Would appreciate your opinion

[layer-motor]

I just joined this group as I am considering buying a telescope for Xmas and wanted to know your opinions on a couple of models. I am looking around the $300 - $350 range (perhaps even to $400) and would like to view the moon, some planets and galaxies if possible and take some photographs. I do live in a city, but will be moving out to the country soon.




I cannot decide between:



Zhumell Z100 Portable Altazimuth Reflector Telescope

Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 114AZ

SoloMark 130EQ Newtonian Reflector Telescope

Celestron 21049 PowerSeeker 127EQ



I have seen both good and bad reviews for each of these.



Your assistance if greatly appreciated!

[Butterfly Maiden]

Hello layer-motor and welcome to TSS.

You will get lots of suitable advice in due course.

[Lady Fraktor]

Hello and welcome to the forums

I would forgo all of the ones you have posted above and suggest this one. Excellent quality and you can find many reviews online for it.
https://shop.astronomerswithoutborders. ... -telescope
Since you are in Toronto there are 3-4 Astronomy stores in the area so you can also check for the Skywatcher Heritage 130mm which is the same telescope.

The 2 Celestron you list are not good quality, a lot of frustration built in. The 130mm Celestron is much better though.
I have no experience with the Zhumell though their product is usually good.
Solomark, the telescope will likely be good but the supplied EQ mount is not good at all.

A cell phone adapter can likely be used on these telescopes for taking quick images through the eyepiece.

[Bigzmey]

Welcome on board LM! General weakness of entry level telescope packages is weak shaky mounts. With your budget I would advise to look for a 6" DOB. DOBs provide very stable observing and 6" can show you a lot. Several companies offer those. Here is one from SkyWatcher

https://all-startelescope.com/products/ ... -dobsonian

[planecrazzzy]

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Throw it on a pillow or hang it with a rope
anyway you look , it's a lot of scope.
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https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/ ... e9646c2e6d
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[Ylem]

Welcome to TSS LM

I would go with the Z100 or the Astronomers Without Boarders mini Dobs.

The only small problem is you will need a good sturdy table.

Avoid the 127 Newts, most are what is known as a Bird-Jones type unit, not very good IMHO

Most 130mm Newts are really good scopes but the mounts can be flimsy.

[JayTee]

First off, welcome to TSS. Secondly, whatever scope you decided upon, please read this post before and after your first use.

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=202

[messier 111]

welcome to tss.
if I have any advice for you.
don't buy your future telescope on Dufferin Street.
a dob would be great and within your budget.

[gregl]

Ylem (Jeff) in post #6 above mentions the Bird-Jones scopes. These are reflectors with spherical mirrors rather than the superior parabolic ones. You can tell a Bird-Jones by the lens that is permanently fixed inside the focuser. If you see one with such a lens, stay away. These are just not up to the performance that most of us desire and I echo his advice to look for something else.

[helicon]

The AWB 5" scope is pretty good. I have one as a grab-n-go. It can be used either on a table or detached and put on a secure tripod. Optics are fine and will not let you down. Great views of the double cluster in Perseus for example.

[SkyHiker]

Welcome to the forum. This 10" Dob for $650 is a great value and will last a lifetime. Compared to buying something cheap now and buying up to something better later on, you can save money by buying a good telescope right away. The AWB is a good deal BTW but this none is 10"!

[pakarinen]

I have no hands-on experience, but Zhumell gets good reviews. I had a Celestron 8-in SCT from the glory years when Celestron was a premiere brand. Quality control seems to have suffered a lot since then although you can still find some diamonds. Personally, I'd forego C-tron now or buy from a vendor with an excellent return policy.

You might want to check out Ed Ting's telescope reviews on YouTube. He might have some scopes of interest.

[helicon]

I also agree with Skyhiker that if you want to start with a true breakthrough scope and don't mind lugging it around then the 10" Dob (which I have) would also be a good choice. It kind of depends on whether you are gung ho about the hobby or not. For $650 it's a good deal. I paid $499 for mine in 2012 with free FedEx shipping. But you know, inflation and supply chain issues have driven up prices a bit over the past decade.

[Bigzmey]

I think the big question for any beginner is if the hobby will stick or not. So, ideally, one want to get a decent inexpensive scope to try it out. Layer Motor, do you have something like Goodwill in Canada? You can find good deals on used scopes there. Like this one

https://shopgoodwill.com/item/155111932