Is this a good telescope for a beginer. Meade ETX-80BB Backpack Observatory Telescope?

Question

what makes a good telescope. i know nothing about them so explain simply please. thanks. what is good about this telescope and what should i look for when buying? http://www.telescopes.com/telescopes/go-to-telescopes/meadeetx80attcastrotelescopewithautostar.cfm

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.

Contrary to another answer here, I would stay away from astromart or used scopes until you know EXACTLY what you are doing.  Many people have been burned when buying used because of people who do not know how to properly use and care for their equipment so they sell their scratched and damaged optics to newbies who dont know any better.  

______________________________________...

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

you;re paying for electronics at the expense of the optics. i'd avoid it.

please visit a local astronomy group and see what's what. then you can see what is available, and see how it works. ppl often have unrealistic expectations on what they will see.

please pick up a copy of a reference like nightwatch. this will explain all kinds of things.

the hot ticket these days is usually a nice dob.

Answer 3

Any telescope that is a beginer model will be a huge compromimse and it is hard to say what is a "good"

beginer telescope. So many compromises have to be

made in quality and precision of the lenses, focus mechanics, tripod, and so forth.

What I would recommend with all seriousness is to wait and join an Astronomy Club near you. Attend their meetings and identify yourself as a New Commer . At some point in time there will be discussions of a Star Party where members bring their telescopes to a selected "choice" viewing spot and everyone tries to get the best possible view of some event that is happening in the sky that evening.

At a star party you will be able to lok through other peoples' telescopes and begin to learn about what is really possible with telescopes, the capabilities of each kind of scope, the frustration met when you seek to go to a really great view and find the scope is a monstrosity that you cannot easily move around. Beginer scopes come with rather low grade eyepieces. So your enjoyment is limited from the get go by the optics supplied with the scope.

Visit:

http://www.astromart.com

They charge a small fee for the first time access of their Used equipment sections. It is a good deal. Do it.

There you can view all maner of scopes purchased by others and now on sale to permit the seller to move upward in quality. Lots of high quality optics are available there. In fact, that is where I purchased all of my eyepieces for my Meade Six Inch Refractor at very nice price reductions from retail.

Before you buy one, also check out the location where you plan to use the telescope. Does it have gobs of light from street lamps, residential home window security lights, Big Billboard Signs??? Is the sky all lit up at night? If so, you will not be happy using ANY Telescope there. you will most likely have to travel some distance out into the country to get a totally black sky for use of your telescope. Facing this prospect, you will begin to see the need for portability which shoots many of us right in the foot. We want BIG but can only transport SMALL. Also, the bigger and heavier the scope is, the less frequently you will wind up taking it out of storage to use it.

Cloud Cover and HAZE. Does your town have a haze floating over it all the time? This haze might be from automobile or factory pollution of the atmosphere. The ability of your scope to function well through HAZE is really limited, regardless of what model you select. Also, are you frequently faced with cloud cover? Scopes do not work at all - looking through clouds. Check these things out carefully before you buy...