Goldfinger

Does anyone have opinions on the collapsible Dobsonian scopes like this one? Being a newbie not quite sure what to think of them. https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/735539-REG/Sky_Watcher_S11720_10_Dobsonian_Telescope.html

To tell you the truth, I simply don't know yet. This would be my first serious telescope. The reason I'm purchasing one is because I simply can't sleep at night and I'm usually up by 3:00 am. Rather than toss and turn for the rest of the night, I'll just set up the scope and see what's up in the sky. I'll just point it wherever until I find something interesting then try to identify it using the the Stellarium app.

Hello Everyone Hope you're enjoying your weekend. I think I've narrowed my first telescope purchase to a 6" Mak-Cass. But I keep thinking about the 8" or 10" Dobsonian scopes as they are actually less expensive than my potential 6" purchase and let in more light at the same time. The thing that concerns me is what I would consider an akward viewing posture. I'm 6'1" tall and I'm trying to think how I would be able to use that scope without being too uncomfortable. Do they make special eye pieces to accommodate those concerns? If sure like to hear from anybody who uses a large Dobsonian scope. Thanks

Like it or not, this is probably the wave of the future. Technology will no doubt improve greatly and the price will come down in due time

Thanks so much everyone who replied. I've narrowed down my search. While I would love to have a Celestron 6se telescope it's a little out of my price range. So I found these two. Both are 6" Orion models. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Orion-Star-Seeker-IV-150-mm-Kit-w-Orion-Lens-Kit-/174782720683?_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49286 https://www.ebay.com/itm/Orion-StarSeeker-IV-150mm-GoTo-Mak-Cass-w-Controller-5mm-Wide-Field-Eyepiece-/334010735531?_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49286 If appreciate any opinions on these two telescopes...pros and cons..

Or is it old news? https://unistellaroptics.com/equinox-en-us/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIlO6J0LLo8AIVzzatBh0R3QF3EAEYASAAEgJyxfD_BwE Price is not for the faint hearted.

Does anyone have any opinions on this scope whether good or bad. It fits my budget. Just need a couple lenses and moon filter. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Orion-StarSeeker-IV-150mm-GoTo-Mak-Cass-w-Controller-5mm-Wide-Field-Eyepiece/334010735531?_mwBanner=1&ul_ref=https%3A%2F%2Frover.ebay.com%2Frover%2F0%2Fe11011.m43.l1120%2F7%3Feuid%3D9d076462825c48198aec60575b4dc916%26bu%3D43616103338%26segname%3D11011%26crd%3D20210523053121%26osub%3D-1~1%26ch%3Dosgood%26loc%3Dhttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F334010735531%26exe%3D98325%26ext%3D231947%26nqt%3DAQAAAAAAACAACAAAAAAAAACAAAAAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAJAAAAAAAAAAAACAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAgAAAIAAAAAAAACAAAAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQA**%26nqc%3DAQAAAAAAACAACAAAAAAAAACAAAAAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAJAAAAAAAAAAAACAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAgAAAIAAAAAAAACAAAAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQA**%26mdbreftime%3D1621772284799%26es%3D0%26ec%3D1%26sojTags%3Dnqt%3Dnqt%2Cnqc%3Dnqc%2Cmdbreftime%3Dmdbreftime%2Ces%3Des%2Cec%3Dec%2Cexe%3Dexe%2Cext%3Dext%2Cbu%3Dbu%2Cch%3Dch%2Csegname%3Dsegname%2Ccrd%3Dcrd%2Curl%3Dloc%2Cosub%3Dosub%26srcrot%3De11011.m43.l1120%26rvr_id%3D0%26rvr_ts%3D9e5862341790a9f750f572a6fff23981&ul_noapp=true&pageci=5da69de4-8733-4a17-94a5-e061d4c08a34

I never thought about sitting in a chair but that's a terrific idea 8f I can find the right set up. My budget is around $800.00 for everything. Telescope, lenses and some filters. What would you recommend? I'm mostly interested in the planets but willing to try my luck with DSO's.

While I can afford the OTA unfortunately I need a tripod and lenses with that so that will put me over my budget. I'm thinking about this telescope. I know this sounds silly but I'm a tall guy with back issues. This one means I wouldn't have to bend as low to view. I know that's a poor reason for choosing a telescope but one of the factors I'm taking into consideration when it comes to my purchase. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Orion-Star-Seeker-IV-150-mm-Kit-w-Orion-Lens-Kit-/184846223124?_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49286

What brand and model of a Classical Cassegrain do you have? I'm a total newbie and have never heard that term before. I might even consider purchasing one if it's within my budget.

