Beginner Telescope

[DiscoDave]

Hi Everyone,

My first post so pleas be gentle.

I'm looking to get a telescope for my own star gazing needs. I've done a bit of research and so far my favourite so far is the Skywatcher Explorer 130m Newtonian Reflector Telescope (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Skywatcher-Explorer-Newtonian-Reflector-Telescope/dp/B004N0J66M/ref=sr_1_1?s=photo&ie=UTF8&qid=1415562772&sr=1-1&keywords=telescope)

Do you think this is suitable as a beginners telescope?

Thanks,

David

[happy-kat]

Hi

It is cheaper with our site sponsor and still cheaper with shipping so have change to buy that cap mentioned below. It comes with the motor drive and handset too.

http://www.firstlightoptics.com/reflectors/skywatcher-explorer-130m.html

You would also need at the least the collimation cap too.

Not used this scope personally so can't comment but am pleased with the 130mm mirror I have on my heritage 130p which has a simple dobsonian mount. The mirrors are same size though different focal length tubes and the mirror is constructed different but light gathering is the same.

[glynnlondon]

Hello David I have the 130p explorer manual version and it is a very good starter scope. It gives nice views of the planets and dso objects like the orion nebula , m13 etc as well as double stars and the moon.

They have some refurbished ones on astroboot ( the older blue tube version , otherwise the same as my black version ) good price at £85 with a years warranty.

This is the link 

http://www.astroboot.co.uk/AstroBoot/telescope-and-astronomy-stuff.html?needle=scope

[happy-kat]

A member's review of the scope you are thinking of:

http://stargazerslounge.com/topic/169142-my-amateur-review-of-the-skywatcher-130m-eq2-for-that-first-time-buyer/?fromsearch=1

This review is of the 130p which is the same tripod but has a parabolic mirror and the telescope tube is 650mm long meaning it is faster at f5 (good for light gathering and hoping to find grey DSO smudges). The price is the same at FirstLightOptics but does not come with the motor as the mirror is more expensive to produce. A motor can be fitted though afterwards (further cost).

http://stargazerslounge.com/topic/168831-23112012-beginners-first-scope/?fromsearch=1

[happy-kat]

Whilst I searched I also found this great guide by Astro Baby.

http://www.astro-baby.com/simplepolar/simple_polar_alignment.htm

Good tip about the EQ2 mount.

http://stargazerslounge.com/topic/228091-so-i-bought-a-130p/?fromsearch=1

I expect you will get more replies

Unless you really want an equatorial mount then a simple Alt-Azimuth mount is faster to setup and very easy to move.

Such as something like this which leaves you room in the budget for a better eyepeice.

http://www.firstlightoptics.com/evostar/skywatcher-evostar-90-az3.html

This is also on an easy to use mount called a dobsonian base which works the same way move it on the altitude or azimuth axis.

http://www.firstlightoptics.com/beginner-telescopes/skywatcher-heritage-130p-flextube.html

Neither can be motorised though so tracking is manual.

A good starter book is called Turn Left at Orion.

A good software program is Stellarium and it is free as opensource.

[Jim Steele]

Keep an eye on astro buy sell since they come up quitem regulary - also try site sponsers flo since they have really good support since they are fellow astronomers.

You don't mention your Budget but to answer your question is a good beginners scope but I would go for a 150P dobsonian since its money is spent on the mirror and dobs ate really easy to setup and use

[DiscoDave]

Thanks for the comments all

Keep an eye on astro buy sell since they come up quitem regulary - also try site sponsers flo since they have really good support since they are fellow astronomers.

You don't mention your Budget but to answer your question is a good beginners scope but I would go for a 150P dobsonian since its money is spent on the mirror and dobs ate really easy to setup and use

My budget is up to £200, which would allow me to stretch for http://www.firstlightoptics.com/beginner-telescopes/skywatcher-skyliner-150p-dobsonian.html

Would there be a significant difference between this and the 130m? Sounds like a silly question but that 150p looks as if it needs an additional stand, judging by its height?

[LeeB]

the 150 dob is a great scope, I would say the 150 is a good step up, at F7.8 it will also be easier to get and hold collimation and will handle cheaper eyepieces better,the view of planets will be more contrasty given the small secondary all in all  I would definately go with the 150 dob. Even after an upgrade later you will keep the 150 for its ease of use.

[glynnlondon]

The 150p is complete no need for another stand it is on a dobsonian mount. Here is a llnk showing it in operation

The 130 has a 5 inch mirror , the 150 a 6 inch mirror and the 200 a 8 inch mirror , the larger the mirror the deeper the telescope will see.

Tho with a dob you may want something like a telrad sight to help in locating objects in the night sky 

http://www.firstlightoptics.com/finders/telrad-finder-astronomy.html

[LeeB]

Noticed this on ebay may help.http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SkyWatcher-skyliner-200P-1200-Coated-optics-/271657396272?pt=UK_Telescope_Eyepieces&hash=item3f400ae830

Looks like a decent buy.

[glynnlondon]

Maybe worth checking out astro buy sell and astroboot as jim suggested above. Found these that look good value.

150p here

http://www.astroboot.co.uk/AstroBoot/telescope-and-astronomy-stuff.html?needle=scope

200p if youre close enough 

http://www.astrobuysell.com/uk/propview.php?view=89607

[DiscoDave]

Noticed this on ebay may help.http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SkyWatcher-skyliner-200P-1200-Coated-optics-/271657396272?pt=UK_Telescope_Eyepieces&hash=item3f400ae830

Looks like a decent buy.

Woa, looking at the images some people have got with the 200 it does seem viable to get a second hand 200 compared to a brand new 130/150. Definitely food for thought.

[DiscoDave]

Maybe worth checking out astro buy sell and astroboot as jim suggested above. Found these that look good value.

150p here

http://www.astroboot.co.uk/AstroBoot/telescope-and-astronomy-stuff.html?needle=scope

200p if youre close enough 

http://www.astrobuysell.com/uk/propview.php?view=89607

the 200p is only about an hour away from me, definitely conisdering, thanks .

[tarotrocola]

The 200p with telrad included is a steal, cheap and more than suitable for beginner/intermediate user (and even more).  

[happy-kat]

And weighs 27 kilos for the two halves so ground floor storage close to observing location would be best