Dilemma over a new scope

[Bludgemall]

Hi

I am a newbie/rookie when it comes to astronomy.

Although I've often looked up at the heavens after dark it's not until recently that I've decided to take the plunge and actually buy a telescope.

I did dabble with a Skywatcher infinity 76 I purchased off Ebay for a £10 some time ago which after a strip down and a good clean I was impressed with, albeit difficult to target.  This has since been passed onto my Grandson.

After being bitten by the bug I thought it was time I got something a bit more serious.  I am after something that will allow me to look at the planets, nebula that is close by and to seperate stars out with a clue to there colour.

My budget is small but after reading reviews/opinions on here and other sites, I've come up with a shortlist, I've chosen refractors as I've read they are good for cutting through urban light pollution, easy to target and transportable.

I am now fishing for other stargazers opinions on my choice:

Skywatcher Capricorn 70 EQ1 £85 Wex Photographic

Skywatcher Mercury 705 AZ3 £94.50 Rother Valley

Skywatcher Startravel 80 EQ1 £128.50 Rother Valley

Here are some of  my own thoughts on the selection:  

The Capricorn seems good value for money as it has a long focal length and EQ1 mount and is cheaper than the Mercury which only has a AZ3 mount and a shorter focal length, I can't quite understand why the Mercury is more expensive as the Capricorn seems to have more to offer.

If the budget will allow it, the Startravel 80 seems a good buy, it ticks both the EQ1 mount and Focal length boxes and is also bigger, my worry is mount wobble?

I know you must get thousands of these type of messages on here but would be very grateful if someone could steer me in the right direction.

Cheers

[xtreemchaos]

hi mate and welcome from south wales.with all 3 scopes and mounts thay will have the wobble but the eq1 is the better mount, id go for startravel 80 its the better scope out of three, if you want to stop the dredded wobble you will need a eq5 or higher. hope this has been usefull.all the best. charl.

[damnut]

Hi Bludgemall,

Before parting with hard earned cash I would find your local astro group and go along to one of their meets to see what others have and what may suit you best. There is a group in the east midlands :--- http://www.eastmidlandsstargazers.org.uk/ they have two dark sites one of which is in Belper.

A couple of books to buy 'turn left at orion' and  'sky&telescope pocket star atlas' and if you have not already done so download Stellarium, its great and free. To be found here :-http://www.stellarium.org/

As for scopes any of those mentioned would make a good starter scope but consider also binos or the 130p heritage dob :--http://www.firstlightoptics.com/beginner-telescopes/skywatcher-heritage-130p-flextube.html  which has greater apperture. If you are unsure about using an eq mount stick to the dob or AZ. Otherwise it may sit in a corner collecting dust!!

[Captain Harlock]

Hello and welcoe to SGL.

Damian's advice is spot on. I know it can be difficult to resist the itch to purchase a shiny new telescope straight away, but gaining a bit more knowledge beforehand would be extremely valuable in helping you finding what you need, and will use.

Qualia's post is also a good read, if you have some time to spare :

http://stargazerslounge.com/topic/196278-what-can-i-expect-to-see/

Cheers,

H.

[ronin]

To an extent without motors the AZ mount is preferable, it moves in line with how you expect, so using it manually will be easier.

For the ones described I would suggest adding £1 and getting the Evostar 90 on AZ3 from RVO.

Or the Evostar 90 on the EQ2 mount by adding £10.

Much better scope, bigger and will be somewhat better at everything. Jupiter will be easy and as it will go to 100-120x without much trouble Saturn should be within its capabilities.

Will say that mounts supplied tend to be just adaquate, as in they do not collapse under the scope but that is about all.

Clubs (4) if wanted: http://www.astronomyclubs.co.uk/Clubs/Default.aspx?CountyId=26

[swamp thing]

Hi and welcome to the stargazers lounge.

TBH I'm always a bit wary of recommending anything on wobbly mounts and for this reason always rule out anything on a small EQ. These are invariably gimmicks more than astronomical tools. 

It's often said that the EQ helps one track the skies but if its wobbling about like a jelly every time you touch it that advantage is immediately lost.

The heritage Dob that Damien refers to above is a much better choice IMO and if you can possibly stretch your budget to get the 150p Skyliner this would be a far better investment.

[swag72]

Hi and welcome to SGL - All good advice so far that I cannot add to as I don't do any visual at all

Look forward to seeing you around

[Bludgemall]

Thanks to everyone for the advice so far, if it wasn't for you, people like me would be salesmen fodder.

I am thinking an AZ mount is the way forward as I haven't a clue about EQ mounts.

I particularly enjoyed reading the "what to see" topic, it really has put things into perspective but not put me off.

With regards to clubs, most are to far for me to travel, I live on the edge of the Dark Peak (Peak District), great for finding dark locations, not so good for clouds, mist and astronomy clubs.

I am going to take a look at some of 'ronin' suggestions and get back to you.

[SteveA]

Some really good advice here. Do consider the Dobsonian mounted Skyliner! Okay it's slightly over you budget and okay it's not a refractor and also not quite as portable. But and it's a big BUT.....you are getting a fair bit more aperture, the Dobsonian mount is very easy to set up and use and I can almost guarantee you will be pleased with it. There is a reason this is one of the favourite starter scopes!

[ronin]

Only suggested the Evostar 90 as it is a good scope that you can happily use and get good results from basically forever.

