My first telescope

[juda222000]

Hey all,

Been wanting a telescope my whole life. I can finally afford one and I want to get one for me and my kids that lets us see the planets in good detail. I'm limited by budget. I have around $200. I found this one and its seems like its really good but I'm not very knowledgeable about what to look for in a telescope. Is this a good one? https://www.highpointscientific.com/meade-infinity-90-mm-altazimuth-refractor-telescope-209005 is there a better one to get for the budget I have? It can go a little above $200 if its worth it but not by too much.

 

Thanks in advance,

Ryan

[dweller25]

Hello Ryan, welcome to SGL.

Dobsonians provide the best aperture to price ratio, more aperture means more planetary detail.

As an alternative to the scope you have highlighted I would suggest a 5” Dobsonian like this....

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

And if you can stretch the budget a little more then this 6” Dobsonian will give even better views.....

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

 

[juda222000]

1 hour ago, dweller25 said:

Hello Ryan, welcome to SGL.

Dobsonians provide the best aperture to price ratio, more aperture means more planetary detail.

As an alternative to the scope you have highlighted I would suggest a 5” Dobsonian like this....

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

And if you can stretch the budget a little more then this 6” Dobsonian will give even better views.....

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

 

Oh I would definitely stretch the budget a little for the 6" Dobsonian. Thank you for your input and knowledge. I appreciate it very much

[Alan64]

1 hour ago, juda222000 said:

Hey all,

Been wanting a telescope my whole life. I can finally afford one and I want to get one for me and my kids that lets us see the planets in good detail. I'm limited by budget. I have around $200. I found this one and its seems like its really good but I'm not very knowledgeable about what to look for in a telescope. Is this a good one? https://www.highpointscientific.com/meade-infinity-90-mm-altazimuth-refractor-telescope-209005 is there a better one to get for the budget I have? It can go a little above $200 if its worth it but not by too much.

 

Thanks in advance,

Ryan

There are two versions of a 5" collapsible "Dobsonian" in the U.S....

https://www.highpointscientific.com/telescopes/dobsonian-telescopes/sky-watcher-heritage-130-tabletop-dobsonian-s11705

...and... https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1466512-REG/sky_watcher_s11705_heritage_130mm_f_5_tabletop.html

There is also this variant... https://shop.astronomerswithoutborders.org/products/awb-onesky-reflector-telescope

Both kits are the same, and by the same manufacturer(Synta).

The 6" "Dobsonian" is available from multiple vendors...

https://www.astronomics.com/sky-watcher-6-f-8-classic-150p-dobsonian-telescope-s11600.html?___SID=U

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1141699-REG/sky_watcher_s11600_6_traditional_dobsonian.html

https://www.highpointscientific.com/telescopes/dobsonian-telescopes/skywatcher-6-inch-dobsonian-telescope-s11600

There is also the Orion(of California) 6"...

https://www.telescope.com/Telescopes/Dobsonian-Telescopes/Dobsonian-Telescopes-with-Free-Shipping/Orion-SkyQuest-XT6-Classic-Dobsonian-Telescope/pc/1/c/12/sc/398/p/102004.uts?refineByCategoryId=398

Availability of those and other telescope kits are tentative these days.  Patience is required in getting the one you want.  It is better to wait than to get another, lesser one that may not satisfy.

You do get a larger aperture with those Newtonian-Dobsons, increased brightness and resolution(detail), but they also require collimation on occasion, the alignment of the two mirrors within the optical-tube.  Tutorials abound online on how to collimate a Newtonian, and to ensure success.

The longer 6" is an ideal for observing the planets.  

[juda222000]

@Alan64 thank you for all that information. I'm not going to buy something in a rush.  That Orion 6" seems to be awesome. I may have to wait till my next paycheck to add a little more to the budget. $300 is about $50 more than I can really go, but it looks like its worth it. I can do a little OT this week to make up the extra $50 to get that one. Of the ones you listed above, if you had to pick one, which would it be. I see the other are $315 so If I'm going to go to $300 I'll go to $315 if its that much of a difference. 

[AstroMuni]

13 minutes ago, juda222000 said:

@Alan64 thank you for all that information. I'm not going to buy something in a rush.  That Orion 6" seems to be awesome. I may have to wait till my next paycheck to add a little more to the budget. $300 is about $50 more than I can really go, but it looks like its worth it. I can do a little OT this week to make up the extra $50 to get that one. Of the ones you listed above, if you had to pick one, which would it be. I see the other are $315 so If I'm going to go to $300 I'll go to $315 if its that much of a difference. 

