Well I have finally decided it is time to buy a telescope. Since I have never owned one I don't really know what to look for - besides of course what is on google. I've found a few that look okay on ksl but figured I'd post here first incase anyone has advice/tips. I have about 200/250 to spend on one. I don't really care about computerized tracking...unless that makes a tremendous difference?
Any Telescope Gurus?
- Thread starter EROK81?
- Start date
Stacey
Active Member
- Location
- St. George
We bought one about 4 or 5 years ago, a 14" meade RSX 400. The biggest thing I would say is, starting out buy a simple telescope, ours is so complicated it just sits in the shop. There are some clubs in SLC including:
Name: Salt Lake Astronomical SocietyAddress: P.O. Box 26114, Salt Lake City, UT 84126-0114 USAContact: Robert MoorePhone: 801-580-0466Email: bmoore@commercecrg.com URL: WebsiteMembers: 185 members
Name: Salt Lake Astronomical SocietyAddress: P.O. Box 26114, Salt Lake City, UT 84126-0114 USAContact: Robert MoorePhone: 801-580-0466Email: bmoore@commercecrg.com URL: WebsiteMembers: 185 members
Cherokeester
Registered User
- Location
- Wellsville Utah
Make sure you get a reflector and get as much mirror (size) as you can afford. The tracking is awesome if you can manage it. Sams club used to sell a 4.5" with tracking for around $150 ish. It was made by Meade. Here is a review of said scope i dug up.
http://www.jrcarter.com/astronomy/DS2114-Review.html/
http://www.jrcarter.com/astronomy/DS2114-Review.html/
Extra money on a quality reflector and mirror will be worth more than the tracking. You can see a lot of cool stuff with a good pair of binoculars or a spotting scope. You can go to the clark planetarium and see/hold many different models. There should also be a resident nerd to talk to about them.
DAA
Well-Known Member
- Location
- West Bountiful, UT
I've got a Meade with tracking. The tracking is/was cool and pretty useful when I bought the telescope five or six years ago. Now a days though, I find it faster and easier to use Google Sky Map on my phone to find things and then aim the telescope manually.
So, my advice would be, spend on optical quality over the tracking, if you have that choice.
And... Speaking of optical quality... The Meade I have doesn't have much of it... It's "okay", but, just barely.
Mesha mentioned binoculars and spotting scopes. Depending on what you really want to do with the telescope, in the price range you are looking at, you might want to consider that. I have a Swarovski spotting scope with vastly superior optical quality compared to my Meade telescope. Of course, it was vastly more expensive too... On the other hand, I also have an old Bushell spotting scope, that cost about $250, that is still also clearly much better optics than the Meade.
Don't under rate the importance of a good tripod or the potential comfort of lack thereof of the eyepiece viewing angle/position either. These things can/will make or break the viewing experience.
- DAA
So, my advice would be, spend on optical quality over the tracking, if you have that choice.
And... Speaking of optical quality... The Meade I have doesn't have much of it... It's "okay", but, just barely.
Mesha mentioned binoculars and spotting scopes. Depending on what you really want to do with the telescope, in the price range you are looking at, you might want to consider that. I have a Swarovski spotting scope with vastly superior optical quality compared to my Meade telescope. Of course, it was vastly more expensive too... On the other hand, I also have an old Bushell spotting scope, that cost about $250, that is still also clearly much better optics than the Meade.
Don't under rate the importance of a good tripod or the potential comfort of lack thereof of the eyepiece viewing angle/position either. These things can/will make or break the viewing experience.
- DAA
Ok...so I've narrowed it down to two choices. Of course my price range went up a little. 
It's between these two I think. Have any of you used either of these types? Any better than the other?
http://www.telescope.com/control/product/~product_id=09926
http://www.telescope.com/control/te...rion-skyquest-xt6-classic-dobsonian-telescope
It's between these two I think. Have any of you used either of these types? Any better than the other?
http://www.telescope.com/control/product/~product_id=09926
http://www.telescope.com/control/te...rion-skyquest-xt6-classic-dobsonian-telescope
Cherokeester
Registered User
- Location
- Wellsville Utah
Ok...so I've narrowed it down to two choices. Of course my price range went up a little.
It's between these two I think. Have any of you used either of these types? Any better than the other?
http://www.telescope.com/control/product/~product_id=09926
http://www.telescope.com/control/te...rion-skyquest-xt6-classic-dobsonian-telescope
The dobsonian will give you better views but takes more car room and is harder to haul around. I would still go with the dob.
Last edited:
rholbrook
Well-Known Member
- Location
- Kaysville, Ut
I have a great hook up on Swarovski if a spotting scope is something your interested in. I have saved friends a lot of money.
DAA
Well-Known Member
- Location
- West Bountiful, UT
Does that apply to Swaro binocs as well? I love my 8.5x42 EL's, but they are just a bit on the bulky/heavy side and so I often leave them behind and carry a small Nikon binoc instead. Have been considering some 8x32 EL's for a smaller, lighter pair. Dropping another $2K on binocs isn't really in the budget for this spring, but if I could get them at a good price?
- DAA
Well...the dob it is.
Thanks for the tips everyone. I'll post a pic once I get it. My wife may not be too thrilled as it is almost 5ft tall.
rholbrook
Well-Known Member
- Location
- Kaysville, Ut
DAA
Well-Known Member
- Location
- West Bountiful, UT
My sanity is partially returned today
. Yesterday I was thinking 8x32 EL, but today I'm thinking more realistically, like 8x30 SLC.But, honestly, I REALLY shouldn't be buying another binocular anytime soon. I'm probably just window shopping/tire kicking. Don't sweat it on getting the prices - if it works out easy for you, I wouldn't mind knowing. But, really, it's probably best that I not know
.- DAA
rholbrook
Well-Known Member
- Location
- Kaysville, Ut
I will PM you with the pricing as soon as I get them.
My sanity is partially returned today
But, honestly, I REALLY shouldn't be buying another binocular anytime soon. I'm probably just window shopping/tire kicking. Don't sweat it on getting the prices - if it works out easy for you, I wouldn't mind knowing. But, really, it's probably best that I not know
- DAA
jeep-N-montero
Formerly black_ZJ
- Location
- Bountiful
I got lucky a few years ago when I found a brand new Meade with upgrades at the DI for $50, it doesn't have tracking but I love going up to Park City with it and usually take it to Moab with me. It is easy to use and I think it even has a camera adapter somewhere in the box, but I don't have an SLR to use with it.