Beginners telescope
- Boomstick
- Earth Ambassador
- Articles: 0
- Posts: 1
- Joined: Fri Feb 14, 2020 2:10 am
- 4
- Location: United States
- Status:
Offline
Beginners telescope
Hello,
Not sure if this is the tread I post to. Please move me if needed.
My question, which is I'm sure a very popular and annoying question that is asked all the time but what is the best beginners telescope for clear planetary and deep object viewing?
I have been considering Celestron 4se, or the Nexstar 130 SLT, or possibly the Orion 130. But those are just a couple I have been gazing at but not really putting a serious look into them until I get better direction. Price point is a concern of mine but for the sake of researching a potential telescope and information, I'm open to anything.
I can drive deeper and give my needs and wants once I get a firm grasp on a direction I want to go regarding telescope.
Not sure if this is the tread I post to. Please move me if needed.
My question, which is I'm sure a very popular and annoying question that is asked all the time but what is the best beginners telescope for clear planetary and deep object viewing?
I have been considering Celestron 4se, or the Nexstar 130 SLT, or possibly the Orion 130. But those are just a couple I have been gazing at but not really putting a serious look into them until I get better direction. Price point is a concern of mine but for the sake of researching a potential telescope and information, I'm open to anything.
I can drive deeper and give my needs and wants once I get a firm grasp on a direction I want to go regarding telescope.
-
JayTee
- Universal Ambassador
- Articles: 2
- Posts: 5642
- Joined: Thu Apr 25, 2019 3:23 am
- 5
- Location: Idaho, USA
- Status:
Offline
-
TSS Awards Badges
TSS Photo of the Day
Re: Beginners telescope
Hello and this is the right place for this post.
You have given us a rough idea of your budget which certainly helps, but what would also help us is how portable does this scope need to be and at what point is it too big for you to consider? To provide food for thought, look into an 8 inch Dobsonian mounted Newtonian reflecting telescope. These are great entry-level scopes for someone who's considering the serious side of this hobby. Also they are not very expensive so they typically give you the best bang for the buck. If you think an 8" reflecting telescope is too big then that would be good to know.
Cheers,
JT
You have given us a rough idea of your budget which certainly helps, but what would also help us is how portable does this scope need to be and at what point is it too big for you to consider? To provide food for thought, look into an 8 inch Dobsonian mounted Newtonian reflecting telescope. These are great entry-level scopes for someone who's considering the serious side of this hobby. Also they are not very expensive so they typically give you the best bang for the buck. If you think an 8" reflecting telescope is too big then that would be good to know.
Cheers,
JT
∞ Primary Scopes: #1: Celestron CPC1100 #2: 8" f/7.5 Dob #3: CR150HD f/8 6" frac
∞ AP Scopes: #1: TPO 6" f/9 RC #2: ES 102 f/7 APO #3: ES 80mm f/6 APO
∞ G&G Scopes: #1: Meade 102mm f/7.8 #2: Bresser 102mm f/4.5
∞ Guide Scopes: 70 & 80mm fracs -- The El Cheapo Bros.
∞ Mounts: iOptron CEM70AG, SW EQ6, Celestron AVX, SLT & GT (Alt-Az), Meade DS2000
∞ Cameras: #1: ZWO ASI294MC Pro #2: 662MC #3: 120MC, Canon T3i, Orion SSAG, WYZE Cam3
∞ Binos: 10X50,11X70,15X70, 25X100
∞ EPs: ES 2": 21mm 100° & 30mm 82° Pentax XW: 7, 10, 14, & 20mm 70°
Searching the skies since 1966. "I never met a scope I didn't want to keep."
![Image](https://www.cleardarksky.com/c/RmrckObIDcs0.gif?1%22)
∞ AP Scopes: #1: TPO 6" f/9 RC #2: ES 102 f/7 APO #3: ES 80mm f/6 APO
∞ G&G Scopes: #1: Meade 102mm f/7.8 #2: Bresser 102mm f/4.5
∞ Guide Scopes: 70 & 80mm fracs -- The El Cheapo Bros.
∞ Mounts: iOptron CEM70AG, SW EQ6, Celestron AVX, SLT & GT (Alt-Az), Meade DS2000
∞ Cameras: #1: ZWO ASI294MC Pro #2: 662MC #3: 120MC, Canon T3i, Orion SSAG, WYZE Cam3
∞ Binos: 10X50,11X70,15X70, 25X100
∞ EPs: ES 2": 21mm 100° & 30mm 82° Pentax XW: 7, 10, 14, & 20mm 70°
Searching the skies since 1966. "I never met a scope I didn't want to keep."
