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First Telescope Options & Recommendations - Looking at 90+MM Refractors


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Hello all

I'm new to the forum and looking at getting a starter telescope. I want to get something I can grow into a little so i've limited my search to 90MM+ aperture. I have a lot of light pollution as I live in Indianapolis so i've also limited my search to refractors. We get some pretty cold weather so I would rather not have to wipe frost off mirrors, etc either. Even though i'm a little technology averse (or get frustrated with any mechanical things) I would rather get an equatorial mount as i've heard they are relatively easy to add a tracking motor and are much less frustrating to keep things in view, etc.

Getting started I know you get what you pay for but I cannot afford a $4,000 Takahashi :0) maybe some day. What I have seen are the following units and I think I could do something with the ones below. I've listed 90MM models, but i've also toyed with the idea of a 102 or 127mm, but dont know if I have space in my house for that size

Levenhuk Strike 900 Pro Refractor with EQ Mount (and extras) $269.95

*Comes with a bag and eyepiece filters!

I don't know anything about this company but from early reviews they look to be decent

http://www.telescopes.com/telescopes/refracting-telescopes/levenhukstrike900prorefractortelescope.cfm

Orion Astoview 90 EQ

*Scope has been around a while and has good reviews

http://www.telescope.com/Telescopes/Refractor-Telescopes/Orion-AstroView-90mm-Equatorial-Refractor-Telescope/pc/-1/c/1/sc/10/p/9024.uts

Celestron Astromaster 90 eq

http://www.optcorp.com/celestron-astromaster-90-eq-refractor-telescope-21064.html?gclid=CJW89dX5k8ICFQgFaQod1G0AVA

Is it true that Orion, Meade or Celestron all contract manufacture in China and would have similar quality based on price? My guess is that Levenhuk is doing the same, so given that the Levenhuk has the accessories (especially the filters and bag) would it be advisable to but the Levenhuk? I have some friends who are analytical chemists and I'm tempted to ask them if they've tried their microscopes. Maybe a good gauge of telescope quality???

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Hi

Space wise in my limited knowledge I am not sure and EQ mount is the most space saving, a simple AltZ mount propably takes less space up (no weights) and some of these mounts can have tracking motors but I guess on reflection that type of AltZ mount are above this budget.

The big difference is an EQ mount can track but also keep the rotation correct.

The Orion AstroView 90mm equates to the Skywatcher Evostar 90 on reading the specs if you were going to look for similar reviews.

Re the Levenhuk. I would do a google search to see if you can find any user reviews.

Stellarium is actually free to download right now to install on your PC.

Will you be storing your telescope close to where you observe and/or will there be stairs between storage on observing location?

Do you have a local club you can get to to see different types and the size of equipment?

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Hi

Space wise in my limited knowledge I am not sure and EQ mount is the most space saving, a simple AltZ mount propably takes less space up (no weights) and some of these mounts can have tracking motors but I guess on reflection that type of AltZ mount are above this budget.

The big difference is an EQ mount can track but also keep the rotation correct.

The Orion AstroView 90mm equates to the Skywatcher Evostar 90 on reading the specs if you were going to look for similar reviews.

Re the Levenhuk. I would do a google search to see if you can find any user reviews.

Stellarium is actually free to download right now to install on your PC.

Will you be storing your telescope close to where you observe and/or will there be stairs between storage on observing location?

Do you have a local club you can get to to see different types and the size of equipment?

Probably no stairs. The alt AZ mounts that track are mainly go to scopes which I don't believe I'm looking for.

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One of the issues with all the mounts is that if you upgrade your scope at any point the mounts would probably need upgrading to. The current mounts shown will be near their limit with those scopes.

The scopes themselves look similar to the skywatcher version and I had one for a short period which I enjoyed using, however I switched it for something else. Although it was a decent scope.

Only other thing with the scopes shown is you would probably require to purchase at least one extra eyepiece as the ones supplied are not brilliant although the longer focal length (usually 25mm ) should be (again read usually is) ok. 

I would read a lot more about each scope and its mount as well as asking questions before you buy. The Levenhuk makes the deal sound good with its little extras but in honesty some of these "extras" are unlikely to be that big a deal. (Although the solar filter is a first I have seen on a starter scope)

hope this helps

Steve

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The Orion scope and celestron will both be scourced by synta. The levenhuk is I believe a joc scope. These people used to provide Meade with many. Of their refractors l am not sure if that is still the case since the reorganisation .

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The Orion scope and celestron will both be scourced by synta. The levenhuk is I believe a joc scope. These people used to provide Meade with many. Of their refractors l am not sure if that is still the case since the reorganisation .

Are JOC and Synta decent in terms of Optics? Are the comparable? If I asked their customer service would they tell me?

