Aaaarrrrrrggh! I'm confused! Haha

[Tom2012]

Hello everyone! How are you all?

I've been recently looking into getting a telescope but I am completely confused as too which one too choose!

I have a choice of 4 different ones. All within my price range of £100-£200. Here they are:

http://amazon.co.uk/dp/B000MLL6RS

http://amazon.co.uk/dp/B002ED1XMK

http://amazon.co.uk/dp/B0017GSLT8

http://amazon.co.uk/dp/B004N0J66M

Would anyone be able to help me decide please? I'm more than tempted to go with the most expensive one, just because it's more expensive and a chance of being a better 'scope!

I'm wanting to look at some DSO's, mainly planets (especially Jupiter and Saturn) and the moon. Would I need any additional Barlows to increase the viewing size and colour of objects with these 'scopes?

If anyone could shed some light on these ones I would be greatly appreciative.

Thank you so much!

Tom.

[Moonshane]

^{at your sort of budget and given your stated prefences, I think that http://www.firstlightoptics.com/dobsonians/skywatcher-skyliner-150p-dobsonian.html would provide the best solution for the targets you mention and visual ovserving generally. it will provide more light gathering that the options stated, will take up less space and be more intuitive to use.}

[moriniboy]

I agree, I wish I would have bought a dob for my fist scope, so easy to use.

[Cornelius Varley]

The best of the four is this one http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B002ED1XMK. It is better made than the Celestron version (same optics but the Astromaster has some plastic components). The other two are identical except for the RA motor, which you can purchase separately for the Skywatcher 650/130. The optics on the last two telescopes is inferior to the 650/130's because they use a spherical mirror, the Astromaster and the Skywatcher 650/130 use a parabolic mirror which gives a better view.

Peter

[Rossco72]

Look in the classifieds and astro buy and sell for a pre loved one. It will save you a few quid or allow you to get a bigger mirror for the same budget.

[DirkSteele]

I agree with other SGL members. Given you are new to the hobby, the simplicity of a Dobsonian (a German equatorial mount can be confusing) mounted Newtonian telescope may better serve your needs and you will be able to purchase a larger instrument for the same money which will definitely be of benefit when you are chasing down those faint deep sky objects.

As for what accessories you will need, I would suggest that you do not rush out and purchase items in anticipation of what you might need, but gain familiarity with your new scope under the stars which will give you greater insight to what you actually need.

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

I built a telescope when I was 17 which was very similar to the one recommended by Moonshane. Very nice all-round performer: good on DSOs and razor sharp on planets. The F/8 mirror is quite tolerant of poor collimation, (more so than a bigger 8" F/6). I do not get confused by EQ mounts, but I have been using them for many many years. I started out with a dob-like mount.

[LMC]

My first scope would be an 8" Newtonian on an Alt-Az mount.

Very easy to use and just about every object you'd want to see can be seen.

[Tom2012]

Thank you all very much for all your help! It's been really informative and a lot of help!

After a lot of your information and YouTube videos I've decided to go with the Skywatcher Skyliner 200p/1200 8" Dob! I was torn between myself, thinking about astrophotography. After a while I thought to myself, I'm not going to be able to use it that much as it isn't the best area for that kind of thing (just out of central Liverpool) and also there'd be far too much more expense needed for a hobby I'm just getting into on a more in depth scale. Been using 15x70 celestron binoculars for a while.

Again, thank you so much for all your help and information.

Tom.

[brucen]

I have both the 130P and the 200P Dob. I am sure you will get much better views with the Dob in your location and it is very simple to use. A wise choice!

[Tom2012]

Thanks again for all your help! Saving up - the hardest part! haha