I dont know much about telescopes but ive always wanted one so im asking for one for christmas. So im hoping my mom will spend around $200-300 for one. Any stores in mind and what is a good size telescope?
2006-12-09 09:52:00 · 3 answers · asked by joe_barks 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
If you can make that range $300-$400 you will make much better use of your money. You will have much better luck ordering it from somewhere, as the other person said.
Get yourself a used telescope because you'll be able to afford a much bigger one that way. You should get nothing less than an 8". Good brands are Meade, Celestron, and Orion. If you just want to look through it then get a Dobsonian type of telescope. This is a big telescope on a simple mount. They are used by people who want a lot of aperture for cheap to do deep space viewing. If you get a used Dobsonian you may be able to afford a 10" one.
If you want to do astrophotography now or in the future, you will need something on a german equatorial mount with a motor drive (tracking capability) or something on a fork mount with a wedge/field de-rotator and tracking capability. The thing on the german equatorial mount will either be a plain old Newtonian reflector or a Schmidt Newtonian. If it's a Celestron it may be a Schmidt Cassegrain but this is more likely to come on a fork mount.
Stay away from Maksutov Cassegrains because they are too small in my opinion.
You can find used telescopes on http://www.astromart.com in the classifieds.
If you do want to buy it new you will have to settle for something smaller. You can get a new 8" Dobsonian at http://www.oriontelescopes.com
There is a brand new Zhumell 10" Dobsonian on http://www.telescopes.com but that's $499. Zhumell is a German brand which seems to have a name for themselves but I've never used one so you may want to read some reviews on it if you consider buying it.
2006-12-11 13:49:51 · answer #1 · answered by minuteblue 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Good telescope stores are not something every area has. You're better off ordering online from a real astronomy store than buying something at Walmart or the local sporting goods store. In your price range you should be able to get a good 4.5" scope. Try Orion: http://www.telescope.com/
2006-12-09 17:59:53 · answer #2 · answered by injanier 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I just bought a decent one at the local walmart, it is very good quality, and it will serve me well for a while anyway... if your mom is willing to spend between 200 and 300 bucks, she can try there...
2006-12-09 18:15:34 · answer #3 · answered by ellie d 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