Telescopes - what do i need to know?

bbford

Hi,

Lookinh to buy the OH a telescope for christmas - looking to spend £150.

Haven't a clue where to start looking or what for - any help appreciated!!

Mr_Skint_2

Don't look into it whilst pointed at the sun.

HTH

espresso

Mr Skint, I totally agree with your latest sig!

If people can post on here, why can't they learn how to Google :question: :question: :question: :question: :question: :question:

:doh:

matty_c608

Aldi had one, probably will soon again! Good quality!

bbford

espresso wrote:

Mr Skint, I totally agree with your latest sig!

If people can post on here, why can't they learn how to Google :question: :question: :question: :question: :question: :question:

:doh:

If i have posted on the wrong forum well then, apologies.

Simply asking other MSE users of their knowledge and eyes for a bargin, shouldn't be a crime!!!

Of course i know how to use Google - does that then mean that anyone who comes onto this forum asking 'where can i find.......' etc is wrong in doing so?????????????
Please clarify!!

Nile

Hello bbford

I can understand your frustration. I've wanted to buy a telescope for a long time but didn't know where to start.

I discovered that you can either buy a refracting telescope or a reflecting telescope. The reflecting telescope uses a mirror and it needs essential maintenance which adds to the cost. Refracting telescopes are too big and heavy if you're after good magnification. So what to do?

I got so bogged down with the technical stuff that I decided to go along to a local astronomy group meeting. That was a big mistake, they talked in language only Sir Patrick Moore would understand.........to me it was upside down Japanese.

Please don't be put off from asking for help on these boards. Yes, we can all google and search. Sometimes by asking a question on these MSE boards you will get a response from a helpful and knowledgeable person..........which helps the original poster (you) and other interested members like me.;)

When you've made your decision, the best time to buy is right now. You can take advantage of the early dark nights and the shop owner should let you test the telescope outdoors.

Good Luck

Nile

R00STER00

I have also been looking for one for Christmas and found this site to be quite useful http://www.dhinds.co.uk

Did you find one yet and if so where did you get it?

thor

bbford wrote:

Hi,

Lookinh to buy the OH a telescope for christmas - looking to spend £150.

Haven't a clue where to start looking or what for - any help appreciated!!

It is generally accepted that you get what you pay for when it comes to telescopes. I don't have one myself but I think you would have to double what you are expecting to spend for a decent scope. Also it depends on what you want to do with it as this could affect what type you need to buy.
Basically, refractors use lenses and they are generally smaller than telescopes using mirrors which are known as reflectors. This means that refractors let in less light and are not as good at seeing the fainter objects such as distant galaxies and nebulaes but are much better at viewing objects within the solar system such as planets and moons.
Also with telescopes you need accessories such as eyepieces and complex mounts(especially if you are thinking of taking up astrophotography) so it will be quite costly. Patrick Moore always said if you can't get a refractor with a lens larger than 3 inches or reflector with a mirror greater than 6 inches then forget about it and buy a pair of binoculars instead. If you are buying for your partner then get some 16x60 binoculars (they won't cost much even from dhinds) and see how long they are interested in using it. If they take it up big time then save up for next year and buy a scope then. There are a lot of people who buy with the best of intentions but are disappointed with what they see since they expect to see the kind of images you see in magazines. This is not what you get when you observe in real time.
Good luck.

lisawood78

Try The Natural World (can't do links, sorry!) I work for them and we have a nice range of GOOD quality telescopes (you will find the ones at Aldi and such places have very low prices but also very low quality optics)
We also do advice on where to start and the best one to suit you.
Good luck!
https://www.thenaturalworld.com (can do links then!)
Click on Instruments (left hand side of page) then Telescopes, they really od have an excellent range, and all have 2 year guarantees. You may have a store near you? We have over 40 in the UK. (I'm not advertising here, just don't want anyone to waste their hard earned cash on something that will not so what they want it to do!)

dfarry

THeres this one at LIDL...any comments please?

http://www.lidl.co.uk/gb/home.nsf/pages/c.o.20051215.p.Refractor_Telescope