Newbies, Novices, Tyros - PLEASE READ THIS

[Kevdan]

Heres my view on your questions.

A. where you went to get advice?, This and other forums also you tube for some video tutorials.

B. How helpfull (or Not) was the advice?, Advice was at times confusing due to different views on some subjects but all in all quite good.

C. What sort of scopes did you look at? all sorts from what I now know as cheap and chearfull to all singing all dancing motorised scopes, from Tasco to Meade.

D. What did you buy ? I bought a second hand Skywatcher 150 on a EQ3 Mount

E. Why did you buy what you bought ? It was a half decent scope that I could learn the "hobby" whilst not spending the earth on a scope

F. How has it worked out - what do you like / dislike with it? I liked the price and the condition of it, the mount is fairly easy to use and the mirrors seem to be in good condition, however it desperately need collimating and the focuser could do with upgrading.

Hope this helps,

Kev

[rory]

a) where you went to get advice

ONLINE TUTORIALS AND CONSUMER REVIEWS.

how helpful (or not) was the advice

VERY GOOD,ALTHOUGH THE MORE YOU FIND OUT THE MORE YOU SCRATCH YOUR HEAD AT TIMES.

c) what sort of scopes did you look at

REFRACTOR. THOUGHT IT WOULD BE LEAST HASSTLE FOR A BEGINER LIKE MYSELF.

d) what did you buy

I BOUGHT A CELESTRON ASTROMASTER 90 E/Q.

e) why did you buy what you bought

VALUE IN A NUTSHELL, £112 FOR A NEW 90MM SCOPE,TRIPOD WITH STEEL LEGS. IDEAL FOR NOVICE,DIDNT WANT TO SPEND BIG MONEY INCASE I FOUND ASTRONOMY WASNT MY THING.

f) how has it worked out - what do you like with it/dislike with it

AS IVE NOTHING TO COMPARE TOO,AS ITS MY FIRST TELESCOPE. BUT THE OPTICS SEEM VERY SHARP IMO. MY ONLY GRIPE REALLY IS THE FINDER. ITS A LITTLE RED DOT THING WHICH IS PANTS. SHALL HAVE TO BUY A BETTER FINDER.

plus any overall impressions.

FOR A FIRST SET UP AT THAT PRICE, COULDNT GO WRONG.IM PLANNING ON USING THIS FOR A YEAR OR TWO,TO GET USED THE SKIES AND MASTER THE E/Q MOUNT.

[Debostar]

a) where you went to get advice

www.celestron.com www.dubaiastronomy.com www.stargazerslounge.com

how helpful (or not) was the advice

very helpful and mostly educational

c) what sort of scopes did you look at

Celestron Nexstar 4SE 5SE 102SLT 130 SLT

d) what did you buy

Celestron Nexstar 130SLT

e) why did you buy what you bought

Somewhat cheaper, but other types not available in Dubai

f) how has it worked out - what do you like with it/dislike with it

Very pleased, but I would like to see larger planet images.