Also look at the 2nd hand marketplace where you can get the same scopes for 2/3  the retail price or less. Take a look at https://www.astrobuysell.com/

The US folks on this forum could provide other sites too. Good luck!

[Louis D]

Assuming  you're in the US, check the classifieds on cloudynights.com as well as Craigslist for your local area for used deals.  Big Dobs don't ship well (expensive and bulky), so checking locally helps a great deal.  Check nearby cities as well if you're willing to meet half-way.

As far as scopes go, it's hard to beat the 6" floor standing Dob for all around versatility and image quality for around $300 new.  Expect to pay no more than $200 for a used one in good condition.  Right now, the new ones are all on back order everywhere, so you have time to save up.  Get on a waiting list until then.  I recommend Astronomics, Agena Astro, OPT, HPS, and Orion.  They are all knowledgeable and can help you make informed decisions and stand behind their products.

As Mike at Astronomics recently said in his mailing list as pertains to constrained product supply:

Due to unexpected demand in astronomy products from a stay at home pandemic, rocket launches, and a very bright comet all manufacturers are stuck in an awkward position that nobody could have predicted.  We appreciate your interest and your understanding in the matter as we are filling orders as fast as products can come in.  Astronomy is a hobby about patience, so please have a little with us currently.  Thank you. 

[RT65CB-SWL]

Hi @juda222000 and welcome to SGL. 

Most beginners think of their 'first' 'scope as being the refractor. The six inch 'Dobsonian' is the classic 'Newtonian' reflector; (it is just the alt-az mounting, i.e. the rocker box that changed the name after John Dobson, ex-monk and inventor); a good instrument to start with and will serve you and kids well for the Moon and planets for many years.   

[Alan64]

Just now, juda222000 said:

@Alan64 thank you for all that information. I'm not going to buy something in a rush.  That Orion 6" seems to be awesome. I may have to wait till my next paycheck to add a little more to the budget. $300 is about $50 more than I can really go, but it looks like its worth it. I can do a little OT this week to make up the extra $50 to get that one. Of the ones you listed above, if you had to pick one, which would it be. I see the other are $315 so If I'm going to go to $300 I'll go to $315 if its that much of a difference. 

There are many kits online that have risen in price this year.  But those four have not, not yet anyway.

The Orion 6" has a plastic 1.25" focusser, and a black colour-scheme which is "cooler", I daresay.  However, the Sky-Watcher has a 1.25"/2" focusser, and of metal.  Metal focussers are superior, of course.  The other advantage of the Sky-Watcher's focusser is that you can use 2" eyepieces, but you'd get one at most, most likely if at all, like this 32mm or 38mm...

https://agenaastro.com/agena-32mm-super-wide-angle-swa-eyepiece.html (38x)

https://agenaastro.com/agena-38mm-super-wide-angle-swa-eyepiece.html (32x)

Either would be for your lowest power, to augment the finder-scope or red-dot-finder in sweeping the sky, hunting for objects to observe.

Then, the Orion has one clear advantage over the Sky-Watcher.  The primary-cell of the Orion, which holds its main(primary) mirror, is spring-loaded, and for greater ease when collimating...

The Sky-Watcher's primary-cell uses rubber-grommets for tensioning, which eventually fail.  However, it is possible to replace them with metal springs once you become more familiar with the telescope's construction.  Newtonians are, albeit arguably, the most mechanical of all telescopic designs.  It's a workman's telescope, but with the advantage of getting a larger aperture for less outlay.

But that is not to suggest the Orion over the Sky-Watcher, not at all.  In the long run, the Sky-Watcher is superior, for it would be far easier to replace rubber-grommets with springs than to replace a focusser.  A comparison between the tensioners...

There, the rubber-grommet(left) has been replaced with a metal spring(right).  There are only three to replace.  Afterwards, the telescope was much easier to collimate.  

Now, a 6" Newtonian at f/8 is easier to collimate than a 5" f/5, but the 5" isn't that bad in that.  Also, at f/8, the 6" can make use of inexpensive wide-field eyepieces; for example... 

https://agenaastro.com/agena-10mm-super-wide-angle-swa-eyepiece.html

I have an Orion 6" Newtonian...

