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Re: Another seeking recommendations for a first telescope question
Posted: Sat Jan 04, 2020 12:30 am
by starguru
Lady Fraktor wrote: ↑Fri Jan 03, 2020 11:45 pm
The Celestron programming is one of the more intuitive of the various ones available from China.
Menus are easy to navigate and straight forward.
The Meade is quite good as well but the menu is not as streamlined and doing resets can be a hassle.
JayTee wrote: ↑Fri Jan 03, 2020 11:37 pm
How do the Celestron SCTs compare with the Meade? I've seen a bunch of favorable reviews of the Celestron, but where they go south is talking about the mounts and the GOTO. Which of course would not matter if I did everything a la carte. I am still interested in the Meade telescope I referenced in my first post. Their alignment procedure seems very streamlined.
Firstly, Meade is going out of business so that pretty much seals that deal. Both manufacturers (Celestron and Meade) have alignment procedures that are easy to accomplish, (I own mounts from both of them). It is sad about Meade but at this time, I would steer clear if it is a new telescope you are interested in.
Cheers,
JT
Do you guys have any recommendations for SCTs? I listed a Celestron in the original post but posted my concerns, which primarily around the quality and longevity of the mount and gear system.
Is it better to go a la carte and buy the
OTA and mount separately?
Re: Another seeking recommendations for a first telescope question
Posted: Sat Jan 04, 2020 12:38 am
by Lady Fraktor
If you just want to do visual, (which I would recommend if this is your first telescope) get the SE package.
If you are wanting a
AP set up then a
SCT OTA and mount of your choice would probably be better.
*Before buying one I would recommend you look for a star party in your area and view through the various styles*
To me, again a personal opinion, they are a general use telescope. They can do a bit of everything but do nothing very well.
If you want deep sky capability a Newtonian will work better and a refractor will put up better contrast for planetary details.
The
SCT is good just not great though some people really like them. Personal opinions
Re: Another seeking recommendations for a first telescope question
Posted: Sat Jan 04, 2020 12:47 am
by JayTee
Based on your original post and the desires/concerns you have, I think the Celestron 8SE would work well for you because (to paraphrase Lady Fractor) SCTs are the "Jack of all trades and master of none." But, it is a tried and true design with thousands of instruments out there. If you are still concerned about the "one-armed bandit" mount then consider the CPC line. It has a very, very beefy alt-az mount but is significantly more expensive check this out:
If this is more than you want to spend and think the OTA on a Twilight I mount is the way to go, then remember you'll be paying only around $50 less for A LOT less capability. The 8SE will last for years and will be your most used scope because of aperture and ease of set up.
Hope this helps,
JT
Re: Another seeking recommendations for a first telescope question
Posted: Sat Jan 04, 2020 1:00 am
by starguru
Lady Fraktor wrote: ↑Sat Jan 04, 2020 12:38 am
If you just want to do visual, (which I would recommend if this is your first telescope) get the SE package.
If you are wanting a AP set up then a SCT OTA and mount of your choice would probably be better.
*Before buying one I would recommend you look for a star party in your area and view through the various styles*
To me, again a personal opinion, they are a general use telescope. They can do a bit of everything but do nothing very well.
If you want deep sky capability a Newtonian will work better and a refractor will put up better contrast for planetary details.
The SCT is good just not great though some people really like them. Personal opinions
Awesome advice, thanks. Are there any resources for finding star parties? I did a google search and the best I could come up with events at the GMU observatory, but there aren't any planned until march so far as I can see.
Re: Another seeking recommendations for a first telescope question
Posted: Sat Jan 04, 2020 1:05 am
by Lady Fraktor
Here is a small listing:
https://www.astroleague.org/societies/VA
This is a copy of my browser page if you want to look through the listings:
https://duckduckgo.com/?q=Astronomical+ ... ave&ia=web
Re: Another seeking recommendations for a first telescope question
Posted: Sat Jan 04, 2020 1:46 am
by Larry 1969
JayTee wrote: ↑Fri Jan 03, 2020 10:29 pm
mikemarotta wrote: ↑Fri Jan 03, 2020 7:58 pmYou need to adjust the alignments of the optics. Typically, it takes $300 of laser and four to six hours.
