Telescope guru's wanted.

marqmajere · Oct 29, 2009, 03:18 AM

I'm looking to buy a telescope since I have a little extra spending money. I'm not wanting to spend a fortune, but something that wouldn't make my brain scream when I look into it. Maybe somewhere around $200-300? I have no clue. Any advice would be great.

ZeeM · Oct 29, 2009, 03:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marqmajere

something that would make my brain scream when I look into it

Tork64 · Oct 29, 2009, 03:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marqmajere

I'm looking to buy a telescope since I have a little extra spending money. I'm not wanting to spend a fortune, but something that wouldn't make my brain scream when I look into it. Maybe somewhere around $200-300? I have no clue. Any advice would be great.

if you actually want to learn the skys and not have to rely on a goto platform id suggest getting a dobsonian telescope, something like an orion skyquest xt8 or an xt6

**MyTMouse** · Oct 29, 2009, 10:14 AM

when it comes to telescopes (as with a lot of things) you get what you pay for, and generally you get much better optics with the higher priced stuff.

that said, everyone needs to start somewhere and big, expensive telescopes aren't for everyone.

I would recommend a reflector-type telescope as they are usually the best telescopes for limited budgets.

Keeep this in mind however, the larger the telescopes aperture is (the size of the opening that lets light in) the better because it lets in more light (which you need to see faint objects) and generally give you more flexibility for eyepieces and magnification. Problem is that the bigger you go, the heavier and more cumbersome it is to handle and transport.

Here's a few I'd consider.....

http://www.telescopes.com/telescopes...qreflector.cfm

http://www.telescopes.com/telescopes...qreflector.cfm

and if you can afford a bit more:

http://www.telescopes.com/telescopes...rtelescope.cfm

also, don't forget to budget for some extra eyepieces as most telesopces only come with a couple. And for telescopes that go on a mount you can consider a motor drive which will help keep the telescope tracking objects in the sky so you don't have to keep manually searching for them...especially helpful if you plan to photograph anything.

hope that helps!

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marqmajere GeVooForceDoo Join Date: May 2002 Location: Ohio, USA Posts: 1,934	Telescope guru's wanted. I'm looking to buy a telescope since I have a little extra spending money. I'm not wanting to spend a fortune, but something that wouldn't make my brain scream when I look into it. Maybe somewhere around $200-300? I have no clue. Any advice would be great. __________________ Hi! I'm a signature virus! Copy me into your signature file to help me spread! Desktop - Asus M3A78-CM \| AMD Athlon II 250 \| 4 gigs G. Skill 1066 \| ATI 4870 512 meg \| Seagate 160gig \| Windows7 64-bit Laptop - AMD TurionX2 1.8 \| 2gigs Corsair DDR2 667 \| nvidia 7150 \| Windows Vista Home Premium \| XBL - Marqus71 PSN - Marqmajere Last edited by marqmajere : Oct 29, 2009 at 03:24 AM.

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Oct 29, 2009, 10:14 AM	#4
MyTMouse Console Forumas Modamus Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: GTA (Southern Ontario) Posts: 6,729	when it comes to telescopes (as with a lot of things) you get what you pay for, and generally you get much better optics with the higher priced stuff. that said, everyone needs to start somewhere and big, expensive telescopes aren't for everyone. I would recommend a reflector-type telescope as they are usually the best telescopes for limited budgets. Keeep this in mind however, the larger the telescopes aperture is (the size of the opening that lets light in) the better because it lets in more light (which you need to see faint objects) and generally give you more flexibility for eyepieces and magnification. Problem is that the bigger you go, the heavier and more cumbersome it is to handle and transport. Here's a few I'd consider..... http://www.telescopes.com/telescopes...qreflector.cfm http://www.telescopes.com/telescopes...qreflector.cfm and if you can afford a bit more: http://www.telescopes.com/telescopes...rtelescope.cfm also, don't forget to budget for some extra eyepieces as most telesopces only come with a couple. And for telescopes that go on a mount you can consider a motor drive which will help keep the telescope tracking objects in the sky so you don't have to keep manually searching for them...especially helpful if you plan to photograph anything. hope that helps!

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