Newbie- Scope Advice please!

[astromackem]

Hello all- i'm new here and i'd like some advice please.

I had a scope when I was very young (was probably just a cheap bit of tat). I'm 35 now and have an urge to get a proper scope to maybe start a hobby?

I'll probably just be using it in the back garden of a suburban area to look at planets/moon mainly but also maybe some deep sky stuff if possible. I like the idea of a GoTo for easier use but this might take me too high in price...and my budget is probably around £300- maybe to £400 if there's good reason.

People tend to say to go no lower than 6" and people seem to recommend Dobsonians?

I've have a brief look at Skywatcher Skyliners and Nexstar 4SE. Any thoughts would be appreciated please!

Thanks

[Physopto]

If you want go to then forget a Dobsonian at that price. They are very nice scopes but realy are not a goto type. You can get something like Argo Navis to give you the coordinates though at a price.

What you have suggested is OK.

Skywatcher and Celstron produce very nice optics at a good price. I would suggest looking for second hand. There are substantial savings to be made. This could bring a better scope into your price range. It would also enable the sale in the future of these scopes at a smaller financial loss. If you do go the second hand route be sure to take a knowledgable person with you.

No doubt there will be lots of other advice from many other SGL members.

Best of luck. Do not be in a rush take your time. Read up on the web as much as possible about each type you are interested in. Ask for advice from many people, not just one source. Nobody knows every thing.

There are rougues about, but hopefully few and far between, but they do exist. I speak from experience!

Regards,

Derek

[astromackem]

If you want go to then forget a Dobsonian at that price. They are very nice scopes but realy are not a goto type. You can get something like Argo Navis to give you the coordinates though at a price.

What you have suggested is OK.

Skywatcher and Celstron produce very nice optics at a good price. I would suggest looking for second hand. There are substantial savings to be made. This could bring a better scope into your price range. It would also enable the sale in the future of these scopes at a smaller financial loss. If you do go the second hand route be sure to take a knowledgable person with you.

No doubt there will be lots of other advice from many other SGL members.

Best of luck. Do not be in a rush take your time. Read up on the web as much as possible about each type you are interested in. Ask for advice from many people, not just one source. Nobody knows every thing.

There are rougues about, but hopefully few and far between, but they do exist. I speak from experience!

Regards,

Derek

Thanks a lot for replying.. i do plan to take my time and not rush into things. I will maybe look in to 2nd hand too.

[pipnina]

I may not be a seasoned veteran in the area of purchasing telescopes. But I can say cheap EQ-mounted scopes aren't worth your time right off the bat. My SkyWatcher 130 sure sparks further interest in the hobby... But the mount is too wobbly to use for astro-photography and the tube collides with the tripod when looking at anything approaching the zenith (highest point).

I've had the SkyWatcher 200p dobsonian recommended to me before when I complained about the 130, looking at it I probably would prefer it. Astrophotography is way out of both of our budgets.

Something I can say is to get a star chart. Without one you're pretty much screwed unless you want to wonder around the constellations aimlessly (I'm told this is actually fun on occasion).

P.S. I started writing this 1 hour ago. Got distracted 3:

        ~ Someone who has not been able to observe yet due to living in SW england.

[John]

Hello and welcome to the forum

I think the challenge with a budget of £300-£400, with GOTO as a requirement, is that it limits you to smaller aperture scopes because a good chunk of the money goes into the mount and it's technology rather than on the optics which are what actually provide the views.

Looking around the current market it looks like this new Skywatcher 6" newtonian on a GOTO mount is just within the upper end of your budget:

http://www.firstlightoptics.com/az-goto/sky-watcher-star-discovery-150p.html

Take away the GOTO requirement and you can have an 8" dobsonian for £278 or even a 10" for just a bit over £400. These larger apertures will show more impressive views but you have to find the objects yourself and track the objects by nudging the scope. While many members here use these scopes very successfully I can see that the prospect could be daunting for someone new to the hobby.

I think not rushing is a good strategy and the used market is worth keeping an eye on. Here is a great site for that:

http://www.astrobuysell.com/uk/

[Physopto]

Thanks a lot for replying.. i do plan to take my time and not rush into things. I will maybe look in to 2nd hand too.

I have a Nextstar 5SE. Great scope but the legs leave a lot to be desired. A second hand one could possibly be in your budget. You could always go for a better mount for it at a later date. You may even be able to get just the OTA on its own at a good price. But it has a narrow field of view better suited to planets. You would need a good eyepiece for them maybe a 2x convertor as well. For wider field also a reducer.

