What telescope should I pick?

[UnityLover]

Got it, but what about the mount was bad again? Was it the legs? or where the telescope is attached?

[UnityLover]

If its the legs, I can probably reinforce the legs or put the bottom inside the ground.
If its where the telescope is mounted, i cant do anything about it.

[Bigzmey]

If its the legs, I can probably reinforce the legs or put the bottom inside the ground.
If its where the telescope is mounted, i cant do anything about it.

I think you are missing the point. There are ways to improve that scope. Some people do it for fun. Buy cheap scope (preferably used) and spend extra money and effort to see what they can get out of it. They don't mind spending some disposable cash on that. Like guys buying classic cars and fixing them for fun. BUT, this is not the best way to start the hobby in particular if your budget is tight.

[UnityLover]

I only have one idea before I move on, and it is that apparently you can reinforce the tripod by putting a weight under it from a hook. (say, putting a few bottles of water in a plastic bag or using workout weights)

[Bigzmey]

I only have one idea before I move on, and it is that apparently you can reinforce the tripod by putting a weight under it from a hook. (say, putting a few bottles of water in a plastic bag or using workout weights)

Yep, this is a valid trick.

[UnityLover]

Ive also heard that you can grease those joints in the part that moves around the telescope with powdered pencil lead on a brush (since the parts are plastic)

I kinda doubt this one

[Bigzmey]

Ive also heard that you can grease those joints with powdered pencil lead on a brush (since the parts are plastic)

I kinda doubt this one

You could use some tricks to improve the mount stability. In fact you would likely have to do it for most beginner scope packages. However, the other accessories supplied with that scope (diagonal, finder, EPs) are really bad. I am not sure about the focuser either. It could be plastic.

[UnityLover]

I'll probably throw out the finder scope and make a crosshair gun sight like thing for the telescope or something, but the EPs and diagonal are at least useable, so I might use them for the time being, then I can get a new telescope if it is interesting (since the optics on the telescope are good enough to give me major oooohs for my buck)
Heck, Ill even settle for a close up view of the moon. (like high zoom, all the way to the point where I can see details.

[Doodlebug]

Hi UnityLover,
Good luck with whatever scope you decide upon. It seems to me after reading all 48 posts that you have your mind set on a particular scope and are trying to get folks here to justify it for you. I am new to this hobby as well and can only surmise that the advice given to you here on this post is based on many years of experience in this hobby. I would never want to discourage anyone from trying a new hobby, actually quite the opposite. I just hope you aren't setting yourself up for disappointment. Wishing you all the best!
--Doodlebug

[UnityLover]

So far it seems the scope is mostly fine, but the mount isn't. If I can reinforce it for a low price, it seems this one is enough for casual viewing. If not, Ill have to wait and save for a larger one.

[Frankskywatcher]

So far it seems the scope is mostly fine, but the mount isn't. If I can reinforce it for a low price, it seems this one is enough for casual viewing. If not, Ill have to wait and save for a larger one.

YES wait and save for not just a “ larger” scope but more importantly a quality better one !
Don’t even waste money on that junk just put it towards a good scope!

[UnityLover]

@Frankskywatcher
Have any reccomendations? It cant be too large because i dont have much space.

[JayTee]

If you haven't already, please read this post. Then get back to us.
viewtopic.php?style=1&p=22592

Cheers

[UnityLover]

I just got an idea, the main problem with the powerseeker is the tripod(fixable) and the spotting scope and the eyepieces with barlow. So would it be fine if I bought a new eyepiece, such as a high quality 6mm one? The 20mm would be keepable, since you could still at least use it for scouting around and for the moon, and the 6mm (im targeting 100-120x zoom) could be used for other planets.

[UnityLover]

Also, for additional info:

-I am just looking to see up to jupiter comfortably, maybe saturn.

-My bortle class is around 7-6, but I have beaches near me probably closer to 5 or 4

-I can comfortably move 15 pounds, But i dont have much space in my house.

-My budget is preferably under $100, but $120 is the most I can do.

[davesellars]

The problem is "always" the mount with budget options... Unfortunately, it's also arguably the most important part of the setup as without a decent stable platform you won't see anything for constant wobbling.

Andrey (@Bigzmey mentioned the ST80 previously and these (just the scope without mount) often come up on the used market for very little money (£40-£50 here). Then look for an AZ3/AZ4 alt/az mount. Another option would be something like:

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/dobson ... xtube.html

This covers the issue of not having much space - however you would need a solid table to put it on. Later you could even invest in an alt/az or equatorial mount perhaps to put it on which may be more suitable for going to the beach with... While over your budget new... you may find a good used example or clearance offer perhaps or save more towards something of this area and size and most importantly stability of the scope... All these scopes come with 1 good eyepiece (generally a 25mm plossl) and one which is almost completely useless (10mm plossl). I suggest setting aside a little money for a good 10mm eyepiece with long eye relief (again lots of examples usually on the used market!)

Good luck with the search.. I highly recommend you just get out to the beach if it's bortle 4/5 with your binoculars and get to know the sky with an atlas for the time being and save up for something that will give you decent results.

[UnityLover]

[deleted]

[UnityLover]

Ok now Im confused this orion telescope uses equatorial, THIS one uses alt-azimuth. Which is better (more stable).

[Doodlebug]

Ok now Im confused this orion telescope uses equatorial, THIS one uses alt-azimuth. Which is better (more stable).

https://telescopeguides.com/alt-azimuth ... to-choose/

[UnityLover]

Last night I went stargazing with my 7x22 binoculars, saw like 15 stars, had some fun.