@mikemarotta
Mike,
This information is both biased and flat out wrong!!! I can collimate my 8" Newtonian reflector with a film can with a hole poked in the bottom in less than 5 minutes. Oh wait, that's both free and quick. It is important with newbies seeking advice to inject as little bias a possible.
JT
I was going to comment but decided not to. Glad someone did though.
Larry
Re: Another seeking recommendations for a first telescope question
Posted: Sat Jan 04, 2020 2:09 am
by starguru
Ah ok. I misread and my local club has a meeting next Sunday. Unfortunately I’ll be on a plane then, so will need to wait a month.
Re: Another seeking recommendations for a first telescope question
Posted: Sat Jan 04, 2020 2:33 am
by starguru
JayTee wrote: ↑Sat Jan 04, 2020 12:47 am
Based on your original post and the desires/concerns you have, I think the Celestron 8SE would work well for you because (to paraphrase Lady Fractor) SCTs are the "Jack of all trades and master of none." But, it is a tried and true design with thousands of instruments out there. If you are still concerned about the "one-armed bandit" mount then consider the CPC line. It has a very, very beefy alt-az mount but is significantly more expensive check this out:
If this is more than you want to spend and think the OTA on a Twilight I mount is the way to go, then remember you'll be paying only around $50 less for A LOT less capability. The 8SE will last for years and will be your most used scope because of aperture and ease of set up.
Hope this helps,
JT
Can you help me understand this “master of none” description? What telescopes would be perfect for what tasks? For amateur astronomers, I’m aware of planet viewing,
DSO viewing, and maybe sun viewing if that’s different. As well as photography...what would be ideal for each of those tasks?
Re: Another seeking recommendations for a first telescope question
Posted: Sat Jan 04, 2020 2:57 am
by JayTee
Here, have a read of this relatively short post.
viewtopic.php?f=4&t=2696&p=22780&hilit= ... ubs#p22780
Cheers,
JT
Re: Another seeking recommendations for a first telescope question
Posted: Sat Jan 04, 2020 10:44 am
by Sky Tinker
Aperture-wise, let's look at the sweet-spots...
Refractor(1608): 4"
Newtonian(1668): 8"
Schmidt-Cassegrain(1964): 8"
Maksutov-Cassegrain(1941): 5"
Those are the four types of telescopes most commonly encountered in the marketplace.
How about a classical-Cassegrain(1672)...
6"...
https://agenaastro.com/gso-6in-f12-clas ... black.html
8"...
https://agenaastro.com/gso-8in-f12-clas ... black.html
An open-ended tube, with no dew forming on a corrector-plate. Just pick the type of supportive mount you'd like best, manual or go-to. Go ahead, and think outside the box.
Re: Another seeking recommendations for a first telescope question
Posted: Sat Jan 04, 2020 1:45 pm
by starguru
Heh I like the analogy. For the record one day I was playing so poorly I played the last 5 holes with a 5 iron and did relatively well.
But it didn’t answer the question of which scopes are optimal for what tasks. If I missed it I apologize.
Re: Another seeking recommendations for a first telescope question
Posted: Sat Jan 04, 2020 5:07 pm
by Refractordude
starguru wrote: ↑Fri Jan 03, 2020 8:04 pm
Refractordude wrote: ↑Fri Jan 03, 2020 6:27 pm
Buy cheap and used to start. A used scope can be resold for what you paid for it. Be sure to test it out with a friend that has some hobby experience. My favorite beginner scope is the Meade 102mm infinity refractor. Right click both images.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Meade-Instru ... e/41147082
Refractordude how would something like the Orion Nebula look in a scope that size? I’m having trouble finding images online.
