Spec me a Telescope

djcj

djcj

djcj

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20 Sep 2005
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I've been pondering getting a telescope for a while. Just to literally sit in the back garden and see "what's up there" (hopefully good enough to see other planets?). I also go camping a couple of times a year and thought it might be good to take camping and may get better views away from the city?

I know nothing about telescopes. I've tried doing some research but quickly got confused will all the different options.

I would want to spend an absolute max of £400 (but if i'm honest i should probably spend closer to £200 until i know it's a hobby for me).

I also have a canon 60d dslr so a telescope that this could be attached to for some photography would be a bonus.

Any help greatly appreciated.
 
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There are too many too recommend one in particular, but one thing my uncle (who is a keen amateur astronomer) always says is to not concentrate on fancy auto guiding mounts and the like and spend the extra on the scope itself.
 
I had found a few telescopes on amazon if anyone could give an idea of the pros/cons between them?

2 cheaper ones around £200:

Skywatcher Explorer 130P Newtonian Reflector Telescope
Skywatcher Explorer 130m Newtonian Reflector Telescope

And 3 more expensive around the £400 region:

SkyWatcher Explorer-200P/1000 EQ5 Telescope

Skywatcher Skymax 127 SynScan Telescope

Celestron NexStar 4 SE Computerised Telescope
 
The 200p is supposedly a fantastic telescope. If you enjoy it, you can add any computer type gadgets later.

End up with something like this, which is top notch

 
Spook187 said:
Good starter for you.

http://www.firstlightoptics.com/dobsonians/skywatcher-skyliner-200p-dobsonian.html
Click to expand...

I would highly recommend one of these for a beginner into the hobby. (I myself have one, and so do many others!)

You get amazing bang for your buck with a dobsonian, and they're so easy to use and can be set up easily too.

200p is perfect because you can spend the leftover money on some essentials like new eyepieces and a telrad finder :)

I would direct you very far away from telescopes on EQ mounts, as imo they should only be used for imaging, far too much hassle for visual observing :)

For taking photos, you will need to be spending nearer £1000+
 
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robfosters said:
They don't look the easiest to travel with though. More of a garden scope.
Click to expand...

Dobsonians are best for traveling, better than mounted scopes imo, because of the ease of their construction. The only problem may be the base is quite chunky, but all you do is take 2 bits out the car, plonk them on each other and you're done :)

If you go for an EQ mount I guess they're smaller overall, but with all the bits an bobs far more difficult
 
+1 for the Skywatcher skyliner 200P dobsonian, I have got one myself and love it. Best bang for the buck, in my opinion. Recommend you get a right angle finder to prevent backache, and a telrad as well. Then get ready to buy more eyepieces. But you'll be able to see loads of stuff. The first time I saw Saturn it was jaw-dropping.
 
I have a Skywatcher Explorer 150p on an eq3-2 mount. Its a fantastic telescope and does well for my needs, the mount is a bit weak for astrophotography, but I've certainly managed to get some fantastic pictures with it.
 
Have you gone to your local astronomy club?

You can see if you like stargazing before you spend any serious money on the hobby.

They can also give you advice about telescopes if you do like it.

It's a bit old but the advice from Sir Patrick is still sound.

 
Tibbz2 said:
I would highly recommend one of these for a beginner into the hobby. (I myself have one, and so do many others!)

You get amazing bang for your buck with a dobsonian, and they're so easy to use and can be set up easily too.

200p is perfect because you can spend the leftover money on some essentials like new eyepieces and a telrad finder :)

I would direct you very far away from telescopes on EQ mounts, as imo they should only be used for imaging, far too much hassle for visual observing :)

For taking photos, you will need to be spending nearer £1000+
Click to expand...

Looks like we have a winner :)

What extras would you class as essential? A barlow?
 
Spook187 said:
Good starter for you.

http://www.firstlightoptics.com/dobsonians/skywatcher-skyliner-200p-dobsonian.html
Click to expand...

Tibbz2 said:
I would highly recommend one of these for a beginner into the hobby. (I myself have one, and so do many others!)

You get amazing bang for your buck with a dobsonian, and they're so easy to use and can be set up easily too.

200p is perfect because you can spend the leftover money on some essentials like new eyepieces and a telrad finder :)

I would direct you very far away from telescopes on EQ mounts, as imo they should only be used for imaging, far too much hassle for visual observing :)

For taking photos, you will need to be spending nearer £1000+
Click to expand...

pduk said:
+1 for the Skywatcher skyliner 200P dobsonian, I have got one myself and love it. Best bang for the buck, in my opinion. Recommend you get a right angle finder to prevent backache, and a telrad as well. Then get ready to buy more eyepieces. But you'll be able to see loads of stuff. The first time I saw Saturn it was jaw-dropping.
Click to expand...

Looks like we have a winner :)

What extras would you class as essential? A barlow?

Edit: double post :/
 
Spook187 said:
Good starter for you.

http://www.firstlightoptics.com/dobsonians/skywatcher-skyliner-200p-dobsonian.html
Click to expand...


I have one, and it is excellent. However, it is not easy to travel with...it is massive!

I have actually thought about downgrading to the 6" tbh, as I don't imagine there will be much difference. As others have said, all you will need now is a few eyepieces, maybe a barlow, though I barely use mine tbh(got it free with a subscription to Sky at Night) and some kind of laser finder

Best advice I can give is to join Stargazer's Lounge, and do some research in to which eyepieces you will need. Also, Stellarium is an essential piece of software

djcj said:
What extras would you class as essential?
Click to expand...

a decent selection of eyepieces, say two or three of different sizes. Personally, I would not class a Barlow as essential, a selection of eyepieces is far better imo.

Actually, thinking about it, a laser collimator is probably most essential to me....I am always needing to collimate, and I am rubbish at doing it manually:o
 
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djcj said:
Looks like we have a winner :)

What extras would you class as essential? A barlow?

Edit: double post :/
Click to expand...

Barlow isn't really essential. New eyepieces are a must, but everyone has personal tastes for them so it's best to try them as you go along, and once you find out a few focal lengths you use the most, buy some more expensive ones of them.

Telrad is probably an essential if you want to find anything lol. The finder provided does your back in and is difficult to use, I got rid of it and am now using just a telrad finder, much easier!

You will probably want a star atlas too for finding your way around with sky, and Stellarium, which is a great freeware program.

You will also want a cheshire collimator. I would avoid laser, as they aren't as accurate as they must be collimated themselves! Too much hassle imo, cheshires are simple and once you're used to collimating with one they're the best option.
 
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