Things to look out for when buying a used / sh reflector as a first scope.

[Ionlylookup]

Hello everyone,

After going through a lot of posts on SGL, I have decided Skywatcher 130p will be my first scope. However, I am on a tight budget and hence buying a used one for around £90, as there are plenty of them available in the used market.

Considering this is my first scope and I am a complete noob when it comes to judging the quality, are there any things that I should look out for to spot a bad scope?

Your thoughts and insights would be very useful, it'll also help if you have any checklists that you have used in the past.

 

Thank you.

[Cosmic Geoff]

Are you going to inspect the scope in person, or buy online?

For a newbie, buying a used scope carries risks, as it may turn out to need some 'sorting out' which will cause difficulties if you have little idea how a perfectly functioning scope would be set up.  Because of sheer lack of familiarity, some people struggle to get brand new scopes working.

[Ionlylookup]

That's a fair point mate. Yes, I will be doing an in person inspection before buying. Just looking at the price alone, I am tempted to buy a used version instead of a new one, which allows me to spend the remaining amount on accessories.

Also, if you have to choose, would you go for Skywatcher 130p or the older version of Skywatcher 150x750 (blue tube)?