Telescope Choice

[AndyBray]

The perennial question, which telescope to buy? I have been stargazing for decades, my first and only telescope was a 2.5 inch refractor at the age of 11. I used it for years!

Now I would like to take my interest up again. Having done lots of reading, looking at images etc. and whilst suffering from some 'analysis paralysis' I have come down to a choice between a Meade ETX-90 or Celestron NexStar 4SE.

I want to look at planets as well as trying DSOs, I know my way around the sky reasonably well and lately have been using Ostara Elinor 10x50 binoculars. I live in a light-polluted area so portability is an important factor as I will want to take the telescope on holidays in Britatin.

Your views would be much appreciated on the above telescopes and any similar instruments that may be out there. My budget is up to about £500-£600.

[NGC 1502]

Hi and welcome to SGL. It just so happens that this Weds 19th June at my club http://www.cpac.org.uk/ we have 'Telescope Zoo' where our members bring their scopes along for others to look at and discuss.

I see you are in Essex, so you would be most welcome to come (no obligation at all to join) and hopefully see a range of scopes and their owners.

Regards, Ed.

[rowan46]

If you know your way around the sky are you sure you need or want goto? of the 2 scopes mentioned i would go for the nexstar as its electronics are superior meade have a fairly poor reputation for electronics (but do have a good reputation for optics). however the maksutov design leaves a narrow field of view (mitigated by its motors) and it is quite a small apparture. Another scope you may wish to consider is this one http://www.firstligh...p-flextube.html

very portable and a bigger apparture but no goto

http://www.firstlightoptics.com/maksutov/skywatcher-skymax-127-synscan-az-goto.html

like the nexstar 4 only bigger

http://www.firstlightoptics.com/slt-series/celestron-nexstar-127-slt.html

same scope as the skywatcher in celestron livery

[swamp thing]

What a great offer from Ed I would snap up an opportunity like that.

BTW welcome to the forum

[AndyBray]

Ed, Thanks very much for the invitation, it would be great to come along. I can see the location on the website. What sort of time do you start as I do have a prior enagement earlier on Wwednesday evening.

[NGC 1502]

Ed, Thanks very much for the invitation, it would be great to come along. I can see the location on the website. What sort of time do you start as I do have a prior enagement earlier on Wwednesday evening.

Our normal start time is 8.00 pm, but it's likely that some will be there earlier. This particular event will be in the car park, adjacent to the building (as long as it's not raining) so you could arrive after 8 if you want, with no worries about interrupting a speaker. We normally start packing up around 9.30 - 9.45. If the car park is full, there is free parking in nearby roads.

Perhaps see you there, or on any Weds of course, Ed. (Ask for me, we can have a chat)

[AndyBray]

Unfortunately the event I am attending doesn't finish until 8pm, so I wouldn't get to your location until about 9pm. You hav emade a great suggestion though so I shall go to the Loughton Astrnomical Society meeting on Thursday. Its only about 9 miles away.