Which Telescope? Budget Upto $850

dodgybrothers on 05/11/2014 - 10:30

Hi all,

This is one on my dream to see space objects.. and I want to tick off this from my list this year… been thinking for last 2 years now… i think this is the right time.

I want to buy nice telescope, my budget is upto $850.
things i would like to see :

some deep objects
starts, galaxy
some planets

i should mention here that i dont have much knowledge or experience in this field, so any suggestions are welcomed.

this one is top of the list so far : http://shop.australiangeographic.com.au/celestron-nexstar-13…

thank you
Seshil

General Discussion

Comments

  • cypher67 on 05/11/2014 - 11:45
    +3

    I highly recommend you find a star gazing group or club etc and go to one of their meets, have a look through their equipment and get some perspective on your expectations. I've looked at the moon through a telescope like the one you linked and it didnt even come close to my expectations … and that was just the moon, let alone glaxies etc. The one you have linked is computerised meaning it will find the consolations for you and allow you to map stuff. Unless your expectations are in check, your probably going to be wasting your money, hence the suggestion to join a group/club first.

  • andyhui01 on 05/11/2014 - 11:52
    +1

    That telescope is not too bad for something within your budget, but if you get a non-computerised scope you could end up with a much larger telescope with will produce more depth and detail for what you want to see.
    This scope is a 5 inch but I was looking around and you can get an 8inch Dobsonian for $499.95, and you'll want to have a bit of left over for accessories like planetary filters, eyepieces etc
    http://www.opticscentral.com.au/saxon-8-inch-dobsonian-teles…

    Agree it might be good to attend Astronomy Club meets prior. Some people (not saying you do) have unrealistic expectations and get disappointed. I am sure you will find someone with an 8" Dob (most common telescope I've seen) so you can have a look through.

  • pjetson on 05/11/2014 - 12:30

    One of the teachers at my son's old secondary school had a huge telescope that he brought to school some nights for the students to "play" with. I remember it being bigger than 8" diameter, but maybe it wasn't. You could clearly see the rings around Saturn, but it was still a tiny ball.

    My point is, like the others above, that your expectations might be higher than your budget, and that you should therefore enlist help from a club or group as suggested.

  • HAL on 05/11/2014 - 12:58

    5" won't get you much resolution for deep space objects, I would say get a minimum of 8".

    Don't buy from any big retailers their prices are highly inflated .

    The go-to mounts are great but then you aren't really learning anything about astronomy, part of the fun is learning to navigate the night sky.

    http://www.iceinspace.com.au/ is a great forum for amateur Australian astronomers.

    I buy all my telescopes from http://www.andrewscom.com.au/site-section-10.htm (their website is terrible but prices are good, have a chat over the phone to them they are really helpful).

  • dodgybrothers on 05/11/2014 - 14:42

    thank you so much all of you !
    i think its not good idea then buy 5', i ll have to increase my budget than to get bigger aperture.
    anyone know any good place in Melbourne ?

    • 17833 on 06/11/2014 - 07:48

      I have seen this place mentioned a few times on OzBargain, this is in Bayswater Melbourne. Not an expert so can't give you recommendations or comment on prices sorry. http://www.ozscopes.com.au/

  • Cluster on 05/11/2014 - 15:22

    If you buy a reflector telescope please join an astronomy group so they can show you how to collimate it properly. Without correctly setting up the two mirrors all you'll get are fuzzy frustrating images.

    Pretty much every decent beginner telescope in that price range is a reflector scope. Dobsonian, etc just refers to the way it's mounted.

    I would avoid buying a telescope from Australian Geographic as it's not a specialist shop. If you go back and ask the staff a question all you'll get is a blank look.

    • dodgybrothers on 05/11/2014 - 15:39

      Thanks.. Actually i did ask them some question, they went completely blank.. Than one of their colleague came over and explained something which i didn't understand

  • HAL on 05/11/2014 - 16:43

    If you do go with an 8" or more Dobsonian I would highly recommend you get a collapsible one, 8" isn't much fun to haul around…

    • cypher67 on 05/11/2014 - 19:34

      Agreed, if I wasnt able to collapse my 8 incher, I'd be facing all sorts of issues. Being able to erect it when I want to use it is highly desireable.

      • eatwell365 on 05/11/2014 - 21:35

        Being able to erect it when I want to use it is highly desireable.

        LOL think we all agree.

  • BobD on 06/11/2014 - 07:46

    Here is a link to a page with a list of Astro clubs http://asv.org.au/astronomy . Join one that is near to you.

    • BobD on 06/11/2014 - 08:52

      actually, don't join one first up. Go along and try it out. Any club should accept you as a visitor until you make up your mind.

  • [Deactivated] on 06/11/2014 - 09:33

    Are there any passable telescopes on Aliexpress or similar?

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