Telescopes - where to buy?

[parabolica]

So I may have nailed my dad's christmas present; as all good things do, it did it came to me around 2am last night just before I fell asleep. I had a quick look on Amazon to get a base-line idea of how much a decent-ish telescope for a beginner would be.

I've now convinced myself this is a go'er but not sure where I should buy one from - any experts/novices care to share? Or is Amazon as good a place as any? Not looking at anything too fancy - something like this: clicky

[Big Rod]

As you're in Surrey, there's a cracking telescope shop on Dorking High Street.

http://astronomia.co.uk/?gclid=CNLIkZ2Eo7sCFYbHtAo...

[parabolica]

I'm less than 5 mintues walk to that shop! However my dad is up in Aberdeenshire so I was hoping for delivery up there; might give that shop a look though to get up close.

[valiant]

www.firstlightoptics.co.uk

Used these guys a few times and they certainly know their stuff. (I'm a little geeky on the astronomy side)

If you're unsure what to buy email or call them and they will put you right plus they are pretty competitive on price.

Also you may want to gander over to www.stargazerslounge.co.uk and they'll see you right.

[Big Rod]

parabolica said:

I'm less than 5 mintues walk to that shop! However my dad is up in Aberdeenshire so I was hoping for delivery up there; might give that shop a look though to get up close.

I'm sure they'd deliver. Would be worth it for the advice rather than buying blind off t'internet.

Always wanted to buy something out of there when I worked down in Dorking but couldn't justify it.

[HOGEPH]

I'm new to stargazing as of last week. I was going down the route of something like what you have in mind, but after a chat with a neighbour who has his own observatory and many telescopes, I was guided to an old Celestron C8, size being important apparently in this game.

Haven't really used it anger yet, as the weather has conspired against me, but clear skies as they say.

[paul_y3k]

Hope this is allowed ...
If anyone's interest my Celestron is on the bay at the moment.
PM me if you'd like ?

[nellyleelephant]

For a beginner I'd recommend a less complicated set up so you don't have to worry about polar alignment, declination and right ascension.

Something more like this http://www.firstlightoptics.com/dobsonians/skywatc... yes it's a bit pricier, but it gives a bit more aperture.

[SteveO...]

nellyleelephant said:

For a beginner I'd recommend a less complicated set up so you don't have to worry about polar alignment, declination and right ascension.

Something more like this http://www.firstlightoptics.com/dobsonians/skywatc... yes it's a bit pricier, but it gives a bit more aperture.

This is good advice. For a beginner it's safer to avoid equatorial mounts - they can be a pita to set up and use. Look for a dobsonian or something on an alt-az/fork mount.

Another thumbs up for First Light Optics btw. I suggest giving them a call; I found them very helpful when I was getting started.

And OP, top username for a telescope query .

[Moonhawk]

Not sure I agree with the equatorial mount thing. Sure they need a little setup right at the start - but once you have set you latitude - for basic observing you only need to point it approximately north to get the most of the benefits.

I find the slow motion controls on an eq mount much easier to use for scanning the sky for faint fuzzys and you only need to turn one knob very slowly to keep an object more or less in view - which is a godsend at high magnification. Relocating an object that has moved out of view is also easier with an EQ - for this same reason.

[parabolica]

Thanks for the suggestions guys; my dad comes from a mathematical and mech engineering background - he was a ships captain for about 20 years so knows a fair bit about just about everything! So I think he could get to grips with the various set ups; lives in the middle of nowhere too so just perfect for those clear night skies.

[HOGEPH]

I took my telescope out for a test last night. Very pleased I could see the moons of Jupiter clearly. Too much moonlight to make out galaxies though.

(And bloody cold!)

[nellyleelephant]

HOGEPH said:

I took my telescope out for a test last night. Very pleased I could see the moons of Jupiter clearly. Too much moonlight to make out galaxies though.

(And bloody cold!)

You should have been able to make out Andromeda still with last nights moon (just about!).

I was out with the camera, managed this.....


20131209-I51A1535 by nellyleelephant, on Flickr

[Moonhawk]

Nice moon pic - I particularly like the subtle colours that are coming through.

[Mojocvh]

Uncle Bernard.

[funkyrobot]

nellyleelephant said:

You should have been able to make out Andromeda still with last nights moon (just about!).

I was out with the camera, managed this.....


20131209-I51A1535 by nellyleelephant, on Flickr

Great pic. What setup are you using?

Thanks.

[funkyrobot]

Incidentally, what are these telescopes like?

http://www.firstlightoptics.com/se-series/celestro...



They seem to be a premium price, but seem much more compact than the standard style of scope. Are they worth the money?

I know that the worthiness of a telescope is quite subjective and different scopes are better for different things. But, would something like the above be a really good all rounder (I'm interested in both planets and deep sky objects)? Also, are they good for photos?

Thanks .

[Moonhawk]

funkyrobot said:

Incidentally, what are these telescopes like?

I don't have experience of that particular scope - but I have the 10" Meade equivalent (LX90) which is a pretty capable telescope.

SCTs are quite compact owing to the fact that they bounce the light path down the tube twice allowing for a shorter OTA. They are usually more expensive than their Newtonian or Dobsonian equivalents though as they have a glass correcting lens at the front.

Have a wander over to Stargazerslounge and ask some questions - somebody there will probably have one of these.

[nellyleelephant]

funkyrobot said:

Great pic. What setup are you using?

Thanks.

Thanks!

I was a gimbal mounted Canon 500f4 with a 1.4 teleconverter and 5D3 attached.

[parabolica]

Just to close this out, made a decision to go with First Light Optics as recommended here; spoke with dad beforehand as it's a nieche gift and wanted him to choose some thing he'd be happy with; result was http://www.firstlightoptics.com/celestron-astromas.... Thanks for all your help guys