First telescope, what to get

[Coral]

Hi,

I would like to putchase a telescope for my husband for his birthday to go with a trip to Kielder observatory.  I know nothing about telescopes and getting very confused on what to purchase.

He has never had a telescope but loves star watching, using the naked eye and an app.  We are lucky enough to live next to a very large nature reserve that has no outdoor lighting.

I like the look of the telescopes that connect to an app to help you find different items in space and would like to spend up to £500. 

Any advice on what to get or avoid would really be appreciated.

[Adam J]

1 hour ago, Coral said:

Hi,

I would like to putchase a telescope for my husband for his birthday to go with a trip to Kielder observatory.  I know nothing about telescopes and getting very confused on what to purchase.

He has never had a telescope but loves star watching, using the naked eye and an app.  We are lucky enough to live next to a very large nature reserve that has no outdoor lighting.

I like the look of the telescopes that connect to an app to help you find different items in space and would like to spend up to £500. 

Any advice on what to get or avoid would really be appreciated.

I can recommend a setup like this: 

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

Portable compact with GOTO mount that connects to a phone. 

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/sky-watcher-az-go2-telescopes/sky-watcher-skymax-127-az-go2-wifi-maksutov-cassegrain-telescope.html

Same thing above on a cheaper mount. Ignore the bad review the chap did not know what he was doing. 

Adam 

 

[happy-kat]

welcome

things to consider is the distance or if stairs between storage location and observing spot, the weight of any mount or telescope

If they would enjoy the journey of understanding and making the choice on what they get could give them a home made voucher on the gift so you can then do the journey together knowing what the budget is

Edited December 31, 2023 by happy-kat

[AllBoutTheSky]

That will be a nice gift for your husband!  I recently purchased a ZWO Seestar S50.  If I had to do it all over again, I would start with a "smart telescope" like the Seestar to learn what type of night objects I was really interested in.  Once you know your main interest, you could buy a next scope to pursue it.  Demand for them has been very high, but ZWO is catching up and I see them in stock now.  Best wishes for new adventures with the night sky! -Steve

[Priesters]

Hello and welcome to SGL.  I think a little more info is needed.  Is your hubby interested in taking pictures do you think or would he prefer to observe visually?  If its pictures then you probably already have the answer with the ZWO Seestar. If it’s visual, how technical a chap is he and how portable does this kit need to be?

 

[Tiny Clanger]

1 hour ago, Coral said:

Hi,

I would like to putchase a telescope for my husband for his birthday to go with a trip to Kielder observatory.  I know nothing about telescopes and getting very confused on what to purchase.

He has never had a telescope but loves star watching, using the naked eye and an app.  We are lucky enough to live next to a very large nature reserve that has no outdoor lighting.

I like the look of the telescopes that connect to an app to help you find different items in space and would like to spend up to £500. 

Any advice on what to get or avoid would really be appreciated.

One of these https://www.firstlightoptics.com/first-light-optics-gift-vouchers/first-light-optics-gift-voucher.html

click the box, you get a drop down of higher values to choose from.

Buying specialised equipment like this for yourself is enough of a minefield, doing it for someone else is a potential disaster.

If you want to buy him something physical with part of the money, 10x50 binoculars like these would be worth thinking about https://www.firstlightoptics.com/opticron-binoculars/opticron-adventurer-10x50-t-wp-binocular.html

Edited December 31, 2023 by Tiny Clanger

[Carbon Brush]

Hi Coral and welcome to SGL.

You will receive many recommendations about different type of scope.
The first thing I say (well actually shout) is to buy from a specialist astronomy retailer. NOT Amazon, Currys, thingonline, etc.
The specialist retailer can help you after purchase if you have problems, as well as advise on what to buy next. Try asking amazon customer services about focus travel🤣
The astro retailers want to see you back next month, or next year, for accessories or another scope. As for the general retailers.....they think today only.

The recommendation from @Tiny Clanger is very good. First Light Optics are a very good retailer.
They always get first go at my new equipment purchases.

If you would like to visit a shop, just let us know whereabouts in the country you are.
Alternatively, we may be able to point you to a local club.
All telescopes look the same size on a web page. Some fit into a shoe box, other require splitting down to carry outside! There is no substitute for taking a look.

Keep asking the questions, David.

[Neutrinosoup]

My limited expertise:

If it’s for visual astronomy: An 8 inch Dobsonian like the Celestron Starsense or if he’s not likely to use a mobile phone the Bresser or Sky-Watcher equivalents (cheaper). Don’t be tempted by bigger Dobsonians as the extra weight makes it less likely to use (and more expensive). (A Dobsonian is just a Reflector on a simple mount). By far the best value for aperture (light grab).
 

There are loads of other options but these depend on budget, what he prefers using it for (planets, deep sky? Visual vs Imaging) and where it’s going to be used e.g. the Dobsonian I mentioned isn’t going to be great travel scope….

Edited December 31, 2023 by Neutrinosoup

[Naughty Neal]

Before spending any money , it would help us to know the layout of the house /garden and where the telsescope will be kept a sthis will  have a bearing on the type of scope to buy.  A App featured scope that has been mentioned straight away shouts to me ' Celestron Starsense' but for this one needs one of the 100's of compatible known phones to use, the App and features though are superb to guiding ,finding and general info on all of the night sky's bodies.

The best place to start when buying is at FLO the forum sponsor ,simply tap on their Banner at the very top. 

[Beardy30]

Hi Coral,

All superb advice. I would also highly recommend FLO or Rother valley optics - both specialist retailers with excellent reputations that will be top notch for customer service and delivery.  FLOs website is also update in real time for stock.

What to buy - more info needed!

What is your hubby onto? 

Visual only or do you think he will want to expand on this in time to something like:

EAA? (visual with a camera and a laptop connected) or Astrophotography?

All have different needs and therefore will influence the choice you make -  in terms of the telescope, the mount and any equipment you will need.

if you can give more detail that would help.

James