Help me please.

[icklecat]

Hello everyone. Im really hoping someone can help me, im trying to surprise my partner with a telescope for christmas but have no idea where to start. Im hoping to spend upto £200. Do I get a reflector or a refractor? Which make is best? Please help me, im so confused on which one to get. Thank you.

Cat x

[laowho]

Why a scope? They have an interest? If you think it'll get used, are there stairs to negotiate? Are they in a light-polluted city?

Firstly, do NOT get one from a large box store. Get it through the vendors recommended here.

Secondly, astronomy binoculars are a real option--that's how we began and what we used for two years.

Thirdly, scopes work by gathering light, and here bigger is better, but maybe not at the sizes your budget allows for. That said, a reflector is a much better deal than is a refractor for aperture/light-gathering. But that said, if I lived in an apartment in a city, I'd get the refractor. If you want a reflector, however, I wouldn't want one that wasn't at least 6" which is where you'll begin to tease out deep sky objects satisfactorily.

This is just a beginning, so tell everyone what their conditions and interests are.

[Benton1991]

My first main scope and the one i currently use at the moment is the Skywatcher Explorer 150p, you'll be able to find it on First Light Optics. Alot of people on here will recommend you this as they did with me and they wasn't wrong.  Very good scope, its £150 ish and with the other £50 buy a eyepiece or 2  

[Qualia]

When looking around at your new potential purchase, the general precept is that aperture rules and so you'll find that if a beginner asks 'what should I buy?' 99% of those answers are always going to suggest the biggest Newtonian (reflector) you can afford and carry about, and more than likely a Newtonian which is Dobsonian mounted rather than GEM (EQ) mounted, because the former mounts are easier to use and set up and are a lot cheaper, so in effect you're putting more money into the optics and less into the mount.

Most beginners want to see a little of everything and at a decent price. If you are looking for DSOs like globular clusters, nebulae or galaxies you need aperture and low magnification, the former to get as much light as possible and the latter to get as wide a view as possible. Newtonians excel at all these factors and because of their light gathering capacity, they are also decent scopes for viewing the Moon and planets.

But lets suppose, you just want to get high detail of planets and want to split double stars and do some Lunar and Solar observations (with the correct filters in place). Well, now, you don't need big fields of view, nor maximum light collection, but perhaps some really tasty crystal clear views at higher mags. That's where refractors enter the story.

Recall, a decent 8" Dobsonian mounted Newtonian is about the same price as an unmounted 4" achromatic refractor. In simple terms, the 8" is gathering 4 times as much light as the 4". So, not only think about your budget, but have a serious think about what you'd like to be seeing over the next year or so, and really question your choice of a refractor as a first time telescope. I'm not saying a refractor is a bad choice - far from it, my own first scope was a refractor which I have never regretted buying - but it is a choice you need to contemplate and understand.

After you've got your scope with its supplied EPs you will probably want to get a couple more eyepieces, but do that after you've practiced a little. That way, you'll be able to make a much more informed enquiry and decision. Generally speaking, higher the f number (your telescope's focal ratio), kinder the telescope is on cheaper eyepieces which might suffer from aberrations in lower focal ratio scopes, those less than or around f/5, for example. But, if you do decide to buy a Newtonian, your telescope will require collimation. You will need a special tool to do this, so you ought to budget yourself for a Cheshire which I think are about another £30 - £40.

Another thing to look out for - and I think this is really important - are astronomy sketches. If you have a look at the type of telescope from which the sketch was made this is the kind of thing you will see when observing from a telescope of similiar aperture. From time to time folk do crop up here who are very disappointed with astronomy-stargazing, they thought they were going to see colourful swirling galaxies and nebulae, or those wide and super bright globular clusters seen in the photos, only to see a fuzzy in grey, a planet the size of a pea. So, make sure you're informed.

If possible, try to get along to a local astronomy club and look through the type of telescope you think you may purchase and see if the view meets your expectations. Most stargazers will be only too happy to help.

It's probably not necessary to say, but just in case, I'd suggest that you buy your first set up from a specialist telescope shop that can provide advice and an ongoing service  – not from ebay and not from some supermarket or photographic store where the staff will generally have no knowledge of what they are selling. If you haven't already had a peek, First Light Optics comes highly recommended as one of Great Britain's top class astronomy shops and, of course, SGL can help out a lot.

As a suggestion, if I had £200 for a telescope, I'd seriously be considering this, this or save just a little more and think about this.

I hope this helps and please don't hesitate in asking more questions

[brantuk]

Qualia's pretty well nailed it - don't go to a high street store (they don't know how to advise on astro gear) and auction sites like e-bay often lead to disappointment with poor products that are "bigged up" too much, or the risk of being ripped off is too great.

