New Scope

[PigzMightFly]

Hi, I'm looking to buy my first scope my budget is £500-£600 not particular in what i look at just want to experience what's in the night sky. I want to get into astrophotography eventually but will start with my phone till i save up for something better. I've read the posts with a lot of interest and can see it's a minefield, so what's the best bang for buck, i'd like a motor drive and some way of connecting to my laptop or tablet as I have back problems which is going to be restrictive with using the actual scope to view. Any help would be great. These are the 2 that caught my eye, Celestron 11049 NexStar 4 SE Computerised Telescope, Celestron 31145 NexStar 130 SLT Computerised Telescope,  Thanks in advance.

Trev

Edited August 26, 2021 by PigzMightFly

[Spile]

My recommendation would be to develop your visual skills with a non-goto telescope, a copy of Turn Left at Orion and Stellarium downloaded on your desktop.

On your phone i would recommend SkEye (Android) and/or Star Map (iPad).

I think the Dobsonian telescope is a great choice for visual as it offers excellent light gathering at a good price. 

You will find more suggestions and ideas on my blog below and you will get lots of friendly advice here.

[PigzMightFly]

HI, I've been using Stellarium and a pair of bino's for a few years unfortunately my back problem is getting worse so looking up constantly isn't an option anymore, hence the spending a few more shillings and going for it. Do you prefer the Skywatcher scopes over the Celestron for any particular reason?

Trev

[dweller25]

Hello @PigzMightFly and welcome to SGL.

I also have a back problem and have found a few things that help reduce discomfort whilst observing….

1. Buy a good stool and sit down to observe.

2. Buy a scope that has the eyepiece at the rear.

3. Keep the tube length short.

4. Keep the weight down.

Sadly for me that rules out Newtonians, a shame as they do give the best price to performance ratio.

The Nexstar 4SE you mention may be a good choice for you.

Good luck 👍

 

Edited August 26, 2021 by dweller25

[dweller25]

1 minute ago, dweller25 said:

Duplicate post

 

 

Edited August 26, 2021 by dweller25

[Louis D]

46 minutes ago, PigzMightFly said:

Do you prefer the Skywatcher scopes over the Celestron for any particular reason?

Since Synta owns both, there's not much to choose between the two on quality.  I guess it comes down to features.  If you are going with a computerized telescope, I would make sure it maintains alignment even when manually moved without using the motors.  That way, it can be used as a push-to as well as a go-to scope.

[Alan64]

5 hours ago, PigzMightFly said:

Hi, I'm looking to buy my first scope my budget is £500-£600 not particular in what i look at just want to experience what's in the night sky. I want to get into astrophotography eventually but will start with my phone till i save up for something better. I've read the posts with a lot of interest and can see it's a minefield, so what's the best bang for buck, i'd like a motor drive and some way of connecting to my laptop or tablet as I have back problems which is going to be restrictive with using the actual scope to view. Any help would be great. These are the 2 that caught my eye, Celestron 11049 NexStar 4 SE Computerised Telescope, Celestron 31145 NexStar 130 SLT Computerised Telescope,  Thanks in advance.

Trev

A 127mm Maksutov is the "sweet spot" among the varying apertures of the design; not too small, not too large, just right rather.  This is my own...

...and one of these can be your own...

https://www.bristolcameras.co.uk/p-celestron-nexstar-127-slt-telescope.htm

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/maksutov/skywatcher-skymax-127-synscan-az-goto.html

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/maksutov/sky-watcher-skymax-127-az-gti.html

The last kit there does not come with a hand-controller, although one may be purchased separately.  As it comes, you use a "smartphone" and an app.

I can't use a go-to mount, unfortunately, as I have too many trees here upon the lay.  But for my Maksutov I'm in the process of transforming a 70/300 achromat into a finder-scope for it.  It has a considerably longer focal-length, at 1900mm, than the three listed above, at 1500mm.  My own is the same as the Bresser.

[PigzMightFly]

Thanks for the replies guys. One problem is the techie speak lol i.e. what is a "Newtonian", "I can't use a go-to mount, unfortunately". The Maksutov looks sweet, if I went for that what extra's would I need to get with it?

Spotted this, was wondering if its the same one?

https://www.harpersphoto.co.uk/wifi-goto-telescopes-mounts/skywatcher-skymax-102-az-gti-wifi-goto-telescope.html?gclid=CjwKCAjw4KyJBhAbEiwAaAQbEyxnujXgMDTkKr71aMy37qN1ArSPxcYtlGGMypBTZDnYITQHyiWXWBoCGjQQAvD_BwE

If I get it direct there's this offer as well?

http://www.opticalvision.co.uk/special_offer.html

Trev

Edited August 30, 2021 by PigzMightFly

[johninderby]

No that’s the 102 version not the 127.

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/beginner-telescopes/sky-watcher-skymax-102-az-gti.html

Would tecommend buying from FLO as they are a proper astro dealer not a camera shop that alsp sells telescopes.

