Very Amateur

I've gone retro and bought the Philips SPC900 webcam. I installed the SPC900NC_00_dw7_eng.exe driver using Hildo's procedure above and it's working on my Windows 10 PC in Sharpcap. Fingers crossed for some clear sky soon to put it into action! 

Thanks Hildo. 

37 minutes ago, DaveL59 said:

you could consider something like this, not far from you I think
Bresser Messier Telescope R-127 L - Achromatic Reflector 127/1200 with Mount | eBay

even this is likely a nice vintage scope but perhaps not what you'd want
Vintage Pentax Astronomical Telescope, Boxed with Tripod & Mount, Refractor | eBay

Ive got my eye on the Bresser. It says it needs a new mount weight. I guess that can't be too hard to replace? Depending on what is needed it does look like it might add another £20-40 but it seems worth it unless anyone thinks otherwise? 

1 hour ago, NGC 1502 said:

Someone will surely snap this up fast, especially with the current shortage of new stuff.  A 6” Dob is capable of so much, and infinitely more useful than an entry level bells & whistles scope that’s basically a toy in comparison.

Looks like it's already gone. Thanks for pointing me there though. 

I've been around the houses researching for my first telescope. Refractor v reflector, Goto/ wifi v manual. I had narrowed it down to 4 for my budget; SW Skymax 102/ Explorer 130PS or the Goto variants or the Celestron equivalents. I was then reading some more info and thought maybe to ditch the Goto and go with a manual 150mm for the bigger aperture. My eyes were then turned by a 8" dob (SW or Orion) or maybe 10" if i can find it at a good price. Having said that and just checking prices again I think the 10 will be out of budget. I then read that the dob might not be that good in light polluted areas so i've come full circle not knowing what to go for.

I'd like to do some astrophotography but think that might come later so isn't a priority at the moment. The scope will mainly be for garden use to  explore as much as possible and learn the night sky. So, with a budget of £350, living in north Surrey and the above info, what would you go for if you were buying your first telescope again?

16 hours ago, DaveL59 said:

If it is a reflector, be aware that shining a bright light down at the mirror could make it look terrible. It should give a good clean reflecting surface with ambient background light and be free of obvious scratches. Likewise check the small secondary mirror by looking down the focuser tube, a little dust is fine but no scratches or damage.

All but one of my scopes are second-user and a couple bought as restoration projects but mirrors were good and they perform very well. Depending on the scope you are looking at the seller may even be supplying better eyepieces so worth doing your research on what comes with the standard retail kit and what may have been added. While the Starwatcher and Celestron gear comes as standard with poor MA eyepieces, Bresser I believe has better (plossl). TAL which I have 3 of come with quite good eyepieces but this Russian make is rarer to find and you need to check if they use the modern 1.25-inch eyepieces or the Russian specific 32mm type. 

Thanks, i'd probably shine a light down at the mirror but that sounds like it should be avoided.

Thanks for the eyepiece info. When you can't go along to a group and speak with people this is a great help.

18 hours ago, Tiny Clanger said:

First thing I'd do would be an online search and see what reviews of the specific model I can find. Some at around that (original) price will be fancy looking toys, others will be basic proper telescopes, reviews will help you sort them. I'd favour well known brands like Celestron , Bresser and Skywatcher .

Then I'd definitely want to see the 'scope rather than have it delivered. Starting ground up, the support might be a dobsonian arrangement or a tripod plus some sort of head, whichever it is needs to be not wobbly, allow free smooth movement in every direction, and stay put when locked. If it is a tripod with legs that adjust for length, be sure the locking mechanisms all work well, and the legs slide all the way shut , sometimes cheap tripod legs get bent and no longer close up. Possibly not a deal breaker, for you but maybe a price reducer ...

The glass needs inspecting, surface dust on a lens or mirror can probably be easily sorted, but chips or other physical damage , or fungus threads inside a lens assembly (you see that on old camera lenses, so I'd not be surprised to spot it in a refracting telescope ) would send me home empty handed.

The focus device (at the tube where the eyepiece goes ) needs to move in and out smoothly , and you will get the best choice of accessories if it is a 1.25" diameter one, the most common at the moment for proper 'scopes. While looking at that, check if the 'scope has it's original caps on the front and on the eyepiece tube, if not, it's probably not been well cared for.

Vital extra stuff you will need to buy make the thing work, if they are not with the 'scope :

Some kind of aiming device , probably either a black plastic contraption with a battery holder for a coin cell which should , when switched on, produce a red dot you can see when looking along the tube, or something like a small telescope fixed on the main one.  I'd check the battery holder if its a red dot finder (RDF) to see if the cell has leaked. A new finder would cost anything from £20 upward.

Eyepieces : usually telescope packages come with one or two not very good eyepieces, if none are included that will be an extra expense. Cheapest viable eyepieces start  around £25 - £50 each

Great info. Many thanks. Some things I didn't think of. I have however been doing as you suggest about researching reviews and prices online and sticking to well know brands.

Hi all

First post here! I'm looking to get my first telescope and currently looking at second hand on the usual online places. I'm looking at telescopes that would perhaps retail up to about £300 but are maybe a few years old. What sort of prices are reasonable? I looking at it that if I was to buy a brand new scope of same or similar specs today, what price would I expect to pay secondhand? 50%? More? Less? (Hope that makes sense!)

Also, when I rock up to collect, other than obvious damage, what should I be looking for to confirm its in good working order? Anything else i need to consider?

Thanks