davidmaiden18183

Thanks Second Time Round

I have looked at that Barlow at FLO. I wasn’t aware of the 1.5x so I’ll have to look at that. 
 

I have been looking at this set last week. 

Celestron 94307 AstroMaster Telescope Accessory Kit https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B004KMC0UC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_fabc_woT-FbMAJMS4S?psc=1

My Heritage 150P dobsonian came with. 10mm & 25mm lens.

This has a x2 Barlow, a 15mm and 6mm so all together I feel it gives me some good magnifications options. 
 

not sure if the Barlow can be used at x1.5 as

I know they are by no means the best eyepieces but as long as they would be appropriate for someone starting out I would be happy with it.

I know I need a moon filter, but the other filters I’m sure would soon prove useful. 
 

Appreciate any thoughts on the set I posted. 

Well! 8 years on I am bringing this thread back to life! I never forgot the good advice given to me on here. I never did get that scope back then, life got in the way and monies found there way elsewhere, a lot has changed since..... I am now a father to a 4 year old who is fascinated by Space, and whom asked for a telescope for Christmas. It has encouraged me to finally make that purchase and for us both to share those first experiences of looking at the the moons, stars, nebulae and a planet or two.

I am happy to say I am now the owner of a Skywatcher Heritage 150P Dobsonian.

I am now looking for advice on some starter accessorries to help us on our way. I am happy to take suggestions but I am thinking we will be needing a filter for moon viewing and also a Barlow lens (the scope came with a 10mm and 25mm eyepiece).

We are only staring so not looking for top draw accessories, but something or fair quality for a starter. Still I am a novice an choosing the right and suitable accessories is something I am not confident with yet. So I would greatly appreciate any recommendations (or links) to filters, a Barlow lens or anything else you recommend for us.

Thankyou

Can anyone help with my last message?

Apologies for the late reply. I’ve had a busy week.

I’ve been looking into scopes and the good advice given (thankyou) and I think I have warmed to the idea of the Heritage Dobsonian Flextube linked earlier http://www.firstligh...p-flextube.html

In all honesty, excusing my ignorance or maybe snobbery, I looked at the Dobsonian type and with perhaps less engineered construction, and to the laymen a rudimentary mount and materials i.e "flextube" it made me dubious of it.

I’ve seen some recommendation and for my budget that Dobsonian type is indeed probably is going to give the best image. I understand the Dobbins have less cost in the mount and this more money into the optics.

I do however wonder if having to manually track and item will drive me mad, that I can’t answer. I presume anything I have in the viewfinder will move out of it in about a minute’s time, and I am guessing that without a finder scope you really are point and find. Finding, and refining sounds tedious.

Please correct me if I am wrong, I don’t have any first hand experience. This kind of make me feel if you lose track of something (say after reviewing a planisphere for a minute or two, you may have to drop down magnifications in order to find the object again, to then increase the magnification once found; sounds tedious).

That may or may be not be a real concern; I’m just using my imagination here. So if anyone can give a flavour of first experiences with Dobsonians would be good?

Additionally, how do people use such dobsonians out and about? Do you have to buy a tripod to attach it to or use some other means to raise it from the floor and give a sturdy platform? I would want to take it up my local hill away from light pollution.

It is I admittedly difficult for me to quantify the picture difference I would get between http://www.firstligh...p-flextube.html and say http://www.firstligh...hawk-1145p.html

thanks, I will take a look at the link now. Just as sanity check to what i already think, do you think a refractor or reflector telescope would be more appropriate for me any my price range. Many Thanks

Traditional sorry

There's a slight difference between the use of telescopes for terrestrial use and for astronomy. Although both instruments are the same they are used in a different way. a scope for terestrial use is used to make things easier to see by magnifying. this can be done because there is plenty of light consequently the slight dimming of an object while under magnification isn't a problem as there is still plenty of light to see it. An astronomical telescope is used in the dark its primary purpose isn't about magnification its about collecting enough light to make a dim object visible. In short it needs to be bigger, the bigger the scope the more light it collects and the more the eye can see. A bigger scope costs more but it sees more if you get a small scope it will limit your use to the moon a couple of planets and a few deep space objects and stars. For some people thats enough. In a fairly light polluted place you are best off getting a scope with a minimum apparture of 5"-6" more would be better. if you intend to travel to a dark site you can get away with a smaller scope. the next thing that adds to a cost of a scope is the mount. you are looking at a fairly dim image so this needs to be fairly solid as it's difficult to see an image that is dancing around. cheap scopes have cheap mounts which are not really fit for purpose. If you want to get good views expect to pay near the top of your limit.

http://www.firstligh...p-flextube.html

Will show you jupiter and its moons ,saturn and its rings, the moon, mars, most of the messier list of deep space especially under dark skies. lots of double star systems and quite a fair bit more

Th anks again for the advice, I think I would prefer a telescope with tripod in the more tarional format (reflector or refractor)

" I've been looking for a local club, the only one near has a website but it doesn't work "

This one any help ? . . . http://www.cockermouthastronomy.co.uk/

I am in south cumbria, and with the lake distric A roads to content with cockermouth is 90minutes drive away

Always sensible to be cautious, but the risk one takes by going low budget in this hobby is that the scope could be of a very poor quality which may put you off pursuing the hobby further. One thing to consider is that no telescope has to be a completely sunk cost, as there is a decent and active second hand market so you could recoup some of your investment if you decide astronomy is not for you.

I would suggest something like this would serve you better. I started with something similar over 20 years ago and it showed me plenty but left me hungry for more.

http://www.firstligh...hawk-1145p.html

I uunderstand and share many of your thought, you have given one recommendation and hopefully other can suggest something for the £100-150 budget, ideally hugging the loer end if possible. But I'll consider the upper end when I can understand the benefits.

thanks

Hang on a bit, get out if you can to a club meet, see what the difference is between £80 and £130 scopes...

then save a wee bit more up and get one of these

http://www.firstligh...p-flextube.html

Just my opinion and good luck with your choice

I've been looking for a local club, the only one near has a website but it doesn't work, I'm not even sure if they have disbanded and the website a remnant of what once was

I think I am happy getting a scope knowing the outlay is low risk as I should be able to sell and recap if needs be. I've a little money burning my pocket for a Christmas bonus and birthday money from family in part that's what's making me happy to get a scope (well a good excuse) there is nothing else I really want or need for a hundred or so.

If I expanded my budget to £100-150 could I get something decent of quality, and what would be people recommend, I'd love to know what I could expect with such scops looking at say Saturn and Jupiter..

Hello All,

I am looking to nurture my longstanding interest in astronomy that has been largely from a TV screen regrettably. I’ve watched so many documentaries and series on Astronomy, Cosmology, Space, Space travel etc I am can officially be declared a documentary hore!

Anyways I have had 10x50 binoculars (though partially broke) for some time, and I know binoculars are always advised as the way to start but I really want to be able to get a closer look at the moon and the planets and nebulae etc than bino's will give, that’s what excites me.

I'd like to play it safe and not jump in too deep, and try out a cheap scope to do those things at first, if I enjoy it I'll be happy to sell it and look for something better.

I don’t have a set budget as such, I might push to say 130, but really I am thinking £50-80. If pushing up to £130 can really be justified for what it gives me as starter (an not long term) scope then I am willing to consider that.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Seben-700-76-Reflector-Telescope-incl/dp/B00426KOQI/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

I stumbled across this one, and favourable reviews, man from first time astronomers and for its price it sound excellent value and quality for the outlay. Of course it’s not the best scope in the world but what do you guys think? Any alternatives? What more realistically would I get if I swell my budget?

Thanks