Buying Telescope

Xenon14

Platinum Member
Oct 9, 1999
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$400 to spend. I want it to be computer navigated. Any amateur astrologists, could use your recommendations. Thanks. As of now my friend found one by Celestial...250x Magnification, computer navigated, $350.
 

Oscar1613

Golden Member
Jan 31, 2001
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the NexStar 80 (one you were talking about i think) should be good, although if you wanna do deep sky observing (galaxies and nebula) you may want the NexStar 114. the 114 is a reflector (which gathers more light compared to refractors, therefore better images from faint objects like galaxies and nebula). they can both be found here and the 80 has a $15 rebate and 114 has a $25 rebate.
 

no0b

Diamond Member
Jul 23, 2001
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dont go for a christmass special tele you know the ones with 1billion magnification and bad stands. and dont buy on brand names all brand's make these christmass special teles
 

Sohcan

Platinum Member
Oct 10, 1999
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First of all (since you mentioned it), keep in mind that magnification is the last thing you need to look for in a telescope. Many cheepo department store telescopes will hype insane magnifications (300X +), but in practice, lower magnifications are better. First, as you increase magnification, the image will become dimmer, grainier, and blurrier. Second, many deep-sky objects, like star clusters and nebulae, are actually quite large, and will not fit into a single field-of-view at high magnifications. I have a Celestron Ultima 11 (Schmidt-Cassegrain, 11 inch aperture, 2.8 meter focal length), but I often use my 40mm or 50mm wide-field Plossl eyepieces, giving ~56X - 70X magnification. Magnification = focal length of the telescope divided by focal width of the eyepiece, so you can buy a few eyepieces to cover the magnification ranges you desire.

Thus, the two most important parts of a telescope are the optics and support/mount. The larger the aperture (opening) of the telescope, the better....a larger aperture lets in more light, and makes the image sharper and brighter. Quality optics are also key. The mount is of significant importance as well (something cheaper telescopes often implement poorly), since you want a stable image.

The two best consumer telescope manufacturers are Meade and Celestron. Look around in their product catalogues....though you might be hard-pressed to find a variety of computer controlled telescope for around $400. Your best bet is probably a Newtonian/Equatorial reflector, with around a 4 inch - 5 inch apeture. Astronomics has the Celestron 4.5" NextStar 114 and NexStar 114GT for $300 and $440, respectively. IIRC, the comparable Meade model is the 6" LXD55 for $600...it costs more, but has a larger aperture and faster optics (f/5 vs. f/9).

edit: hehe, I'm too slow :)
 

Bachelor

Member
Dec 11, 2001
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<< Any amateur astrologists, could use your recommendations. >>



I recommend Ms. Cleo. She is just the best. She told me I would meet my soul mate who would be a Libra and she was right!! It was the best $$ I ever wasted! Call her right now 1-800-327-8162. :D



Hey I couldn't resist. ;)
 

Sohcan

Platinum Member
Oct 10, 1999
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<< Any amateur astrologists, could use your recommendations >>

LOL, I completely missed that....I should take offense to that. :)
 

Bachelor

Member
Dec 11, 2001
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Seriously though Celestron is the best buy. Please don't buy a Tasco, your eyes will thank you.
 

Xenon14

Platinum Member
Oct 9, 1999
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I recommend Ms. Cleo. She is just the best. She told me I would meet my soul mate who would be a Libra and she was right!! It was the best $$ I ever wasted! Call her right now 1-800-327-8162.


LOL. I literally broke out in laughter, and then I realized that I was the one that posted such idiocy. Good comeback Bachelor, lol . Allow me to correct myself... "astronomers". :D