Advice on good entry level scope

[Geof _i]

Hi All,

Have had more than a passing interest in astronomy for many years and now the wife has shown an interest so can justify buying a scope.

The problem is which one. My ideal budget is around £150 but if what I think is a good deal comes about (Meade DS-2090AT from sherwoods at £190) I will stretch, although I prefer not to.

I appreciate this is an honourous subject to answer but the following may help, or hinder. I would like to be able to do astro photography as well mounting my SLR (eos400) to the scope. Motorised with computer finder would be ideal but I appreciate I can probably get a lot more scope for my money without a computer star finder. Ultimately good optic and suitable for SLR mounting if possible. Look forward to suggestions

Geof

PS plenty of clear skies and can get away from light pollution as am located @ 57 deg 35'' 57.42N, 03deg16''31.06W

[barkis]

Hi. Geoff. Merry Xmas, and a warm welcome to SGL.

my advice to someone buying for the first time in usually the same, especially if their budget is modest.

The advice is to look at the second hand instruments that come up for sale, especially at this time of year.

If you browse the astronomy forums for sale sections, there are some very good offers to be found. The beauty of buying from an amateur on a forum, is the scope will invariably have been well cared for , and the only reason he/she is selling, is to upgrade. You will be a lot less likely to be ripped off, as there are usually no bad people on the forums. Also, you will probably get a larger aperture for your money, than you would buying new. You can always seek advice from the guys on here if you need help before you commit your money to a sale.

Good Luck.

Ron.

[geoff_k]

Hi Geoff

Merry Xmas. You're only a couple of letters away from me!

Ron gives excellent advice. With your budget, buy with care. Try to get to a local astro society and see what other folks are using.

Skywatcher and Celestron for example, do some excellent 'cheaper' scopes that will serve you well.

Geoff

[mcut]

i would guess that others might agree with me but how about this for about bang on your budget:-

http://www.firstlightoptics.com/proddetail.php?prod=s130pm

have seen others recommend these and they get good reviews. now with R.A motor provided

one thing you will need to consider is where you will be observing from. a lot of people will tell you that the best scope is the one you will use the most so you will need to consider whether you want a scope you can pack up and travel with - "grab n go". there are plenty of members here who will help you choose

regards

[Geof _i]

Thanks for the advice so far. I'm finding the world of just researching scopes terrifying but interesting. Looking at the 3x Celestron C6-N 6" Newtonians on offer in the sponsor zone post of 19 dec. They still apear to have some left views / comments plse.

Geof

[Tiny]

It is a nice starter scope at a nice price. Light enough to grab and go, big enough to see a lot and try out all the different fields of astronomy. Cheap enough to get you started and get a good grounding before you decide if you want to spend more and maybe specialise with special eyepieces, scopes and other clobber. Don't forget to buy (if you haven't got them yet) the planisphere plus books as are recommended to get you round the sky.

[Whippy]

Thanks for the advice so far. I'm finding the world of just researching scopes terrifying but interesting. Looking at the 3x Celestron C6-N 6" Newtonians on offer in the sponsor zone post of 19 dec. They still apear to have some left views / comments plse.

Geof

A 6" reflector (or indeed the 4" refractor) would be a great start. Loads of people (including me) started off with something similar and it will show you a huge range of objects. For the price that they are being offered at, they're a bargain! The only downside is that the mount isn't motorised and would make astrophotography a non-starter BUT I would get the scope, learn how to use it and grasp the basics before you head down the imaging road, that is a whole different ball game entirely. Not only that I think (ie: not sure at all) those mounts can have motors fitted to them so you could always add them when you're ready.

Tony..