Meade 114EQ-ASTR???

[SpyderHawke]

Hello. I know this sounds corny, but I'm a long time reader of the BA Blog but never posted here (as I am sure is obvious).

Today, my wife and I were at the mall and went to the Discovery Store since they were having a store closing sale. I was looking at the telescopes since it is something I have always wanted but never was able to get, especially since I never lived anywhere dark enough to easily see the stars. All of their telescopes and accessories were 20% off. I was eyeing the Meade 114EQ-AST (http://shopping.discovery.com/product-56911.html)since it was about $120-$125. It seemed like a good deal but I was apprehensive about it since I know basically nothing of telescopes.

Basically, if I get one, I want something rather simple that I can use to look at planets, hopefully galaxies, and the like. I know I can also get a Meade 3-Piece High Power Eyepiece(about $40 in the store), Filter & Barlow Lens Kit (http://shopping.discovery.com/product-61112.html?rel_productId=56911) which I saw on the label that they could be used to see galaxies.

So, my question is that is this worth it as a starter scope or should I just wait to get something better?

Thank you very much for your help.

[ozark1]

Hello. I know this sounds corny, but I'm a long time reader of the BA Blog but never posted here (as I am sure is obvious).

Today, my wife and I were at the mall and went to the Discovery Store since they were having a store closing sale. I was looking at the telescopes since it is something I have always wanted but never was able to get, especially since I never lived anywhere dark enough to easily see the stars. All of their telescopes and accessories were 20% off. I was eyeing the Meade 114EQ-AST (http://shopping.discovery.com/product-56911.html)since it was about $120-$125. It seemed like a good deal but I was apprehensive about it since I know basically nothing of telescopes.

Basically, if I get one, I want something rather simple that I can use to look at planets, hopefully galaxies, and the like. I know I can also get a Meade 3-Piece High Power Eyepiece(about $40 in the store), Filter & Barlow Lens Kit (http://shopping.discovery.com/product-61112.html?rel_productId=56911) which I saw on the label that they could be used to see galaxies.

So, my question is that is this worth it as a starter scope or should I just wait to get something better?

Thank you very much for your help.

It's a cheap, small Meade on a light mount. Thousands have them, and most of them probably were disappointed. The eyepieces are not good (MAs) and a 4.5" reflector is a very small telescope. Oh and the EQ-1/EQ-2 equatorial is not going to keep the thing steady.

http://www.telescopes.com/products/celestron-starhopper-6-inch-dobsonian-59984.html

You're prepared to spend $170, how about $210 for a decent telescope?

[SpyderHawke]

Thanks for the response. Part of the trouble with that telescope is that, with shipping, it's about $235, definitely more than I am willing to spend right now. Plus, it seems like I would need to get a tripod with it, yes? My main concern was, for a starter telescope, would that Meade be worth it. If not, I was mainly planning on waiting since I can always save up for a while to get something much better.

Also, any suggestions for a magazine that would include tips and reviews for a novice?

[JohnW]

Thanks for the response. Part of the trouble with that telescope is that, with shipping, it's about $235, definitely more than I am willing to spend right now. Plus, it seems like I would need to get a tripod with it, yes? My main concern was, for a starter telescope, would that Meade be worth it. If not, I was mainly planning on waiting since I can always save up for a while to get something much better.

Also, any suggestions for a magazine that would include tips and reviews for a novice?
This telescope comes with a mount and tripod. Unfortunately, it's a bad mount and tripod. Equatorial mounts need to be sturdy and well engineered (i.e. fairly expensive) to work well.

For a first telescope, I'd recommend either a Dobsonian-mount reflector, or a small (but no smaller than 80mm) refractor. In your price range, take a look at Orion dobs. Also, don't dismiss binoculars - for $200 you could get a pair of very good bins and a tripod, and you'd still use them for wide-field views if you buy a scope later on.

4.5" is plenty of aperture, if they are 4.5 good inches (I use a 4.5" refractor, although it cost rather more than $200). It's better to have a good little 'un than a bad big 'un.

A couple of how-to-choose-a-scope links I've posted in other threads on this forum:

http://scopereviews.com/begin.html

http://astronomics.com/main/category.asp/catalog_name/Astronomics/category_name/How%20to%20pick%20a%20telescope/Page/1

The two main amateur astronomy magazines are Sky & Telescope and Astronomy. Both have useful information for all skill levels, although they might be intimidating for newcomers. S&T published a magazine called Night Sky for a couple of years, which was aimed at beginners, but it went defunct a while ago. Your local library may have back issues. Both S&T and Astronomy have very good websites, which include good introductions for beginners.

[ozark1]

Thanks for the response. Part of the trouble with that telescope is that, with shipping, it's about $235, definitely more than I am willing to spend right now. Plus, it seems like I would need to get a tripod with it, yes? My main concern was, for a starter telescope, would that Meade be worth it. If not, I was mainly planning on waiting since I can always save up for a while to get something much better.

Also, any suggestions for a magazine that would include tips and reviews for a novice?

No, the Celestron Starhopper is a Dobsonian and comes with mount. The included eyepiece is a good one. This is the minimum level (imo) for a real telescope that you will actually enjoy using.

JohnW has his conversations crossed but he is quite correct - an equatorial short of EQ-5 status is not going to be satisfactory

[Dave Mitsky]

Edit

So, my question is that is this worth it as a starter scope or should I just wait to get something better?

Thank you very much for your help.

Judging from the size of the optical tube assembly in the photo, it appears that this is a Jones-Bird catadioptric Newtonian, which uses a cheap spherical primary mirror and a corrective lens system to correct for spherical aberration. This design has less than ideal optics and is not recommended.

Dave Mitsky

[SpyderHawke]

Thanks for your help. I'll probably have to save up some money in order to look at getting a better telescope, but I also learned that my cat is sick and I don't know how bad, yet. So who knows how much that will cost.

Thanks again for your advice.

[redshifter]

If you want an inexpensive, easy to use, stable, and good performing scope for the objects you state you want to see, I highly recommend a 6" or 8" dobsonian reflector when funds allow.