Help on Astronomical/Planetary viewing equipment that is cheap and good please

[powerlord]

https://letmegooglethat.com/?q=beginners+guide+to+astronomy

I can't comment on scope choice, as no experience with dobs, sorry.

stu

[Cornelius Varley]

The telescope is the same as the SW Skyliner 250 and is probably bigger than you imagine. The eyepieces supplied with the telescope are fairly average, no one tends to like the 10mm. The eyepieces supplied in the eyepiece kit are of the same quality and you would probably only use the moon filter. 

[Cosmic Geoff]

1 hour ago, TheTeenThatLovesAstronomy said:

i have done a fair bit of research and also i am still interested can you link me tutorials on all the bits to do 

You can find tutorials yourself using that online thing called Google. Also, any telescope you are thinking of buying should have a manual you can download and read - usually quite informative. If you don't know what you want to buy, visit a telescope dealer and let them sell you something. That's their job.  But the more you know about telescopes before you go, the more likely you are to like the result.

You will learn more if you educate yourself about telescopes, or just buy one and see what it does, than if you keep asking us.

Most of us have a low opinion of eyepiece kits. I wouldn't buy one. 🙂

[doublevodka]

Safe to say there's some debate on this thread, the best piece of advice I've read personally went along the lines of "the best telescope you can have is one you actually take out and use" many, many gather dust all around the globe

I'm going to guess by your name that you are fairly young fit and healthy, so a 10 inch dob is not unmanageable, will give good all round views and gives flexibility later down the line for eyepieces, barlows etc for hitting different targets

However before you part with any cash read and watch as much as you can, some youtube channels to get you started, I've found them all helpful in various ways (a couple of them lurk around the forum too)

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxXlxVmarXu3n340ah5xwqA - Astrobiscuit aka @rorymultistorey 

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBTXZYuFWQ6lx51L4GeY0Lw Astro La Vista aka @Chris

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCn3npsPixgoi_xLdCg9J-LQ AstroBackyard

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEQnX-WohTBNGBV5gdhAS5w Ed Ting

I'd recommend starting from the beginning of their videos, some really helpful content and they all had to start somewhere (all also recommend dobs as starter scopes)

In regards to eyepieces, just use the ones in the kit to start with, the basic 25mm is quite a capable bit of kit which you'll probably end up keeping, the 10mm is ok to start with, they'll keep you going for months tbh and you can go down that rabbit hole once you've had some time to get used to the scope and what you enjoy and don't enjoy looking at, that will really help inform future purchases

In the meantime, get out there and enjoy the sky, even with just your eyes there is plenty going on or if you have a pair of binoculars even better 👍

 

 

[Alan64]

16 hours ago, TheTeenThatLovesAstronomy said:

hi, if you can help me with my telescope choice, i have this telescope im minding to buy https://www.astronomyalive.com.au/product/saxon-dob-10-254mm-reflector-telescope/

aswell as this telescope eyepiece kit

https://proastroz.com/products/orion-1-25-telescope-accessory-kit?variant=11238248349732&currency=AUD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&utm_campaign=gs-2020-09-10&utm_source=google&utm_medium=smart_campaign

i have done a fair bit of research and also i am still interested can you link me tutorials on all the bits to do 

thanks

Again, please, do not consider an eyepiece-kit.

That is a 10" Newtonian on a Dobson-style alt-azimuth base.  All Newtonians, of all sizes, must be collimated, checked initially, then maintained on occasion thereafter.  Have a look at these collimating tutorials for a "Dob" or "Dobsonian"...

https://www.astro-baby.com/astrobaby/help/collimation-guide-newtonian-reflector/

...and... http://www.schlatter.org/Dad/Astronomy/collimate.htm

...and another... https://garyseronik.com/a-beginners-guide-to-collimation/

The tools required... https://garyseronik.com/collimation-tools-what-you-need-what-you-dont/

I would suggest the Cheshire and/or collimation-cap.  I use both to collimate my Newtonians, and to double-check the alignment of the system.  This is an example of a Cheshire, and a superb one at that...

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/other-collimation-tools/stellalyra-premium-cheshire-collimating-eyepiece.html

This, an example of a collimation-cap... 

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/other-collimation-tools/rigel-aline-collimation-cap.html

You may certainly consider ordering smaller items like that from the UK.

My apologies, as I didn't make merry mention of that before, and when suggesting the 10".  It's a bit on the exotic side, and in requiring somewhat exotic, and therefore more costly, eyepieces.  It's also more difficult to collimate, at f/5.  Have a look at this one...

https://www.ozscopes.com.au/skywatcher-6-dobsonian-telescope.html

That's a 6" f/8 Newtonian, and slated to be back in stock in early September.  It would be easier to collimate, at f/8, and less-expensive eyepieces, like the ones within the eyepiece-kits, would play well with the telescope.  It's a classic telescope, enjoyed by many over the past several decades.

Instead of an eyepiece-kit, it's best to get eyepieces and accessories one or two at a time.  For example, you can start off with one 32mm and one 12mm Plossl...

https://www.bintel.com.au/product/bintel-plossl-eyepieces-1-25-inch/?v=322b26af01d5

...and a 2x-barlow... https://www.bintel.com.au/product/bintel-barlow-2x-1-25-inch/?v=322b26af01d5

If you stick with Newtonians, over the years and decades, you can move up to a 12", a 16", a 20", or this one...

That's a 72".  Just imagine what you might see with that.