As it's a gift you want a good, working, proper, starter instrument that won't let you down, and lead to stimulating his interest. The dobsonians give great value for money, largest aperture for budget, and are the easiest for a beginner to set up and use. Anything around a 6" or 8" aperture with a parabolic mirror will serve well.

Skywatcher have this end of the market pretty well specified with the 150P and 200P offerings. If your budget dictates smaller apertures, then the 130P range is good. If you intend hiding it until xmas, then beware it will arrive in one or two boxes that are much bigger than you think lol.

Hope that helps - any more questions don't hesitate to ask, and good luck with your purchase.

[wxsatuser]

If you can go a little more in price there is a reasonable refractor, otherwise the Dobs already mentioned would be ok.

http://www.firstlightoptics.com/evostar/skywatcher-evostar-90-eq3-2.html

[happy-kat]

All are much bigger in the flesh then a picture on the internet will indicate.

Think about storage and portability needs too.

There are maks too.

[ollypenrice]

The scope I would like to have received as a first instrument at that price is this one.

http://www.firstlightoptics.com/dobsonians/skywatcher-skyliner-150p-dobsonian.html

I has no significant rival of which I'm aware. Twenty years ago this would have been a dream instrument for many amateur astronomers. It will stand unobtrusively in a corner of the hall when not in use but don't let anyone stand umbrellas in it!

Olly

[Zuben Elgenubi]

If you don't know what type of scope your partner would like then you could always get gift vouchers instead:

http://www.firstlightoptics.com/first-light-optics-gift-vouchers/first-light-optics-gift-voucher.html

Admittedly, vouchers lack the wow-factor of a telescope but then your partner can choose the scope that suits their needs. You have already had some excellent advice in previous posts regarding different scopes. You could show your partner this thread when the time comes and then make the decision together 

[pel]

If you can get the the recommended telescope cheaper on the internet, go for it.

From my experience I wouldn't recommend First Light Optics, they don't even answer their phone, you can get better customer service elsewhere.

[ronin]

Both already mentioned but the 2 "obvious" ones are the 150P dobsonian and the Evostar 90.

The Evostar costs more then the £200 you have stated (£230). And a smaller aperture then the 150P but it will do all you want, and is maintenance free. Reflectors will require collimation at some time, so you may as well add the collimation tool price in (about £25).

Although additional cost at a later time the EQ3-2 mount has the option of adding motors to it to track the object being viewed. You cannot add motors to the 150P as the mount is not intended for them.

Cannot think of any retailers around Hessle to go have a look at.

Picking a first scope is not easy as it really has to do several aspects, with as little effort as possible by the user with no real experience. Someone saying I would buy the ABZ Superscope is often based on what they do now after 5-10 years experience and having decided which one aspect is the one for them.

[ollypenrice]

If you can get the the recommended telescope cheaper on the internet, go for it.

From my experience I wouldn't recommend First Light Optics, they don't even answer their phone, you can get better customer service elsewhere.

You will find that this is VERY much a minority opinion on here on two counts. Firstly, First Light Optics have one of the best reputations in astronomy. They give good advice and are highly efficient, though their preferred medium is the web and you may just have been defeated by some bug with the phone line or answering machine. They have a returns policy which is the most generous I have ever encountered. 'No quibble' would be an understatement. (Specific recent example; they replaced a member's CCD camera because it had a column defect. It is perfectly clear that such defects are inherent to CCD technology and are never covered by warranty.)

Secondly it is very unwise to buy astronomy equipment based on the best looking price on the net. It is far better to buy from people who know what they are doing, have built up a reputation, will be there when you have a problem or need advice, and so on and on. Telescopes are not widgets.

I have no connection with FLO other than being an occasional customer and a friend of many of their other customers.

Olly

[pel]

You will find that this is VERY much a minority opinion on here on two counts. Firstly, First Light Optics have one of the best reputations in astronomy. They give good advice and are highly efficient, though their preferred medium is the web and you may just have been defeated by some bug with the phone line or answering machine. They have a returns policy which is the most generous I have ever encountered. 'No quibble' would be an understatement. (Specific recent example; they replaced a member's CCD camera because it had a column defect. It is perfectly clear that such defects are inherent to CCD technology and are never covered by warranty.)

Secondly it is very unwise to buy astronomy equipment based on the best looking price on the net. It is far better to buy from people who know what they are doing, have built up a reputation, will be there when you have a problem or need advice, and so on and on. Telescopes are not widgets.

I have no connection with FLO other than being an occasional customer and a friend of many of their other customers.

Olly

Olly you are entitiled to your opinion as I am entitled to mine. 

I don't accept poor customer service when I am spending my hard-earned money and therefore I don't recommend using First Light Optics.

You are free to love them as much as you wish. I am imagining you skipping off into the sunset with them now :-)

[brantuk]

"You will find that this is VERY much a minority opinion on here on two counts. Firstly, First Light Optics have one of the best reputations in astronomy."

