Need advice on buying a telescope.

Question

I would like to view further out into space (Jupiter and such) with good quality. I am ok with spending up to $800, so I would like something high powered, even if it means its heavy. I have used this department store telescope for 7 years and I am tired of only being able to see Saturn as a speck.

Also, I would like an automatic positioning system that puts the telescope where I want it automatically. Whats a good software to pair with this? Starry night?

Answer 1

A "push to" system with an 8 to 10 inch dob would be my choice for that amount of money. You would not be disappointed.

Answer 2

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.

Cellestron and Meade are good GoTo systems too, however those companies have been having problems so if it were my money, I would stick with Orion.  

I wish you all the best. Enjoy

Answer 3

Rahl, fan of Terry Goodkind's works?  Love them myself!

Oooh, you're thinking of something great.  

I recommend the SkyQuest XT8 IntelliScope with Object Locater.  Might not what you had in mind, but it's great enough to make me drool.  Reflectors are your best bet, and you can have fun with it.  Great fun.

Starry Night would be good, don't use it myself but I've heard good things about it.

Answer 4

Be careful with auto positioning systems as some are very complicated to set up.

I have starry night bundle edition but have had it for some years, probably better on the market now.

My scope is one of the ones wear you see erything in reverse, I would not buy another one again.

Answer 5

You should really join a club.  I can't stress this enough.  Try before you buy.  I can't stress this enough.

The Orion xt10i is currently on sale.  I bought one for $800 two years ago.  I love it.  It has a computer to help you find stuff.  It runs on a 9 volt batter that lasts a couple months.  It sets up with 2 star alignment in under 3 minutes.  It fits in my car.  I bought it over the web.  Orion has had excellent after sales support.  For example, i sent them email that an accessory was damaged.  They shot a replacement in the mail, which arrived two days later.  They emailed me an RMA - something to print and hand to the nice Fed Ex guys with the the old one.  No hassle.

The xt10i does not track the sky.  So it won't convert to astrophotography easily.  But one of they guys at the club with an xt10i bought the Atlas mount, and is starting to play with it.  He can convert back to the dob mount at will.  The Atlas mount is something like $1400 by itself.  Big scopes require expensive mounts for photography.  Also, tracking mounts take longer to align, and are heavier, and require bigger batteries.  But i'd get an additional smaller scope with a smaller mount for photography if i decide to go that way.

For software, i use kstars (it comes with Linux).  But Stellarium, Celestia, xephem, and other free software are all very good too.