Where can I find a quality telescope for under $300?

Question

I bought a telescope at wal-mart and it was not good. It was broken! Where can I get a QUALITY one for under $300.

Thank you all so much!

Answer 1

Your best source for telescopes is a real telescope store. First Telescope (http://www.first-telescope.com) specializes in telescopes under $500. Orion Telescopes and Binoculars (http://www.telescope.com) sells mostly house brands but has some good quality beginner's scopes and a generous return policy.

You can get a nice 6" dobsonian with a couple of eyepieces for under $300.

Answer 2

This is the classic inexpensive decent quality telescope. an 80mm f/5 refractor. Relatively easy to move and set up.

http://www.telescope.com/shopping/product/detailmain.jsp?itemID=447&itemType=PRODUCT&iMainCat=4&iSubCat=13&iProductID=447

If you want more light gathering abilities and don't need portability, they have a 6 inch (150mm) Dobsonian for about the same money.

Note that it has all of 40 power. Perfect for exploring star clusters, nebulae, and other objects outside the solar system. OK for the moon. You could get an extra eyepiece to push it to 100 for the moon and planets, on nights when the air is steady.

If you see a telescope in your price range that advertises more than 150 power, it is likely to be "not good". It's not possible to achieve that that cheaply.

Orion is my pick for decent quality inespensive stuff - it's their specialty.

Answer 3

I got a refurbished Meade ds-2130-at for $165 on Meade's own website. Look in the Factory Outlet section I think they still have them. It is a 130mm Goto Newtonian. Focal length is 1020mm. It comes with .965" eyepieces and no way of holding larger ones unless you by the other focuser that is also on that page or the adapter from the parts page.

If you want a Dobsonian check out Orions at www.telescope.com or the Celestrons Adorama has at www.adorama.com.

Refractors and SCTs wont have much aperature in your price range.

Answer 4

There are plenty of websites to look through if you don't mind ordering one online. Telescope.com which deals with Orion Telescopes always has some great deals, and their products are sorted by experience level first, and then by price. There are many types of telescopes you can chose from. They have Dobsonians, Maksutov-Cassegrains, Reflectors, Refractors--all the main types of telescopes. Just check them out!

Answer 5

I Know where you could get a free one still it from school

Answer 6

Dicksmith if you have them in America