I am looking to buy a telescope. Which one should I buy?

Question

I am a beginner and I just wanted to be able to see the rings on saturn and such. I don't want a huge fancy one but I don't want a cheap one either. So, anyone have an idea on what kind I should buy? Also, anyone know any good stores, online or not online, that I could go to?

Answer 1

There are several different kinds of telescopes and all of them have some excellent features. Refractors and Reflectors, plus Schmidt-Cassegrain, APO refractors and more. There are also several mounts to chose from and the mounts are just as important as the scope is. All of the different scopes and mounts have some features that some people like and do not like.

There is no one scope that is "better" than another except for the junk scopes out there which are all just a waste of money. Never, ever buy from Walmart, Costco, Target, or any other discount store like that. Junk scopes are flooded into the market from those stores. You will be buying nothing but bad optics and plastic.

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http://oriontelescopes.com/

Orion is the very best for value and for customer service too. I have 2 of their scopes and I will only buy from them from now on.

The Orion site has some excellent diagrams and explanations of all types of scopes and mounts.

Things to consider are size--can the user lift and transport the scope to the viewing site easily? If not, then it will gather dust in a closet. Can the viewer reach all the k***s and buttons? I have a long tube large manual refractor and it is very dificult for me to reach the k***s when I am pointed to Zenith. I am not a tall person.

Take your time in making your decision.

I would like to suggest that you join a local astronomy club or astronomical society BEFORE you spend your money on a scope. There are many different kinds of scopes and what is perfect for one person is not perfect for another. Everyone has their own set of eyeballs and no two are the same. If you join a club, you can attend a few of their star parties and try out members scopes to see what works best for YOU, before you buy a scope. The members can also help you when you get your scope and show you how to get the most out of your new scope as well as to help teach you where the treasures in the sky are located. Hint: they will be especially helpful if you take cookies to star parties. Most clubs have loaner scopes and extensive libraries that you can gather more information from too.

Some people will suggest that you purchase binnoculars. Not a bad idea but dont buy anything less than 10x50 and you must have a tripod too or you will not be happy with your astronomical views because they will be too shakey from your movements. Personally, I prefer a scope to binos because if binoculars are not aligned properly at the factory, then you get double images and distortions that cant be fixed.

But when you buy go Orion and you wont be disappointed. Don't try to learn everything all at once or you will be overwhelmed and discouraged. Patience is the key to Astronomy.

You will also need a good star chart program.  

http://www.stellarium.org/      

This is great freeware that you can download.  Just tell it where you are and it will tell you what you see.

I wish you all the best. Enjoy

Answer 2

Your goals are quite modest.  You don't need a telescope at all.

I have seen the rings of Saturn with 8x42 binoculars.  Saturn was tipped over about as far as it goes.  The atmosphere was very steady.  Saturn was very high in the sky.  I had the binoculars on a very steady mount. My vision is 20:18 correctable or better, with no astigmatism.  When people mess with the focus i've set, they complain that they can't get it that good by themselves.  And, this was more of an achievement, not a very good look at the rings.  You may have binoculars hanging around the house.

Still, you could visit a local astronomy club's open house or other public event.  They'd be happy to show you cool stuff.  See the link.

If you still want to buy a scope, read on.

Please do not buy a telescope at a discount store or your grocery store.  You may get good optics, but you'll likely get over powered eyepieces and a mount so wobbly as to be unusable. From the sound of it, perhaps you already know this.

Here are the 3 P's for picking a telescope.  Price, Performance, and Portability.  Price and portability can be show stoppers.  Price less so, since you may be able to wait until you have more cash. But a scope that doesn't fit in your car is stuck where ever it ends up.  That leaves performance.  For deep space, what you need is as much light gathering as possible.  That's usually a Newtonian reflector on a Dobsonian mount.  The Dob mount is a lazy susan with a tilt.  They're inexpensive, but stable.  They don't track the sky, but it's not bad.  You have to spend more money on a good tracking mount than you do on the scope.

From here on, you should know that i don't believe in beginner scopes.  Buy what you will use.

Next up is finding objects.  The Moon and Saturn can be found by anyone without aid.  And if you really don't care about anything else, maybe you don't need a computer.  I think they're fantastic, and wouldn't do without one.  So, my first recommendation is the xt6i - Orion's 6" Dob with a computer.  But if you join a club, you may be able to borrow scopes, and you can decide for yourself if you need something like this. Clubs are great at letting you try before you buy.

If you really don't need a computer, there are two low end telescopes i've used and liked. The Starblast 4.5 and the Astroscan.  Both are a bit low to the ground.  But a bit of rug will keep your pants clean, and your knees undamaged.

What do i have?  I have the Orion xt10i.  This is a 10" Dob with a computer push-to locater.  I love it.  $800.  I don't expect to have to buy another scope unless this gets broken somehow.  I also sometimes use a 60mm spotting scope on a high end photography tripod.  Portable.  $500.  But i bought it for bird watching.  Stable and rugged.  I also routinely use 8x21 binoculars.  They're 100 grams and can be hand held for long periods.  They also fit in my pocket, and are very rugged.  $50.  And, finally, i have 1x7 binoculars, which you'd call naked eyes.  I almost always have them with me.  They're the best instrument for meteor showers and spotting orbiting satellites.  You may already have a set.

<edit>

I'm pretty sure i've attempted to help someone with a Cstar.  Wobbly mount, and it's very hard to get the focuser to actually get in focus.  Very frustrating.  Not on my recommended list.

<edit 2>

I really wish i could try a Celestron StarSeeker.  No one around here has one.  Right this moment, Orion has the xt6i on sale - and it's cheaper.  I'm sure it's a better scope - 150mm is better than 130 mm.  But don't rush yourself just because of the sale.  You can also get good deals on Astromart, once you know what you want.

Answer 3

big five or any sporting goods store has good beginner telescopes.

i got a c-star telescope packaged with the astronomy for dummies book. the book didnt help much with finding stuff, but it was stil an interesting read.

and i've seen the rings on saturn, and jupiter! OMG it is so amazing!

heres the link

http://www.amazon.com/Refractor-Telescop...

good luck! astronomy is so amazing. you will have so much fun with your scope!!!

message me if you want!!! i'll help u with any tips anything!!!

Answer 4

I suggest the "Celestron StarSeeker 130mm GoTo Reflector".  

Buy it here: http://www.telescope.com/control/categor...

But look around this site a while before deciding to buy.  There are lots of scopes there.  Have fun!

Answer 5

<ditto on most of the advice.  NO to discount stores for telescopes, YES to join the local astro club (often they have loaners, or at least after you get to know the guys you can look thru his scope).

YES to a good pair of binoculars and a reclining lawn chair!  

I like the Dobsonians ...look at Meade.com for their 'LightBridge' series...<$400 for a nice 8" scope ...also the other big player in the field is Celestron.

You MIGHT find something on craig's list, but go look thru it at a star b4 you buy...even with no experience, you can tell (a) if the seller even knows how to set the telescope up and (b) if the star looks like a star , maybe it's ok, if it looks like a pizza, there's probably a problem