Goldfinger

30 minutes ago, Tiny Clanger said:

Sounding dangerously Yoda like, I'd say 'Raise the dob., lower the observer, one or the other, or both, whatever works .

I have a heritage 150 dob, which has a low tabletop base , so have built a rough little sturdy stand to raise it off the (usually wet) grass, and an adjustable height observing chair ,you can see both here

What  do you hope to observe with your 'scope ? That would be an important factor to me in a decision between dob and mak .

Heather

 

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.

9 hours ago, Goldfinger said:

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. 

 

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

4 hours ago, Louis D said:

Many folks, myself included, find seated observing much more relaxing and enjoyable.  In that case, you want a telescope mount that can be lowered enough to not have to be used with a tall observing chair.  If your back can't take being bent over at all, then that would limit you somewhat.

What is your working budget?

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. 

16 hours ago, johninderby said:

I have the TS 8” version but it is akso available under FLOs StellaLyra brand name.

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/telescopes-in-stock/stellalyra-6-f12-m-crf-classical-cassegrain-telescope-ota.html

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/telescopes-in-stock/stellalyra-8-f12-m-lrs-classical-cassegrain-telescope-ota.html

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

1 hour ago, johninderby said:

Any discussion of Mak vs SCT should also include the Classical Cassegrain. The Classical Cassegrain while an old design has only recently become available in a competitively priced version. I’ve had an 8” SCT and a Skymax180 but have now moved to an 8” Classical Cassegrain. A great performer with no dewing problems and quick cool down and a proper crayford focuser. wouldn’t want to go back to the Mak or SCT in the 8” or there about size range.

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.

3 hours ago, Brutha said:

My understanding is that Maksutovs tend to have a longer focal length, so are better for planets and lunar viewing, but typically not so good for fainter deep sky objects.

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.

12 minutes ago, Pixies said:

Finding stuff 'by hand' is half the fun of it - for me. I know that opinion isn't shared with everyone, and with obvious reasons. Especially if you suffer from light pollution, you will have a lack of guide stars to help you find your way around.

Do you know what your sky quality is, where you are? You can try using https://www.lightpollutionmap.info/ to get that info. Sorry of this has been asked before.

As for randomly finding galaxies... there are parts of the sky, around Virgo/Coma Berenices where you can just point your scope and not help but see them. However, that will require dark skies and a largish aperture.

 

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.

40 minutes ago, Dark Vader said:

I spend hours looking at things in the night sky without knowing what I am seeing 😂 I will just pop in a low powered eyepiece and pan around. Should I spot anything I'll hold my phone up to that area of the sky and try to identify it with Sky Safari. Then try and find it again next time out. Spent 18 months with binoculars doing just that.

The planets are less affected by light pollution and in a couple of months Jupiter and Saturn will be up in the evening. 

Galaxies and nebulae will be trickier the worse the light pollution gets but you should still see plenty of stars, doubles, and not forgetting the moon. You'll see that no matter how light polluted it gets, and it's a thing of beauty.

Andy 

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

1 hour ago, Philip R said:

Being on a rooftop, you may experience thermals/eddies from the apartment below, so be prepared for that.
Also if the apartment below, is not yours, just warn the owner just in case they inform the local pest control or local police dept. SWAT team... just in case they hear 'strange' noises in the middle of the night coming from the roof.

If you do buy the NexStar 6SE Telescope, I would take someone along with you that knows what to defects to look for, ask questions, etc., unless the seller is an amateur astronomer upgrading to something bigger. Also you will need a dew shield if it does not have one. You can DIY and make one from an exercise floor mat or similar material or purchase one ready made and have them heated. 

Image above of my 're-modded' ETX105 with dew shield attached.

 

BTW - I could not resist adding this... 

 

A dew shield isn't something I remotely considered. I've been browsing through the telescope ads on eBay and have never seen them mentioned...at all. But that's a good idea. Thanks for bringing that up.

1 hour ago, Peter_D said:

Hi, 

Why don't you contact the St Louis Astronomical Society? I'm sure in they could fix you up with a loaner telescope while you research further and give you good, practical advice . I see there is even a library telescope loan scheme in your city!

https://www.slasonline.org/library-telescope

Peter

 

 

Thanks so much for the link. I will join as they have the meetings about 5km from here.