Input request on first scope

[lsintampa]

Retired now, taking up new hobby. Been reading a lot so I have maybe a surface understanding of telescopes. Looking at these two choices, knowing they are different types with different mounts.

Meade Polaris 130mm reflector

Meade StarPro 102mm

Will be upgrading eyepieces eventually. Want to have good views of the planets, Jupiter and Saturn in particular. Interested also in elementary astrophotography. Nothing award winning, but acceptable to general folk that are not in the hobby.

Thoughts?

[helicon]

I would go with the refractor as a first scope. It will provide good view of the planets and moon plus dso's as well. The 130mm scope's mount will be a little shaky.

[Refractordude]

Here are some reviews. Click the image.

http://www.weasner.com/co/Reviews/2019/ ... index.html

[Lady Fraktor]

I have issues with reviews such as this.
1. If he realized they sent him the wrong telescope why did he not return it for the right one?
Meade sells both a 102mm f/5.9 and a 102mm f/6.5, dumb things happen.
Bigzmey for example mentioned yesterday that he was sent a telescope when he had ordered an eyepiece.
2. How did he come to the conclusion the coating were poor? How did he test as he seems quite happy with the views visually.
3. He talks well of the mount and then complains about the quality of it.

Personally the last place I would look for reliable reviews for astronomy equipment is Amazon.

[lsintampa]

OK - I'm really looking for input regarding reflector vs refractor being a beginner. I've been concentrating on reflectors for weeks, but beginning to think that to start a refractor may be a better start - for me, as helicon suggested.

Now I'm stuck on trying to figure out which brand (meade or celestron) would be best - stable mount is somewhat important - esp if I want to hang something (think cell phone / camera), etc.

Want to land in the 100 - 105 mm range.

Bad reviews are always available - regardless of what it is you research - you have to sort of read between the lines. From what I've been able to determine the Meade 102MM Star Pro is indeed 6.5 everywhere it's sold. So one would have to believe that's the case. It isn't unlike Amazon sellers to sell knockoffs and or mislead buyers with bogus ads.

So, if anyone else has any constructive input, I'd really appreciate it.

[Lady Fraktor]

Refractor for ease of use are best, normally point and look.
They hold collimation quite well so that is a convenience.

One of the best all round refractor packages (good telescope and good mount) is the Celestron 102mm Omni XLT.
https://www.celestron.com/products/omni ... -telescope

A 4" refractor is a good "sweet spot" for well rounded capability

[Bigzmey]

Small refractors make best beginner scopes.

Believe us. We have seen this question ask many times over many years.

Another good alternative is dobsonian reflector (DOB). Many have successfully started with 6-8" DOBs.

DOB will show you more, but it is much heavier and larger, with longer learning curve.

Small refractors on AltAz mounts are very intuitive point and shout scopes, easy to move, store and use. And also can double for daytime use (boats, birds, etc)

[Bigzmey]

As for which brand to buy, Meade, Celestron, SkyWatcher are easier to find and have products of similar quality (often made on the same factory).

The optics in these refractors typically is quite good. The weak point is typically the mount, so you should really look for the better mount in these packages.

[Refractordude]

This is a good starter if you want to spend a little more money. The Meade short tubes are not best for planets and the moon. Astrophotography will cost a lot more money. You could use a cell phone adapter for images as you learn the hobby.

https://shop.astronomerswithoutborders. ... ta-20175-3

https://www.telescope.com/Orion/Orion-V ... /10105.uts

[lsintampa]

Refractor for ease of use are best, normally point and look.
They hold collimation quite well so that is a convenience.

One of the best all round refractor packages (good telescope and good mount) is the Celestron 102mm Omni XLT.
https://www.celestron.com/products/omni ... -telescope

A 4" refractor is a good "sweet spot" for well rounded capability

I like it! Comes only with one lens - curious what you would suggest for additional lenses - and perhaps a 2X barlow???

[Refractordude]

Refractor for ease of use are best, normally point and look.
They hold collimation quite well so that is a convenience.

One of the best all round refractor packages (good telescope and good mount) is the Celestron 102mm Omni XLT.
https://www.celestron.com/products/omni ... -telescope

A 4" refractor is a good "sweet spot" for well rounded capability

I like it! Comes only with one lens - curious what you would suggest for additional lenses - and perhaps a 2X barlow???

Let the forum members know what your budget is. With f8 and higher focal ratio refractors no need for expensive eyepieces. However, the 2" eyepieces will give you wider views at greater cost than the 1.25" eyepieces. Make sure the eye relief of the eyepieces are 16mm or higher. I like my eyepieces to be close in weight to prevent balancing issues. If on a tight budget get these in the first image. If your budget is super tight, get the Meade Aspherics in the second image. Click the images.


Check this out before you buy viewtopic.php?f=34&t=550

[Lady Fraktor]

Knowing a budget would definitely help, the GSO Plossl that refractordude linked to above are a really good quality for price as well as the barlow.

[lsintampa]

For lenses let's say under 150.00 USD. Mindful of the 25mm lens that comes with the XLT. That lens is a 1.25, but the scope would take either 1.25 or 2 inch eyepieces.

Don't want to go nuts here, just would like to have a bit more variety, maybe two more lenses, a few filters, and Barlow.

Thanks for all the feedback!

[Lady Fraktor]

I would suggest a 32mm and 10mm as a starting point.
The GSO 2x barlow has a removable lens which can be attached directly to the eyepiece giving 1.5x magnification.
So using that you would have: 32mm, 21mm (1.5x), 16mm (2x), 25mm, 17mm (1.5x), 12.5mm (2x), 10mm. 6.7mm (1.5x), 5mm (2x)
This gives a eyepiece range from mid-low to very high magnification.

[lsintampa]

I would suggest a 32mm and 10mm as a starting point.
The GSO 2x barlow has a removable lens which can be attached directly to the eyepiece giving 1.5x magnification.
So using that you would have: 32mm, 21mm (1.5x), 16mm (2x), 25mm, 17mm (1.5x), 12.5mm (2x), 10mm. 6.7mm (1.5x), 5mm (2x)
This gives a eyepiece range from mid-low to very high magnification.

Awesome - saves me all that math you did on lens sets!!!!!

[Lady Fraktor]

Eventually you will have to learn to pass it on

[lsintampa]

If I ever wrap my head around it, I will.

[lsintampa]

Refractor for ease of use are best, normally point and look.
They hold collimation quite well so that is a convenience.

One of the best all round refractor packages (good telescope and good mount) is the Celestron 102mm Omni XLT.
https://www.celestron.com/products/omni ... -telescope

A 4" refractor is a good "sweet spot" for well rounded capability

Ordered this today along with a 9mm, 32mm, and moon filter. Should be good enough to get started. Barlow and other filters to come later.

Thanks for all the help.

[Lady Fraktor]

Hopefully the skies will be cooperative when it arrives
With filters avoid the cheap filter sets that shops sell, a lot of these are not much better than dyed glass and do not do much other than change the object colouring.
Good usable filters are unfortunately a bit more expensive.

[lsintampa]

So the XLT 102 and EQ mount came today. Seems I have a lot to learn.....

Curious though why a collimation eyepiece came with this refractor???