Well I got a Meade refractor, the kind of telescope that you buy at Wal-mart. It looks like a great beginer's telescope for me, but I really wanted a relfector. In fact an Orion reflector, they're a pretty good brand, right?
Well I'm wondering if I should keep the refractor or take that Meade back to get my Reflector. The Meade actually looks decent, but I dunno it's from Wal-mart.
What do you think I should do?
2006-12-25 07:07:29 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
Meade make some very good kit, but (I'm sorry to say) they seem to have 'sold' their name to wall-mart who are using it for toys.
For a decent beginners scope, Refractor needs to have a (coated glass) lens of AT LEAST 3". Reflector needs to have a mirror of AT LEAST 5". Ignore any 'magnification' claims - it depends on the eyepiece.
Typically you are looking at an absolute minimum $300.
If specs are less than above or you paid less than that I expect you will be better off with $100-$150 pair of Binoculars (anything from 30x40 up to 40x60).
2006-12-25 08:02:56 · answer #1 · answered by Steve B 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
It really depends on how serious you are and whether you have access to dark skies.
In light-polluted urban environments, the best you're going to see is the moon (obviously) and the planets. A lot to see there, don't get me wrong, but you can almost certainly write off any "Deep Sky Objects." If that's the case, you might stick with the refractor if it is half-way decent (though if you bought it at Wal-Mart, red flags!).
IF you can get to dark skies, I would definitely recommend a reflector - and one on an alt-az mount (a Dobsonian is best bang for buck). As a beginner with (presumably) no immediate interest in astrophotography, you don't need to be fiddling around with an equatorial mount, which is a pain in the ***. Orion makes excellent beginner scopes.
Just an add: I would NOT recommend a Go-To scope. Get a good star hopping book (finding objects by using stars as signposts) and go for it. It takes time to find objects this way, but it's WAY more satisfying and educational than having a computer point you to 'em. I speak from experience, here.
For a beginner, I am also not a huge fan of binoculars, because you'll need a very good mount to go with them and that will cost you more than the binoculars! Typically, those mounts leave a lot to be desired.
2006-12-25 14:00:17 · answer #2 · answered by Brendan G 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Take it back and get a reflector.
Orion is a good brand for beginners. You should get a Dobsonian because the only reason not to have a Dobsonian is to do astrophotography, which you'd have a hard time doing on the unsteady equatorial mounts that come with beginner telescopes. You will also be able to afford a larger telescope if you buy a Dobsonian. Orion makes good ones.
2006-12-27 12:35:28 · answer #3 · answered by minuteblue 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My first telescope was a department store scope. A Jason and it lasted for years. Telescopes need a clean set of optics that you can see images without refraction problems. (reddish circles or double objects or cant focus). A good sturdy mount that doesnt move if you "breath" too hard. (exageration) A solid support system so it doesnt shake. If your scope doesnt meet the above , upgrade.
2006-12-26 16:03:49 · answer #4 · answered by orion_1812@yahoo.com 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you're seeing what you're able to, even nonetheless it somewhat is out of concentration. turn the focusing knob on the area of the slide focuser that holds the attention lens. practice on a wonderful famous individual like Vega or Antares to get a pinpoint image. Jupiter and its moons will look greater effective.
2016-10-28 08:31:44 · answer #5 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
do what your pocketbook can afford. I have a LX200GPS 8" and have never regreted it
2006-12-25 09:46:39 · answer #6 · answered by paulbritmolly 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