 

It's shorter, and at f/5.  Inexpensive eyepieces do not play that well with it, with the f/5 primary-mirror at the bottom of the optical-tube.

[AstroMuni]

1 minute ago, Philip R said:

will serve you and kids well for the Moon and planets for many years.   

....and plenty of deep space objects 👍

[juda222000]

🤯🤯🤯🤯 Mind blown with all the great information and support thanks all!! I'm excited to get my first telescope, I'm definitely now leaning toward one of the Sky-Watcher's. Its a bit more than I had budgeted but worth it. Already crack open the kids piggy banks lol (j/k). Definitely won't rush to just by one, great advice and learning a lot thank you all again! 

[Louis D]

2 hours ago, Alan64 said:

The Orion 6" has a plastic 1.25" focusser

When did that happen?  Didn't the Orion 6" used to have a 2" focuser just like the Synta made Sky Watchers?

[Alan64]

3 hours ago, Louis D said:

When did that happen?  Didn't the Orion 6" used to have a 2" focuser just like the Synta made Sky Watchers?

My Orion 6" f/5 Newtonian("StarBlast 6") and the "XT6 Dobsonian" have always sported 1.25" plastic focussers.  My own 6" is from 2012.  Now, back in the day when Gieseler still owned Orion, who knows.

Edited September 2, 2020 by Alan64

[Louis D]

35 minutes ago, Alan64 said:

My Orion 6" f/5 Newtonian("StarBlast 6") and the "XT6 Dobsonian" have always sported 1.25" plastic focussers.  My own 6" is from 2012.  Now, back in the day when Gieseler still owned Orion, who knows.

Guess I never caught that difference relative to the 8" and the Sky Watcher version.

[Sunshine]

Welcome to SGL! your attitude is the correct one, if it takes a bit longer to add to your scope budget then it is well worth the wait, my friend. Too many times we all tend to rush into something and, just end up yearning for the one we couldn't afford at the time. As mentioned above, the used market is a great place to find a perfectly good scope and, save a good chunk of money which can then be funnelled into an eyepiece, for example.

[juda222000]

So I have decided to purchase the Sky-Watcher 6" (https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1141699-REG/sky_watcher_s11600_6_traditional_dobsonian.html)

Is this the correct Tipod to purchase for it? https://optcorp.com/products/sky-watcher-star-adventurer-tripod-sw-s20555?gclid=Cj0KCQjwhb36BRCfARIsAKcXh6EJfaz3c5hxOlqCvptaBYTrnE7L2iO_LgDcCRLjlSXaQ__Nw0OwVX8aAl1tEALw_wcB .

It says it works with AZ-GT series and AZ5 mounts and the Sky-watcher says its a Floor-Based Manual Alt-Az Mount. Not sure if AZ-GT and Alt-Az are the same or compatible, does anyone know?

[Merlin66]

the 6" Dobsonian you mention doesn't need a tripod or anything extra.

The base of the telescope mount just sits on the ground. Alt-Az means the motions of the mount are up and down and around - like an old cannon!

Very simple, rugged and straight forward.

[Alan64]

4 hours ago, juda222000 said:

So I have decided to purchase the Sky-Watcher 6" (https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1141699-REG/sky_watcher_s11600_6_traditional_dobsonian.html)

Is this the correct Tipod to purchase for it? https://optcorp.com/products/sky-watcher-star-adventurer-tripod-sw-s20555?gclid=Cj0KCQjwhb36BRCfARIsAKcXh6EJfaz3c5hxOlqCvptaBYTrnE7L2iO_LgDcCRLjlSXaQ__Nw0OwVX8aAl1tEALw_wcB .

It says it works with AZ-GT series and AZ5 mounts and the Sky-watcher says its a Floor-Based Manual Alt-Az Mount. Not sure if AZ-GT and Alt-Az are the same or compatible, does anyone know?

The Sky-Watcher 6" "Dob" includes a Dobson-style alt-azimuth base; no need for any other support.  The base is like a turntable, allowing you rotate the Newtonian left and right.  The yokes that rise up from the base hold the telescope, and allows you to move the telescope up and down.  The left-and-right and up-and-down motions work together, in unison, and in motioning the telescope across the night sky.