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Copied from my similar post in the welcome new users section

CSR told me Synta manufactured the scope

Given that its manufactured by Synta I started looking at photos of the Orion Astroview 90 EQ and the Levenhuk Strike 900 90MM EQ and they are extremely similar. The mount appears identical, focuser seems identical as well as the optical tube. The Orion is 10mm longer focal length, but that could be simply because the housing that holds the objective lens could be longer??? Maybe they did that to delineate between the Orion given its so popular! They do appear that they were manufactured using the same production line though

 

http://www.levenhuk....o/#.VHSy5YvF_AQ

 

http://www.telescope...c/10/p/9024.uts

 

Pertaining to making a decision the Levenhuk vs Orion Astroview the Levenhuk comes with the following that the Orion does not

-Lifetime Warranty (vs. 1-Yr for Orion)

-Bag (may be great to have given we have a small house and little kids - who like to get into stuff : )

-Set of filters

-$269 for the Levenhuk vs. $309.99 for the Orion

 

Is it really that simple of a decision? Have others purchased from the Hayneedle site telescopes.com? Experience? Do these folks know what they are talking about?

 

Jon

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You will need to let Google translate it as it is in Russian.

http://translate.google.co.uk/translate?hl=en&sl=ru&u=http://miumau.livejournal.com/1319633.html&prev=search

but a box opening review of the Levenhuk (actually the shorter tube and the 900)

Does the store (or either store) have a solid returns process if any telescope chosen turns out to be poor.

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Thanks happy-kat! We use Google completely at work so it auto translated (I still miss my Outlook). Good closeups of their products. Thanks for the link. Looks like the bags are high quality and I wasn't sure if the mount fit in there but it appears it does. In any case (no pun intended) having the bad will be great. I take forever to make decisions, so it may be a while before I buy something.

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  • 2 weeks later...

I would suggest that you go out for a night or two with an astro club before you decide to buy any astro equipment. You just might find that standing or sitting out in the dark and cold is not the thing for you. On the other hand, you just might like it as much as others do.  :smiley:

You can learn a lot of thing just by doing them with people who are already doing it, you could also make a few friends in the process.

A forum is great for getting information and hearing other peoples opinions and stuff like that, but actually going out and doing astronomy is the only way to find out if you really want to do it. I'm not bashing forums but they do have their limitations. I would bet that you are reading this post in a warm well lighted place and not out in a field during a new moon with sub zero temperatures.

You can find out if there are any astro clubs near you at this url.  http://www.go-astronomy.com/astro-club-search.htm

I like Astro-Tech, very good scopes at very good prices. You can find them here ...  https://www.astronomics.com/

Good Luck and Have Fun,

Miguel

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I would suggest that you go out for a night or two with an astro club before you decide to buy any astro equipment. You just might find that standing or sitting out in the dark and cold is not the thing for you. On the other hand, you just might like it as much as others do.  :smiley:

You can learn a lot of thing just by doing them with people who are already doing it, you could also make a few friends in the process.

A forum is great for getting information and hearing other peoples opinions and stuff like that, but actually going out and doing astronomy is the only way to find out if you really want to do it. I'm not bashing forums but they do have their limitations. I would bet that you are reading this post in a warm well lighted place and not out in a field during a new moon with sub zero temperatures.

You can find out if there are any astro clubs near you at this url.  http://www.go-astronomy.com/astro-club-search.htm

I like Astro-Tech, very good scopes at very good prices. You can find them here ...  https://www.astronomics.com/

Good Luck and Have Fun,

Miguel

Thanks Miguel you are probably right. I've been guilty of buying equipment for a hobby and not using it that much! You are correct in that I am in a warm office. Ice fishing never was very intriguing to me and this would be similar! My family does like to camp and we are thinking of getting a pop up camper so I may search for a scope that would be convenient to travel with. Given that we have so much light pollution camping may be our best time to use a telescope

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Here is a nice telescope that is light and small. Add a star diagonal, a few cheap eyepieces and a small Alt/Az mount (or even an old camera tripod) and you are ready to get some nice views of the stars. No collimation required, just grab and go, you can even use it without the camper!

post-40350-0-65730600-1418213893.png

https://www.astronomics.com/astro-tech-at72ed-72mm-refractor-telescope-white-gray_p18452.aspx

Miguel

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Here is a nice telescope that is light and small. Add a star diagonal, a few cheap eyepieces and a small Alt/Az mount (or even an old camera tripod) and you are ready to get some nice views of the stars. No collimation required, just grab and go, you can even use it without the camper!

attachicon.gifAT72ED 72mm f_6 ED doublet refractor, white and gray tube.png

https://www.astronomics.com/astro-tech-at72ed-72mm-refractor-telescope-white-gray_p18452.aspx

Miguel

Miguel-

Help me understand the difference in apochromatic and achromatic scopes. Is there a threshold on aperture where it doesn't make a difference? Looking at the Explore Scientific 127MM refractors there is quite a difference in the apo and ach version of the 127mm scope. Also the Bresser Messier version appears to be the same scope as the ach Explore Scientific 127mm but includes more accessories and virtually the same pricing

Bresser AR127

http://www.amazon.com/Bresser-Messier-Refractor-Telescope-BR-27635/dp/B00ITC4ESK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1418655444&sr=8-1&keywords=bresser+127

Explore Scientific 

http://www.amazon.com/Explore-Scientific-Refractor-Air-Spaced-Achromat/dp/B0032D6LZU/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1418655516&sr=8-3&keywords=explore+scientific+127

Both of the above are not apo's, but i've been considering them. DO only the Explore Scie branded units include the lifetime warranty. I wonder if that is what you pay $100 more for as these two look identical

Jon

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