Advice wanted ..what to buy ? (telescope)

[hairybadger]

I have a basic 4.5" Newtonian - is a bit too underpowered to do anything useful with it. It's fine for the moon but then what isn't? I can make out Saturn's rings with it and 5 or 6 of Jupiter's moons. If I were to buy a new telescope I'd probably buy an 8" Schmidt-Cassegrain (er, or 6" depending on price...).

 

[Vipersan]

I have a basic 4.5" Newtonian - is a bit too underpowered to do anything useful with it. It's fine for the moon but then what isn't? I can make out Saturn's rings with it and 5 or 6 of Jupiter's moons. If I were to buy a new telescope I'd probably buy an 8" Schmidt-Cassegrain (er, or 6" depending on price...).

Nice optics from what I've seen ..and obviously quality ..but at over a grand I think somewhat out of my price range ..
You have to take into account I'm a beginner ...and can't justify such big money atm.
Everyone got to start somewhere..

 

[hairybadger]

Nice optics from what I've seen ..and obviously quality ..but at over a grand I think somewhat out of my price range ..
You have to take into account I'm a beginner ...and can't justify such big money atm.
Everyone got to start somewhere..

I think I paid about 280GBP in 1998 for my telescope (Orion). I see you can get an equivalently-sized Meade for something like 120GBP these days! But like I said 4.5 is too small, even for a beginner. You could get a 6 inch reflector relatively cheaply (make sure it's an equatorial mount, although this is probably less important with a motor). You may even want to add the motor later once you've decided whether you're really interested or not...

 

[rolfw]

Quite a few used deals on ebay, very tempted for myself.

 

[Lazarus]

I feel a new Sub-Forum coming on ..............................

 

[Vipersan]

Quite a few used deals on ebay, very tempted for myself.

Spotted Anything I'd be interested in Rolf..
I've already listed my requirements and budget ??

 

[Channel Hopper]

Why optical, when you have the knowhow (and most of the equipment) for radio ?

 

[Vipersan]

Well ..
Not much chance to test it this weekend ..if the weather forcast is anything to go by..
But my Seben Telescope arrived this morning ..so began the assembly..
There are a lot of bits n bobs to familliarise myself with ..but certainly looks the part ..and appears well made.
Here is a picture of the assembly so far..
No motor on it as yet ..and certainly a complex bit of kit.
Assembly instructions are minimal ..and I rather think the assumption is that you are at least familliar already with telescopes ..
..which I'm not.
Large steep learning curve looming.
rgds
VS

 

[Piltdownpaul]

Focus the main telescope on a distant chimney or aerial, then adjust the finder so thats dead in the centre if you want something to do.

 

[Vipersan]

Focus the main telescope on a distant chimney or aerial, then adjust the finder so thats dead in the centre if you want something to do.

Managed to very quickly test it last night Paul...weather closing in rapidly sadly
Very rushed indeed ..but managed to manually align on the moon and replace the eyepiece with the low res webcam in the kit ..
wasn't expecting miracles ..
Didn't get crisp clear images ..nor a chance to test the Barlow..
but still ..
It proved the mirror is ok ...

rgds
VS

 

[Piltdownpaul]

All seems okay,you just need some time and decent bloody weather.