The_Bagel_Guy Posted February 18, 2012 Share Posted February 18, 2012 Hello everyone,I'm Chris, a second year mechanical engineering student from the university of Nottingham.Me and my girlfriend have recently decided to find ourselves a hobby, her being a physicist the first choice was to buy ourselves a telescope.I've decided my best bet for actually taking the first step is to join a forum and actually get some help. Untill the other day a telescope to me was "a telescope". Now that I've come to actually buy one It's a little more than just a daunting task!In simpler terms.... What should we buy? We don't have a huge budget at the moment, perhaps £100-£150 at a push, so we're aiming for a s/h scope. Saving up isn't the issue, we just don't want to commit £300 having never looked through a telescope!Is there any advice you can give? I've been trawling through reviews etc and have got my eye on some potential victims on ebay.namely a sky-watcher Explorer-130P.I know that ebay isn't the best place to buy but to me it looks like our best bet with what we're willing to spend for now. Unless anyone has anything they want to sell within our budget!Thanks for any help you can give me!Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthew Posted February 18, 2012 Share Posted February 18, 2012 Hi Chris Welcome to SGL, for ease of use and value for money i would by a dobsonian.The only issue you may have in the begining is collimation but once you get your head around it,its a doddle.Good luck and be prepared this isnt a hobby.....its a obsession Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gingergeek Posted February 18, 2012 Share Posted February 18, 2012 Hi there and welcome to SGL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tinker1947 Posted February 18, 2012 Share Posted February 18, 2012 Welcome to the SGL, Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catweazel Posted February 18, 2012 Share Posted February 18, 2012 Hi Chris, the 130P is a nice starter scope, and will show you a lot! You could go for bigger apperture and get a 150P Dobsonian, but that would cost around £200, which seems to be over your budget. Hope that helps a bit Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cunhaval Posted February 18, 2012 Share Posted February 18, 2012 Hi Chris, and welcome to the lounge. eBay can be ok...........but you might do better here - U.K. Astronomy Buy & SellGood luck, and a 130p would be a good choice on your budget. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bizibilder Posted February 18, 2012 Share Posted February 18, 2012 Hello Chris and welcome to SGL!! The Dobsonian will give you the best "bang for your buck" and is easy to store, use and transport. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Double Kick Drum Posted February 18, 2012 Share Posted February 18, 2012 Hi and welcome.It might be worth getting yourselves a pair of binoculars to start with as there is plenty to see with a pair of 7x50s or 10x50s. There is less setting up, total portability and less cost.That will give you a few months or so to save and decide what scope to get. Dobs are best bang for your buck.Happy hunting! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ToxoLight Posted February 18, 2012 Share Posted February 18, 2012 Hi Chris, welcome to the lounge and I go with Double Kick, bin's are a good start. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
telesto Posted February 18, 2012 Share Posted February 18, 2012 Hi Chris welcome to sgl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LukeSuppalot Posted February 18, 2012 Share Posted February 18, 2012 Hi Chris and welcome to SGL. I too would say binos are your best bet. You could also see if there are any clubs local to you and pop along and have a look through their scopes to give you an idea of what to expect. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcsheffield Posted February 18, 2012 Share Posted February 18, 2012 Hi Chris, Welcome to SGL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
proflight2000 Posted February 18, 2012 Share Posted February 18, 2012 Welcome chris, personally you should consider going along to a local astronomy group with the good lady and having a look through a few first, see if it is something that may wet the appetite before you part with cash as we all know the little students try and get by on as it is. You will also get a feeling of what may interest you, planets, more distant objects etc. I think doing that may swing you one way or another and show you what is about without the committment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BAZ Senior Posted February 18, 2012 Share Posted February 18, 2012 Hi Chris and welcome to SGL.Enjoy your stay.There's a bunch of us in and around Nottingham.We have formed a local group, feel free to pop over and say hello.East Midlands Stargazers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Green Posted February 18, 2012 Share Posted February 18, 2012 Hi Chris welcome to the SGL Stephen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zul Posted February 18, 2012 Share Posted February 18, 2012 Hello and Welcome! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesM Posted February 18, 2012 Share Posted February 18, 2012 Hi and welcome to the forum.Clear skiesJames Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glowjet Posted February 19, 2012 Share Posted February 19, 2012 Hi Chris and welcome to SGL John. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
todd8137 Posted February 19, 2012 Share Posted February 19, 2012 hi and welcome ,from me try this group very freindly and a lot of local people to youEast Midlands Stargazerscome join and check EMS out cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Spock Posted February 19, 2012 Share Posted February 19, 2012 Hi Chris, welcome to SGL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duns Posted February 19, 2012 Share Posted February 19, 2012 Hi and welcome to SGL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Bagel_Guy Posted February 19, 2012 Author Share Posted February 19, 2012 Thanks for the warm welcome everyone!I've joined the east midlands stargazers now.Now to figure out what to do with a telescope... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orion_the_Hunter Posted February 19, 2012 Share Posted February 19, 2012 Hi & welcome Chris! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusty Strings Posted February 19, 2012 Share Posted February 19, 2012 Hi and welcomeAnother vote for the dobsonian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charon Posted February 19, 2012 Share Posted February 19, 2012 Welcome to the forum Chris. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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