Very, very silly beginner question . . .

[Jeff_75]

I'm a complete beginner, and after much research have decided that I will probably go with the Orion XT8. But for the life of me, I can't find the answer to one seemingly simple issue. Do I need a stand/tripod of some sort? Or does this monster just sit on my deck? Do I stand up or sit down to use it? Please help.

Thanks . . .

[slotdrag]

jeff im not sure but i think the xt8 is a dod. if it is it should come with a stand that will set on your deck and i beleive you can set in a chair and lookinto it. if im wrong please somebody correct me. im pretty new to this also.

[scuwinger]

It comes complete with its own stand. Go to the orion web site and it will show you a picture of it. They basically sit on the ground, unlike a tripod and swivel at the base. I know cause i have a xt6. you will need to put the base together when you get the scope. hope this helps

[Betelgeuse]

Welcome to the forums.

May I ask why an xt8?

In case you didn't know, here is the link to the orion website.

[Jeff_75]

Sure - I've done a bit of digging on the internet and it seems that many websites with info on first telescope purchases suggest a Dobsonian reflector as the way to go for a beginner. I'm not too concerned with portability, as I will be using primarily from my own deck and backyard. Decided on the 8" because it falls into my price range. And no particular reason I chose Orion over any other brand. I'm still open to suggestions and input.

[Dave Mitsky]

A telescope from the Orion XT line is a good choice. An 8" aperture is not overly difficult to transport and can supply many years of observing pleasure. You may also want to consider a Dobsonian Newtonian reflector, otherwise known as a Dob, from Hardin or Discovery.

Dave Mitsky

[Betelgeuse]

Yes, Orion have good feedback, however, why don't you check out Meade or Celestron?

Here's the Meade site.

and

Here's the Celestron site.

[Jeff_75]

One other question: I'm probably going to get a pair of 7x50 binoculars as well to compliment the telescope. Can anyone suggest some decent, low-price binoculars? I see a lot of 7x50s advertised as "marine" binoculars. Does this make any difference?

thanks . . .

[Betelgeuse]

I shouldn't think it makes any difference. Some telescopes are referred to being good spotting scopes as well as being able to explore the night skies. I've done some searching for you, why not check out some of these sites regarding different make 7x50 binos?

Meade 7x50 porro prism binos (&#036

Bushnell Permafocus 7x50 (£)

Orion binoculars (may be better suiteed to go with your scope) youcan do a search wizard here to suit your bino needs

I hope this helps you,
Regards
Rigel

[Jeff_75]

Thanks for the links. I notice that the entry-level Meade 7x50 is only $39.00, but the low end Orion 7x50 is $99.00. Do you think there is any substantial difference in the quality of the two?

[Betelgeuse]

I couldn't really tell you, I'm sure someone can help.

I would however take a good look at the specifications and see if the orion binos offer anything significantly different to the meade ones.

I forgot to give you the celestron link, here you go.

Let us know how you get on, and of course if you need any more help!

[astromark]

:blink: Don't do it. Run :huh: Astronomy is an infectiouse disorder. you can be helped... Be warned, you will be consumed. Resistance is futile... :P
Welcome to astronomy. to late already a... about the bino's,.. look through them at the shop. Compare. Price is not always the best indicater of quality. Look down the street with them. open and close each eye, the image should not move to much. look into a darker area, like under a car, can you see into the darkness. Compare, Hold them away from your face at arms length, you sould not be able to see a square image, it should be round. Do not get to much power, you cant hold them still enuff. defeats the whole idea. You mention 7 by 50. these are good, but you can go bigger without lossing field of view. 8 by 40 or even 10 by 60 are exeptable. let me help; the first number is the magnifacation, the second number is the size of the front lens, apiture. and the other number you are looking for is the field of view, like 7.5deg. don't go under 5 deg. they are to hard to hold still or find things with. We have two eyes and our brain is very good at seeing change or movment between the images. becouse there are two lenses of say 40mm. The light gathering is better than most expect. very good for comet spotting. No question is silly, but see a doctor, No that wont help... I am one.

[Jeff_75]

Doctors scare me. Not sure if it's because I'm a hypochondriac or because I'm a lawyer. But I digress . . . Thanks for the advice. I tried out some various 10x50s and found that I just couldn't keep them steady enough. I do have a tripod, but I want something that I can enjoy handheld as well. The problem now is that when I buy my 7x50s, I'm going to have to order them online without testing them due to lack of any stores within a 2 hour drive that carry a wide selection of binocs. I'm familiar with the feel of a few brands from trying out the 10x50s at the store we do have, they just don't carry the 7x50s. So I'm going out on a limb. I was hoping someone around here may have already done some comparison shopping and could reccommend one brand over another for astronomy. Right now, I'm leaning toward the Nikon, mainly because the 10x50 Nikon felt good and seemed to perform well when I tried it out.

