I need some help choosing a budget telescope.

[vlaiv]

12 minutes ago, Lotinsh said:

@vlaiv Well then I guess OTA scopes wont do it. sadly.

They are a good option when you already have some accessories and tripods - but not ideal as first scope.

[tonylumley]

 Lotinsh,  just a suggestion, buy the best you can afford or you will be forever trying to buy better on a limited budget, if you have to put buying on hold for a few months you will be in the position to save up and buy when you find the "bargain" I have been there, I mow have an EQ6 R pro, having bought 2 cheaper mounts which were not upto the task, so, from experience I will say it will pay you back in the long run, good luck and clear skies, 

[Lotinsh]

@tonylumley Thanks for the suggestion, but the reason that I'm so tight on the budget is that it was my birthday recently and my dad offered to buy me anything around 150-170 as I'm now 15, but the thing is that he won't go any higher so that kinda means I'm left to go for a 150ish price range, so even in a couple of months my budget won't change, thanks for the suggestion tho.

 

EDIT: @Adam J this is the reason

Edited February 28, 2021 by Lotinsh

[Adam J]

7 hours ago, Lotinsh said:

Hello, my budget is around 150/160 EUR, I was wondering what telescope should I buy? I need some suggestions as all I know is that bigger is better. I am currently looking at StarRider 80F400EQ, is it any good? Also I'm from Europe if that's relevant.

From my perspective thats not sufficient budget to get something that will draw you into the hobby and keep you interested (others may disagree with me) but its not all that far from the kind of budget that I would suggest.

So my honest opinion is to save just a little bit longer until you can go with something in the 200 - 250 euro range and you will be much more happy with your purchase and have a better experiance.

Adam

[tonylumley]

1 minute ago, Lotinsh said:

@tonylumley Thanks for the suggestion, but the reason that I'm so tight on the budget is that it was my birthday recently and my dad offered to buy me anything around 150-170 as I'm now 15, but the thing is that he won't go any higher so that kinda means I'm left to go for a 150ish price range, so even in a couple of months my budget won't change, thanks for the suggestion tho.

good luck, and happy birthday, I see your predicament, hope you find a bargain though,

[Lotinsh]

@tonylumley Thank you!

[Adam J]

6 minutes ago, Lotinsh said:

@tonylumley Thanks for the suggestion, but the reason that I'm so tight on the budget is that it was my birthday recently and my dad offered to buy me anything around 150-170 as I'm now 15, but the thing is that he won't go any higher so that kinda means I'm left to go for a 150ish price range, so even in a couple of months my budget won't change, thanks for the suggestion tho.

 

EDIT: @Adam J this is the reason

In that situation i would be looking for a used scope, astronomers tend to look after their kit very well.

Adam

[Lotinsh]

@Adam J Yeah I at one point was looking for used scopes, but I have no clue where to look, there weren't many on ebay, at least as far as I checked.

[Lotinsh]

If I could up my budget to 200-250 would that be a good price range? Or will I do just fine for now with a 70mm scope?

[nfotis]

Hello there,

 

I think that a used ED80 scope might be a good starting point?

Also, you can find used 102 or 127mm Maksutov scopes at 200 or so EUR, if you prefer to look at planetary targets (Moon, planets and the Sun - the latter requires a solar filter).

A used scope mount may be included (but I wouldn't bet on it).

Check at the ads in specialized forums like this one before you make a leap.

We found a new 80ED scope from Svbony at 215 EUR via Aliexpress, but it doesn't include eyepieces or diagonal (these would set you back around 50 EUR from the same shop), But no mount/tripod is included in that price.

N.F.

PS. Oh, and happy birthday!

 

Edited March 1, 2021 by nfotis

[Lotinsh]

@nfotis Thank you, but are Maksutov somehow different than standard ones? Or are they the same thing?

[nfotis]

Maksutov-Cassegrain are reflectors (use mirrors) in order to offer a long focal distance (eg 1500mm) compared to a refractor (typical glass scopes).

