First scope

[RussellP]

Hi

i have around £300 to spend, on my first scope, ideally with Goto.

Useage, will be a bit of everything really, i realise a lot of DSO will be out of reach at this price but would be nice to see some.

Size is also a consideration, i want something portable and also to easily store at home out of the way so as not to annoy the better half

Now i have been looking at either the Explorer-130P SynScan or the Meade StarNavigator 102, the Meade is the special edition that comes with 5 eyepeices (32, 47, 67, 88 and 133) which to me looks quite good value for the same price as the 130p, but are they any good?

Thanks in advance.

[Daniel-K]

get a 200p from FLO you will see much more than the 130p and will learn the sky

[jon1000]

I just bought the 130p Goto synscan for £289, it is a good first scope

[huggiebear]

Agree with Daniel. Thats the reason i never never went for a goto so i could learn the sky. Sywatcher Skyliner 200P comes highly recommended and maybe a good place to start for a noob but then i would say that.

[RussellP]

Size of the 200p is off putting, its a big lump having now seen one close up, i understand they are probably best bang for buck though.

This seems to be a most frustrating hobby as far as getting kit goes

[Daniel-K]

it does break down into two sections though and is then more managable to handle

[bish]

Size of the 200p is off putting, its a big lump having now seen one close up, i understand they are probably best bang for buck though.

This seems to be a most frustrating hobby as far as getting kit goes

Very true. When I got back into observing a few years ago I had to see the scope in the flesh, and the workings of the mount etc. I bought a 150p on eq3 mount and it was a great scope - ideal for what I needed at the time. Circumstances have changed since and so have my scopes but I would still have bought the 150p to start. Of course that doesn't mean that it is suitable for everyone. Good luck and try not to stress about it.

[Catweazel]

It is hard making that first decision about a scope, I spent hours and hours on it, and in the end I just went with my instincts (whatever that means ), so not the 200P Dob

On a serious note, If you want a reflector then the 200P is worth a look, considering your budget. I didn't get a GOTO as I wanted to try and learn the sky with a sky-atlas, but can see how they are tempting in terms of being able to cut to the chase, as it were.

Anyway, good luck with your search CW