[astromark]

Nikon have been building good cameras for a long while and there optics are good. Some of thier gear is around here. Opthmoligy dept., I'm sorry you feel frighty at the doctors.... I'm an optician. lol. If you like the Nikon, go for it. and 7x50 is the mort versitile.

[Betelgeuse]

I never realised you were an optician, astromark!

Moving on...

I have heard good feedback on nikon. Good quality products and reasonably low prices.

Once again, I'll give you the link to a nikon product - very much so on the expensive site, but you can find your own way around the site if you really want to.......

[DanCoy]

Jeff,

You might want to look into Celestron's new 10X50 OptiView LPR's. They have built in LPR filters that roll in or out as you choose. Really help out in finding that faint nebula esp. if you have any light poluted skies. I found mine at: http://www.opticsplanet.net/celestron-opti...-binocular.html. They were only $94.00 including shipping. A lot of bang for the buck. I love them.

dan

[Lomitus]

Hey Jeff,
Just a couple of quicky comments here...
First and foremost, I own an Orion Starmax 127 Mak...if their dob's are anything like their Mak's I'm sure you will be -very- happy with that scope! So far all of my experiences with Orion have been nothing but totally pleasant...their equipment is top notch for the price and their service is simply outstanding.

I saw in some of the responses, that someone had suggested Meade as an alternative to Orion. Before you buy -anything- with the Meade name, look around on the internet. It's been my general experience that -a lot- of folks are very unhappy with Meade (myself included). I had a Meade 4 1/2" reflector and it was simply junk. More over Meade was totally unwilling to provide any kind of technical support what so ever...most of the time I couldn't even get them on the phone (was frequently just left on hold until I hung up and messages were -never- returned) and the couple of times that I was able to get ahold of them, each time I was met with rudeness and a total unwillingness to provide any assistance at all. After over 6 months of nothing but problems with that scope, I was able to finally get a full refund through the store where I had purchased it, but it very simply was -NOT- worth the time or effort or headaches. Since that experience, I've seen it stated over and over again that, in a nut shell, Meade makes great optics, but they really skimp on the nuts and bolts and their customer service is practically non-existant. Based on my own experience with them as well as that which I've read frequently, I would strongly advise anyone to avoid Meade products like the plague! Stick with the Orion XT

On the bino's...
I have a set of 7x50's (I forget the brand at the moment) and while their very good for "spotting", I do have to honestly say I wish they had more mag. If your actually planning to use the bino's for any kind of observing at all, then 10x50's (or larger) with a decent tripod really might serve you better. Just something to consider

Welcome to UT and happy star gazing!
Bright Blessings & Gentle Breezes,
Jim

[Jeff_75]

Thanks again for all the advice. Any other opinions on 10x50 vs. 7x50?

[Nigel-SouthAfrica]

Jeff now is a good time to get the object locator to go with your Xt8 it is on sale and has been marked down 50%.
I am assuming you are buying the XT8i

I have the locator on my XT10i and it really has added value and enjoyment to my observing

Enjoy your XT8 you are going to love that scope

Cheers

Nigel

[Betelgeuse]

As astromark has already stressed, your best option would be to go for the 7x50 magnification.

Good luck with your scope!

[Dave Mitsky]

If the OP is over 40 or observes from a light polluted site a 10x50 binocular may be more useful since its smaller exit pupil (5mm versus 7.1mm for the 7x50) will completely "fit" into the observer's eye pupil. Multiplying the magnification by the aperture gives a rough guide known as the visibility factor to binocular "usefulness". The higher the number, the better the results. There is also a measure known as the twilight factor which is the square root of the product of magnification and aperture - http://www.birding.com/binocular_guide.asp...ilight%20Factor

A good discussion on binocular limiting magnitude can be seen at http://w1.411.telia.com/~u41105032/visual/limiting.htm

I have no problem hand-holding a 10x50 binocular.

Dave Mitsky

[astromark]

I agree with Dave, But do not buy without a try. I read of your difaculty with this, but think for the cost its worth the trip to a store that has a range of bins to compare. Altamatly its your choice, and money. I work with optics all day. Its my field. Only you can decide what you will exept as sutable. All of these numbers mean very little if you dont like the feel or factors that you may concider important. Any quality brand of binocular between 7x50 and 10x 80 will be exeptable to the user who has made the compramise nessesary. and one more thing, Dont go wasting your money on expencive trypods. All you need is a recliner (deck chair) or if you want to stand, turn a broom upside down..T, It works for me. and I use canon 7x50s,. good shopping a...

[astrofreak]

Here is a link to some Nikon binoculars .

I bought a Nikon 7 x 35 Action a few months ago from astronomics. It is helping me realize what kind of telescope I will eventually buy.