The stock SW diagonal that comeswith the scope is not that good. Replacing it with a decent dielectric one is a popular upgrade. 

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/diagonals/stellamira-125-90-erecting-prism-diagonal.html

Also the stock eyepieces aren’t great. Usable but better eyepieces will improve your viewing. The Starguiders area popular upgrade.

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/search/for/starguider/

Edited August 30, 2021 by johninderby

[PigzMightFly]

Hi, thanks for the fast response. I'd rather a straight viewing lens as standing for any length of time is a no go for me unfortunately. I'm thinking I'd be able to do my stargazing from a seated position? Also I'd like a way of connecting my mobile to take photo's until I can afford a decent camera.

Trev

[johninderby]

No problem using a small mak from a seated position. You just want a height adjustable seat. 

Smartphone holders can be inexpensive. This budget one is pretty good. There are cheaper ones but some are pretty poor.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Prismáticos-Monoculares-Telescopios-Astronómicos-Microscopios/dp/B07QLB16Y9/ref=sr_1_11?dchild=1&keywords=smartphone+holder+telescope&qid=1630301145&refinements=p_76%3A419158031&rnid=419157031&rps=1&sr=8-11

Or you can spend more.

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/adapters/celestron-nexyz-3-axis-universal-smartphone-adapter.html

Photo taken with a smartphone.

 

 

Edited August 30, 2021 by johninderby

[PigzMightFly]

Wow that's pretty impressive, I wasn't expecting anywhere near the detail you have there. I'm pretty okay with manual camera settings and have an app on my phone that lets me do everything manually if I want so I guess that's a bonus. The cheaper one has really good reviews. Would I need a selection of viewing lenses as I've seen that there are quite a few different ones and also read about people wanting 2" versions. And what about filters. Sorry if I'm bombarding you with too many questions, I'm like a dog with a bone once I get into something lol. Is there a glossary anywhere of common terms as one thing I keep coming up against is terminology, or maybe I'm just dense lol. 

Is this any good?

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/eyepiece-sets/baader-classic-eyepiece-set-with-turret.html

Edited August 30, 2021 by PigzMightFly

[johninderby]

Rather than the Baader turret would recommend individual eyepieces. Say an 8mm, 12mm and either an 18mm or 25mm Starguider. Great “budget” eyepieces that work very well in a mak. With a small mak stick to 1.25” eyepieces as it’s not a widefield scope where you would use low power 2” eyepieces. BTW you will find that 2” eyepieces are pretty well only long focal length ones as there is no advantage in shorter focal lengths for technical reasons.

Filters can be a bit of a minefield and depend on what you are looking at. I find the Baader Neodynium filters is a great all round filter for lunar / planetary use. An ND or variable polarising filter can be usefull for moon viewing. 

Edited August 30, 2021 by johninderby

[Nugs]

21 minutes ago, PigzMightFly said:

Wow that's pretty impressive, I wasn't expecting anywhere near the detail you have there. I'm pretty okay with manual camera settings and have an app on my phone that lets me do everything manually if I want so I guess that's a bonus. The cheaper one has really good reviews. Would I need a selection of viewing lenses as I've seen that there are quite a few different ones and also read about people wanting 2" versions. And what about filters. Sorry if I'm bombarding you with too many questions, I'm like a dog with a bone once I get into something lol. Is there a glossary anywhere of common terms as one thing I keep coming up against is terminology, or maybe I'm just dense lol. 

Is this any good?

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/eyepiece-sets/baader-classic-eyepiece-set-with-turret.html

John just beat me to it in his post...... as a newbie, i asked the same questions about EP's in a recent thread. 

 

[johninderby]

And a good book is extremely usefull. Turn Left at Orion is a really good one.

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/books/turn-left-at-orion-book.html

 

[PigzMightFly]

Thanks,  just picked up a HB copy for £10.80 😃.

[RT65CB-SWL]

Hi @PigzMightFly and welcome to SGL. 

Don't forget to purchase a dew shield...

They are a must have accessory for any catadioptric 'scope.

BTW - the image is my 're-modded' ETX105 [with dew shield].

[Alan64]

23 hours ago, PigzMightFly said:

Thanks for the replies guys. One problem is the techie speak lol i.e. what is a "Newtonian", "I can't use a go-to mount, unfortunately".

Yes, as the trees block the stars required for aligning a go-to mount, then to begin observing.

This is a Newtonian...

Tried and true since 1668.

It's an open-air design.  No meniscus, or "lens" at the front.  A Newtonian contains an ingenious mechanism called a secondary-assembly, and rather befuddling to those first starting out...

You can thank the good master for that one.

[Alan64]

Might I interest you in this 130mm f/7 Newtonian, instead...

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/reflectors/skywatcher-explorer-130.html

Scratch that, as you'll enjoy a go-to Mak that much more.