Telescopes - £100
09 September 2006, 12:02 AM
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Telescopes - £100
What sort of telescope can I get for circa £100?
Would it be any good, would I see lots? I'm not expecting hubble or anything but at what point in the telescope world does the law of diminishing returns kick in? Won't be a serious hobby, just something to do one night a fortnight so see what was out there. Live in town-ish (Purley) but back yard is relatively dark so hopefully not too affected by light pollution.
Would it be any good, would I see lots? I'm not expecting hubble or anything but at what point in the telescope world does the law of diminishing returns kick in? Won't be a serious hobby, just something to do one night a fortnight so see what was out there. Live in town-ish (Purley) but back yard is relatively dark so hopefully not too affected by light pollution.
09 September 2006, 12:22 AM
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£100 won't buy you much. Best thing to do is get a copy of Sky at Night magazine or suchlike and look for a beginner's article. Second-hand is going to be the best bet I imagine.
My scope has a pretty big 12" aperture and you still can't see much really. Still good fun though!
My scope has a pretty big 12" aperture and you still can't see much really. Still good fun though!
09 September 2006, 12:57 AM
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Ok a quick lesson about Telescopes here. do not whatever you do get a cheap reflector (the ones that use a mirror) the need maintanance and are not as good as a refractor. (even though the aprature tends to be bigger)
get yourself a good refractor (lenses) with at least a 80-90mm objective lens, the bigger the lens the better as you can gather more light and thus are able to use more power. Forget these cheap scopes with a 50-60mm lens that say '300x' magnification as it will be a waste of time.
As a general rule of thumb the maximum power you can use without it being too grainy and blurred is 50x per inch, so say a telescope has a 3 inch lens then you can use an absolute maximum of 150X.
see if there are any bargains on Ebay, just type in 'refractor' as opposed to telescope that way it will get rid of all the cheap and nasty scopes that people are trying to off load.
BTW if you can stretch your budget to 200 quid you shoudl be able to get a good 'un for that
get yourself a good refractor (lenses) with at least a 80-90mm objective lens, the bigger the lens the better as you can gather more light and thus are able to use more power. Forget these cheap scopes with a 50-60mm lens that say '300x' magnification as it will be a waste of time.
As a general rule of thumb the maximum power you can use without it being too grainy and blurred is 50x per inch, so say a telescope has a 3 inch lens then you can use an absolute maximum of 150X.
see if there are any bargains on Ebay, just type in 'refractor' as opposed to telescope that way it will get rid of all the cheap and nasty scopes that people are trying to off load.
BTW if you can stretch your budget to 200 quid you shoudl be able to get a good 'un for that
09 September 2006, 01:00 AM
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Forgot to add teh only downside to getting a biggy is portability - mine is a 5 inch refractor and it is a big bugger and a pain to move anywhere. also maybe an idea when you get a really clear night and some time is to bugger off into the country - stars are so much better away from light pollution
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09 September 2006, 01:03 AM
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Thanks! Kinda info I'm after 
2nd hand or new for £200? Would they need maintenance (above exterior cleaning and dusting etc.) i.e. is a 2nd hand one as good as a new one apart from cosmetically?
2nd hand or new for £200? Would they need maintenance (above exterior cleaning and dusting etc.) i.e. is a 2nd hand one as good as a new one apart from cosmetically?
09 September 2006, 01:55 AM
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Chief you seem to have a bit of a downer on reflectors! They don't need much maintenance, just the occasional collimation which is quite quick (and refractors need collimating too). For £200 you could get a decent 8" reflector second-hand. Depends on the type of observing really... for deep sky you need as much aperture as you can get, but for planetary you might appreciate the extra contrast of a refractor.
e.g. http://www.astrobuysell.com/uk/propview.php?view=8074
Don't forget to cost accessories. You'll probably want another eyepiece or two, and I strongly recommend a red dot finder.
e.g. http://www.astrobuysell.com/uk/propview.php?view=8074
Don't forget to cost accessories. You'll probably want another eyepiece or two, and I strongly recommend a red dot finder.
09 September 2006, 09:32 AM
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I spent circa £150 a few years back for my boy's Chrissy present (Tascar??). Complete waste of money. By the time is was all set up and in focus on the moon, say, the bloody earth had moved Decent binoculars gave a better view.
