Which telescope should I get? Refractor-Reflector?

Question

I'm only wanting a smaller one for my own personal use. I cant spend very much on it, probably not more than 100 bucks. I know that one is better than the other in the sense that if your one person that is going to use it, and only for your personal use, than one would be better. I would like to see the solar system-stars-planets....ect..

Answer 1

I agree with the other postings------- not much available for $100, however you might be able to buy a pair of binoculars, used on Astromart.com for that??? If you go to about $250 you can find a nice Dobsonian reflector at this same site --- used, in the 4.5-6 inch range.

I would suggest that you join an Astronomy club in your area, attend a few star parties and meetings, and look through some of the member's telescopes. www.cloudynights.com also offers advice to beginners on buying a telescope. You can read the other posts there and ask questions.

Clear Skies!

Answer 2

I am afraid that a max budget of $100.- will only provide you with a Telescope that is little more than a Toy. Your best and only bets are the smallest telescopes from Orion and Celestron. They will show you the solar system objects like planets and the Moon and ONLY with special equipment, show you sunspots. (NEVER point any optical instrument anywhere near the sun unless special filters are installed)
But I am afraid you are going to get bored fairly quickly with the limited use of these Telescopes. At the sizes available at that price limit, it makes little difference whether it is a Refractor or a Reflector.
But PLEASE do not be tempted to buy one of the bargain scopes available on places like ebay, amazon, Department stores and places like that. It takes a lot of experience to pick out the few decent telescopes among all the junk sold there. At the companies mentioned above, at least you are assured of getting a small but usable telescope.

Adolph

Answer 3

By comparison a reflecting telescope is better than a refracting one. but a good reflecting telescope would be more expensive. The reflecting telescope could give you a brighter image and if it has good optics then it can give you a sharper image as well. A reflecting telescope is a bit big in comparison to a reflecting telescope. so it may be a bit difficult to transport and handle.. So if you are a beginner and wants to take up sky watching seriously then you should buy a fairly good 4" reflecting telescope to begin with. you will be able to see planets in our solar system, moons of Jupiter. craters on Moon, Saturn's rings etc. do not expect to see much more unless you invest a lot of money in to good optics in the telescope. You may be able to see a few things like the crab nebula if you make an effort. Happy viewing.

Answer 4

I would get a reflector. You get more aperture for the buck that way. Refractors are good for planets, but deep sky objects like galaxies, clusters and nebulae are better viewed with a "fast" reflector. It can also be used for planets. You just put in a smaller eyepiece or use a Barlow lens.

You should be able to find something on e-bay. I was going to suggest Edmund Scientific's Astroscan, but it's going to run you a couple hundred bucks. This is a neat little portable telescope. Great for beginners, but like I said, seems to be out of your price range.

Answer 5

Reflector is the best choice.
They produce very clear images when compared with refractor. Also easy to handle & maintain.

Refractors have many disadvantages.

More than 99% of today's professional telescopes are reflectors.

Better go for that.

Answer 6

For $100 you can get a good binocular, which will be great for looking at deep sky objects and the Milky Way, or a toy telescope, which won't be good for anything. These are the least expensive telescopes I would recommend, and of these, I'd only recommend the first two:
http://www.telescope.com/control/category/~category_id=starter_scopes;jsessionid=9915040B84989003C5C91DA364316FEA.ivprod1

How can you expect to get a telescope, which has optical components accurate to a millionth of an inch and mechanical components accurate to a thousandth of an inch, which can show you the universe, for less than you'd pay for a TV?

Answer 7

Most telescopes at that price are just toys. You may get a semi-usable 60mm refractor for $100: http://www.telescope.com/control/product/~category_id=refractors/~pcategory=telescopes/~product_id=09854 Orion seems to do a little better that most at the low end of the scale.

Don't be tempted by bargains at discount stores, sporting goods stores, etc.; they specialize in junk telescopes for the unwary.

Some amateur astronomy clubs have loaner scopes - if there's a club in your area, check that out. http://www.skyandtelescope.com/ can find the nearest club for you.