I want a decent Telescope?

Question

I am looking to buy a decent telescope and don't know where to start. I am looking to spend around $300 or so. I would also like to know if there are any out there around that price that have the automatic finding capability. (download info from the net and put in coordinates to find stars)

Answer 1

The telescopes with auto finding capabilities are somewhat expensive, cheapest about $600 for a 4 inch. You can get started with $300 and a good star chart. But if you want to get serious, you will need to spend more money. For astronomy, most would recommend at least a 6 inch telescope and an 8 inch is better. But dark skies are more important than a large aperature. If you do not have access to dark skies, your abilites to see dim objects will be greatly impacted reguardless of aperature.

Here are a couple of choices in the $300 range.

http://www.telescopes.com/products/zhumell-8-inch-dobsonian-reflector-telescope-38398.html

This scope has an equitorial mount which I prefer and it is inexpensive--$159.00

http://www.telescopes.com/products/celestron-firstscope-114-eq-short-newtonian-reflector-5936.html

$600 range with computer control

http://www.telescopes.com/products/celestron-nexstar-4-se-47522.html

There are all kinds of goodies at this site. So check them all out.

Now you will need a star chart. Absolutely ecentual.

http://www.shopatsky.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=861

$39.00. The price shown is $59.00 but there is a drop down box where you can purchase for $39.00.

Answer 2

A goto telescope in your price range will be somewhat compromised in both optical and electronic performance, but it is possible; see the first link below.

If you are willing to put some effort into learning the sky and finding stuff yourself (means buying a book or two), you can get a larger and more capable telescope for the same money.

Whatever you do, buy from a reputable telescope vendor. Avoid Walmart, sporting goods stores, camera stores, and above all, e-bay. The place I've linked to (Orion) is good. You can find more by perusing the ads in the astronomy magazines (Sky and Telescope, Astronomy, or Night Sky). The second link is a telescope buyer's FAQ that has some useful information.

Answer 3

Consider the Meade ETX-90 or ETX-125. Not sure current pricing but the -90 is probably in this price range and has the goto features you wish. Optics are superb - you won't be disappointed with this one. I have one one, but I'm also familiar with the brighter planets and many of the brighter deep sky objects; I find it more convenient to point the scope manually (a lot faster than setting up the goto scope to work automatically - a 5-min or so process each time you take it out). If you are just starting out you might find a quality pair of binocs and a star guide to be a better starting place; Meade also makes a tabletop 60mm or 80mm telescope (available in camera stores like Ritz or some Radio Shack stores). These are under $100 and pretty simple to use for a beginner (they have nice wide fields of view that make it easy to aim and observe, and work with standard photo tripods)

Answer 4

Not for that price.......save your money for a little while until you've got about $1500-$2000 in the kitty, then go get a Meade LXD75 Schmitt-Newtonian in the 8-10 inch range.....or one of their apo refractors in the 4-6 inch range. You'll get them for between $500-$1400.

Answer 5

If you belong to India, then I would suggest a good organisation, who can provide you, best quality telescopes at reasonable prices and good service : GLOBAL SCIENTIFIC PROMOTIONS, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India and their Contact is : Mr.Srinivas Jhawar - 9440082627.

Answer 6

Well then get one!!!

Answer 7

go to amazon... they have reviews and stuff.