Here is a reference:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maksutov_telescope

These are excellent for moon and planetary targets. A used Skymax 127 or a Bresser 127/1900 can offer impressive planetary views, if you have a good atmosphere/seeing.

N.F.

 

[johninderby]

Have a read of this article. Will explain the basics and further down illustrates the various types of telescopes.

https://skyandtelescope.org/astronomy-equipment/how-to-choose-a-telescope/

[Lotinsh]

@nfotis  Do you think this might be a decent option? https://www.astroshop.eu/telescopes/omegon-maksutov-telescope-mightymak-80-with-led-finder/p,48700#tab_bar_1_select

Also where should I look for used scopes?

[nfotis]

I don't know this particular scope, but at 900mm you can fill half the SLR frame with the Moon.  Check with the Field of View calculator in this link, if you want to understand the possibilities with various scopes/eyepieces/cameras combinations (both in Visual and Imaging mode):

https://astronomy.tools/calculators/field_of_view/

 

For used equipment, this forum has a  Classifieds section (you could put a "wanted" ad for an 80ED scope, for example):

https://stargazerslounge.com/forum/216-astro-classifieds/

There are also various sites for used equipment in UK, USA and elsewhere, like https://www.astrobuysell.com/uk/, Cloudy Nights https://www.cloudynights.com/classifieds/ etc. Of course, "caveat emptor" holds.

One major problem with stores is the low availability of astronomy equipment, due to the pandemic and the logistics problems. For example, the FLO site shows only four (!) telescopes in stock (from many dozens of models). Check about availability in each store before you put any order.

You may want to check with this Polish shop, too, they claim availability for multiple scopes:

https://teleskopy.pl/Telescopes-cat-21.html

 

Hope this helps,

N.F.

 

[Lotinsh]

I've had an idea on how I could up my budget to around 250-300 Eur, for instance if I do it, what scopes should I be looking at? I am not sure if this is a decent option, on the paper it seems good to me, are these any good?

https://teleskopy.pl/Sky-Watcher-R-90/900-EQ-2-telescope-teleskopy-1304.html

https://teleskopy.pl/Bresser-Messier-AR-102-optical-tube-with-HEX-drawtube-teleskopy-3555.html

https://teleskopy.pl/Sky-Watcher-N-200/1000-(BKP200/1000)-OTAW-teleskopy-1864.html

 

Thank you for recommending this website @nfotis by the looks of it, seems solid and has great amount of options, on Facebook reviews are so and so, but its at least legit and I'm pretty sure not a scam. 

For those of you interested how I managed to up my budget, I have saved up some money myself and if there are better options around 200-300 I will just combine the birthday gift money and my saved up money.

[Ricochet]

46 minutes ago, Lotinsh said:

https://teleskopy.pl/Sky-Watcher-R-90/900-EQ-2-telescope-teleskopy-1304.html

This one is possibly the best option you have found so far. In astronomical terms the mount is still a bit on the lightweight side but it is use able and light years ahead of the mounts supplied with the telescopes you were originally looking at. The other already suggested option now you have increased your budget is the Bresser 80/640 which is a slightly smaller and more portable option on an alt/az mount whereas the skywatcher is on an equatorial mount. 

51 minutes ago, Lotinsh said:

 

https://teleskopy.pl/Bresser-Messier-AR-102-optical-tube-with-HEX-drawtube-teleskopy-3555.html

https://teleskopy.pl/Sky-Watcher-N-200/1000-(BKP200/1000)-OTAW-teleskopy-1864.html

These two are OTA items, which means Optical Tube Assembly, i.e. just the telescope and no mount. A suitable mount for either of these will exceed your budget. In fact a suitable mount for the second one will probably cost double your new increased budget on its own. 

[Lotinsh]

@Ricochet Thanks, if I'm not wrong, high focal tube lenght, means it's bad for viewing nebulas? Will I be able to see nebulas and galaxies with this telescope? It seems pretty good on paper.

