Telescope recommendations needed please ?

[dweller25]

@PhoTenix

Hello and welcome to SGL.

Having read through this thread and considering your situation I would point you towards the already mentioned Skywatcher 130mm Dobsonian, as long as you can view from the side of the telescope.....

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/dobsonians/skywatcher-heritage-130p-flextube.html

Here’s a review....

http://telescopes-for-sale.co.uk/reviews/skywatcher-heritage-130p-flextube-dobsonian-telescope-review/

It is very light and compact, easy to move but will show you the major bands on Jupiter, the great red spot and 4 of Jupiters moons.

Saturn and it’s rings will also be visible.

Next year you will be able to catch Mars - some surface detail may be seen along with a polar ice cap.

The Moon will reveal a lot of detail.

The Orion nebula and the great Andromeda galaxy will also be visible in this scope.

And that’s just for starters.....

It’s within your budget too  - New 🙂

Also as already mentioned - download Stellarium - a free planetarium.

“Turn left at Orion” is a very good book that may interest you.

Good luck with your choices.
 

Edited October 4, 2019 by dweller25

[PhoTenix]

19 hours ago, DaveL59 said:

A monopod and bracket for the bino can help a lot and not add much cost or weight if you want to try the bino route first

A parallelogram rig for binos can make things even better tho at a cost, of course.

Add a lounger type chair so you aren't craning your neck esp now its getting colder and you're started out at reasonable budget till the right scope comes along...

Thanks for the info 😁

19 hours ago, John said:

5 is not bad - most of my observing is done under Bortle 5 skies. 8 and 9 are where it gets tough !

We (BAS) have run observing sessions on the Clifton Downs and it's OK as long as you stick with brighter targets. Our observatory is about 7 miles south of Bristol where it's around Bortle 5.

 

 

That's great. I'm not far from the Downs either ☺️

[PlanetGazer]

Have a look at these:

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

 

2.

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

This one requires learning how equatorial (EQ) mounts work

 

3.

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/beginner-telescopes/skywatcher-skyliner-200p-dobsonian.html

 

If your are going to go deep in this hobby, pick this rather than buying one now, and another later

 

Before you buy, search for better deals, and you can price match at FLO

 

[PhoTenix]

7 hours ago, PlanetGazer said:

Have a look at these:

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

 

2.

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

This one requires learning how equatorial (EQ) mounts work

 

3.

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/beginner-telescopes/skywatcher-skyliner-200p-dobsonian.html

 

If your are going to go deep in this hobby, pick this rather than buying one now, and another later

 

Before you buy, search for better deals, and you can price match at FLO

 

Thank you. I'm trying but finding it hard finding them anywhere else. I would rather have new so maybe I need to wait a little before diving in. It will be a long term thing so I dont mind waiting ☺️

[Nigella Bryant]

There's an open night, telescope surgery, I assume there will be lots of different telescopes there for you to get an idea about and ask questions. It's on Friday 22nd November at 7.30pm if memory serves. The Bristol Astronomical Society,  Friday meetings will be held at Bristol Photographic Society (BPS), Unit 13, Montpelier Central, Station Road, Montpelier, BS6 5EE.