Does that mean Schmidt-Cass scopes are better for DSO'S than planetary viewing? Does anyone here have a Mak-Cass scope? I'd sure like to hear from those that do.

Can anyone offer their opinion on these two types? I know the Schmidt-Cass is made by Celestron and the Mak-Cass is made by Orion. What are the advantages and disadvantages of each. Is one system more prevalent than the other among star gazers as far as optics go? The reason I'm asking is because there's a 6" Mak-Cass system I'm thinking about purchasing. Any opinions will be helpful and appreciated. Thanks

To everyone that replied and offered advice....THANK YOU ALL!!!! Don't know whether I would even be getting into this without your help so thanks again.

Wow!!! Some amazing photos. Thanks for posting.

No...I wasn't aware of the light pollution map. Thanks for that. I'm in a 8-9 bortle area with 10 being the absolute worst I assume. Oh well....still plan on purchasing a go-to system and hope for the best. I don't plan on doing astrophotography so that make things easier for me.

Love the username.😅 That method seems more educational then having a go-to system where everything is identified for you. Under your method, it seems like you would actually learn more. Being a total newbie, that will probably be my primary method of searching in spite of the fact I plan to purchasing a go-to system. Thanks

Thanks Everyone. You've all been a big help and I really appreciate it. A BIG KUDOS TOO ALL.!!!!! It's not just a matter of if I buy a telescope anymore. I do plan on it so it's a matter of when. I just have to decide what type. Here's a question I'd like to pose. What are the odds of finding a star, galaxy, nebula without even looking for it? By that I mean just aiming the telescope anywhere in the sky and finding-seeing something without knowing what it is? I would guess the answer would partially depend on how powerful your telescope is. I guess one might call this "blind searching". So even if the light pollution is terrible and I can't visually see anything in the sky, could I still find stars, galaxies and nebula even if I don't know what they are?

Hello Everyone First I want to say this is a great forum and am pleased with all the help I've received with my questions. THANKS!!!! But in my situation this should have been the first question I posed when I joined. I live downtown in a major city with little ability to get away due to medical reasons and the fact I no longer drive. The building I live in is 16 stories high with a rooftop patio. There's a ring of lights around the patio that automatically comes on as it becomes dark. So there's two issues of light pollution..one from being downtown in a major city and the lighting in the immediate area on the patio. Would you even advise me to purchase a telescope in such circumstances? I was thinking perhaps a 6" Celestron or a 10" Dobsonian as both would fit my budget. I don't expect much but would like to observe the moon, the planets and perhaps some stars and galaxies. Are there any members here that have similar circumstances? Any opinions would be welcome.

Used Meade ETX Maksutov-Cassegrain D=90mm; F=1250mm With 4 Extra Lenses, Tripod & Portable Carrying Case. I have an opportunity to purchase all this for $650.00. How would you rate this deal?

Hello Everyone I'm a newbie still in search of this first telescope. I have received a lot of advice from some very helpful people on this forum. I was searching eBay for Dobsonian telescopes and found this one. Very unusual looking telescope to say the least. I'm assuming it's a custom telescope since I have never come across anything like it online. https://www.ebay.com/itm/284271608042 Sure looks like a good deal...10" lens for $300.00. But too far for me just to see in person.

Thanks for all the replies. You've all been a huge help. I have a much better idea on what to purchase. Went on eBay and started browsing. Found this odd looking Dobosonian telescope. Obviously a custom job. If i didn't live so far away, I might have made the trip to find out more about it. https://www.ebay.com/itm/284271608042

Good Morning I'm curious if there's one particular telescope manufacturer that offers better value for the money than other manufacturers. Or do they pretty much offer the same features for roughly the same money. I'm a little financially challenged and would like to get the most bang for my buck. Any opinions would be most welcome.

Thanks for this fantastic post. Just loaded with information that will be very helpful to me...a noobie. I was hoping to see Uncle Martin's home on Mars but not going to kid myself.😜

Hi Everyone Id like to thank everyone who replied to this topic. Have certainly learned a lot from the various comments, advice, etc.. I now have a much better idea on how to proceed with this "project". Thanks again. Steve