[TheTeenThatLovesAstronomy]

Hello everybody, its been a while. in that time i have researched guides and many other things about the type of telescope i finally decided on which is the https://www.ozscopes.com.au/dobsonian-telescope-saxon-10inch.html and i think im good to go, i've also signed up to a astronomy club near me to get some hands on experience, But yes, im, pretty sure im done with my research on my telescope and the eyepiece i will get for now is the Celestron 8-24mm zoom eyepiece https://proastroz.com/products/8-24mm-1-25-zoom-eyepiece-for-telescope?variant=33250132102&currency=AUD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&utm_campaign=gs-2020-09-10&utm_source=google&utm_medium=smart_campaign and the accessories i will get is a celestron cheshire collimating eyepiece and a 2x barlow lens. So until when i get my telescope next year, i will change the title of this forum to give me tips or give me advice for an issue with my telescope and etc. thank you for all the advice guys you really helped me alot, i still dont know somethings but i will figure it out with experience when i get my very own telescope. My sincerest thanks for all the help you guys gave me. i might question on this forum aswell just for general questions like how to collimate my mirrors or something. Anyways Goodbye everyone and i will talk to you guys when i have more questions or questions or help about my telescope. 

 

Thanks

Kind regards

Shayan =]

[dweller25]

@TheTeenThatLovesAstronomy Great choice, very capable scope and excellent value for money 👍

[TheTeenThatLovesAstronomy]

On 13/01/2022 at 03:34, dweller25 said:

@TheTeenThatLovesAstronomy Great choice, very capable scope and excellent value for money 👍

Thank you and yes. But, i have a small question

What is the difference between the 8" dobsonian and the 10" one, i dont get it

can anyboody help me with this question

thanks

[cajen2]

Two inches! 😁

But actually that seemingly small difference gives a large improvement in light-gathering capacity. 

Plus it'll give you a good workout whenever you have to move it! 

Edited January 15, 2022 by cajen2

[mikeDnight]

I think the difference is that the 10" has just over 28 square inches more surface area than the 8", and so will give you better resolution and greater light gathering power. So a 10" has the potential to show you finer lunar and planetary detail, and will show fainter objects such as galaxies brighter than they would be in an 8".

Edited January 15, 2022 by mikeDnight

[TheTeenThatLovesAstronomy]

1 hour ago, mikeDnight said:

I think the difference is that the 10" has just over 28 square inched more surface area than the 8", and so will give you better resolution and greater light gathering power. So a 10" has the potential to show you finer lunar and planetary detail, and will show fainter objects such as galaxies brighter than they would be in an 8".

 

2 hours ago, cajen2 said:

Two inches! 😁

But actually that seemingly small difference gives a large improvement in light-gathering capacity. 

Plus it'll give you a good workout whenever you have to move it! 

Thanks you guys for the advice. 

But, I would like to know if the 10" dobsonian can handle class 5 light pollution. and another question, i dont know which 10" dobsonian i should get, this one>https://www.highpointscientific.com/apertura-ad10-10inch-dobsonian-telescope-ad10 is cheaper but dosent come with manufacturer warrenty but comes with a bunch of accesories that are for free that are worth 200 dollars but i dont know if it comes with extra eyepieces and i dont know if they ship to australia or is in australia and the other one is 200-300 dollars more expensive than the average 10" dobsonian but has 5 years of warrenty in it already and comes with 2 eye peices, and is in australia and can ship there aswell. the link for it it here> https://www.ozscopes.com.au/dobsonian-telescope-saxon-10inch.html

help me decide guys

[dweller25]

As already said a 10” will show more planetary detail and DSO’s will be brighter but at the cost of a heavier base and OTA. 

Light pollution  - can you drive to a dark site ?

Personally I would not buy a scope with no warranty despite the lure of extra freebies - although the text in your link says it does come with a 2 year warranty.

The Apertura appears to be a rebadged GSO, the Saxon appears to be a rebadged Skywatcher (Synta).

Highpoint Scientific are based in the USA so it may be worth contacting them to see what stock levels and delivery options are available.

I would suggest the Apertura may be a good buy as the mechanics are better, it’s more expensive but comes with extras - as long as there is a warranty.

The Saxon is the better value for money scope.

Between the two makes there will probably not be much difference in the optical quality.

Edited January 15, 2022 by dweller25

[TheTeenThatLovesAstronomy]

s

On 15/01/2022 at 18:50, dweller25 said:

As already said a 10” will show more planetary detail and DSO’s will be brighter but at the cost of a heavier base and OTA. 

Light pollution  - can you drive to a dark site ?

Personally I would not buy a scope with no warranty despite the lure of extra freebies - although the text in your link says it does come with a 2 year warranty.

The Apertura appears to be a rebadged GSO, the Saxon appears to be a rebadged Skywatcher (Synta).

Highpoint Scientific are based in the USA so it may be worth contacting them to see what stock levels and delivery options are available.

I would suggest the Apertura may be a good buy as the mechanics are better, it’s more expensive but comes with extras - as long as there is a warranty.

The Saxon is the better value for money scope.

Between the two makes there will probably not be much difference in the optical quality.

So which one do you think i should get based on what you have said? 

[dweller25]

18 hours ago, TheTeenThatLovesAstronomy said:

s

So which one do you think i should get based on what you have said? 

Only you can make that decision 👍

[TheTeenThatLovesAstronomy]

1 hour ago, dweller25 said:

Only you can make that decision 👍

Ok, but i have a question, what did you mean by the saxon is the better value for money scope?

[dweller25]

9 hours ago, TheTeenThatLovesAstronomy said:

Ok, but i have a question, what did you mean by the saxon is the better value for money scope?

The Apertura is $850US = $1185AU plus a potentially high delivery charge.

The Saxon is $999AU so cheaper.

Personally I would buy the Apertura for the better mechanics and extras.

Although I do prefer white scopes 🤪

Edited January 18, 2022 by dweller25