Whats a good telescope for a beginner?

[Draco]

Hi

I am quite new to astronomy and would like to know where to start? My friend has a pair of binoculars that he lent me but I am unable to make out the finer details of the planets. They are good to observe the moon but I have set my eyes on the stars (no pun intended) and would like to see andromeda or better yet the rings of Saturn or the moons of Jupiter.

Can anyone recommend any good cheap telescopes that I can buy and from where? Also how do I find out the difference between the telescopes? Dobsonian? Newton? Reflective/Refractive? Also, is there any beginners book that someone can recommend?

Thank you.
Amateur Astronomer in the making

[Screwdriverone]

Hi Draco,

What's your budget?

I have created a thread for a complete (in my opinion) package to buy for a beginner that will suit for years!

Take a look here (http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=74670&highlight=recommended+beginners) and see if this suits you.

You need to avoid the phrase "good cheap telescopes" as this will ONLY get you into trouble. You need to spend probably $400-$500 on a good quality dobsonian around the 8" (200mm) size as this is pretty much the "starter" telescope of choice here on Ice In Space.

Check out http://www.andrewscom.com.au/site-section-10.htm and look at the GSO 8" dobsonian for $449, a GREAT place to start. Also, http://www.bintel.com.au/Telescopes/Dobsonian/Bintel-BT202-B-8--Dobsonian/72/productview.aspx for the same type for $499 (actually from the same manufacturer, just Bintel Branded)

Of course, Ice Trade here is a great place to pick up a second hand bargain on a scope too....:), check this one out, which might still be available??? for only $300!! and a quality brand (same as Skywatcher) http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=94746

:welcome: to IIS by the way. You will like it here. :)

Cheers

Chris

[fauxpas]

The best value beginner scopes to wet your whistle and spark your interest would be either of these 2... Both are tabletop dobsonians...

Kson 4" for $99 + 30ish delivery from here http://www.australiatelescopes.com.au/kson-table-top-102mm-dobsonian-telescope-portable-astronomy-scope.html#

http://www.australiatelescopes.com.au/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/800x600/0f53045f00a11cf1f12c4feed1e4c2ec/k/s/kson-102mm-tabletop-dobsonian-telescope.jpg


or a Skywatcher Heritage 5" collapsible for $199 including delivery from here http://www.ozscopes.com.au/skywatcher-heritage-5-dobsonian-telescope.html

http://cdn.ozscopes.com.au/media/catalog/product/cache/4/image/305x/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/h/e/heritage-p130l_1.gif

I bought the Kson but probably, in hindsight, should have gone the extra inch...

Here's a review on the 5" Heritage

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FEs_MMcJ7JA

[Allan_L]

Easy...
Skywatcher collapsible dobsonian 10 inch.
It will be easy to use and it will keep you satisfied for ages.
Brand new is $799
With a 6 year warranty.

For a "From where" please PM me.
It is close to you.
I am not affiliated, except as a customer ...
But it is polite to do off line.

[frolinmod]

I don't recommend table top dobsonians. In fact, I hate 'em. Worst things ever in my opinion.

I recommend the kind of dobsonian you put on the ground and that have long enough focus that you can comfortably sit or stand while using them.

I also recommend at least a 6" newtonian reflector. Larger is better. A dob mount is fine. 8" is better, 10" is better still, up to about 12" then they start to get difficult to transport and quality becomes a huge issue.

Pass on the refractors until you're more advanced. Nothing worse than a cheap refractor.

[mental4astro]

There are some excellent recommendations made, Draco. I don't mind the table top dobs, BUT they are mot for high power stuff required by the planets and the Moon. Quality does cost, but thankfully not what it did before.

However, before laying your money down I suggest you go to an Astro club or some other informal star party and familiarise yourself with the very many types and sizes of scopes that there are. Sure it's exciting to land a new scope, but if you asking for help and not just an opinion, this is the best thing to start with.

You'll be able to look through them, understand how they work, get a feel for their relative sizes and the level of complexity each demands. You'll then have the best idea of what will actually serve you best. There's a saying that goes 'the best scope is the one that gets used, not that stays in the closet'.

The various Astro clubs are listed in the "Our Comminity" heading in the left margin, and various other star parties listed in the Star Parties forum. Two such gatherings are happening at Katoomba Airfield and at the Lostock Scout ground this weekend.

Mental.

[Poita]

That is the best advice you will get :) Go along to a night with some folks, have a chat, get to see what you see through various sized and types of scopes, get to see how easy/difficult to setup and your expectations will be set correctly and you will know what you want by the end of the night.