The alt-azimuth base was made popular by John Dobson several decades ago, although he didn't actually invent it.  Rather, I like to think that the Earl of Rosse did...

Although, his Newtonian, a 72", could only move up and down.  He was able to see the colour(s) of quite a few deep-sky objects, and with only his eyes; no camera.

I can't help but think that John Dobson was inspired by that "kit".

https://www.aavso.org/sidewalk-astronomy-evangelist-john-dobson-dies-age-98

Dobson enabled the owning of a larger Newtonian on the relative cheap, and for that he is celebrated.  But it was Issac Newton who invented the telescope itself, and that bears his name.

Now, if you ever wanted to take the 6" telescope off of its base, you would need tube-rings, a dovetail-bar, and this mount...

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1334051-REG/sky_watcher_s30300_eq6_r_equatorial_goto_mount.html

That small tripod to which you had linked would support  this "Dobsonian", a 100mm f/4, and smaller telescopes in general...

[RT65CB-SWL]

7 hours ago, juda222000 said:

So I have decided to purchase the Sky-Watcher 6" (https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1141699-REG/sky_watcher_s11600_6_traditional_dobsonian.html)

Is this the correct Tipod to purchase for it? https://optcorp.com/products/sky-watcher-star-adventurer-tripod-sw-s20555?gclid=Cj0KCQjwhb36BRCfARIsAKcXh6EJfaz3c5hxOlqCvptaBYTrnE7L2iO_LgDcCRLjlSXaQ__Nw0OwVX8aAl1tEALw_wcB .

It says it works with AZ-GT series and AZ5 mounts and the Sky-watcher says its a Floor-Based Manual Alt-Az Mount. Not sure if AZ-GT and Alt-Az are the same or compatible, does anyone know?

A tripod is not necessary... alt-az is simply up/down - left/right... same as a pan & tilt camera/video mount.

[Sunshine]

3 hours ago, Alan64 said:

My god! look at the FL on that behemoth!

[RT65CB-SWL]

5 hours ago, Sunshine said:

My god! look at the FL on that behemoth!

Can you imagine William Parsons 3rd Earl of Rosse, cursing  as he remembers that he has left his e/p's at the at the bottom, in the shed, or one of the many rooms of Birr Castle. 

Edited September 3, 2020 by Philip R

[juda222000]

Thanks all, So maybe I need to change the telescope I'm going to get? I mean I'm 6ft tall lol and both my 5 year olds are 4 ft, I would have to carry a table around with me to put this on so me and my kids could look through this.

So much awesome information from everyone thank you so much!! I am looking for one that I can tripod for easy carrying around, can put anywhere and so I don't ' have to carry around an extra table and chair with me to use it as we will be taking it all over the place with us.

[RT65CB-SWL]

You could use an upturned sturdy bucket or water butt stand to give you a little bit of extra height.

Seated whilst observing can make the viewing more comfortable and enjoyable.

[AstroMuni]

15 minutes ago, juda222000 said:

both my 5 year olds are 4 ft

What are you feeding them 🙂

[Alan64]

7 hours ago, juda222000 said:

Thanks all, So maybe I need to change the telescope I'm going to get? I mean I'm 6ft tall lol and both my 5 year olds are 4 ft, I would have to carry a table around with me to put this on so me and my kids could look through this.

So much awesome information from everyone thank you so much!! I am looking for one that I can tripod for easy carrying around, can put anywhere and so I don't ' have to carry around an extra table and chair with me to use it as we will be taking it all over the place with us.

Here are size-charts for "Dobsonians" and other designs...

A metric-chart of telescopes in general, the model six feet in height as well...

It's interesting to note that the tripod-type telescopes sit higher up a bit, albeit most with smaller apertures.  

Incidentally, you are more comfortable, and see more details, whilst seated in a chair; not standing.

It's difficult to place a larger telescope on a tripod, compared to a "Dobsonian".  Compromises must be made.  I've found this 6" f/5 Newtonian on a tripod-type alt-azimuth to be an ideal compromise...

...and made possible by the shorter 6" and the aluminum mount.  I've since removed the pier of that mount, and for this 5"...

The pier is only necessary for longer refractors.  Without the pier, I can carry that mount with one hand, but not with a telescope attached of course.

Edited September 3, 2020 by Alan64