Need to buy a Telescope!

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M

MacBaine

Banned
Aug 23, 2001
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Ok, I have wanted to buy a decent telescope for years now, and with graduation upon me, I've finally got a little money that I can use for myself. I'd like to find something relatively good, but doesn't have to be excellent, and for around $250. I want to get one of the fat, short, refracting telescopes.

If anybody has any suggestions I'd love to hear them. Thanks! :D
 
HomeBrewerDude

HomeBrewerDude

Lifer
Jan 18, 2001
14,465
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i looked a few years ago, but i never bought one. there is quite of bit of information on the web, and it sounds like you know that you don't want one from walmart.


You don't need a lot of power, you need high quality lens for good resolution.

Also, i seem to remember that a good eyepeice is often just as expensive as the telescope.

 
H

HappyPuppy

Lifer
Apr 5, 2001
16,997
2
71
But..but that means you would have to leave your computer and venture <shudder> to the OUTSIDE! Have you properly researched this <agony> OUTSIDE? I have heard stories from "the old ones" telling of blazing heat and numbing cold. I find it almost impossible to believe, but they even talk of water and icd falling from the great overhead they call "sky".

Be careful and may the computer gods be with you.
 
M

MacBaine

Banned
Aug 23, 2001
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Originally posted by: HappyPuppy
But..but that means you would have to leave your computer and venture <shudder> to the OUTSIDE! Have you properly researched this <agony> OUTSIDE? I have heard stories from "the old ones" telling of blazing heat and numbing cold. I find it almost impossible to believe, but they even talk of water and icd falling from the great overhead they call "sky".

Be careful and may the computer gods be with you.
Click to expand...

LOL
 
M

MacBaine

Banned
Aug 23, 2001
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Originally posted by: yamahaXS
i looked a few years ago, but i never bought one. there is quite of bit of information on the web, and it sounds like you know that you don't want one from walmart.


You don't need a lot of power, you need high quality lens for good resolution.

Also, i seem to remember that a good eyepeice is often just as expensive as the telescope.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I know there's tons of info... I just don't know where to start looking. I know the general type of telescope that I want, but I'm worried that there are too many websites which may tell me different things... and I have NO idea what brand names are good.
 
H

HappyPuppy

Lifer
Apr 5, 2001
16,997
2
71
If you want to get the best bang for your buck and if you are willing to be patient, you should contact a local stargazer group or club. Attend one or more of their meetings and ask them. I'm sure they would be very happy to help you and you would get much better information from them than you will here.

Good luck.


EDIT: Just did a Google for "star gazer clubs" and came up with this. It lists a bunch of clubs in IL:

Star Gazer Clubs
 
A

AstIsis

Senior member
Jan 18, 2003
640
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If you want a good telescope, Mead or Celestron happen to be the best manufacturers. I would like to second the suggestion that you talk to your local astronomy club. Not only can they tell you what is best to buy, but they may even know of someone selling a good used scope.
 
S

SoylentGreen

Diamond Member
Oct 17, 2002
4,698
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What is your main interest of what you will be viewing? If you just want to look at the moon and planets a decent 80 MM refractor can be had.
Unless you wish to view broad expanses of starfields I'd recommend getting a telescope with a longer focal length in order that you can achieve higher powers with less powerful eyepieces.

You said that you wanted a short refractor, but if you get a short 800mm focal length scope and you place a 25mm your effective magnification will only be 32x.
If you get a longer focal length scope you will get better magnification.

Mind you do not buy a scope based solely on magnification. You do not want to buy one of those bushnells that promise 525X with a 60mm lens.

The theoretical maximum magnification you can use with any telescope of any size is 300x and that is under optimal conditions. Unless you are planning of using your telescope on top of Mt. McKinley you will see these conditions rarely.

$250 is really not enough money, but this is what I would get if that were indeed my budget.
scope

LMK if you have any questions.
 
M

MacBaine

Banned
Aug 23, 2001
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Originally posted by: Kiyup
What is your main interest of what you will be viewing? If you just want to look at the moon and planets a decent 80 MM refractor can be had.
Unless you wish to view broad expanses of starfields I'd recommend getting a telescope with a longer focal length in order that you can achieve higher powers with less powerful eyepieces.

You said that you wanted a short refractor, but if you get a short 800mm focal length scope and you place a 25mm your effective magnification will only be 32x.
If you get a longer focal length scope you will get better magnification.

Mind you do not buy a scope based solely on magnification. You do not want to buy one of those bushnells that promise 525X with a 60mm lens.

The theoretical maximum magnification you can use with any telescope of any size is 300x and that is under optimal conditions. Unless you are planning of using your telescope on top of Mt. McKinley you will see these conditions rarely.

$250 is really not enough money, but this is what I would get if that were indeed my budget.
scope

LMK if you have any questions.
Click to expand...

