I want to buy a telescope, any suggestions??

Question

I'd like to buy a telescope but not sure where to start. Any suggestions on good quality telescope for a reasonable price???

Answer 1

all i know is that the long skinny ones wiggle too much to look at anything other than the moon. i think you'll want something heavy. all of those skinny ones get tossed sooner or later after people give up on them.

Answer 2

two things: join an astronomy club, and pick up a copy of a reference like nightwatch. then you can see what stuff really looks like, how it works, look through lots of different scopes...you get the idea.

lots of ppl are disappointed bcuz they have unrealistic expectations on what they will see. please don't be one of them.

Answer 3

The reason why (IMHO) everybody here is telling you NOT to buy a telescope yet is that the best scope is different for different things.  I've got one scope for deep sky objects, one for planets and one for photographing of my neighbor's 21 year old daughter (just kidding - DOM).  But seriously, you'll learn so much by going to a couple of open viewing nights.  Like more magnification usually makes for a worse scope and like whether you enjoy mostly looking at the planets and solar system or deep sky.

Where you live also makes a difference 'cuz of light polution.  A quick look at e-bay turned up a a pair of cheap 20 x 50 binocs for $31 including shipping...But not a name brand...And especially for the beginner, finding things in the sky is SO much easier with binocs.  Anyway the real hobbyist can sink thousands and thousands into this and the optical companies know it.  Stick with used equipment at first.  As I said there's guys and gals out there that are looking for an excuse to dump their old equipment and buy new stuff.  Start with the hobby clubs.  Look for web sites or the bulletin boards at camera stores that sell nice telescopes (or just ask).  Libraries might also have info.  If you need to spend some money, subscribe to one of the Astronomy mags: (I personally prefer) Astronomy or Sky&Telescope  theres also space.com and lots of other smaller pubs.

Answer 4

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 5

The first thing you should do is look up your local astronomy club and visit one of their outings. You will be able to sample many scopes there.

Good luck!!

Answer 6

I know people get tired of hearing this, but if there's an astronomy club in your area, contact them and go to one of their observing sessions.  There's not a better way to see all kinds of telescopes, but an excellent way to meet and visit with people who share your passion for astronomy.

Answer 7

We need to know your competency with Astronomy.  Seriously, there are so many questions on here like:

"How do I find planets with my telescope?"

If you would need to ask that, you really need to buy nice pair of binoculars (7x50 are good), and learn your way around the sky for a year before investing in a telescope.

Nobody contemplating buying an astro telescope should ask such a question, unless like the suggestion from a previous respondant, you join an astro club, in which case they will show you how to use it.  

But, then, if you join an astro club, they can advise you on what telescope to buy.  

But don't get a telescope if you don't know the constellations, if you cannot point to at least 2 dozen major stars, and you don't know where the visible planets are.  

A telescope is not good for basic learning - it's field of view is too small to show a meaningful piece of sky to a novice.  Learn with naked eye and then binoculars.  It won't take a year if you are really keen

Answer 8

Here are a few web pages with good information on beginner's telescopes:

http://www.gaherty.ca/tme/TME0702_Buying...

http://www.scopereviews.com/begin.html

http://observers.org/beginner/j.r.f.begi...

For more advanced information, read Phil Harrington's Star Ware, 4th edition (Wiley).

You'll get the greatest value for your money with a Newtonian reflector on a Dobsonian mount, such as these:

http://www.telescope.com/control/categor...

http://www.skywatchertelescope.net/swtin...

Buy from a store which specializes in telescopes and astronomy, either locally or online; don't buy from department stores, discount stores or eBay as mostly what they sell is junk. Find your local astronomy club and try out different telescopes at one of their star parties:

http://www.skyandtelescope.com/community...

Answer 9

Some astronomy clubs rent telescopes.  I suggest you rent a few and see what you like!