![Image](https://www.cleardarksky.com/c/RmrckObIDcs0.gif?1%22)
- gregl
- Milky Way Ambassador
- Articles: 0
- Posts: 1093
- Joined: Fri Sep 06, 2019 2:30 am
- 4
- Location: California
- Status:
Offline
Re: Beginners telescope
I've always been a little hesitant about the idea of "beginner's" anything. My dad used to buy "beginner's" stuff and it was always disappointing. I feel that the best route is to buy something that will do a journeyman's job for a long time. The 8-inch dob mentioned above is one. In our club, the 8-inch SCT is the most popular scope. I think it's a good compromise between portability and size. If you want to observe deep space objects, I would seriously consider something in at least the 8-inch range. Yes, you can see DSOs with smaller scopes, but there is a significant difference as aperture goes up. In the end, there is no perfect scope, but I would advise you to get as much light gathering ability as you can afford.
I'm reminded of a sig line used by a member of another forum I visit: "I can't afford to buy cheap tools." Think about that for a minute. Do it right and do it once and you'll have years of fun. Cut corners and you'll be frustrated and end up going through all this again too soon.
I'm reminded of a sig line used by a member of another forum I visit: "I can't afford to buy cheap tools." Think about that for a minute. Do it right and do it once and you'll have years of fun. Cut corners and you'll be frustrated and end up going through all this again too soon.
- Sky Tinker
- Jupiter Ambassador
- Articles: 0
- Posts: 239
- Joined: Sat Jul 27, 2019 4:16 am
- 4
- Location: Mid-South, U.S.
- Status:
Offline
Re: Beginners telescope
Given the three kits you've mentioned, I assume you're wanting a go-to mount. The Celestron 4SE is a Maksutov-Cassegrain. It has a rather long focal-length, the longest among all other 4" designs that are commonly available. The longer the focal-length, the narrower the view, even at the lowest power with a 32mm Plossl. The telescope will not provide low-power, wide-field views; those binocular-like. On the plus side, a Maksutov is excellent for the planets, to see them up close, and the majority of deep-sky objects are small enough to be seen with a Maksutov, true. I have a Maksutov myself, a 127mm. Instead of the 4SE, I'd want the 127SLT...Boomstick wrote: ↑Fri Feb 14, 2020 2:17 am Hello,
Not sure if this is the tread I post to. Please move me if needed.
My question, which is I'm sure a very popular and annoying question that is asked all the time but what is the best beginners telescope for clear planetary and deep object viewing?
I have been considering Celestron 4se, or the Nexstar 130 SLT, or possibly the Orion 130. But those are just a couple I have been gazing at but not really putting a serious look into them until I get better direction. Price point is a concern of mine but for the sake of researching a potential telescope and information, I'm open to anything.
I can drive deeper and give my needs and wants once I get a firm grasp on a direction I want to go regarding telescope.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/ ... scope.html
However, a Maksutov is more of a specialty, high-power telescope. It's like a microscope, but for the sky, to see things up close. It's not really what one thinks of as a beginner telescope, but quite a few beginners do choose the design.
The majority of deep-sky objects are dim.
With the Celestron 130SLT and the Orion "StarSeeker IV" 130mm kits, the telescope of either is a 130mm
We see that live here in the U.S., but we don't know anything about the skies above you at night. Do you live within a city, a suburb, a semi-rural area, or in the deep, dark countryside? I live in a semi-rural area myself. Also, are you set upon having a go-to mount?
Getting your first telescope requires some planning and thought, and we can help you choose just the right kit. But we'll need some more input from you. We'll be here.
"Look, son! Up there!" His son shouted back, "I see it! What is it?" The father regaled, "The galaxy! Andromeda! Our origin, our destiny!" And so the boy was hooked, and for the rest of his natural life.
