Whats the best beginners Telescope under $250???

Question

I'd like to look at the solar system and the moon. What's the best telescope for under 250 bucks?

Answer 1

EDIT - after writing everything below, I read the detail of your question. Duh. If you really want to focus on solar system objects, then refracting scopes (your more traditional-looking long skinny scopes) are the best match. However, these scopes are MUCH more expensive than reflector scopes (like the Dobsonian mentioned below). The refractors you see at Target or Wal-Mart are c**p - don't even waste your time.

In short, everything I wrote below applies if your budget is at or around $250. Good binocs or a decent starter Dobsonian scope. If you want a scope purpose-designed for planetary observing, then you're looking at a refractor, and to get "good" will take quite a bit more than $250.

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(My original response:)

It kinda depends on what type of observing you want to do. Really, for under $250 you can see a LOT of very interesting things with a pair of good binoculars!

Seriously - many beginning astronomy books will tell you to start with binoculars. They have several benefits:

- Good quality optics are available in your price range

- Very portable

- Little to no "practice" required to set up and use (just point and look!)

- Wide field of view makes locating areas of the sky easy

Almost every type of "thing" will be visible in binoculars - galaxies, star clusters, nebulae, planets. I think with dark enough skies, you can see almost all of the Messier catalog of deep space objects with a good set of binoculars.

If you want a 'scope, though, I think you'll be well served by one of the "Dobsonian" scopes. These don't look like your typical tripod-mounted telescope, but they are great for casual observing, and have several benefits:

- Most mirror diameter for the money (mirror diameter = light-gathering capacity = brighter views of dim objects)

- Easy setup/takedown

- Relatively portable

- Easy to use - just push the scope towards the object you want to view (they do have finder scopes, to help zero in on objects).

I think if you're just starting out, a 6" or 8" Dobsonian scope will work very well. I don't have experience with all brands, so I can't recommend a specific model. I personally have a Meade scope (a Schmidt-Cassegrain, not a Dobsonian) and it is a great scope.

Meade and Celestron have been the two "big guys" in telescopes for years, but there are several competitors especially in the lower-cost arena. Check out Orion's website for a great selection (link below).

Good luck and clear skies!

Answer 2

Your best bet will be a dobsonian telescope.  

Here's one that has a good reputation:

< http://www.telescope.com/control/product... >

I'm suggesting a dobsonian because they provide the most bang for the buck.  A $250 dobsonian should be a useful scope with reasonable light gathering power, and resolution for planets.  It'll be reasonably easy to aim.  

The problem with other types of scopes is the cost to make them well means you're not going to find good ones in your price range.

If your budget improves, by all means, consider refractors, but to get a refractor that will out perform the $250 dobsonian I've suggested, you'll need to spend at least ten times your target budget.

Answer 3

I really dont know.. but suggest you check at a second hand store or pawn shop... you can buy better ones for less if you buy used

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Answer 4

You can buy a 6" Dobsonian for about $250--- like this one--

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

Answer 5

While high end refractors can yield very high contrast views of bright objects like planets, at $250, you still want a reflector.  It's simply better bang for the buck.  For $250, you don't get an APO refractor.

You can get a very nice 6" telescope for under $250.  It'd be nice to have a computer to help you find stuff, but the planets are pretty easy to spot.  You can get the Intelliscope without the computer, and get the computer later.  But if you get the Skyquest classic, you can't add the computer later.

Another thing you could do is join a local astronomy club.  For $250, you can get about 10 years of membership.  My club has a half dozen loaner scopes, an observatory, and a 22 inch telescope which would cost more than $10,000.  I can use them whenever i want.

And, astronomy can be nicer as a social hobby.

I don't believe in beginner telescopes.  Buy what you'll use.

Answer 6

I've heard the images in refractors at that price range are better than the images in Dobsonians. I don't know if that is true. I"ve seen images in dobs and images in refractors and they both seemed good. a benefit of dobs and refractors on altizimuth(sp?) mounts is that you just push it in the direction you want to look. this is harder to find and track small things in the sky but easy to just grab and look around. the other kind of mount is equatorial mount. it's harder to get used to but it will automatically track objects as they go through the sky. When really zoomed in space objects really haul across the sky, and if you don't watch it and keep tracking it, they can be hard to find again. with an equatorial mount you twist the RA k**b and the object comes right back into view.

spend money on optics, avoid robotics. at this price point you want to put all the money into making the picture better, look for a scope with a big fat lens, the bigger the better, a strong sturdy mount and tripod so it doesn't jiggle.

Save some money for extras. the stock eyepieces in this price range are usually only 'ok'. you might want to spend some money on 1 or 2 or 3 quality eyepieces. you might want a good astronomy book. the internet has by far enough information to get you going, but a book is all in one place at one time and you can bring it out astronomizing with you, books often include star charts for all seasons. a red flashlight is nice as it doesn't reset your night vision when you look at the star chart.