mini_jem Posted February 19, 2012 Share Posted February 19, 2012 Hi, we are new to star gazing (just moved out of town to country so less light polution!) and we were wondering which scope is best to start with. We dont have a massive budget, and would like to look at some stars and planets with the kids.What is a good started scope?Hope you can help!!Jeremy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazyjedi Posted February 19, 2012 Share Posted February 19, 2012 Hi Jeremy!What sort of budget are you thinking of? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian123 Posted February 19, 2012 Share Posted February 19, 2012 Hello and welcome to the forum Jeremy, yes, budget? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AWR Posted February 19, 2012 Share Posted February 19, 2012 Hi Jeremy,How old are the kids? Usually I'd recommend a Dob (Dobsonian) as a great first scope choice. You'll see loads and they're very simple to use.Have a look here:First Light Optics - DobsoniansAndrew Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mini_jem Posted February 19, 2012 Author Share Posted February 19, 2012 Hi, thanks for the speedy replies, budget would be up to £150 and kids are 11, 7 and 3, although it will mostly be for me and 11yr old! We'd like to be able to see stars like rigel and beetlejuice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ags Posted February 19, 2012 Share Posted February 19, 2012 Those two stars are best seen with the naked eye. They will look the same through a telescope, still points but brighter (but even to the naked eye they are bright). It would be better to point the telescope inbetween Rigel and Betelguese, because then you would be looking at the famous Orion Nebula :-)For just over 150 you can get the skywatcher 150p dobsonian, a simple point-and-look telescope. This would be suitable for the older children. The telescope is undriven so you would have to track objects through the sky manually, but it is optically excellent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catweazel Posted February 19, 2012 Share Posted February 19, 2012 Hi Jeremy. Most scopes will show stars pretty well, as they will always look like points of light. For planets and lunar a skywatcher Evostar 90 would be good. For a slightly more all round scope you might have to stretch the budget a bit, the skywatcher 130P is £175, and is a nice starter scope. CW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AWR Posted February 19, 2012 Share Posted February 19, 2012 I would also see if you can stretch the budget and go for a Skywatcher 150p Dob.Stars will always just be dots (although you will get more colour), but this scope will give great planets, nebulae and galaxies (if you have dark enough skies)Dobs are also very easy for kids to use. No motors, no aligning, just point and nudge)Andrew Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LukeSkywatcher Posted February 19, 2012 Share Posted February 19, 2012 SkyWatcher 130. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tribal-Wolf Posted February 19, 2012 Share Posted February 19, 2012 Skywatcher Heritage 130P Dob, and that should leave enough for a cheshire. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LukeSkywatcher Posted February 19, 2012 Share Posted February 19, 2012 Skywatcher Heritage 130P Dob, and that should leave enough for a cheshire.Same price...............same optics and a damn sight easier to use then an EQ mount. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ollypenrice Posted February 19, 2012 Share Posted February 19, 2012 Another vote for the Dobsonian. Simple and most of the spend goes on the optics.OllyPS intrigued by your forum name. A Marcos connection? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mini_jem Posted February 20, 2012 Author Share Posted February 20, 2012 No, quite the opposite really! Its basically because we are small and my family call me Jem. I acctually drive a 1970 Hillman Imp as my everyday car, and its a rival for the mini!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RikM Posted February 20, 2012 Share Posted February 20, 2012 The 150P Dobsonian is a great starter scope. Like the 130P but more apperture so brighter views and more detail. Also being that bit longer it is more comfortable to use. The f/8 ish focal ratio means you can get away with cheaper eyepieces and it is more tolerant of miscollimation. (not that that is a problem on any of the Baby Newts realy) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redgiantjohn Posted February 20, 2012 Share Posted February 20, 2012 another vote for the 6"dobsonian, i own one and its given me some amazing views so far Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E621Keith Posted February 20, 2012 Share Posted February 20, 2012 Vote for the dob, either 130p or 150p. You should also consider a pair of 10v50 binocular on a good tripod Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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