What scope to get?

[mini_jem]

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

[crazyjedi]

Hi Jeremy!

What sort of budget are you thinking of?

[Ian123]

Hello and welcome to the forum Jeremy, yes, budget?

[AWR]

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 - Dobsonians

Andrew

[mini_jem]

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.

[Ags]

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.

[Catweazel]

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

[AWR]

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

[LukeSkywatcher]

SkyWatcher 130.

[Tribal-Wolf]

Skywatcher Heritage 130P Dob, and that should leave enough for a cheshire.

[LukeSkywatcher]

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.

[ollypenrice]

Another vote for the Dobsonian. Simple and most of the spend goes on the optics.

Olly

PS intrigued by your forum name. A Marcos connection?

[mini_jem]

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!!!!

[RikM]

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)

[redgiantjohn]

another vote for the 6"dobsonian, i own one and its given me some amazing views so far

[E621Keith]

Vote for the dob, either 130p or 150p.

You should also consider a pair of 10v50 binocular on a good tripod