What to buy? (Telescope)

Originally posted by GiantPanda1979
Alex, Thats too cool! How much did your setup run you? What problems have you run into using your scope?

Thanks!
I used to really enjoy it. But it's just a hobby and I don't devote much time to it now. Once I figured out how to build the adjustable camera mount from scratch, and did it successfully, I sort of lost interest.
I guess it was just the challenge of figuring it out that interested me.
We have a waxing moon tonight, so I should probably get out out there!

I have 3 that I (used) to use. The easiest to haul and set up is the 3.5 inch refractor, and it gives the sharpest images. But not good closeups. Got it from Costco, with tripod, and tracking computer, motorized mount for about $250.
I have a 6"reflector that I don't use much, cause it's not as sharp a view. A bit fuzzy. Tried collimating (aligning, adjusting internal mirrors) it with little success.
When seeing is excellent, I haul out the big 5" meade refractor.

The problems with the scope you have can all be sorted out with experience, so none I guess, except the weather.
You really have to watch for good seeing, and then take advantage of it when it comes. My GF used to hate good weather!
But when it's good, it's real good.
For your first scope, I would stay with a refractor, min. about 3.5" or 90mm. When you hit 5-6" you are now talking about close to 60-70 pounds, and it's hard to haul outdoors.
A 5" with mount, will run 700-1000, before spending on eyepieces, which are more important than the scope. I also use the 2" ep's and not the standard 1.25" ep's. You will need to upgrade to 2" ep's.
Get a nice digital cam, and mount, and do it!
You can also have a brewski or two while shooting the moon, which makes it more fun as well!

Here's one of my 1st shots.

Originally posted by GiantPanda1979
Hey all, I recently got a cheapo telescope and I think I got bit by the bug! I want to upgrade to something that will give me good detail of the moon and planets! Heck, I wanna get decent detail of the moons also! I have a budget of around 500.00 bucks! Whats a decent buy for a beginner? Should I shell out a few G's and go high grade? I'm not trying to find a new planet or anything, I just want to enjoy whats in the backyard! Thanks for any help you can give me!!!!!

Great post and a timely question for me.

Astronomy is a terrific hobby here in the Arizona desert with skies so clear that a lot of folks think there's a filter on the camera.
These pic's taken with an about $200. pocket size digi-cam.

The reason the post is so timely is that the next new moon - is that correct, when it's very dark? - is, I believe in a couple weeks.
Weather looks like it wll still be dry and the 3 x 5 mile dry lake about 25 miles from town is on our schedule for an overnight campout, little bit of stargazing, some plinking with 22 RF's in an area with good backstop and many miles of not much there in the desert along with taking some dry lakes type roadster movies is on the schedule.
Did I mention BBQ?

Right now, we only have some fairly good binocs, an old, but impressive looking telescope of unknown capability and my 48X spotting scope.

It'll be cold out there, but we've done more than a bit of camping in the Dez when we rode dirt bikes and stayed out for a week at a time.

Whether you have a good and dedicated to astronomy scope or not, just about anything will give you a decent view of the night skies if you're in the right place.
No light pollution out here or in most of the canyons and up on the ridges.

Lotta widlife, scariest one's on the lake can be the big longhorn bulls, but most times they're on the road which is near the big ranch entrance road.
4x4 not needed either although there'll probably be a couple of Jeeps in our group of 4-5 couples.

Usually wildlife, coyotes etc. don't venture too far out on the big expanse of nothingness.
No snakes either, if the sun doesn't get em, the hawks will.
It's cooled off enough that most will be in hibernation anyway.

I'll let you know how it goes - with pics - in a couple weeks.

What I would like to find are some good star maps at the local book store.
It's a big one for a small town, but it was closed till 1100 today and I was on a schedule and a couple hours early.
Recommendations here please.

Here's a few pics to give you an idea of what the lake looks like.





One to show the texture of the surface.


As well as a movie trailer to show what we're trying to accomplish in an amateurish way with our similar appearing roadster.
I do not wish to derail this most excellent post, but just to show some of the stuff we'll be doing.
Only thing missing is the sailplane....

www.bettatalk.com...

[edit on 21-10-2007 by Desert Dawg]

Barska optics. I have two rifle scopes and they are great, hold zero and all that. SO the telescopes should be great and inexpensive.

I'm kind'a big on inexpensive.

Roper

Well I decided on buying a celestron. www.celestron.com...

I figured I would get a scope that I could get used to the stars with. I can always upgrade later when I feel more comfortable with a large purchase. Do you guys think this is a good choice for a beginners scope? I have 10 days to return it if I don't like it. I enjoyed veiwing the moon tonite and I can't wait to locate a planet. Hope it works Well let me know what you think guys!

reply to post by GiantPanda1979


Hi GiantPanda1979. Celestron are a very good make of telescope. If you want to try some planets you can go for Mars which is a bright red 'star' in Gemini visible by about 2300. In the early morning sky (get up at about 0530 or so) you will see Venus and Saturn in the morning sky.

Good luck!

-Paul

Right on. Thanks for the info timelike. I am excited! I just got to get used to these star charts and stuff. I imagine once I fully understand it, there will be no problem!

reply to post by GiantPanda1979


*snip* and you'll enjoy everything in your backyard and beyond. LoL. J/k

don't waste a lot of money, get something that will fit your need and make you happy. i would go to a store and ask the differences between the models, compare and contrast. Is it really worth forking out a few g's if you can spend 500.00 and see almost the same thing? You have to ask how much better quality you're getting for your money, and way on it that way.


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[edit on 25-10-2007 by 12m8keall2c]