Telescope for Beginners

[Postie109]

I am just stating to gaze the lights and planets. Can anyone recommend a good starting telescope for looking at planets and stars. Not to complicated a system but a good starting telescope.  I have NO IDEA ABOUT TELESCOPES but want to learn. I am 68 yrs of age but willing to put in the time to learn. Don't want to start with a really expensive telescope but can get a better one as I learn about them.

Thanks for your help

 

[Alan64]

You have a choice to begin with either a refractor(achromat), or a reflector(Newtonian).  Reflectors require collimation, alignment of the two mirrors within, on occasion.  Refractors, generally, do not require such maintenance, as the design is simpler and tighter in construction.  A refractor is usually a bit more costly, as lenses are more difficult to manufacture than mirrors.  Refractors(achromats) will show false-colour to varying degrees whilst viewing brighter objects.  The shorter the achromat, the worse the false-colour.  Reflectors are false-colour free.  For the same outlay of funds, a reflector will usually have the larger aperture.

This is a shorter refractor... https://kwtelescope.com/starpro-az-90mm-refractor/

This, a longer refractor... https://kwtelescope.com/polaris-90mm-german-equatorial-refractor/

For either of those, a star-diagonal may be desired for the sky at night... https://kwtelescope.com/1-25-star-diagonal/

 

This is a shorter reflector... https://kwtelescope.com/polaris-130mm-german-equatorial-reflector/

This is a compact, collapsible, shorter reflector... https://www.all-startelescope.com/sales/product_info.php?cPath=21_112&products_id=624

This, a longer reflector... https://kwtelescope.com/polaris-114mm-german-equatorial-reflector/

This, a longer Newtonian-Dobson... https://kwtelescope.com/classic-150p-dobsonian/

 

What is your budget?

[toshapetriji]

Welcome to the forum. 

[Postie109]

 

Budget is  $400.  I'm just starting so this may be really low, I don't really know much about cost of these things now. Keep getting notifications online now about purchasing one. Google knows I'm looking, I guess...lol

 

[Cosmic Geoff]

We could help more with some input from you about what style of telescope you'd prefer.  Your budget of $400  is a bit low for a telescope on a GoTo mount, which in any case might not suit your inclinations.  If you have really no idea where to start, you could get a pair of binoculars (which could be re-purposed for daytime use) or a basic but useful telescope in the form of a 130mm aperture table-top Dobsonian  newtonian reflector.  I append a link to a UK-market model.  You should be able to find the equivalent from North American suppliers.

http://www.opticalvision.co.uk/astronomical_telescopes-sky-watcher-dobsonians/skyliner_flextube_dobsonian.html

If the bug bites, you can progress to a more advanced instrument that suits your developing interest.

[Postie109]

Tks...appreciate your help. I'm a newbie but still interested.  $400. is low , I guess but just trying to figure it out

[Alan64]

1 hour ago, Postie109 said:

Tks...appreciate your help. I'm a newbie but still interested.  $400. is low , I guess but just trying to figure it out

If CAD400, that's equivalent to about USD300, which is an amount whereby you can avoid the typical, entry-level kits, of which I have a few.  For example, this one cost me only US$139...

It's not a bad kit, not at all, and with a 114mm aperture.

I got this one for $299, but I suspect it was a promotional at the time, as it's now back up to about $450...

https://khanscope.com/collections/explore-scientific/products/explore-scientific-firstlight-127-mm-maksutov-cassegrain-telescope-on-twilight-nano-alt-az-mount-fl-mc1271900tn

That's a 127mm Maksutov.  It's like a microscope, but for the sky; for medium-high to high powered views.  It's a close simulation of a long-tube, long-focus refractor, but within a compact, short tube.

Other options...

https://khanscope.com/collections/sky-watcher/products/heritage-p130-5-tabletop-dobsonian-telescope-31002 (for low-to-higher powered views of practically everything in the sky)

https://kwtelescope.com/classic-150p-dobsonian/ (for medium-to-high powered views of the planets and deep-sky objects)

https://kwtelescope.com/starpro-az-102mm-refractor/ (for low-to-medium powered views of dimmer objects)

https://khanscope.com/collections/explore-scientific/products/explore-scientific-firstlight-4-inch-doublet-refractor-on-twilight-nano-equatorial-mount-fl-ar1021000eq3 (for medium-to-high powered views of the planets and deep-sky objects)

https://khanscope.com/collections/meade/products/polaris-90mm-german-equatorial-refractor-216003 (for medium-to-high powered views of the planets and deep-sky objects)

https://khanscope.com/collections/meade/products/meade-s102-mm-refractor-telescope-on-alt-az-mount-708010 (for low-to-medium powered views of dimmer objects)

There are only four types of telescopes in the marketplace from which to choose: refractors, Newtonians, and Maksutov- and Schmidt-Cassegrains.

[Waddensky]

On 25/10/2020 at 13:18, Postie109 said:

Budget is  $400.  I'm just starting so this may be really low, I don't really know much about cost of these things now. Keep getting notifications online now about purchasing one. Google knows I'm looking, I guess...lol

$400 is fine to get started. Not really sure about Canadian prices and suppliers, dut I'd suggest to get a 6"or 8" dobson if they are available for your budget. They are very easy to set up, offer great performance for the price and usually come with decent accessories so you can go stargazing right away. They are a bit bulky though, if you can, visit a shop beforehand to get an idea of size and weight.

[DaveL59]

a bit above your budget but one of this range may work for you, the smartphone app assists you in finding targets and suggesting what is available to view that particular night,

https://telescopescanada.ca/products/celestron-starsense-explorer™-dx-130az-smartphone-app-enabled-newtonian-reflector-telescope-22461

They also do refractors in the range. Do avoid the LT versions as they are quite wobbly, I have the LT70AZ that was purchased primarily for the Starsense part. While low cost, optically it isn't at all bad but needs a proper diagonal and eyepieces to really show well and the tripod/mount will need improvement.

[M40]

Hello postie109, I am a few years behind you at a mere 65 years of age so one thing to consider is the weight of the telescope and how to move it about, where to keep it etc. I have recently changed from a Skywatcher 200P dobsonian telescope which was tremendous however it got too bulky to keep moving it around so I changed to something similar to the Maksutov - Cassegrain that Alan64 mentioned above. That size and type of telescope will be quite portable and will be a great telescope to use. At a later date you can upgrade the mount to a motorized type if you wish, plus you can add eyepieces, camera mounts etc. 

Not sure how the world is in Canada, but there is very limited stock around over here, so take your time, look at the site and see what others are using. Enjoy. Les

[reezeh]

Hi postie109

Telescopes are measured by the size of their lens or mirror, aka "aperture". Usually, bigger the better or at least more capable. 

For your budget I would consider a three to three and a half inch (75 - 90mm) achromatic refractor. Newtonian reflectors are good but unless you are technically minded are best avoided if you are a real beginner.

Refractors are almost zero-maintenance and easier to manage for beginners.

 

Avoid anything that is advertised as "300X magnification" "SEE TWENTY MILES!" They're probably toys with a high price.

When you see something that might be what you want, don't be scared to ask on here about it. It could help you land a bargain or avoid a costly mistake.

 

Not that ebay IS bad, but you need to know what is and isn't a lemon.

Edited October 29, 2020 by reezeh
Oops 75mm NOT 70mm!

[dweller25]

Hello @Postie109 and welcome to SGL.

As already mentioned, this is a very good starter scope.....

https://www.all-startelescope.com/sales/product_info.php?cPath=21_112&products_id=624