or a Saxon 8" Dob which tends to be a little more expensive but it is 20% shorter tube (might be better for the lil' one)

- make sure you get a good basic set of eyepieces included with the scope; you need three for low, medium, high power viewing (e.g., 25mm, 15mm, 9mm);

- 2x Barlow for extra high power you'd occasionally use on planets is optional
- Cheshire/sighttube collimating tool (for aligning the mirrors)
- Red LED torch for reading charts at night (I use a red LED bike light)
- table & chair(s)

I think that's about it.

[janoskiss (Steve H)]

Originally Posted by seeker372011

let me be the first to suggest an 6 inch dobsonian from either Andrews or Bintel, mainly because an 8 inch may be a bit big for a little one

The 6" has the same focal length as the 8", 1200mm, so it won't help. If you have to have a shorter tube (with lower eyepiece position), the Saxon 8", with 1000mm focal length, would be the way to go.

[Starkler (Geoff)]

I cant think of any scope that a 6yo could move and operate alone

[janoskiss (Steve H)]

Good point Geoff! Though I was thinking more about whether or not they'd need a step to be able to reach the eyepiece.

[RAJAH235]

Hi Beth. Your basic Q's have been answered. Goto a local Society viewing/open night & see what is suitable/avail. before buying. L.
imho, 7 x 50 binos, Planisphere & red LED torch to start. (just in case of 'loss of interest').

[newbie]

thanks to all for responses and the welcome to the forum. I'd definately like to get to a viewing night somewhere ... just gotta find a night when I'm not working...

Beth

[RapidEye]

Originally Posted by Starkler

I cant think of any scope that a 6yo could move and operate alone

They couldn't assemble or setup, but a 6 yr old can EASILY operate a 4.5" Dob - my 5 yr old daughter has been doing it for over a year now

The Orion 4.5" F/8 SkyQuest is a dandy of a first scope. It also just received top honors from S&T in the sub US$200 shootout.

I used mine to log all 110 Messier's and my daughter can use it to view the moon, bright planets, and to just plane sweep the MilkyWay.

I know have a 10" F/5 dob that I use for serious work, but I'll keep that 4.5" F/8 for a loooooog time!

[janoskiss (Steve H)]

Unfortunately, there is only one place I know of where you can get the 4.5" XT Dob in Australia and it costs more than the 8" GSO Dob would from elsewhere.

[RapidEye]

Originally Posted by janoskiss

Unfortunately, there is only one place I know of where you can get the 4.5" XT Dob in Australia and it costs more than the 8" GSO Dob would from elsewhere.

Thats VERY unfortunate, as it is a dandy of a little scope!

Too bad someone else doesn't import it from Synta for you guys.

[jjjnettie (Jeanette)]

I'll have to agree with buying a pair of 10x50 binoculars and a good tripod to put them on.
I still use mine very regularly.
You'll have a better view of the night sky through binos than with a cheapie refractor.