Anyone know about TELESCOPES???

-TangleFoot-

Does this help?

charley83

Fab thanks!! I think I am going to go for the:

Orion SkyQuest XT8 8" Classic Dobsonian Telescope

If my Son is still a keen astronomer in a few years then I can save for something better, but from what I've read that one seems more than good for a beginner.

Any ideas now where to buy from?? All the places I've seen are American (could look into shipping if needs be)

System

I copied your:-

Orion SkyQuest XT8 8" Classic Dobsonian Telescope

into google search engine and was given lots of opportunities to read and see what others said. Sadly Amazon is out of stock. I saw it at varying prices £250 - £300. Try it and see what you come up with. Don't forget the new search engine Bling, that can find things google dosen't.

-TangleFoot-

SCS Astro have what looks like a decent selection. They're based in Somerset, so if you live anywhere near there you could go take a look and save on shipping.

• Orion SkyQuest XT8 Classic - £310
• Orion SkyQuest XT6 Classic - £225
• Orion SpaceProbe 3 - £130

buglawton

I bought one for brother in law some years ago and was able to get a used one from a collector that had a tracking gizmo on it, for around £250 (possibly it would have been £400 new). The benefit is, point it at say, the moon and instead of the moon rushing off the screen, so to speak, in 10 seconds, the tracking motor tracks the telescope and follows it like an observatory would. Same for planets etc. Also it can be programmed to hunt for any planet, star etc in view. I think it this is a good idea and it's quite educational just loading the program and setting it to track correctly.

As an aside, there's a new free Google Androd phone app around: point your mobile at the stars and it reveals what constellation you are pointing to and can, I think, superimpose Google (star) maps over it or some similar trick.

dogmaryxx

Might be of interest to your son http://www.freewarefiles.com/Aciqra_program_49974.html

-TangleFoot-

dogmaryxx wrote: »

Might be of interest to your son http://www.freewarefiles.com/Aciqra_program_49974.html

Functional, but ugly. Ever tried Stellarium or Celestia?

buglawton

The Telegraph had 3 telescope reviews in their "Hottest Gadgets" feature recently:
3 Telescopes Reviewed (for the other 2 click the next button)
...but they are a bit pricey except for the well reviewd £50 children's one.

Or consider a top of the range used one (many folk try out the hobby then don't use it much):
Top of range Meade with Electics £325
Or search your own postcode in Adtrader