An 80mm refractor would on the other hand give superb views, field wise, of the sky.

Just remember you will not see colour except in the planets, stars will show colour but they are pin points of light.

If you eventually use a camera then colour will be seen in the images if done correctly.

Hope this helps.

Derek

[happy-kat]

Stellarium is free software and great to get around the sky when indoors

It is worth thinking about storage location and distance to observing site as some telescopes are quite big and/or heavy, whilst you may see more you may use it less if it is a pain to move.

[astromackem]

Stellarium is free software and great to get around the sky when indoors

It is worth thinking about storage location and distance to observing site as some telescopes are quite big and/or heavy, whilst you may see more you may use it less if it is a pain to move.

Thanks for that. i have a garage which has a door straight in to my back garden. Any issues with storing in a freezing cold garage? If not then I dont think the weight would be too much of a problem.

I'm now favouring the 8" Skywatcher Skyline Dob. Forgoing the GoTo for the bigger 8" Mirror.

[John]

As long as it's not damp, keeping the scope close to outside temperature is a good thing. You don't need to wait for it to cool down so you can get straight on with observing as soon as it's our of the garage. I wish I could do that

[PeterCPC]

For ease of use something like this  (sorry but I had to edit this out - it referred to a GOTO scope on Preloved) might do the job. You can always upgrade when you find out how you get on and what you want to achieve later on.

Peter

[Rainmaker]

Some people will never believe this is me saying this but for your budget and the circumstances you have mentioned, get the biggest Dobsonian mounted Newtonian you can get.

Buy second hand but try to take an experienced friend along.  An 8" would be fine a 10" would be better.  I live on the other side of this globe so don't know what the prices are like there.

As suggested, use something like Stellarium to learn the sky and then enjoy yourself.  

[astromackem]

Some people will never believe this is me saying this but for your budget and the circumstances you have mentioned, get the biggest Dobsonian mounted Newtonian you can get.

Buy second hand but try to take an experienced friend along.  An 8" would be fine a 10" would be better.  I live on the other side of this globe so don't know what the prices are like there.

As suggested, use something like Stellarium to learn the sky and then enjoy yourself.  

Thanks..that seems to be the message im getting- big Dobsonians. I could get the skyline 200p (8") for £285- going higher than 8" and it gets a bit out of my budget.

[Physopto]

Thanks..that seems to be the message im getting- big Dobsonians. I could get the skyline 200p (8") for £285- going higher than 8" and it gets a bit out of my budget.

I would still urge you to look at the second hand market. There are some very good bargains to be had. As I said before take your time. What seems to take an age now will soon pass. If your first purchase is not exactly what you end up being happy with and it is new you will loose a lot on selling to get the correct equipment in the long run. I  have  spent 4 months looking for a bit of equipment and still not 100% sure. So I will continue top look for a while yet.

Derek

[astromackem]

I would still urge you to look at the second hand market. There are some very good bargains to be had. As I said before take your time. What seems to take an age now will soon pass. If your first purchase is not exactly what you end up being happy with and it is new you will loose a lot on selling to get the correct equipment in the long run. I  have  spent 4 months looking for a bit of equipment and still not 100% sure. So I will continue top look for a while yet.

Derek

Thanks yeah will continue to shop around. What are the best sites for buying 2nd hand. EBay doesnt seem to have much choice.

[Physopto]

Thanks yeah will continue to shop around. What are the best sites for buying 2nd hand. EBay doesnt seem to have much choice.

SGL have adverts from its members, see Classifieds,  Or AstroBuy and Sell. Not sure If it is OK to mention the last. here. Just put in a search on Google etc., Other members will no doubt inform you of other options. Just beware. Don't rush even if it means loosing a chance. If a seller is honest they will be prepared to explain everything in some detail. If you see something look it up, ask for advice here. We are a friendly bunch. Have a ggod look through the forum at what members have. Are you presently in an astronomy society? As your moniker suggests you are from the Sunderland area. Sunderland Astro Society is on the web. They are a good bunch I should know I was a member, for a few years. There is loads of advice there. It does not cost a lot to join and you will learn a lot. Ask Graham Dark  there he is a mine of information.

Derek

[happy-kat]

Also check out clearance objects on for example first light optics or day astroboot

[John]

SGL have adverts from its members, see Classifieds,  Or AstroBuy and Sell. Not sure If it is OK to mention the last. here.....