"Desserts tend to corrupt, and absolutely delicious desserts corrupt absolutely." - Chef Acton
Alan
Apochromat: Takahashi FS-102 4" f/8 - Achromats: Meade S102 102mm f/5.9, Antares 805 80mm f/6(flocked & blackened), Meade "Polaris" 70mm f/12.9, Sears(Towa) #4-6340 50mm f/12(flocked & blackened) - Newtonians: Orion 6" f/5(flocked & blackened) - Catadioptrics: Explore Scientific 127mm f/15 Maksutov-Cassegrain, Celestron "PowerSeeker" 127mm f/8 "Bird Jones" reflector(modified, flocked, blackened, and collimated!) - Mounts: Meade LX70(EQ-5), Astro-Tech Voyager I alt-azimuth
"Desserts tend to corrupt, and absolutely delicious desserts corrupt absolutely." - Chef Acton
Alan
![astronomer1 :Astronomer1:](./images/smilies/astronomer1.gif)
Apochromat: Takahashi FS-102 4" f/8 - Achromats: Meade S102 102mm f/5.9, Antares 805 80mm f/6(flocked & blackened), Meade "Polaris" 70mm f/12.9, Sears(Towa) #4-6340 50mm f/12(flocked & blackened) - Newtonians: Orion 6" f/5(flocked & blackened) - Catadioptrics: Explore Scientific 127mm f/15 Maksutov-Cassegrain, Celestron "PowerSeeker" 127mm f/8 "Bird Jones" reflector(modified, flocked, blackened, and collimated!) - Mounts: Meade LX70(EQ-5), Astro-Tech Voyager I alt-azimuth
- Tailspin45
- Mars Ambassador
- Articles: 0
- Posts: 115
- Joined: Wed Feb 05, 2020 12:19 am
- 4
- Location: San Diego CA
- Status:
Offline
Re: Beginners telescope
Totally agree. Love is better the second time around according to the song, but I decide to try to go the cheap route the second time around and I’m definite frustrated. The
Another problem, and it’s a personality flaw, is I always want to do better and in this business that means more expensive equipment. My own Hubble is simply out of the question.
Tailspin Tommy
Mount: Skywatcher EQM-35 mount,
Scopes: Celestron Omni 102 XLT ƒ/10, Orion 4.5" ƒ/4 reflector, Meade 80mm ƒ/5 refractor
Cameras: Svbony SV-305, QHY5LII-M.
Mount: Skywatcher EQM-35 mount,
Scopes: Celestron Omni 102 XLT ƒ/10, Orion 4.5" ƒ/4 reflector, Meade 80mm ƒ/5 refractor
Cameras: Svbony SV-305, QHY5LII-M.
-
helicon
- Co-Administrator
- Articles: 592
- Posts: 12363
- Joined: Mon May 06, 2019 1:35 pm
- 4
- Location: Washington
- Status:
Online
-
TSS Awards Badges
Re: Beginners telescope
I agree with JT on the 8" Dob . They are tremendous all-around scopes suitable for both deep sky and planetary/lunar viewing. Not too hard to move around either.
-Michael
Refractors: ES AR152 f/6.5 Achromat on Twilight II, Celestron 102mm XLT f/9.8 on Celestron Heavy Duty Alt Az mount, KOWA 90mm spotting scope
Binoculars: Celestron SkyMaster 15x70, Bushnell 10x50
Eyepieces: Various, GSO Superview, 9mm Plossl, Celestron 25mm Plossl
Camera: ZWO ASI 120
Naked Eye: Two Eyeballs
Latitude: 48.7229° N
Refractors: ES AR152 f/6.5 Achromat on Twilight II, Celestron 102mm XLT f/9.8 on Celestron Heavy Duty Alt Az mount, KOWA 90mm spotting scope
Binoculars: Celestron SkyMaster 15x70, Bushnell 10x50
Eyepieces: Various, GSO Superview, 9mm Plossl, Celestron 25mm Plossl
Camera: ZWO ASI 120
Naked Eye: Two Eyeballs
Latitude: 48.7229° N
- gregl
- Milky Way Ambassador
- Articles: 0
- Posts: 1093
- Joined: Fri Sep 06, 2019 2:30 am
- 4
- Location: California
- Status:
Offline
Re: Beginners telescope
It seems to be the Ford F150 of the skies. I haven't seen one but folks say the Zhumell is a great buy.
-
helicon
- Co-Administrator
- Articles: 592
- Posts: 12363
- Joined: Mon May 06, 2019 1:35 pm
- 4
- Location: Washington
- Status:
Online
-
TSS Awards Badges
Re: Beginners telescope
Either Zhumell or Apertura are fine. Basically the same scope with a different logo on the side.
-Michael
Refractors: ES AR152 f/6.5 Achromat on Twilight II, Celestron 102mm XLT f/9.8 on Celestron Heavy Duty Alt Az mount, KOWA 90mm spotting scope
Binoculars: Celestron SkyMaster 15x70, Bushnell 10x50
Eyepieces: Various, GSO Superview, 9mm Plossl, Celestron 25mm Plossl
Camera: ZWO ASI 120
Naked Eye: Two Eyeballs
Latitude: 48.7229° N
Refractors: ES AR152 f/6.5 Achromat on Twilight II, Celestron 102mm XLT f/9.8 on Celestron Heavy Duty Alt Az mount, KOWA 90mm spotting scope
Binoculars: Celestron SkyMaster 15x70, Bushnell 10x50
Eyepieces: Various, GSO Superview, 9mm Plossl, Celestron 25mm Plossl
Camera: ZWO ASI 120
Naked Eye: Two Eyeballs
Latitude: 48.7229° N
-
Dragonsfire
- Orion Spur Ambassador
- Articles: 0
- Posts: 661
- Joined: Sat Feb 08, 2020 11:00 pm
- 4
- Location: Ab,Canada.
