naxos10

You could look at the Celestron small spotting scopes like the Ultima 65 or the Mini Mak 70 which are around £85 - £100, or even the C90 mak at around £150. BR Alan

Hi Howard, Welcome to the SGL.

Hi Andy, Welcome, you will get all the support and help you need to choose a scope from the experts on this site. BR Alan

Hi Roo, Welcome to the SGL. Alan

Welcome Simon. The Isle of Wight is one of my favourite places.

Built up the Nexstar 4SE for the first time last night. Did not get chance to fully use the goto as I did not get the finder set accurately (fundamental mistake, tried to align scope and finder on a star but the little [removed word] kept moving!!!). Still, gave me a chance to practice focussing and slewing manually. I was veiwing stars I could not see with the naked eye and the site of jupiter including some banding was the nights highlight. All the above was viewed with the stock 25mm plossl but next time I will also try the 12mm I have. Really enjoyed my short spell gazing and next time will be better prepared and maybe I'll venture outside the garden. BR Alan PS: must thank the wife for the flask of coffee she made me.

Well done on the diy front, a nice piece of kit.

Well done Elmerto, enjoy. BR Alan

Well done Greg, I've just received the 4SE I ordered on Saturday. If you have the manual there appears to be decent instructions for setting/alignment in it. There is also a thread on these forums titled something like 'Nexstar SE what the manual does not tell you'. Heres to clear skies. BR Alan

To add to my post: These come with carry case or backpack depending upon the scope choice. BR Alan

Have you looked at the Celestron C90 Mak or Ultima 80 (angled) spotting scope and possibly using a small photographic tripod or table tripod?

Ooop's another guilty party. Ordered my first scope on Saturday. In my defence I can say we have had no real clear skies for longer than that. BR Alan

Pushed the button on my first ever telescope, a Celestron Nexstar 4SE, over the weekend. Just spoke to the supplier and it should be with me tommorrow so two things: 1. Thanks for the help from the SGL members for answering my questions and helping me decide. 2. Apologies for the next few nights as I believe the delivery of a new piece of equipment means no clear skies for a while. BR Alan

If you can stretch the finances a little the Celestron 4SE is a good scope and offers the possibility of very basic photography and the tripod is superior to that of the SLT. I have chosen this as my 'grab and go' option. BR Alan

You could look at the Nexstar 4SE which will allow you to dabble with photography if you wish. this has a better mount than the SLT versions.