No problem mentioning these although astromackem won't have access to the SGL classifieds for a while yet. Here is the web address of the excellent UK Astro Buy & Sell though:

http://www.astrobuysell.com/uk/

As a general guide, good condition astro equipment generally sells for around 60% of it's new price so your budget will stretch further.

[PeterCPC]

I found this but I know absolutely nothing about them. http://www.used-telescopes.co.uk/dobsonian-telescopes.htm

Peter

[niallk]

Thanks for that. i have a garage which has a door straight in to my back garden. Any issues with storing in a freezing cold garage? If not then I dont think the weight would be too much of a problem.

I'm now favouring the 8" Skywatcher Skyline Dob. Forgoing the GoTo for the bigger 8" Mirror.

I think you're making some great choices. I pushed the boat out and got the Skywatcher 250px and consider the scope one of my best buys ever. You might just get a real bargain 2nd hand as people have suggested. Best of luck!! Niall

[scarp15]

Buying a scope second hand is fine as long as you are able to logistically travel the distance required to collect or arrange a form of delivery. I have purchased two S/H scopes both via ebay, the first I was able to collect via an initial stop off at family in West Yorkshire, the second I took a chance with a courier. 

An 8" Skywatcher dob is such good value for money new, that if it is a concern in terms of pick up to those listed on second hand sites, then as new is inside your budget, plus any issues and it can most likely be resolved through the retailer.

When it comes to purchasing other items, such as eyepieces though (and you most likely in due course will) second hand with included delivery costs, is a viable means of saving a lot of cash. Therefore, such as has been mentioned, UK astro & Sell and when you have accrued enough posts, SGL Classified.

The 8" dob by the way will be great.

[astromackem]

SGL have adverts from its members, see Classifieds,  Or AstroBuy and Sell. Not sure If it is OK to mention the last. here. Just put in a search on Google etc., Other members will no doubt inform you of other options. Just beware. Don't rush even if it means loosing a chance. If a seller is honest they will be prepared to explain everything in some detail. If you see something look it up, ask for advice here. We are a friendly bunch. Have a ggod look through the forum at what members have. Are you presently in an astronomy society? As your moniker suggests you are from the Sunderland area. Sunderland Astro Society is on the web. They are a good bunch I should know I was a member, for a few years. There is loads of advice there. It does not cost a lot to join and you will learn a lot. Ask Graham Dark  there he is a mine of information.

Derek

SGL have adverts from its members, see Classifieds,  Or AstroBuy and Sell. Not sure If it is OK to mention the last. here. Just put in a search on Google etc., Other members will no doubt inform you of other options. Just beware. Don't rush even if it means loosing a chance. If a seller is honest they will be prepared to explain everything in some detail. If you see something look it up, ask for advice here. We are a friendly bunch. Have a ggod look through the forum at what members have. Are you presently in an astronomy society? As your moniker suggests you are from the Sunderland area. Sunderland Astro Society is on the web. They are a good bunch I should know I was a member, for a few years. There is loads of advice there. It does not cost a lot to join and you will learn a lot. Ask Graham Dark  there he is a mine of information.

Derek

Ah cheers Derek. I didnt realise you were in Shields! I am from Sunderland but based in Newcastle. I've started looking at 2nd hand stuff- but havent got an "expert" to heck things out for me.

I've actually just come across a Skyline 200 for £195 delivered..in excellent condition. Tempting!

[russ.will]

I'd snap that up and spend the difference on some carefully chosen (ie, not the the largest you can find!) eyepieces and a Cheshire Collimator.

If you don't get on with it? Well, you can sell it for £195 delivered. It wouldn't be an expensive mistake and can give some very good views indeed.

Russell

[astromackem]

Also check out clearance objects on for example first light optics or day astroboot

Any experiences of astroboot? It seems very simple for a site. What comebacks do you have if the kit is dodgy?

[happy-kat]

Make sure to read the description and compare the rating to the glossary so as you know what to expect, I expect there are T&C on the site re returns policies etc.

[John]

I've bought a few things from Astroboot. Read the description and their T&C's very carefully. The item will be exactly as described, no more and no less. They have a condition rating system (A1 - A6) and that is used consistently. Unless it's A1 expect signs of use / wear / tatty packaging etc. If it's A6 it's broken !

Other than that, the site can be a useful source of bits and pieces.