I'm thinking of getting a telescope

[Damien Evans]

As the title says, I'm thinking of getting a telescope (probably around the end of the year)

My budget will be around $400-500 US, and I'm wondering what sort of scope, and what quality i can expect in this sort of price range

Any help would be much appreciated as i know nothing about telescopes

I'd like to be able to see the planets, some of the larger moons and also some nebulae and such, if this helps

[redshifter]

I'll say the same thing to you as I did on the other 'what to get' thread:

IMO, hands down the best beginner type scope would be a 6" or 8" dobsonian reflector. They are inexpensive, inherently stable due to the design of the mount (and this is at least as important as optical performance), perform well on all types of objects (planets, globular clusters, nebulas, galaxies, etc), and easy to operate. The dobsonian mount results in a scope that doesn't look like a scope in the traditional sense, but dollar for dollar, you can't go wrong with a dob. A comparably priced scope on a more traditional looking mount can be very unstable and thus not very usable.

Here is a great example of an 8" dobsonian. I've owned this model and can highly recommend it: http://www.telescope.com/shopping/product/detailmain.jsp?itemID=252215&itemType=PRODUCT&iMainCat=4&iSubCat=9&iProductID=252215

The 6" version would be a great scope as well. I personally prefer the non computerized versions, as they force you to learn the sky, which is part of the fun IMO.

With your budget of $500, the Orion XT8 (linked above) would be perfect, plus you have some $ left over for eyepiece upgrades and maybe a barlow. Or if you stretched your budget just a bit, you could get into the 10" model. This is the scope I have (upgraded from the XT8 model) and have no intention to upgrade any time soon, I've had it about 4 years now.

Spend some time searching this forum, there are quite a few 'what scope to get' threads.

[ozark1]

As the title says, I'm thinking of getting a telescope (probably around the end of the year)

My budget will be around $400-500 US, and I'm wondering what sort of scope, and what quality i can expect in this sort of price range

Any help would be much appreciated as i know nothing about telescopes

I'd like to be able to see the planets, some of the larger moons and also some nebulae and such, if this helps

Well the spec is not much - you can see five planets and a dozen nebulae with the naked eye. How about a pair of binoculars?:lol:

On the other hand - $350 will get you an 8" dob such as the Orion XT8. That will allow you to see a lot - all the Messiers, Caldwells, many NGCs, all the planets, 5 satellites around Saturn etc.

http://www.astronomics.com/main/price_range.asp/range/100/catalog_name/Astronomics/category_name/CUJ52QSW9PGJ9MTQ2QU8593HR1/d/Telescopes/m/Celestron/Page/3

Astronomics would do a 10" dob for $449 (or $499 new)

[Damien Evans]

I'll say the same thing to you as I did on the other 'what to get' thread:

IMO, hands down the best beginner type scope would be a 6" or 8" dobsonian reflector. They are inexpensive, inherently stable due to the design of the mount (and this is at least as important as optical performance), perform well on all types of objects (planets, globular clusters, nebulas, galaxies, etc), and easy to operate. The dobsonian mount results in a scope that doesn't look like a scope in the traditional sense, but dollar for dollar, you can't go wrong with a dob. A comparably priced scope on a more traditional looking mount can be very unstable and thus not very usable.

Here is a great example of an 8" dobsonian. I've owned this model and can highly recommend it: http://www.telescope.com/shopping/product/detailmain.jsp?itemID=252215&itemType=PRODUCT&iMainCat=4&iSubCat=9&iProductID=252215

The 6" version would be a great scope as well. I personally prefer the non computerized versions, as they force you to learn the sky, which is part of the fun IMO.

With your budget of $500, the Orion XT8 (linked above) would be perfect, plus you have some $ left over for eyepiece upgrades and maybe a barlow. Or if you stretched your budget just a bit, you could get into the 10" model. This is the scope I have (upgraded from the XT8 model) and have no intention to upgrade any time soon, I've had it about 4 years now.

Spend some time searching this forum, there are quite a few 'what scope to get' threads.

cool, thanks for the suggestions

[Damien Evans]

Well the spec is not much - you can see five planets and a dozen nebulae with the naked eye. How about a pair of binoculars?:lol:



Already got those, a pair of 10 x 50s

[Tucson_Tim]

IMO, hands down the best beginner type scope would be a 6" or 8" dobsonian reflector.

Hands down (or up) the best choice! And be sure to get one or two low-power eyepieces.

[redshifter]

Damien, I didn't realize you live in Australia (at least according to your location tag). In that case, it might be cheaper for you to buy a scope locally. I have no idea what kind of shipping and/or duty charges you might have to deal with.

Anyways, let us know what you end up with!

[Damien Evans]

Damien, I didn't realize you live in Australia (at least according to your location tag). In that case, it might be cheaper for you to buy a scope locally. I have no idea what kind of shipping and/or duty charges you might have to deal with.

Anyways, let us know what you end up with!

Yeah, i live in Melbourne, so I'll have to look at shipping costs and such, but at least now i have a good idea of what type of scope i want to get, now i just have to look through all the brands to find a good deal

[Parsec.au]

Damien,

I started with a 8" dodsonian. I don't think there is a better scope both viewing and price wise to 'get your feet wet with'.
It will give you an excellent foundation if you decide in the future to move up.

In fact I still have it and actually use it occasionally.:)