| Author | Message | ||
     Geforce |
I've been wanting to get into this for quiet some time. I have been trying to educate myself little by little on the numerous types of telescopes and binos that are available for beginners. I wanted to see if anyone here enjoys this as a hobby or could give me any advice on this scope. Orion Starblast 4.5 Equatorial Reflector Telescope - $219.95 http://www.telescope.com/control/product/~category _id=reflectors/~pcategory=telescopes/~product_id=0 9798/~sSearchSession=f7607453-5e82-4c9c-90e3-063e2 b7d482b The reviews I have read on several sites say that this telescope is a good bang for the buck and will certainly be a good entry level tool to view the moon and nearby planets. My real question is, is there any other brands/makes/models that have similar features or better for the same price? Thanks! | ||
| Pwnzor |
I don't know much about these, but after reading the info on that site, it really seems like a good value. That's really not a lot of money for something like that in my opinion. My suggestion is join a forum for enthusiasts of that hobby, and learn from them for a month or so before buying. (Message edited by pwnzor on July 24, 2010) | ||
| Slipknot |
Buy a pair of binoculars and a tripod or a mount that can attach to a lawn chair. About $100 for a 15X70 is great. If you want to explore a whole lot spend for a used reflector telescope that has a controller with database that will motor the scope to point at nebulas, galaxies, stars, planets. I've used both the binoculars and a Meade ETX125 for a few years but hardly use the scope because where I live the lights, mountains and especially the humidity interferes with good times. If you are just starting out then get a good pair of 8X40 binoculars, good for other uses, and a good (about $15) star chart. Those two items are all you need to get a good start and find out if you really want to pursue this hobby. And an infrared flashlight for using the chart without blinding your night vision which will take 15 minutes to return. Check out Sky and Telescope online and google for some other sites. | ||
| Jramsey |
If you want to really get into it check out my neighbor's products (not cheap)at http://www.starmastertelescopes.com/ Its almost unbelievable what you can see. | ||
| Etennuly |
I totally agree with Slipknot. You can actually see the rings of Saturn with a decent reflector scope, but man is it hard to keep a track on it. Damn thing is moving(of course the Earth is to). The more power you have the faster it goes. If you get it lined up it will be gone in about twenty seconds, moving the scope to keep up takes some precision movement. I use binoculars too. The wide view is better to work with. The concept of seeing further out is confusing at first. If you are looking out to say twenty light years distant with a ten power scope, and you improve your visual reach by five power, it is still too far to see much more than a slightly larger brighter dot, moving five times faster with a five times narrower field of view(or so it seems). | ||
| Ourdee |
Cory, I also used a Meade ETX 125 for a while. Nice scope for the money. I started with a pair of 10x50 binoculars and got the most enjoyment out of them. the size of the front lens on anything you use will determine how much light it lets in. I got rid of the ETX125 and kept my second pair of binoculars, a pair of Oberwerk 25x100 on a tripod. 4" lens on the front I can almost see in the dark. They weigh 10 pounds, so, tripod is needed. There is a lot of research to be done before you get a scope. Find a local star party being put on by a club near you. Every one or almost every one there will let you look through their equipment. My suggestion would be to get a nice pair of binocs no more powerful that 10x and no smaller on the front lens than 50mm, so you get enough light into them. Get some red lens sun glasses and a red led flashlight. Check out some astronomy books from the library. there is a ton to learn, depending on how deep you want to go. ,R.D. | ||
| Geforce |
I'm really fascinated with the moon's surface. I spent so much time looking at it when I was in Afghanistan through a set of M25 Stabilized binos that I REALLY wished I had packed up a small scope to bring with me the second deployment. Out there, there is hardly any light pollution that effects your view of the sky on a clear night....dust and indirect fire attacks permitting. I kinda figured the little Starblaster would be a good scope to start with and eventually get my daughter into the fascination in a few years. | ||
| Geforce |
I will have to try the Star Party thing and see if I can find a local outing here in the Ozarks to attend. That would be a great way to get my wife into it as well I think. | ||
| Bcordb3 |
I have an ETX125 like it a lot. See most of the planets,Moons of jupitor, Rings of Saturn on a good can some the deep space stuff. | ||
| Ourdee |
Oh, for exploring your nearest star, they make solar scopes. I've been contemplating getting one of these:http://www.telescope.com/control/celestron/celestr on-accessories/celestron-skyscout-personal-planeta rium Here are some links I use: http://meade4m.com/ http://www.meade.com/index.html http://bigbinoculars.com/ http://bigbinoculars.com/ |
