Is a $300 Dollar Telescope worth the Money???

Question

I've been reading other questions on here asking for good telescopes around 300 dollars and I've seen so many mixed responses. Some people recommend and others say that 300 dollars will not get you a good telescope. Well I'm not a billionaire and I'm a beginner so I'm not going above 300. Is that price truly not worth it, if I want to see planets, nebulaes and stuff like that? If 300 is enough for a scope thats worth it, then whats your recommendation?

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 difficult 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 the 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. I wish you all the best. Enjoy

Answer 2

It depends on what you get. There are some fairly useless computerized telescopes being sold in that price range, but if you stick to simple dobsonians you can get a nice 6" telescope. Orion has a number of choices under $300. Follow this link and browse, or use their price-range selector: http://www.telescope.com/control/categor...

Answer 3

Jen go to cloudynights.com and click on the classified ads ,reflector telescopes and look at the 4" to 6" sizes. There are some larger nebulas and some planets you can view .  Great for the moon. At 6" you just begin to see some things with color. Sign up there and go to the forum's beginners section. It has loads of info and will answer a great many of  your questions.

Answer 4

For a new telescope probably not but if you buy a used telescope, $300.00 can get you a better than good one.  Google "used telescopes for sale" and buy a used scope.  As long as the glass and mirrors are in good condition, it doesn't matter if it's new or old, a used one will work just as good as a new one.

Answer 5

$300 is good enough for a beginner telescope.

just look around this site for all your choices under $300.

http://www.telescopes.com/

Whatever you do...don't buy from a department store...because you will be very disappointed.

I would recommend a reflector scope..because you can get more scope for your money.

The bigger the better...because the more light gathering your scope can achieve...the more you will see.

Check out the reflector telescope section on the site....there's some really nice ones for beginners within your price range.