Which telescope should I get?

Question

Theres 2 used ones that claim to be in excellent condition. Here they are:

$310. 8" Dobsonian with 2x barlow, moon filter and telescope stool.

$200. 4.5" Reflector with autolocator computer, 3x barlow.

1) http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-sell-hobbies-crafts-Sky-Watcher-Dobsonian-telescope-8-diameter-in-new-condition-W0QQAdIdZ66618744

2) http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-sell-hobbies-crafts-Meade-Reflecting-Telescope-with-Autolocator-computer-W0QQAdIdZ66745573

Please help me to decide.

**Im a beginner so this will be my first scope.

(Also plz explain what f/ ratio means and how autolocator works)

Answer 1

The Dobsonian will be easier for you to use. It is pretty simple.

The computer controlled equatorial mount on the Meade will be very confusing to you.

So of those 2 choices, I lean toward the first. But it is like asking which doctor to go to. It is a very personal opinion kind of thing. You really need to try both, which is impossible without buying both. Which is why people always advise you to find the local astronomy club and go to some of their events and try their telescopes. Most members love to tell you all about their telescopes and show you how they work. Then you can pick one you like and buy the same type.

f/ratio is basically the length of the telescope divided by its width.

An auto locator is a computer that uses motors to point the telescope for you. But in my opinion, if you can figure out such a computer system then you could find Saturn manually anyway.

Answer 2

Get the cheapest?!!

Answer 3

Due to its larger aperture, the 8-inch Dobsonian will be the better buy.  Images will be three times brighter in the 8-inch than in the 4.5-inch.

The f/ratio is the ratio of the telescope's focal length to its aperture (the diameter of the primary mirror).  Both of these telescopes have fairly large f/ratios, so they should be fairly easy to collimate.

An autolocator is a computer that helps you find objects in the sky.  What you do is find a known object with the scope and tell the computer what you're pointing at.  Then you repeat the process with another object in another part of the sky.  Some computers require a third object.  After this info is fed to the computer, it will find other objects for the rest of your viewing session.

I've been an amateur astronomer for fifty years and I've never needed a computer because I learned where objects were long before computers came around.