What are some good telescope brands that aren't too expensive..?

Question

I want to buy one for my husband who has expressed an interest in astronomy.. but he isn't a professional.. just an amateur.. any suggestions.. and maybe where I can buy one online..?

Answer 1

Firstly, you should involve the recipient in choosing the scope. It won't be a surprise for your hubby, but it's a big purchase and something for personal use.

Secondly, ask at a local amateur astronomy club. They'll be VERY happy to help an adult get into it.

Thirdly, notwithstanding what they may say at the club, look up Orion Skyquest Intelliscopes. This type of scope is an excellent starter, even though they don't look like what most people think of telescopes.

http://www.telescope.com/control/category/~category_id=dobsonians/~pcategory=telescopes;jsessionid=4DCFFCC593324D7F2158E1D48DE11B67.ivprod1

On this link, look at the XT-6 and XT-8, with and without the Intelliscope handset, which is not necessary to enjoy the scope. This is called a reflector on a Dobsoniann mount. They're simple to use, look impressive, and are good for most types of backyard observation because they can resolve faint objects as well.

If you're on a limited budget, get a good quality pair of 50mm binoculars and a book of sky charts, especially "Nightwatch" by Terence Dickinson. Come to think of it, buy the book if you get the scope, too. Many people start this way, because the binoculars give good, wide views of the sky, and you get to know the sky a bit before deciding which scope is best for you.

Answer 2

Telescope Brands

Answer 3

First of all, it's hard to recommend brands because two of the "big three" of telescopes, Celestron and Meade, put their brand names on some total pieces of junk. These appear in the discount and department stores around this time of year, and then disappear in January. That's one of the many reasons to buy from a store which specializes in telescopes: they're in business 12 months of the year, and would like you as regular customers, so won't sell you a piece of junk. The third of the "big three," Orion, is a lot more choosy about what they sell, so that even their least expensive scopes represent reasonable quality; they are also one of the largest online telescope dealers:
http://www.telescope.com

Secondly, even though it may spoil the surprise, I strongly urge you to involve your husband in the decision making process. A telescope is a personal thing; besides, choosing a scope is a really fun process.

Here are a couple of helpful and interesting articles to read on choosing telescopes:
http://www.scopereviews.com/begin.html
http://observers.org/beginner/j.r.f.beginner.html

For more in-depth information, read Star Ware 4th edition by Phil Harrington (Wiley).

Answer 4

Brand - Orion is my choice for inexpensive. Meade and Celestron are good at higher levels, but I don't like their inexpensive stuff.

ABOVE ALL ELSE. Buy nothing that is advertised by power. Like "300 power" telescope. A sure sign of junk.

Honestly, this is the cheapest I can recommend:

http://www.telescope.com/control/product/~category_id=refractors/~pcategory=telescopes/~product_id=24688

Orion has sold many of these. A short tube refractor is an ideal beginners scope, rugged, portable, easy to use. A Dobsonian is a bargain for the size, and great on deep space objects, but it's substantially harder to use, and not as good on the bright objects beginners tend to prefer.

If that's too much money for you, I suggest a good pair of binoculars like these:

http://www.eagleoptics.com/index.asp?pid=3878

You can do a lot of fun astronomy with those.

There are a lot of junky telescopes for $200. Either the optics are blurry or have a lot of "false color", or the mounts are junk, unstable and hard to use. Either way, a beginner is liable to give up the hobby with these. The Orion has very decent optics on a good mount.

Answer 5

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RE:
What are some good telescope brands that aren't too expensive..?
I want to buy one for my husband who has expressed an interest in astronomy.. but he isn't a professional.. just an amateur.. any suggestions.. and maybe where I can buy one online..?

Answer 6

I not a big timer on this, but, I did have a nice Telescope at one time.
Off hand I would say Meade? I think that the name.
http://www.telescopes.com/
http://www.telescopes.com/telescopes/reflecting-telescopes/celestronastromaster114eqreflector.cfm
You may want to check around local too, Wal-Wort sometimes have them this time of year. You may not want to spend too much, in case he not enjoy, but, you want something he can see some Planets and Moons.

Answer 7

If you are a member of RASC Calgary I would suggest you try some of the scope for rent to figure out what type and size of scope is right for you. They have a variety of dobs, reflectors and a couple of schmidt-cassegrains.

Answer 8

Hi. If he is a techie, the Meade EXT series is good. If he is serious then a Dobsonian would be better. More light gathering but no auto drive or tracking.