Let's say I had US $2000 to spend on a telescope and accessories. What are the options in this price range?

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Although you can buy some very nice 8 - 10 Schmidt Cassegrain scopes with electric guided mounts in this price range - If I were to spend $2000 US on a scope I would build myself a large aperature newtonian scope something like a 24" F4 scope should easily fit into that price range if you grind your own mirrors.

can u spend all 2000 dollars for 1 thing? e.g a telescope for $1999.00

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We come without a thing and gone without a thing. We need simple life. A cup of teas and a couple of meals per day, that is good enough. And this is my standard of living.

Oh yes, telescoped can be VERY expensive. Then there are computer controlled telescopes which are coming to the fore, just tell the computer what you want to see and the telescope can move its self. Though can you get computer controlled telescopes for under US$2000?

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Sams Club had celestron 4.5" computer controled go-to scopes with lazer sight tubes for $199.00. My meade of the same size cost $500 with a regular sighting scope. On a good dark night you can't see the cross hairs in a sighting scope! Lazer is much better!

Bud

To my way of thinking, investing in computer controls and laser gizmos is a bit of a waste with a 4.5" scope. I'd be wanting to invest in a decent 8 - 10 inches before I even started thinking about that fancy shmancy stuff.

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Dot pointers are not lasers. They employ a red LED that projects a dot on to an optical window. The Telrad and Rigel QuikFinder reflex sights, which both project reticles instead of dots, are far superior to dot pointers.

Soapbox mode: Unfortunately, some misguided individuals of late have been selling green laser pointers that can be attached to telescopes as finders. A GLP does project a laser beam, one that could cause a lawsuit or fistfight if not permanent eye damage if used carelessly. To harp about light pollution and then shine "cool" lasers in the sky is nothing less than hypocrisy, IMO. Two years ago at Stellafane some jerk with a green laser pointer almost hit me in the eyes with its beam. Last year at the Laurel Highlands Starcruise I repeatedly saw laser beams flash through the eyepiece while observing M11. The Mason-Dixon Star Party and the Black Forest Star Party have banned the use of GLPs.


Dave Mitsky

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Chance favors the prepared mind.
De gustibus non est disputandum.
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What are you interested in observing? Do you need to transport the telescope? Are you interested in (shudder) astrophotography? Just how much do you intend to spend on accessories? (It is very easy to spend over $2000 for accessories alone.)

Dave Mitsky

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Chance favors the prepared mind.
De gustibus non est disputandum.
Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.

You can get a 12.5 inch Discovery dobs delivered to your house for less than $1500. You can check ASTROMART or ebay and find used scopes of large dimensions for chump change.
WOW!

Don't make the mistake of starting with a complex comupter controlled scope. Too many people do. You'll regret it. And (FWIW) don't try astrophotography for at least 5 years after you purchase your fists scope.

Regards,
MH