newcomer

[phillc]

Hello Trev and Jac and a warm welcome to SGL.

phillc

[brantuk]

Next example which I've include to illustrate alt/az mounts with auto tracking. A little cheaper but the money is distributed differently. The electrics are provided at the cost of aperture:

Skywatcher Skymax 127 Telescope

Still a good scope with great capabilities except photographic which is limited to shorter exposures due to the tracking method. You will see some DSO's, but a lot less than the 8" above as this is only 5". A considerably different type of reflector but with good sharp planetary viewing. The quality of the optics is comparable (just smaller) and other popular good makes of starter scope include Celestron and Meade.

Look into the different style of scope - this is a Maksutov Cassegrain - and research alt/az v's equatorial.

[brantuk]

Refractor example:

William Optics Megrez 72 ED Doublet Apochromatic Telescope

This one I've included for two reasons - cos I've got one lol - but also to show how price increases with optical quality. The optical tube assembly (OTA) only, can be bought for around £300. But you'd have to acquire mount and tripod on top as well as eye pieces and diagonal. The essential add-ons would stretch your budget but it's a quality piece of kit - though much smaller (only 72mm aperture - 3"). Electrics would also cost more. It's apochromatic and great for camera work and/or auto guiding. Research the difference between "fast" and "slow" focal ratios, also surface coatings (ED is good but costly). Probably a little too much as a beginner scope but good for comparison purposes.

[orions-knight]

Hi and welcome to the forum Trev and Jac.

If you just want to look and be in awe at the skies, then a simple Dobsonin (6"-8") is a good way to go. No flaffing around with polar aligning. No flaffing around with set up for goto. No flaffing around with fstops and exposure times. Just point and go really. And all your money goes into aperture and quality.

But please note that whatever size scope you purchase, you will never be able to see what the magazines show you. Thats why aperture and quality is important so that you do make the most of whatever you are observing.

Its all to do with experience, preference, patience and budget.

But the fun factor is off the scale.

Clear skies both

OK

[brantuk]

Last example is a newtonian scope on a dobson mount (also known as dobsonian scopes). Breaks in 2 easy to transport bits - nice aperture - easiest to set up - but you have to learn the night sky because it's "push to".

SkyWatcher Skyliner 200P Parabolic Dobsonian Telescope

Dobs are great observing scopes but essentially alt/az - though the ota can usually be mounted on an eq mount if you upgrade later. There are cheap add-on's such as a wixey angle guage to enable altitude setting - then you only have to sweep the azimuth to find an object. Totally manual - but some models can be upgraded with auto tracking and/or goto. "Goto" electronics will add considerably to the cost of any scope - but it's great if you just want to observe without learning too much about the sky. This one is well under your budget and leaves money to spare for eye pieces and add ons (e.g. red dot finders are popular with this type).

In my personal opinion all the suppliers mentioned are reputable (from my personal experience) but there are of course many others. There's a good guide in the "Suppliers" section of the forum.

[brantuk]

Orions advice is good - he just pipped me to the post on dobs lol.

Other general stuff:

If you go for electronics you'll want to factor in a power pack at some stage. Newtonians will probably need a collimator. A barlow lens will double the power of supplied eye pieces. Good quality e/p's will improve any scope. Bright objects may require filters (e.g. the moon), light pollution filters are useful if you're in a brightly lit area. Keep an eye on the for sale section - there are often bargain scopes to be had.

Finally - do join an astro society before buying. You'll get to look through different scopes, get lots more advice, and make a better informed decision.

All the best