I think I am ready - Going to buy a Zhumell Z8 telescope and Nikon ACULON 16x50 binoculars (I think)

[smccarthy]

I think I have picked out my first purchase (that I'll make in a couple of weeks). The Zhumell Z8 Dobsonian telescope and the Nikon Aculon 16x50 binoculars. I live in San Tan Valley, AZ (USA), which is south of Phoenix. There is some light pollution (not as much as Phoenix or Chandler or Gilbert), but still some (I am on the outskirts, more south). I think the Z8 Dobsonian is a good value for a first telescope. I've seen many places that say it is a better option than the Orion SkyQuest XT8 (though Orion's customer service I hear is amazing). I first want to do just visuals with the telescope. Maybe after some time, I would like to take images ( I know I'd need a different telescope with the EQ mount , from what I've read ). But I figure I'd also need a DSLR camera ( I only have an iPhone 7 now - maybe an upgrade to the latest iPhone 11 in the near future ), so I won't make this first purchase on wanting to do pictures as well.

I was initially going to base my telescope purchase on whether it had Go-To or not, but I read mixed reviews on Go-To. Some even stated that you can use apps on your cell phone almost as easily to find objects. Before this, I was going to go with the Celestron 5 SE.

I know the Z8 Dobsonian is pretty large and bulky, but I live in a house (storage shouldn't be a problem), and have a minivan (transporting shouldn't be a problem), so I don't anticipate any issues using it either in my backyard, or traveling a little ways away with it.

I was looking at some Celestron binoculars, but I read a few posts around the internet that some have collimation (I think) issues. That is why I decided on the Nikon ones.

Are there any other options I should consider (around the same price range - around $400-$500 for the telescope and around $100-$150 for the binoculars)?

Thank you,

Shawn

PS: Are some places better to buy astronomy items (new) than others? I was looking mostly at Amazon, since I have Amazon Prime.

[Richard]

Congrats great scope , as far as the binos go you will need a tripod for 16x , me personally I would rather get 8-10x then they can be hand held

[notFritzArgelander]

I think you're doing fine! I have a Z12 and the 10x50 Aculons. You can likely get the Aculons at local sporting goods stores. ZhumellS are carried by Highpoint Scientific. https://www.highpointscientific.com/bra ... -zhue023-1

They do great support too.

[Larry 1969]

Nice scope! You may want to consider a quality eyepiece to go along with it.
I have no experience with Nikon binoculars but I recently purchased a pair of Oberwerk 10 X 60 binos for $189.00 and they are fantastic!
You will need a tripod for the 16X.

Enjoy!

Larry

[pakarinen]

I really like my 10x50 Aculons. Very light and easy to manage, but a tripod always helps IME.

And yes, I've had collimation problems with my C-tron Skymaster 15x70s. If I buy another pair of 15x70s, they'll be Oberwerks.

[smccarthy]

I just bought my Nikon Aculon's 10x50. They'll be here tomorrow ! I'll think of getting a tripod for the binoculars in the future (after using them without a tripod first).

I hope to buy that Zhumel Z8 in a few weeks. Is there any difference between ordering from Amazon (I have amazon prime) or highpointscientific.com ?

Larry 1969, I am looking at eye pieces now. However, I do not think I'd buy a new eyepiece until I use the eyepieces that come with the Z8 itself. Thanks for the idea !

[Larry 1969]

Larry 1969, I am looking at eye pieces now. However, I do not think I'd buy a new eyepiece until I use the eyepieces that come with the Z8 itself. Thanks for the idea !

The eyepieces that come with the scope are pretty decent. Decent enough that you will be impressed.
My scope has the same focal length as your Z8 (1,200 mm) and my go to eyepiece is my Explore Scientific 18mm 82* for DSOs and my 8.8mm 82* for planets. If seeing is good my 6.7mm 82* is nice.
Here's a cool field of view calculator that allows you to determine what you could expect to see with different eyepieces.

https://astronomy.tools/calculators/field_of_view/

Take your time and shop around. I purchased all of my eyepieces through Cloudy Night's classifieds.

Clear skies!

Larry

[pakarinen]

Is there any difference between ordering from Amazon (I have amazon prime) or highpointscientific.com ?

Amazon has easy returns, but my first pair of Skymasters arrived broken on delivery from Amazon. I ordered my Twilight 1 mount from Amazon and that arrived fine as did my ST80 clone. My gut tells me that more expensive optics would best be ordered from Highpoint. YMMV.

[Ylem]

As mentioned before, 16x binoculars will need a tripod
Go for 10x

[helicon]

The Z8 is a good telescope. I have the Z10 and have really enjoyed it. Good luck with the purchase!

[Bigzmey]

You are on the right track Shawn. DOBs give you the most aperture for your $$ and Nikon makes good quality binos. I would consider 10x50 instead. They have wider field of view - easier to find targets in the sky and will be less shaky for free-hand observing. Still it will be a good idea to stabilize them with monopod.

[Bigzmey]

I just bought my Nikon Aculon's 10x50. They'll be here tomorrow ! I'll think of getting a tripod for the binoculars in the future (after using them without a tripod first).

I hope to buy that Zhumel Z8 in a few weeks. Is there any difference between ordering from Amazon (I have amazon prime) or highpointscientific.com ?

Larry 1969, I am looking at eye pieces now. However, I do not think I'd buy a new eyepiece until I use the eyepieces that come with the Z8 itself. Thanks for the idea !

This is a good idea to observe with stock EPs for awhile. I have purchased telescopes and other astro stuff from Amazon in the past. It is as save as buying from HPS. Both could screw up on occasion, but both have good return policies.

[smccarthy]

The Zhumell Z8 seems to be out of stock everywhere now. Is buying the Aperura AD8 the same exact scope ? Or should I wait for the Zhumell Z8 to be back in stock?

[Bigzmey]

The Zhumell Z8 seems to be out of stock everywhere now. Is buying the Aperura AD8 the same exact scope ? Or should I wait for the Zhumell Z8 to be back in stock?

There are might be some differences in supplied accessories, but yes, Apertura is the same scope. Made for Zhumell and HPS by GSO.