Star gazing gear?

[Menikmati]

I am looking for a decent teloscope. I need something more on the "get go",(easy to assemble and disassemble)would like a 6 inch, and a good brand you guys perfer. Maybe something a lil more durable then others. Also around 500$. I am just researching my options. If you could hook me up with a nice website and/or your personal information about the one you have or one I should get that would be awesome. Thanks a bunch for the help.

[iciek]

Forget the telescope. You're starting with an incorrect attitude and are almost certain to be dissappointed. Astronomy is a compromise between Quality of Optics, Mount, Portability and finance.
Until you work out what it is you are prepared to compromise you don't know what you want.
A poor mount will effectively ruin a good telescope whilst a good one will make the best of a poor one. Can you transport it to suitable sites? What do you want, high magnification for planets or light grasp for Deep sky. Quite frankly no one telescope can do all the jobs you might want and in betweens don't do anything optimaly. You do need to work out what you want to use it for primarly first.
Good Binoculars are often a better option than a poor telescope.

[DippyHippy]

Ah, I disagree...

As long as you're familiar with the night sky and know your way around, then there's no reason why you shouldn't be able to get yourself a cracking 'scope.

I recommend the Orion SkyQuest XT 4.5 Dobsonian Reflector for $200 - as the blurb says (and I agree with this) "we made this scope for kids but adults can't seem to resist it either!"

Myself and a friend bought one for my future stepson - although it's only a 4.5", that works in it's favour because it's small, light, very portable, very easily assembled and very easy to use. The optics are fine... it gave great views of Mars a few months back :)

The page is here (http://www.telescope.com/shopping/product/detailmain.jsp?itemID=364&itemType=PRODUCT&iMainCat=4&iSubCat=8&iProductID=364) - they also have larger 'scopes for sale if you're interested :)

[Fraser]

Binoculars are great when you're starting to get to know the sky. Some clusters look way better in a pair of binocs.

On the other hand, if you want to see detail on planets, and some of the fainter objects in the sky, a telescope is the way to go.

My advice is to find your local astronomical society and attend one of their observing evenings. Try out all the different scopes and get their advice. Try different sizes, etc. That'll give you a lot of insights when you're shopping for a scope. I wouldn't be surprised if someone's selling an older scope used that might be a great buy for you.

[Menikmati]

fraser I was also looking at some used ones too, I mean I already have a pretty basic telescope so I am not too new to this but I just wanted to know how everyone elses opinons felt on a decent scope. THanks for the feed back guys it really does help.

[Dave Mitsky]

Originally posted by Menikmati@Nov 14 2003, 05:17 AM
fraser I was also looking at some used ones too, I mean I already have a pretty basic telescope so I am not too new to this but I just wanted to know how everyone elses opinons felt on a decent scope. THanks for the feed back guys it really does help.
Check the Dobs (Newtonian reflectors on alt-azimuth Dobsonian mounts) offered by Discovery, Hardin, Orion, and Stargazer Steve. For just a bit more money you can get an 8" f/6 instead of a 6" f/8. In that aperture range 2 inches makes a big difference.

Discovery: http://www.discovery-telescopes.com/DHQ.html

Hardin: http://www.hardin-optical.com/catalog1.html

Orion: http://www.telescope.com/jump.jsp?itemType...TEGORY&itemID=8 (http://www.telescope.com/jump.jsp?itemType=CATEGORY&itemID=8)

Stargazer Steve: http://stargazer.isys.ca/f8deluxe.html

You may want to consult some of the many Internet sites on telescope purchases and Phil Harrington's highly informative _Star Ware_.

http://www.scopereviews.com/begin.html

http://www.maa.mhn.de/FAQ/telescop_faq.txt

http://www.company7.com/library/begin.html

http://skyandtelescope.com/printable/howto...article_244.asp (http://skyandtelescope.com/printable/howto/scopes/article_244.asp)

http://www.belmontnc.4dw.net/Beginners.htm

http://www.my-spot.com/whatkind.htm

Dave Mitsky

[Matthew]

Start off with a good pair of binoculars, and work out what you want to do with your astronomy. Decide if you want to observe the solar system, the moon, or even deep space. Then decide what telescope to buy, if any (if binoculars are enough for your astronomy needs/wants).

Good Luck! :D

[Menikmati]

Dave thanks a whole bunch! Your links were very much help and I learned quite a bit. I think I am gonna go with the orion skyquest xt8 w/ the upgrade of the intelliscope.

And I am going to take the others advice and probably purchase some 7x50 binoculars. Thanks guys. All the feed back seriously helped.

[corkft]

Spend some of your money on QUALITY eye pieces. They make a big difference!

[Menikmati]

thanks for the tip, I have been looking at osme decent quality eye pieces. There so expensive, I'm thinking on getting a couple nice ones and a barlow, what do you think? I heard a barlow is cheap way to double the magifaction of the eye pieces.

[Menikmati]

Went to my dad's house and found a pair of 8x40 binoculars that he doesn't use :) Also what mm eye pieces do you recomend, I know that there is probably different eye pieces for different veiws but looking for something decent or all around if that makes sense.