How bright and detailed what you observe will depend on light pollution/dark skies. Under
bortle 4 skies Orion will look great with a 102mm
aperture scope. I live under
bortle 9 or worst skies. At home I just observe the moon, planets, and some bright stars. Once a month I drive to a darksite with my 120mm f8 refractor, and 20x80 binoculars. Right click your location on the light pollution map, and right click the image below.
https://www.lightpollutionmap.info/#zoo ... FTFFFFFFFF
Re: Another seeking recommendations for a first telescope question
Posted: Sat Jan 04, 2020 5:25 pm
by helicon
Refractordude wrote: ↑Sat Jan 04, 2020 5:07 pm
starguru wrote: ↑Fri Jan 03, 2020 8:04 pm
Refractordude wrote: ↑Fri Jan 03, 2020 6:27 pm
Buy cheap and used to start. A used scope can be resold for what you paid for it. Be sure to test it out with a friend that has some hobby experience. My favorite beginner scope is the Meade 102mm infinity refractor. Right click both images.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Meade-Instru ... e/41147082
Refractordude how would something like the Orion Nebula look in a scope that size? I’m having trouble finding images online.
How bright and detailed what you observe will depend on light pollution/dark skies. Under
bortle 4 skies Orion will look great with a 102mm
aperture scope. I live under
bortle 9 or worst skies. At home I just observe the moon, planets, and some bright stars. Once a month I drive to a darksite with my 120mm f8 refractor, and 20x80 binoculars. Right click your location on the light pollution map, and right click the image below.
https://www.lightpollutionmap.info/#zoo ... FTFFFFFFFF
Great light pollution map. Pinpointed my location (Grizzly Peak) and see that is between orange and red, 6-7, white zone only 3 miles to the west.
Re: Another seeking recommendations for a first telescope question
Posted: Sat Jan 04, 2020 8:08 pm
by AbbN
I too in agreement with an 8"
Dob as a first scope. However I actually started out with a 5" Celestron XLT 120 first although I did consider the XLT 102 that Lady Fractor mentioned. Later I went with the 8"
Dob for my 2nd scope. After that the AR102 and ST80 came as I love/prefer refractors.
Considering your budget of "$1-2k", good lenses once you get comfortable with whatever you go with shouldn't be a problem
Abb
Re: Another seeking recommendations for a first telescope question
Posted: Sat Jan 04, 2020 8:41 pm
by starguru
Would an explore scientific 152mm with EQ mount and sorted peripherals for $1100 used be a good deal?
Re: Another seeking recommendations for a first telescope question
Posted: Sat Jan 04, 2020 9:19 pm
by Lady Fraktor
What mount is it? We would need more information to advise accurately.
Re: Another seeking recommendations for a first telescope question
Posted: Sat Jan 04, 2020 9:30 pm
by Bigzmey
starguru wrote: ↑Sat Jan 04, 2020 8:41 pm
Would an explore scientific 152mm with EQ mount and sorted peripherals for $1100 used be a good deal?
I have 150mm refractor and 8"
SCT. Both are great scopes, but if I would be limited to just one scope, that would be 8"
SCT.
Re: Another seeking recommendations for a first telescope question
Posted: Sat Jan 04, 2020 9:34 pm
by starguru
Lady Fraktor wrote: ↑Sat Jan 04, 2020 9:19 pm
What mount is it? We would need more information to advise accurately.
Lady Fraktor thanks for your continued patience with these questions. How is that brand and that scope in particular? If I were to buy new what mount and accessories would I want?
Re: Another seeking recommendations for a first telescope question
Posted: Sat Jan 04, 2020 9:47 pm
by Lady Fraktor
The refractor is a good wide field one and will provide some great views.
I would recommend an EQ-5 sized mount for it as they are a fairly heavy telescope.
I have not used the ES EXOS-2 mount so cannot say how it would work compared to a Skywatcher EQ-5 or HEQ-5 or the Celestron AVX mounts.
There are a few people that have them so hopefully they will give their impressions of it.
Re: Another seeking recommendations for a first telescope question
Posted: Sat Jan 04, 2020 10:16 pm
by Sky Tinker
starguru wrote: ↑Sat Jan 04, 2020 8:41 pm
Would an explore scientific 152mm with EQ mount and sorted peripherals for $1100 used be a good deal?
That 152mm
f/6.5 achromat would exhibit quite a bit of false-colour when viewing brighter objects, like the planets, and the brighter single and double stars. It's an ideal for the dimmer deep-sky objects however.