Telescopes?

Cemetery · 9 Sep 2009 at 18:24

It is my dad's birthday shortly & he has a bit of an interest in being out & spotting the various astrological bits & bobs and my Mum is thinking of getting him a Telescope but along with me, has no idea about them. Anyone know what a good one for a novice with a passing interest would be? No idea of the budget but please recommend away if there is anyone who does this as a hobby etc

Nate--IRL-- · 9 Sep 2009 at 18:30

Perhaps something like this?

Nate

Edit:- Starter Scopes

Mik3 · 9 Sep 2009 at 18:39

I would certainly suggest this one:

http://www.firstlightoptics.com/proddetail.php?prod=Comni127

Its not a GOTO (comtuter hand control) but I find those pants. Thats a bargain for what it is.

Also check out http://www.stargazerslounge.com/

lakitu · 9 Sep 2009 at 22:08

Thinking about buying one also, the one in the link is very tempting, will read the forums linked also.

As a side question, can anyone explain how you capture images you see from your telescope to save to your computer etc.

Doctor_Zhivago · 9 Sep 2009 at 22:20

lakitu said:
As a side question, can anyone explain how you capture images you see from your telescope to save to your computer etc.

Same way as a camera

PhillyDee · 10 Sep 2009 at 00:02

Mik3, another fellow SGL'er I see

Its not quite as simple as 'same as a camera'.
Read up about it, as getting decent images is a long expensive hobby!

Zogger · 10 Sep 2009 at 00:03

Have you considered a hubble space telescope?

Cemetery · 10 Sep 2009 at 19:15

Cheers for that the certainly has potential.

lakitu · 10 Sep 2009 at 20:06

Hey Mik3, ordered the Celestron Omni XLT 127 above. Can't wait to take it out in the garden. Any hints or tips for a complete newbie? I've registered on SGL also.

Mik3 · 12 Sep 2009 at 23:06

lakitu said:
Hey Mik3, ordered the Celestron Omni XLT 127 above. Can't wait to take it out in the garden. Any hints or tips for a complete newbie? I've registered on SGL also.

Did you get it at the bargain price? I think it was £260? its back upto £340 now

You will probably be frustrated at first but don't let that put you off. Try the Moon and Jupiter is stunning now, Jupiter is towards the south, it looks like a star but 10x brighter you cant miss it, you will be able to see the bands and all moons with that scope.

I just noticed you only get a 25mm eyepiece with that scope, if you email me your address I'll post you a 10mm eyepiece for free. I've got a spare Barlow lens also you can have that as well.

Delvis · 12 Sep 2009 at 23:35

I would really love to get a decent telescope

...Always loved looking up at the stars.

lakitu · 12 Sep 2009 at 23:38

Go for it, I'll let you know how I like mine when it arrives on Monday. I find the Stargazers lounge a great forum to gain knowledge.

slylittlefox · 13 Sep 2009 at 00:39

Some of the images people have captured on that forum are nothing short of mind-blowing. I guess I was naive about what could be captured with 'personal' telescopes, some of the detail and imagery caught is spectacular.

Highly recommend people check out the 'Image of the Week' subforum.

Thanks for the link!

Delvis · 13 Sep 2009 at 07:26

Nate--IRL-- said:
Perhaps something like this?

Nate

Edit:- Starter Scopes

I'd be tempted by one of the ones that are around the £100 mark...Would they be worth it though?

Might have to start saving.

PhillyDee · 13 Sep 2009 at 12:14

If you stretch to this one:
http://www.telescopeplanet.co.uk/ViewProdDetails.asp?prod_code=PON07B000014

I started with a Celestron Nexstar 80SLT, has computerised goto (Tell it what to find and it finds it) andthen Last year I bought a Skywatcher 200P which has an 8" mirror. The views are nothing short of stunning. The Celestron is superb for planetery and the moon, and s portable. The 200p is not (Tube is huge! and the mount is even heavier/bigger). I need to save up £500 to upgrade the tube with a better focusser and some new lenses. Meh, cant afford it right now!

lakitu · 13 Sep 2009 at 14:00

Mik3 said:
Did you get it at the bargain price? I think it was £260? its back upto £340 now

You will probably be frustrated at first but don't let that put you off. Try the Moon and Jupiter is stunning now, Jupiter is towards the south, it looks like a star but 10x brighter you cant miss it, you will be able to see the bands and all moons with that scope.

I just noticed you only get a 25mm eyepiece with that scope, if you email me your address I'll post you a 10mm eyepiece for free. I've got a spare Barlow lens also you can have that as well.

email sent, thank you

Pinter75 · 13 Sep 2009 at 15:24

Mik3 said:
Its not a GOTO (comtuter hand control) but I find those pants.

I have a Meade LX200R ARC SMT MF GPS 10" and I assure you the Goto is far from "pants"

Any of the smaller Celestron scopes that have Goto are ok, I also have an N4SE and it is a good grab and go.

lakitu · 13 Sep 2009 at 15:31

I would like a GOTO in the future, but as a beginner don't want to miss out on the fun of searching and finding via charts and scanning myself. I am sure they are very good.

lakitu · 13 Sep 2009 at 15:36

Pinter75 said:
I have a Meade LX200R ARC SMT MF GPS 10" and I assure you the Goto is far from "pants"

Any of the smaller Celestron scopes that have Goto are ok, I also have an N4SE and it is a good grab and go.

I bet you can see some great sights with that scope, I'm jealous.

Pinter75 · 13 Sep 2009 at 18:25

lakitu said:
I bet you can see some great sights with that scope, I'm jealous.

Yup, I can and it took a while before I took the plunge and got it!

Sadly tho' since i have had it it has sat in the shed along with all the rest of the astro stuff (cameras, adapters etc..). That is nearly £6k I have lying around and unused.

But, since I have moved to a place that you can see the MilkyWay with the naked eye, it will get it's own home in the back garden!