Absolutely agree - FLO are one of (if not the) best suppliers on the internet. They are a small company and don't have a call center and are extremely busy most of the time - which is why they prefer internet communication. But you'll find it hard to get a more experienced retailer, or better pre/post sales service than theirs. They are certainly my first port of call for all astro purchases. Highly recommended.

[Qualia]

You are free to love them as much as you wish. I am imagining you skipping off into the sunset with them now :-)

Pet, opinion is one thing but goad baiting and offending rhetoric is quite another. I personally think these kind of snide attacks are uncalled for here at SGL. They are neither conducive to the original OP, nor do the add anything to the topic at hand.

[icklecat]

Thank you for been so kind and for your help. My partner is a first time beginner with little knowledge but very curious. I cant go into a specialist retailer because there isnt any around where I live in the UK. I am still none the wiser on what to do any ideas on this one Sky-watcher BK 1309 EQ2??? Thanks x

[brantuk]

If it's the one on Amazon here:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Skywatcher-Explorer-130-BK-1309-EQ2/dp/B0026RFRQC

Then it's way overpriced - for the money you'd be a lot be better off with this:

http://www.firstlightoptics.com/reflectors/skywatcher-explorer-150p-eq3-2.html

You can also add a motor drive to it at a later time for around £80 and still be under the price of the Amazon one.

Incidentally - you don't need to live "near" a specialist retailer to use them - you just need to know who the good internet based ones are. Amazon doesn't specialise in astronomy gear.

[Beardy30]

I would go for the skywatcher 200p dob check out fist light optics they r the best trust me I have dealt with them a number if times and their help and advice is top dollar cat good luck ps. How lucky is your partner to get that for Xmas wish my mrs would think of this

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk - now Free

[wxsatuser]

I have always ordered stuff from FLO via the website.

Never ever phoned them and all ordered stuff turns up promptly.

One occasion they emailed to let me know that an order was delayed because they

were waiting for one item to arrive but it still turned up the within a working week.

I have had equally good service off Telescope House, Sherwoods and WEX, so

I'm not just favouring FLO......any of theses should be fine.

[Kai]

Olly you are entitiled to your opinion as I am entitled to mine. 

I don't accept poor customer service when I am spending my hard-earned money and therefore I don't recommend using First Light Optics.

You are free to love them as much as you wish. I am imagining you skipping off into the sunset with them now :-)

I would consider that a lucky escape for FLO.

And as for the last sentence , what was that quote about if you not able to say anything nice......

[nightfisher]

Olly you are entitiled to your opinion as I am entitled to mine. 

I don't accept poor customer service when I am spending my hard-earned money and therefore I don't recommend using First Light Optics.

You are free to love them as much as you wish. I am imagining you skipping off into the sunset with them now :-)

Pel, sorry to say but your opinion of First light optics is NOT factual, they consistently offer outstanding customer help and support, both to new comers and old hands, and as already stated they favour email due to high inquiry traffic, please refrain from criticism when its very inappropriate    

[Ant]

Please remember that the OP asked for advice on what scope to get.

Supplier bashing is not permitted on SGL, we have the supplier review section for good and bad reviews. I suggest that you use it Pel if you haven't already. Pel's opinion is as valid as anyone else's, FLO do make mistakes as does everyone, it seems that they let down Pel.

Let's help the original poster with the choice of scope, which hopefully make her other half very happy come Christmas. You never know he may even join us here.

Any more posts off topic will get removed.

Ant

[Wolfgangwand]

Pel is entitled to his opinion , and to state it , as are we all . I however have no gripe with FLO and have bought various items from them without any issues. For what is lacking with incoming call taking is more than made up with follow up calls and various other useful forms of help that would be beyond that normally expected or offered by other areas of retail.

For a first scope , perhaps not knowing what you are looking for , FLO would not take advantage of the buyer just to get a sale so that's another thumbs up for FLO.

[FLO]

.... they don't even answer their phone ....

The phone is our Achilles heel, I won't argue with that. In our defence, we openly confess this at our Contact Us page where we advise people to email. We like being an online retailer so have spent a considerable amount of time effort and money(!) into online communications. Having said that we have a small group of loyal customers who are not online (some don't even have a PC) so the phone is there for them and for anyone else with similar feelings. Our communications aren't perfect but we do our best and we accept we cannot please everybody

I am imagining you skipping off into the sunset with them now :-)

I don't know about you Olly but that leaves me feeling warm and fuzzy 

Steve 

[FLO]

@icklecat,

In a nutshell, if you can store the telescope in a garage or shed (so it is always close to the outside temperature) then a Dobsonian telescope is best. It will show you more targets per £ spent than any other design. 

HTH, 

Steve