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Post by briggsy19 on Jan 17, 2012 19:32:39 GMT
Hi,
I have been interested in astronomy for as long as I can remember. I was watching Stargazing live last night and it has got me interested in buying a telescope. I have used binoculars and a small TASCO telescope before when i was much younger but i didn't really know what i was doing and lived in an area with a lot of light pollution. I was wondering if anyone can give me some advice on purchasing a new telescope. I would have a budget under £300 and would probably want to get the best telescope for observing planets to begin with. I would love to eventually be able to graduate to astrophotography but lets not get too carried away. Can anyone give me advice?
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Post by brianb on Jan 18, 2012 0:25:38 GMT
Suggest you get in touch with our member Andy McCrea (google North Down Telescopes) who will give good advice and can supply a range of telescopes at very competitive prices.
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pook
Member
Posts: 147
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Post by pook on Jan 28, 2012 19:28:28 GMT
Hi briggsy19, As Brian says contact Andy, he will give you good advice. His email is s.mccrea980@btinternet.com We have loads of members who can advise you, but Andy can work it out best with your budget. If you want to progress to astrophotography, again we have a lot of experts who are only too willing to help beginners. Look forward to seeing you at one of our meetings or at our observing nights. Pook
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jimbo
Member
No, I?m not impatient, but if this sky doesn?t clear right now I'm going to ....... *o*
Posts: 2
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Post by jimbo on Feb 2, 2012 20:12:42 GMT
Hi All, Just joined the IAA and looking for some opinions on a scope.
I had a 80mm Dob years ago but it was cheap tat and frankly put me off astronomy altogether.
Lately though, my eldest son (4 years old) has been going on about getting a telescope to 'look at the moon and planets', so, I have got interested again and think I'll get him a Sky-watcher infinity 76. I know he's young but I think it's fantastic he's interested and I want to give him as much encouragement as possible (it beats him sitting in front of the TV any day by a long shot - unless he's watching The Sky at Night ;D).
But now here's my dilemma, firstly looking at lots of scopes (and going along to STARGAZING LIVE - at Delamont Country Park last week) has got my interest going again and secondly my sons experience is going to be so much better if 'daddy' is involved too and can teach him a little along the way as well as letting him have a look through a 'better' scope.
I'd like to get a 8" Dob but I just don't have the space, and like briggsy, I (and my wife too I think) would also like to have a go at astrophotography, but I need to be able to balance all that with: 2 young kids, storage space, budget, time etc. So I really need a good 'all rounder' scope that's quick to set up and thermally stabilize, easy to move about and store, and is good enough that I won't get my revived interest 'zapped' again.
So reading up on whats available and a quick chat to a couple of folk at Delamont last Friday the Sky-Watcher SkyMax 127 SynScan AZ GOTO 127mm Maksutov-Cassegrain has peaked my interest. I'd like a bigger aperture but the 127mm is as far as budget will go at the minute. The GOTO function would be useful for me until I get to know my way around a bit better and I assume it will track as well so useful for the photography side too. It's fairly compact so storage and transport shouldn't be a 'big' issue and I believe that they thermally stabilize quite quickly.
The big question is.... what do the more experienced think... am I in the right region or in the wrong hemisphere altogether, or has anyone any other alternatives that tick the boxes better!
All help and suggestions really appreciated.
Jimbo
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pook
Member
Posts: 147
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Post by pook on Feb 2, 2012 20:38:42 GMT
Hi Jimbo, Welcome to the Association and the forum! Delighted the astronomy has had a re-awakening and on reading your post, I can see you're trying to cover all angles, nothing wrong with that. The 127mm Skywatcher is a good all round scope, portable, reasonable aperture and of course it has a go-to facility. I wouldn't get too hung up on the go-to facility. This is because one of the best ways to learn your way round the night sky is by trial and error and finding the object you are looking for is part of the fun and frustration. I'm not a photographic expert but you should be able to attach a DSLR easily with a ring and a T connector. Cost for these ~£40. I would recommend you give Andy McCrea a call at North Down Telescopes or email him at s.mccrea980@btinternet.com He will give you good advice. You might want to consider a small fun sized dob for the kids. Can't remember the name "Infinity"??, but it a 3" mirror in a sealed unit, Cost about £40. Again Andy will know the detail. Why not come along to the next meeting on 8th Feb. You can talk to us directly, ask the president to introduce you. Hope this helps. Pook
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jimbo
Member
No, I?m not impatient, but if this sky doesn?t clear right now I'm going to ....... *o*
Posts: 2
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Post by jimbo on Feb 3, 2012 19:03:29 GMT
Hi Pook, Thanks for the advice, I've emailed Andy to get his input. I agree with your comment about the GOTO, there's two reasons in favor of a GOTO for me though, first is as I'm lining up my sons scope on an object a GOTO can be lining up on the same object for me to get some observation time in too (making the best of whatever good seeing we can get) and second, for trying my hand at photography I'd like a tracking scope so for only a little more it can be a GOTO as well. However your advice is well taken and I'm by no means 'sold' on the idea of a GOTO. I will try to get along on the 8th if I can make it I like the sound of Mike Simms topic plus it would be great to get to know yourself and other IAA members. Thanks again Jimbo
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