Also how can you know if a telescope is OTA? I mean one of them I couldn't find it written anywhere (102 one)

Also how about this? 

https://teleskopy.pl/product_info.php?cPath=21_35&products_id=2746&lunety=Tuba optyczna Bresser MAK MC 100 1400 f 14 OTA

Edited March 1, 2021 by Lotinsh

[Ricochet]

25 minutes ago, Lotinsh said:

@Ricochet Thanks, if I'm not wrong, high focal tube lenght, means it's bad for viewing nebulas? Will I be able to see nebulas and galaxies with this telescope? It seems pretty good on paper.

Only in so much as the field of view is limited by the focal length of the telescope and maximum field stop for the size eyepieces it will take. For the 90/900 with a 32mm Plossl the maximum field of view is roughly the same as for my 8" dob, so I would not be particularly worried. Getting to a dark site will be far more important for nebulae and galaxies. If you click resources (top of the page on desktop, in the menu on mobile) > astronomy tools > FoV calculator you can simulate the field of view for a telescope as different eyepieces, then click through the various Messier objects to get an idea of what fits into the field of view and what doesn't. 

[Lotinsh]

Thank you, I think I'm for now going to stick with the 90/900 telescope, as I couldn't find any better options for now, if you find one, feel free to notify me.

[Lotinsh]

@Ricochet Hey, there are two versions of the telescope (90/900 one) there is the AZ mount for 200 and the EQ mount for 230, is it worth getting the EQ mount for 30 Eur more?

https://teleskopy.pl/product_info.php?cPath=21_33&products_id=1424&lunety=Teleskop Sky Watcher Synta R 90 900 AZ 3

https://teleskopy.pl/product_info.php?cPath=21_33&products_id=1304&lunety=Teleskop Sky Watcher Synta R 90 900 EQ 2

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

If you are going to observe, rather than image, the alt-az mount is to be preferred over a (shaky) EQ-2 mount.

Personally I would much prefer a table-top Dobson, like the Heritage 130P:

https://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/product_info.php/language/en/info/p2705_Skywatcher-Heritage-130P-FlexTube-Dobson---130-mm-Parabol-Optik---ab-6-J.html

You get far more aperture, twice the light-gathering capacity, in a cheap, but decent mount.  The slightly larger Heritage 150P is just over the maximum you list:

https://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/product_info.php/language/en/info/p12279_Skywatcher-Dobson-Telescope-Heritage-150P-Flextube---150-mm-Aperture.html

To stay within budget, it is probably best to opt for the 130P, and spend a bit extra on some collimation tool.

[Lotinsh]

@michael.h.f.wilkinson This also looks like a good option, though how do I get a tripod for this? It would be nice to also use it outside instead of inside as I live in the middle of city.

[Ricochet]

31 minutes ago, Lotinsh said:

@Ricochet Hey, there are two versions of the telescope (90/900 one) there is the AZ mount for 200 and the EQ mount for 230, is it worth getting the EQ mount for 30 Eur more?

https://teleskopy.pl/product_info.php?cPath=21_33&products_id=1424&lunety=Teleskop Sky Watcher Synta R 90 900 AZ 3

https://teleskopy.pl/product_info.php?cPath=21_33&products_id=1304&lunety=Teleskop Sky Watcher Synta R 90 900 EQ 2

I've not used either of these mounts so I can't say which one is the most stable over the other, which is probably the most important factor in choosing. 

6 minutes ago, Lotinsh said:

@michael.h.f.wilkinson This also looks like a good option, though how do I get a tripod for this? It would be nice to also use it outside instead of inside as I live in the middle of city.

You don't put it on a tripod. You find some raised surface that you can place the base on so that the telescope is at a reasonable height. You can buy an alt-az astronomical tripod with a vixen dovetail clamp, like the skywatcher az4 or az5, and fit the telescope straight to that, but then you will probably exceed your budget. 

[Lotinsh]

@Ricochet Do you think I should go for the 90mm telescope or the 130 one? I'm not sure how big is the differance...