Complete newbie

[philipw]

Ever since I went on a stargazing daytrip in Egypt last year, where I saw Jupiter and Saturn, I have wanted to look a little more. I am going to Norway in March, and would like to buy either binoculars or a spotting scope to take with me, hoping you might be able to advise?

there are a lot around, I understand the magnification and apeture, and that I should not get sidetracked by wanting very high magnification. I have about £200 ish to spend and have found several options of both:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Celestron-Ultima-Refractor-80-45/dp/B0002CTZ70/ref=sr_1_2?s=photo&ie=UTF8&qid=1357290826&sr=1-2

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Seitz-VK-30-90x100-Waterproof-Spotting-Scope-Inc-Case-/220921291750?pt=UK_Photography_Binoculars_Monoculars&hash=item336fef63e6

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Giant-20x80-binoculars-with-large-tripod-Nature-bird-watching-astronomy-/110919213786?pt=UK_Photography_Binoculars_Monoculars&hash=item19d34ce2da

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Celestron-Skymaster-Binocular-20x80-/321043429498?pt=UK_Photography_Binoculars_Monoculars&hash=item4abfadf87a

Not sure I will buy of fleabay, but this is what I am looking at, along with a good tripod.

Would really appreciate some guidance, any brands I should go for/stay clear of?

I know a telescope would be better, but this is my first baby step and I think I can get more for my money with a spotting scope?

Anyway hello from me and thanks in advance.

Philip

[Parus major]

I think in your case I'd be right in saying you want a good view of planets, yes? This isn't really going to happen with a spotter or a pair of binoculars. The balance is portability and usefulness here.

For portability and power a mini mak would be a good choice http://www.firstlightoptics.com/maksutov/skywatcher-skymax-102-ota.html or http://www.firstlightoptics.com/vixen/vixen-vmc110l.html but you are looking at spotters so you could have a nature interest so looking at brands like Opticron and Viking would get you the maximum bang out of that price range.

Astro brands in your price range I'd be exclusively looking at Celestron, Skywatcher and you're on the chin end of Vixen.

I'd steer clear of ebay brands you see nowhere else but that's not to say that no decent brands are available by decent vendors on ebay but as a beginner stick to trusted sellers. I'd recomment First Light optics (forum sponsor) and Rother Valley Optics since they cover a wider range of optics types including Spotters so they can advise you well as would Sherwoods.

If you're specifically after a Spotter then I'd suggest going to a specialist shop in your area and trying them out.

[wookie1965]

I would say get yourself a pair of bins 7x50 easy to carry but i will let the more experienced on here advise you anyway a warm welcome to SGL

[philipw]

Thanks for the advice, I think I am a little fearful of a telescope, all those bits and parts (for me to undoubtedly loose). I also want something I can take camping that isn't going to take up too much space. Having said that I think I would quickly get frustrated with the limitations of binoculars. I was also leaning towards the spotting scope as you can fit a camera to it.

Gouing to think carefully, really appreciate the recommended telescopes, any others would be appreciated. I know £200 isn't much and you get what your pay for, so being pointed in the right direction will help me avoid an ebay disaster so thank you!

Philip

[rowan46]

for astro work on planets the mak is probably your best bet no false colour to speak of but a narrow field of view. all of the spotters in your price range have some false colour but do give a wider view. If you want to look at planets bins are out. Welcome to sgl by the way.

This one maybe a little outside your budget

or maybe you could stretch to it

http://telescopeoutlet.co.uk/index.php/spotting-scopes/ultima-100ed-45-ex-demo.html

[Matt Scunthorpe]

If portability is key for when you go camping, something like this - http://www.firstligh...p-flextube.html - would be ideal. It is a flex tube which means the top bit rests on the bottom when not in use, so is pretty small when you are storing it, Its not a massive apperture but will still give you good views of planets and some DSOs.

EDIT - Forgot to mention that it is well inside your budget also.

[Parus major]

If it's nature you want to take photos of then a spotter is likely the way forward but make sure the model you buy has an adaptor for your specific camera but a spotter would only really be usable for landscape and wildlife work.

You can attach a camera to an astronomical telescope with a bit more ease but it can be difficult to pull off results - see our "Getting Started" sections. The likes of a small Mak like the ones I mentioned you can stow them in a backpack as they are small and you can mount them on a standard tripod fitting. The only down side is that all decent spotters will be waterproof and those won't be. Small maks do have a very long focal lengthfor their size so you will be able to get very close to planets with them.

Read up on the different types of astro telescope,

[Parus major]

for astro work on planets the mak is probably your best bet no false colour to speak of but a narrow field of view. all of the spotters in your price range have some false colour but do give a wider view. If you want to look at planets bins are out. Welcome to sgl by the way.

This one maybe a little outside your budget

or maybe you could stretch to it

http://telescopeoutl...45-ex-demo.html

And spotters go, that's a cracker for the price, btw.

[philipw]

Great, thank you again. I've emailed First Light Optics about this http://www.firstlightoptics.com/maksutov/skywatcher-skymax-102-eq2.html and also about the spotter suggested which seems like a bargain. Fingers crossed!

[Parus major]

My thought would be to take the tube minus the EQ2 mount and spend the £90 on something like a second hand EQ3-2.

[philipw]

I've had a change of thought in I am going to hold of buying something new until I have spent a bit of time exploring that it is something I want to invest time and money in, would rather wait and have more cash to spend say next Month and get something for £300 - £400. In the meantime I am going to try and find a cheap used unit to play around with, and hopefully go along to the event next Tuesday at Regents Park! Hoping a kind gazer might let me look through their scope and I might go home with a better idea of what it is all about.

Is there a clasified section on here, there isn't that I can see? If I want to get a used scope for £50 or so as an interim thing, just to get a feel for it, what and where should I look?

Again, thanks for your help and welcomes!

Philip

[Matt Scunthorpe]

That is a good idea if your still unsure. Im sure at the evenrs there will be load of scopes to look through.

The classifieds opens up when you reach 50posts.

[philipw]

I've bought some 15x80 bins to start off with, get me looking up at things and get to know the sky (I can just about point out the sun and the moon, and then I might get it wrong!) I am going to a meet at Regents Park on tuesday to meet some people and to ask some probably very stupid basic questions, like 'Which end do I look in?'

This has been recommended and is what I will be aiming for http://www.firstlightoptics.com/maksutov/skywatcher-skymax-127-eq3-2.html

Thats the plan anyway. I apologise in advance for my astronomical retardedness and dumb ass questions that will follow!

P

[Parus major]

The 127 is very good but again, same applies, the EQ3-2 is adding £130 to the cost on top of the price for the OTA on it's own, I'd be tempted to try for a second hand EQ5.