You may never upgrade, and as the Skywatcher Startravel 80 EQ1 was £128.50, the Evostar 90 is £129.50 and you had it seemed checked out RVO.

RVO do a line of their own branded scopes, 80mm and 90mm, but they are a greater cost.

If the mount proves poor, mounts are generally just adaquate, then from memory at the IAS there was a retailer selling used mounts at clearance prices. So you could get used to what you have, and if distance, time and inclination allow visit IAS at Stonleigh and have a look around and possible pick up a better one. Actually RVO advertised used equipment. There is also the used side such as ABSUK.

[Bludgemall]

Oh no, I've got more questions!

I've taken a good look at the suggestions for scopes above.

The 150p Skyliner looks excellent but not very portable and quite a bit out of budget.

The Heritage 130p again sounds good, portable, compact, but as I live between the urban sprawl of Manchester and the Dark Peak, how would it cope with light pollution, I was led to believe that refractors cut through the glow better.

I fancy the Evostar 90 but I am torn between the AZ3 and the EQ2 mount, is an EQ2 mount any easier than an EQ1 mount???

[Bludgemall]

Think the Evostar 90 AZ3 seems the winner.

It's in budget - under £130

It's a refractor - No collimation, better for suburban gloom, transportable

Size - 1/2" bigger than equally priced scopes

Basic - less to go wrong or break

Entry level - Looks easy enough to use for a rookie like me

Again, I am open to anyone's thoughts and suggestions

[damnut]

Heritage 130 p, 40mm more aperture (nearly 50%bigger than the 90mm) £138, neither refractor or mirror copes any better than each other with light pollution....

Before you buy I would urge you to go to an astro group meet or a retailer and see these scopes. RVO is not far away the other side of sheffield.  Stockport also has a retailer, phone in advance to make sure they have what you want to look at.

If you have not handled these scopes before you are running the possibility of making an expensive mistake.

[Bludgemall]

Hi

Whats the name of the retailer in Stockport?

Again, thanks for advice, it's coming in very handy.

[faulksy]

stockport binocular and telescopes http://www.telescopesandbinoculars.co.uk/acatalog/Binoculars.html

[Stropper]

Hi and welcome

As a relative newcomer myself I empathise with your dilemma. At least you have joined SGL before you but so you have access to great advice as you can see

I can't add to that advice from people far more knowledgable than me but as someone who has to make do on my own here in rural France you talking to people in a club or good retailer has to be the way to go

Good luck

[JamesM]

Hi and welcome to the forum. Choices, choices!  As was suggested earlier above, I would connect up with your local Astro club or observing group to see if they are running any public observation evenings in order that you have the opportunity to look through a couple of scopes. Budget is important and I am not ignoring that but all the specifications in the world won't mean a thing unless you have established for yourself your own datum point of what is going to meet your own expectations on what you want to see. We are all different in what we want to observe wherein some people are interested in planets which means they don't need a lot of aperture to see details on what are obviously bright objects. Some people prefer the delights of deep sky objects (DSO's) which can be small and typically faint and the only way of seeing them is with a fair bit of aperture, and to that end dobsonian type scopes will be the cheapest and easiest route for that cause. If you have a strict budget then I would certainly want you to try before you buy so that you can compare for yourself what the differences are which might result in possibly saving a bit more money to obtain better values given the range of different objects that are available to view,

Clear skies and please don't hesitate to ask any questions in the appropriate forum sections as you are likely to receive more replies there than here in the welcome section. 

[Bizibilder]

Hello Bludgemall and welcome to SGL!!

[Pete Presland]

Hi welcome to SGL from Pete in Bedfordshire

[Charon]

Welcome aboard.

[michigander]

Welcome to SGL, Bludgemall!

Dana

[Vox45]

Hello and welcome to the forum

Clear skies !

[glowjet]

Hi Bludgemall and welcome to SGL, buying your first scope can be a dilemma, you have in mind what you would like, then join the forum and be overwhelmed by lots of advice from knowledgeable Astronomers, your original intentions may then go out the window. Best is to absorb the advice given, bearing in mind that the biggest aperture you can afford will give you the best bang for your buck, consider what you would like to observe, then examine the types of scope that will fit your purpose, ask for additional observations of you feel this is necessary. Enjoy the forum 

[Scorpius]

Greetings Bludgemall and welcome to SGL!

[barkis]

A warm welcome to the SGL Forums Bludgemail.

This is the best learning centre you will  find in the world for amateur Astronomy.

There isn't anything about practical, or theoretical astronomy that you won't find among these members.

As k any questions you like, and they will be answered in a flash  .

As for your proposed telescope purchase, I would recommend that unless you have a decent budget, then go for a nice pair of 10x50 Binoculars.

If you lose interest in the night sky, then nothing is lost, take up Bird Watching, or other activities that Binos. will help with.

One of the best telescopes for a beginner, is 150mm  f5 Newtonian on a Dobsonian Mount.

Decent light grasp, and very easy to use. What's more it is not expensive, depending whether you buy a new one or a second hand one.

You will find the scope a good pathway for Observational astronomy, and when you wish to move up the ladder, sell it, you will probably get your money back if it was second hand.

Make sure you get a couple of eyepieces with the scope, a 10mm and a 25mm Plossl will do for a start. That will give nice views of star clusters and the moon.

Telescopes can be expensive, so stay within your means when moving up the scale of size and Mount capability. What you learn as you go along, will help you decide the future for you on these matters.

Good Luck.

Ron.