- Status:
Offline
-
TSS Photo of the Day
Re: Beginners telescope
8" dob is the best bang for the Buck, the GoldyLox Scope ![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon/smile.gif)
![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon/smile.gif)
Neil
Orion XT8i Dob, ES AR102
9x50 RACI Finder, TELRAD Reflex Sight, Electro Dot Sight RD400X
Agena SWA 38mm 70 FOV 2" EP, Orion 25+10mm Sirius Plossl 52 FOV EP
ES 82* 11mm, 18mm 2", ES 68* 24mm, 6mm, 25mm Ortho. EP, Televue 3X Barlow,CS lens 2.8mm-12mm F1.4
Filters Baader Continuum, UV/IF cut, Lumicon UHC, DGM OIII. ND5/3.8 Kendrick
GX1 Lumix, E-PM2, ASI224mc, SteadyPix Deluxe, iOptron SkyTracker 7.7lb
Orion XT8i Dob, ES AR102
9x50 RACI Finder, TELRAD Reflex Sight, Electro Dot Sight RD400X
Agena SWA 38mm 70 FOV 2" EP, Orion 25+10mm Sirius Plossl 52 FOV EP
ES 82* 11mm, 18mm 2", ES 68* 24mm, 6mm, 25mm Ortho. EP, Televue 3X Barlow,CS lens 2.8mm-12mm F1.4
Filters Baader Continuum, UV/IF cut, Lumicon UHC, DGM OIII. ND5/3.8 Kendrick
GX1 Lumix, E-PM2, ASI224mc, SteadyPix Deluxe, iOptron SkyTracker 7.7lb
- Sky Tinker
- Jupiter Ambassador
- Articles: 0
- Posts: 239
- Joined: Sat Jul 27, 2019 4:16 am
- 4
- Location: Mid-South, U.S.
- Status:
Offline
Re: Beginners telescope
Are those who are rushing to recommend an 8" Newtonian-Dobson doing so per their light-polluted conditions? Not everyone dwells underneath an illuminated dome.
Smaller telescope kits engender regular usage much more than a behemoth, for one.
Patience, temperance, please, and whilst we wait upon the OP to engage with us further.
Smaller telescope kits engender regular usage much more than a behemoth, for one.
Patience, temperance, please, and whilst we wait upon the OP to engage with us further.
"Look, son! Up there!" His son shouted back, "I see it! What is it?" The father regaled, "The galaxy! Andromeda! Our origin, our destiny!" And so the boy was hooked, and for the rest of his natural life.
"Desserts tend to corrupt, and absolutely delicious desserts corrupt absolutely." - Chef Acton
Alan
Apochromat: Takahashi FS-102 4" f/8 - Achromats: Meade S102 102mm f/5.9, Antares 805 80mm f/6(flocked & blackened), Meade "Polaris" 70mm f/12.9, Sears(Towa) #4-6340 50mm f/12(flocked & blackened) - Newtonians: Orion 6" f/5(flocked & blackened) - Catadioptrics: Explore Scientific 127mm f/15 Maksutov-Cassegrain, Celestron "PowerSeeker" 127mm f/8 "Bird Jones" reflector(modified, flocked, blackened, and collimated!) - Mounts: Meade LX70(EQ-5), Astro-Tech Voyager I alt-azimuth
"Desserts tend to corrupt, and absolutely delicious desserts corrupt absolutely." - Chef Acton
Alan
![astronomer1 :Astronomer1:](./images/smilies/astronomer1.gif)
Apochromat: Takahashi FS-102 4" f/8 - Achromats: Meade S102 102mm f/5.9, Antares 805 80mm f/6(flocked & blackened), Meade "Polaris" 70mm f/12.9, Sears(Towa) #4-6340 50mm f/12(flocked & blackened) - Newtonians: Orion 6" f/5(flocked & blackened) - Catadioptrics: Explore Scientific 127mm f/15 Maksutov-Cassegrain, Celestron "PowerSeeker" 127mm f/8 "Bird Jones" reflector(modified, flocked, blackened, and collimated!) - Mounts: Meade LX70(EQ-5), Astro-Tech Voyager I alt-azimuth
Create an account or sign in to join the discussion
You need to be a member in order to post a reply
Create an account
Not a member? register to join our community
Members can start their own topics & subscribe to topics
It’s free and only takes a minute