Optrons helios?

[scotttumsh01]

Hi very new to this! but can any one tell me if a telescope that was advertised as a optrons helios 6"explorer would be anygood?

[perrin6]

Never heard of optrons (from ebay?) before but I've heard of Helios which are quite good in general I think. I think people more in the know than me advise steering clear of firms that sell via Ebay, best to buy direct from an optical dealer or someone selling secondhand who you can visit to see the scope before you buy.

[scotttumsh01]

Hi thank you for the reply!! not very good at this sort of thing, the telescope is second hand, does look ok, hope it is anyway! i already have a helios refractor which i have enjoyed using.

[sixela]

Looks like the dirt cheap 6" Chinese e-bay scope, especially if it's got a short tube and a built in barlow in the focuser (the so-called 150/1400).

Avoid it if you can.

Worst case, it's this one in another packaging:

Baytronix 150mm Newtonian - Review

[scotttumsh01]

I am very new to this, not sure if i am doing it rite! any way i am very keen to further my knowledge on astronomy!

[Asteroid]

Hello and welcome to SGL!!

[markophoto]

Hello and welcome

Ask loads of questions, as everyone here is REALLY helpful

Marko

[Bino Pete]

Hello and welcome

[swamp thing]

Hi

Welcome to the forum. Ask as many questions as you want. There are no dumb ones so don't worry.

Regards Steve

[oldfruit]

Hi and welcome to SGL.

[scotttumsh01]

thank you guys for the welcome!!!!!!!

[Astro Imp]

Hi,

Welcome to the lounge.

As everyone says, keep asking questions, that's the way to learn.

Clear skies.

Alan.

[shepsboss]

Hi and welcome, I am still looking and researching telescopes! Take a look at "So you want to buy a telescope" on www.astro-baby.com the author is well known on this site and it makes great reading and may help to avoid mistakes in the early stages. I found it very useful.

[Bizibilder]

Hello and welcome to SGL!!

[Bizibilder]

Hello Scott and welcome to SGL!!

[John]

Hi and welcome !

Be wary - lately there have been a number of poor quality scopes on E.Bay bearing the "Helios" name - these are not a good buy !.

Here is an example:

Helios 8" Newtonian Reflector Telescope - White on eBay (end time 09-Feb-11 00:42:28 GMT)

The advert links to this web site:

Second Hand Helios Telescope

Two points to note:

- the scope is an F/4 (F/3.75 actually !) - it's difficult and expensive to make a good F/4 mirror.

- no mention of a parabolic mirror in the spec - this is essential for good performance in an F/4 newtonian.

In my opinion these typify the risks of buying on e.bay - unless you know exactly what you are looking for.

[Astromart]

Hi and welcome from one newbee to another newbee !

[nightfisher]

hi and welcome, best buying a well known brand

[Mr Spock]

Hi, welcome to SGL

[nightfisher]

hi and a warm welcome to sgl

[Orion_the_Hunter]

Hi & welcome Scott. You're in the right place

[nobbytate]

Hi and welcome from me to

[rob158]

welcome to the forum,

[rob158]

welcome to the forum,

[Rusty Strings]

Hi and welcome