Very annoyed !

[cotterless45]

We had a lovely local astro club meet. I gave a talk on the August night sky followed by a session on star hopping for beginners.

A good chap sidled up afterwards and unfolded this bit of newspaper.

I had to bite my tongue and gently point out the way forward, which did not include this wonderful bargain. I did like the look of the binocular bargain, though.

As a club, I have suggested that we do a short advice session on scopes, eps , books etc.

I'm very annoyed that this and similar offers are giving folk the poorest start in a great pastime.

My regular suggestion is either bins or if they can manage it, the SW 200 from flo, hurrah !

Nick.

[Special K]

But the ad says such a great savings!

[cotterless45]

It's junk, someone turned up with one last year. Asked if we could collimate it and align the finderscope. It may. Be just my opinion and a few others there, but it was junk.

I try to advise newbies as best I can, as this is one of the few pastimes where you don't have to spend mega dosh to get decent enjoyment,

Nick.

[alan potts]

Nick,

I agree it's been going on for many years, some business just could not give a dam as long as profit is made. When I started the norm was X600 magnification adverts and the like of that on something like a 60mm refractor. There is nothing wrong with a scope that size but even the finest would struggle to best X200.

I find it strange that they still play the same record because I know for years astronomers have rubbished the claim, it's always the price tag that seems to catch the eye as well, it was only after I read The Observers Book Astronomy by SMP that I was wise to this. My Brother had the book and I read it 3 times and was hooked.

Alan

[RichMK]

I've seen that add for the Zennox telescope too. My Mum should me it when I was looking at buying my first telescope. I pointed out that it's not going to be that good quality. Poor old dear, she does try. 

[Patbloke]

Nick,

A 200 Dob would be a fine start I agree... easy to operate and good mag 4 zillion % more light gathering and all that!

After much research my girlfriend bought me a Skyhawk 114p as a present to start my journey... I had great fun learning with this little baby... learned the principles of hunting down and finding objects and collimating. I got so confident I even took the mirror out and cleaned it with instructions found on you tube, not with wire wool either :-) the views were pin sharp, loved it.

You can pick those up for just over half the price of a 200 dob or dare I say second hand for much less than that. I kind of feel I served a brief apprenticeship with my 114p and have earned the right to switch on my various Gotos.

p.s - For Sale 1 Skywatcher Skyhawk 114p Immaculate condition! (No way friends this ones a keeper just for nostalgia) 

[JamesF]

For the "original" price you could get a 150P dob, not a 76mm newt.  For a little more you could have the 200P dob.  I think that should tell anyone all they need to know.

James

[niallk]

Reminded me of the "Way Better than Obsession Telescopes" page - linked below. Very funny... I particularly love the sketch of Jupiter

http://www.siriusstargazers.com/Sirius%20Better%20than%20Obsession.htm

[jambouk]

"We" could probably produce an "advert" which makes suggestions for good kit at a whole ramge of prices, not necessarily favouring one retailer or another.

James

[MAN or ASTROMAN]

For the "original" price you could get a 150P dob, not a 76mm newt.  For a little more you could have the 200P dob.  I think that should tell anyone all they need to know.

James

I saw this advert.(again),the other day too,and your thoughts echoed mine exactly,James.Not only   would a total beginner be wasting their hard earned/saved cash,but this sort of rubbish could well put them off Astronomy. I must add that the newspaper that ran the advert also has a garden plant supplier that sold me the WORST excuse for a shrub that I've been unlucky enough to encounter.DON'T TOUCH with the proverbial bargepole!

[niallk]

Zennox is indeed an impressive company ranging from high quality optics to jukebox players...

[fondofchips]

At least that chap went to the best place for advice, I'm still cursing a Lidl telescope, I would have been much further on without it.

Clear Skies (and good telescopes),

Fondofchips.

[bish]

Nick,

I agree it's been going on for many years, some business just could not give a dam as long as profit is made. When I started the norm was X600 magnification adverts and the like of that on something like a 60mm refractor. There is nothing wrong with a scope that size but even the finest would struggle to best X200.

I find it strange that they still play the same record because I know for years astronomers have rubbished the claim, it's always the price tag that seems to catch the eye as well, it was only after I read The Observers Book Astronomy by SMP that I was wise to this. My Brother had the book and I read it 3 times and was hooked.

Alanwent

The Observers book by SPM was the first book I bought with my own pocket money, and I still like to have a flick through it.  As a kid I always wanted one of the scopes that were advertised as  x500 or more,  as mine only went up to x75!  Lucky my parents never gave in and bought me one. 

[glowjet]

Nick, it is very much the case, that those that have an inkling for Astronomy, outside the reach of this forum, are swayed by adverts of this nature, only to run into trouble after purchasing such a telescope and expecting us to provide answers to their problems, after a frustrating search and finding us on the web.

It is very difficult to try and explain to the uninitiated, why their scope may be underperforming and they cannot see stellar objects at the magnifications specified. There must be nothing more demoralising to someone having an interest in the subject,  that they have wasted their money, possibly putting them off the hobby for good

[theskipper1961]

I am no expert by any means but I can speak from experience as I bought  a pair of revelation binoculars 100mm they did get me hooked  I then moved on to the Orion short tube 80 I was not happy with it and moved it on I consider myself quite lucky as I could of done a lot worse and it is sad as I do know people who have gone down the complete junk route and given up , the one thing I notice about this Hobby is there is no snobbery involved and everyone is there to advise and help  and in my opinion and experience most genuine dedicated retailers do the same newbies just need to talk to the right people and hopefully find this website before parting with their cash  ….

[baggywrinkle]

Saw those ads and had a quiet laugh, sadly people do believe them.  

I saw one at an outreach event  and it might have made a decent plant pot had it not been so long.....but you cannot say that to an enthusiastic youngster, just it is something to get started with but not to expect too much.