My 6 yr old son and I bought a $20.00 telescope at our school bookfair, and we have been really geetting into looking at the night sky together. We have only been able to see the moon, because the stand on this telescope is only about 10 inches from the ground. I know I am short, but not that short lol. We are looking for one with a nice stand that will allow us to view planets and stars fairly well. Since this is a new hobby for both of us, I want to stay under $200. I am looking for a type (reflecting or refracting), and possibly a decent affordable brand. Any advise would also be appreciated.
2007-11-24 12:51:56 · 6 answers · asked by trisigma337 4 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
I'll second Injanier's recommendation of the Orion StarBlast:
http://www.telescope.com/control/product/~category_id=dobsonians/~pcategory=telescopes/~product_id=09814
This is the _only_ telescope under $200 that I can honestly recommend. I owned one myself for a while, and found it optically and mechanically excellent; everything else in this pricerange is nothing but a cheap plastic toy.
2007-11-24 14:52:52 · answer #1 · answered by GeoffG 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Ditto the Starblast, if the budget's under $200. Use the change to buy "Nightwatch" by Terence Dickinson, which will be of use (and fun) to you, and accessible to your son in just a few years. The scope is on this page:
http://www.telescope.com/control/category/~category_id=dobsonians/~pcategory=telescopes
The Starblast has a 4.5-inch aperture. If the budget extends a little further, buy the actual 4.5-inch XT4.5, which is not on the previous link, for some reason.
http://www.telescope.com/control/product/~category_id=dobsonians/~pcategory=telescopes/~product_id=09804
This is a good scope for beginners, but is not a "beginner scope".
2007-11-24 22:53:50 · answer #2 · answered by Choose a bloody best answer. It's not hard. 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Orion Starblast - http://www.telescope.com/control/product/~category_id=dobsonians/~pcategory=telescopes/~product_id=09814 - is a decent telescope in your price range. It, too, suffers from a short stand, but you can set it on a sturdy table or make it a stand from a 3-legged wooden stool. Orion has some other low-priced options that are also decent.
2007-11-24 21:00:59 · answer #3 · answered by injanier 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
you will never be able to see what you want to with a small telescope,we need one of the ones they have at planteriums.or if you want to spend 800+ get a reflection with maximum zoom 500x or more will get you a good look but dont expect to see what you do in photos,all planets look like the moon in a way.except saturn if you catch it at the right time you can see the rings.
2007-11-24 21:06:32 · answer #4 · answered by boldyman2 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Pay around $300 and get an Orion Dobsonian.
http://www.oriontelescopes.com
You won't regret it.
2007-11-25 06:03:15 · answer #5 · answered by minuteblue 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i checked one out on best buy one time online.. it's a reflector for either $250.00 or $300... but it seems pretty good.
2007-11-24 21:00:17 · answer #6 · answered by Haajee 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