You seem to know what you're talking about :p I'm actually looking into getting a reflector, as I'd like to do some deep-space gazing. I can bump the budget up a bit to $300 or so... but if you can make some suggestions for maybe <$500, I can save some more for a bit and get something decent.

As for an astronomy club, I'm kinda out in the suburbs and I don't know of any astronomy clubs around here. The sky isn't too good to look at here because of the light from Chicago... but I'll be going to college next year and the sky will be a LOT nicer.

Ok... so $500, reflector... I'm going to look at some Meade and Celestrons and see if there is anyhting I like.
 
S

SoylentGreen

Diamond Member
Oct 17, 2002
4,698
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With 300 and wanting a reflector, you should look into a dobsonian mounted 6" scope. You really will have to look into used since you cannot blow your entire stash on the scope.

You will want a range of eyepieces. Remember, always get a good barlow lens. If you get a scope with 2 eyepieces, a 2X barlow gives you the equivalent of double your eyepiece collection . Most of the scope packages today come with a 25mm and 9 mm lens. Buying a barlow will in effect give you a 25, 12.5, 9, and 4.5 mm lens.

The math is easy. You take the focal length of the scope and divide it by the lens.

So if you get a 1000mm focal length scope, your magnifications with the 2 lenses and barlow I said would be exactly

40X, 80X, 110X, and 220X.

You will get good enough views of planets and moon with that, and some deep-sky like the orion, ring nebula and Andromeda galaxy.

Since you are in the suburbs, you need to think which way the skyglow is. If Chicago is to your south, then the sky is washed out in that direction and northern object will be easier to view, of course the opposite if the opposite is true.

Fit into your budget a planisphere, and a constellation book that lists some of the brighter deep-sky objects.

 
M

MacBaine

Banned
Aug 23, 2001
9,999
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Originally posted by: Kiyup
With 300 and wanting a reflector, you should look into a dobsonian mounted 6" scope. You really will have to look into used since you cannot blow your entire stash on the scope.

You will want a range of eyepieces. Remember, always get a good barlow lens. If you get a scope with 2 eyepieces, a 2X barlow gives you the equivalent of double your eyepiece collection . Most of the scope packages today come with a 25mm and 9 mm lens. Buying a barlow will in effect give you a 25, 12.5, 9, and 4.5 mm lens.

The math is easy. You take the focal length of the scope and divide it by the lens.

So if you get a 1000mm focal length scope, your magnifications with the 2 lenses and barlow I said would be exactly

40X, 80X, 110X, and 220X.

You will get good enough views of planets and moon with that, and some deep-sky like the orion, ring nebula and Andromeda galaxy.

Since you are in the suburbs, you need to think which way the skyglow is. If Chicago is to your south, then the sky is washed out in that direction and northern object will be easier to view, of course the opposite if the opposite is true.

Fit into your budget a planisphere, and a constellation book that lists some of the brighter deep-sky objects.
Click to expand...

Cool... yeah, I was thinking I could look for something used if it's in good condition and the price is right. Do you think eBay/websites would be safe for something like this... or would it be best if I found something local?
 
S

SoylentGreen

Diamond Member
Oct 17, 2002
4,698
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Depends on the risk you want to take. You can find telescopes in the newspaper being sold by a private owner.

I for one wouldn't risk ebay and the shipping involved.
 
T

tritium4ever

Senior member
Mar 17, 2002
402
0
71
I managed to find a used 8" Dob, which includes a 26mm Meade Super Plossl eyepiece and a Rigel Quickfinder, all for $350 Canadian (about $260 USD), which I think is an outstanding deal.

For your budget, I would recommend a 6" Dob (used if possible, if only to save some cash for other accessories), two eyepieces and a barlow, and a moon filter. Astronomy isn't a cheap hobby...in fact, I'd say it's even more insidious than computers because you'll be compelled to upgrade at a pretty amazing pace. One look through a high end eyepiece and you'll be convinced that you simply MUST buy it. ;)
 
M

MacBaine

Banned
Aug 23, 2001
9,999
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0
Originally posted by: tritium4ever
I managed to find a used 8" Dob, which includes a 26mm Meade Super Plossl eyepiece and a Rigel Quickfinder, all for $350 Canadian (about $260 USD), which I think is an outstanding deal.

For your budget, I would recommend a 6" Dob (used if possible, if only to save some cash for other accessories), two eyepieces and a barlow, and a moon filter. Astronomy isn't a cheap hobby...in fact, I'd say it's even more insidious than computers because you'll be compelled to upgrade at a pretty amazing pace. One look through a high end eyepiece and you'll be convinced that you simply MUST buy it. ;)
Click to expand...

Yeah.. after some thought, I think I am going to keep saving until I can start off with something a bit better. No sense in wasting a couple hundred if I am just going to upgrade right away... might as well start with something better.
 
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