Jassy

1 hour ago, catburglar said:

Jassy

Noting M40’s comment I would keep some of your budget for accessories- the book Turn Left at Orion is a really good purchase for most beginners in my view, and a red light  torch too- allows you to read outside without ruining your ability to see faint things though the scope. I suspect you’ll already have hats and gloves - so you may not need those- but it is surprising how cold it gets when observing so you can almost never have too much of a good thing…

I suspect the scope that has the potential to allow your partner to see the most that is within your budget is an 8 inch dobsonian like this:(https://www.firstlightoptics.com/beginner-telescopes/skywatcher-skyliner-200p-dobsonian.html)

or this:(https://www.firstlightoptics.com/beginner-telescopes/stellalyra-8-f6-dobsonian.html) 

They’re both ‘pretty bulky’ so you’ll need to find somewhere to store them (I don’t have the exact measurements but something like say 60x60cm footprint and approx 120cm tall). They’re also pretty heavy (approx 15-20kg I expect) but can be broken down into two manageable pieces…as long as the trip between indoors and outdoors isn’t too twisty/treacherous. There are smaller versions (6 inch) in the same format, and also 5 and 6 inch in a v compact size that are lighter and easier to store/move, but need to be put on a sturdy table outside when using them.

These scopes are ‘entirely manual’ in operation…i.e you have to find the objects yourself - which is surprisingly tricky at first (although the book referred to earlier gives excellent directions).  If that’s the sort of challenge your partner likes then these would be a good choice.

If however, your partner ‘likes a gadget’ then a computerised scope might be a good option. You’ll get a smaller scope (the diameter of the lens/mirror) that won’t have the same potential for viewing faint things, but after a bit of set up- it might show you more because it’ll find it’s location in the sky ‘automagically’. Something like this: https://www.firstlightoptics.com/beginner-telescopes/sky-watcher-startravel-102-az-gte.html

or this: https://www.firstlightoptics.com/beginner-telescopes/sky-watcher-skymax-102-az-gti.html

Note whilst these telescopes themselves may be smaller than the first options, the overall package will be similar in terms of storage space required because they’re mounted on tripods.

Good luck.

Thank you. Really detailed and helpful... Im learning fast what type of questions I need to be asking and considering.

1 hour ago, Carbon Brush said:

Another welcome to SGL.

With up to £500 to spend, you have a lot of choices.

First of all avoid the online general sellers, department stores, PC world, etc. Buy from an astronomy retailer.
That will ensure you get meaningful and relevant after sales support if you need it.

Now the questions so we can make some recommendations......

Will you be observing from your garden mainly? Off in the car to the open sapces?
Are you in a bright town or city? Lots of light pollution.
Where will you store a telescope? If you live on the 3rd floor, you want something easy to carry.
Do you have the storage space? Does it have to go in a broom cupboard?

We can recommend small refractor scopes, large reflector scopes and all sorts between.
The best scope is the one that gets used the most.

David.
 

Hi David,

I have little light pollution. Am in a small village in south wales and with the naked eye we see Venus, Jupiter Saturn.

We have a balcony off a bedroom but usually look from the garden.

🙃

I think 500 is tops... but if thats too little to get a decent one, please say..i dont want to spend  a few hundred for it then its not very good...

I want to buy my partner a telescope for xmas. We are both novices, but he loves stargazing and uses his phone app to wander outdoors spotting planets and stars.

I honestly know nothing about it. 

Whats a good beginner telescope thats not too hard to use? 

Thank you.