I think it's comparable to digital photography - you need to spend £500 plus to get anything worthwhile or go the second hand route as suggested. dl
Decent binoculars gave a better view.I think it's comparable to digital photography - you need to spend £500 plus to get anything worthwhile or go the second hand route as suggested. dl
09 September 2006, 11:08 AM
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Originally Posted by TopBanana
Chief you seem to have a bit of a downer on reflectors! They don't need much maintenance, just the occasional collimation which is quite quick (and refractors need collimating too). For £200 you could get a decent 8" reflector second-hand. Depends on the type of observing really... for deep sky you need as much aperture as you can get, but for planetary you might appreciate the extra contrast of a refractor.
e.g. http://www.astrobuysell.com/uk/propview.php?view=8074
Don't forget to cost accessories. You'll probably want another eyepiece or two, and I strongly recommend a red dot finder.
e.g. http://www.astrobuysell.com/uk/propview.php?view=8074
Don't forget to cost accessories. You'll probably want another eyepiece or two, and I strongly recommend a red dot finder.
inch would be fine (oo-er) if you can get them for 200 quid, more of a fan of the LX200 Meade's but there not really 200 quid are they
As a starter i just think he woudl be better with a big (ish) refractor
09 September 2006, 11:15 AM
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I have a Celestron 4.5" Newtonian Reflector which is basically a starter scope but it does have a full Equatorial Mount for tracking objects through the sky and also a star finder. It costs a little over £100. However objects do look small and black and white and you do have to do a polar alignment each time you set it up which is a bit of a pain. I've pm'd you a load more info
My advice would be to spend a few thousand pounds and get a Meade LX200R 12" then let me come round and use it
My advice would be to spend a few thousand pounds and get a Meade LX200R 12" then let me come round and use it
09 September 2006, 11:44 AM
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Originally Posted by scoobychick
I have a Celestron 4.5" Newtonian Reflector which is basically a starter scope but it does have a full Equatorial Mount for tracking objects through the sky and also a star finder. It costs a little over £100. However objects do look small and black and white and you do have to do a polar alignment each time you set it up which is a bit of a pain. I've pm'd you a load more info
My advice would be to spend a few thousand pounds and get a Meade LX200R 12" then let me come round and use it
My advice would be to spend a few thousand pounds and get a Meade LX200R 12" then let me come round and use it
if on the other hand you are a troggite I will withdraw my generous (yet pervy offer).... I await a photo or a slapped face & insult..........
09 September 2006, 01:32 PM
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Originally Posted by scoobychick
Thanks DCI, you're very kind
Why thanks, I do try..... and more often than not I actually get lucky as a result.........
09 September 2006, 05:48 PM
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ebay have some good ones althought id be careful how ytou sign for them of the courier
speaking of things astroloogical did you see how birght the moon was last night WWOW`!!!!!!
speaking of things astroloogical did you see how birght the moon was last night WWOW`!!!!!!
09 September 2006, 06:47 PM
#18
Originally Posted by scoobychick
I have a Celestron 4.5" Newtonian Reflector which is basically a starter scope but it does have a full Equatorial Mount for tracking objects through the sky and also a star finder. It costs a little over £100. However objects do look small and black and white and you do have to do a polar alignment each time you set it up which is a bit of a pain. I've pm'd you a load more info
My advice would be to spend a few thousand pounds and get a Meade LX200R 12" then let me come round and use it
My advice would be to spend a few thousand pounds and get a Meade LX200R 12" then let me come round and use it
I've got a twelve incher which you are more than welcome to come round and use.
10 September 2006, 11:56 PM
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11 September 2006, 10:13 AM
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Originally Posted by bootsy
any good forums about for getting info on stars gazing/telescopes and all things astroloogical
space.com is useful too.
20 September 2006, 11:07 AM
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Originally Posted by TopBanana
'Getting started with binoculars'.
2. Look through lenses
3. If things appear to be further away turn binoculars around
4. Now go and buy a raincoat
20 September 2006, 11:25 AM
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Originally Posted by Dracoro
What sort of telescope can I get for circa £100?
Would it be any good, would I see lots? I'm not expecting hubble or anything but at what point in the telescope world does the law of diminishing returns kick in? Won't be a serious hobby, just something to do one night a fortnight so see what was out there. Live in town-ish (Purley) but back yard is relatively dark so hopefully not too affected by light pollution.
Would it be any good, would I see lots? I'm not expecting hubble or anything but at what point in the telescope world does the law of diminishing returns kick in? Won't be a serious hobby, just something to do one night a fortnight so see what was out there. Live in town-ish (Purley) but back yard is relatively dark so hopefully not too affected by light pollution.
20 September 2006, 11:33 AM
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Other must-have accessories include a decent star map (either Tirion or Nortons Star Atlas), a planisphere, and a red light. Oh, and some software for the PC such as Starry Night or Redshift.
20 September 2006, 12:33 PM
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BTW if you can stretch your budget to 200 quid you shoudl be able to get a good 'un for that
20 September 2006, 12:45 PM
#28
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Only got one thing to say on the subject of telescopes, make sure it comes with a decent tripod or equatorial mount as it makes tracking objects easier. even the moon!
Its not until you look at something in space through a telescope that you realise how much and quickly things move.
For £100 dont expect massive magnification, Maybe alright for looking at the moon and galaxys but done expect to see mars or saturn as more than a blur.
Its not until you look at something in space through a telescope that you realise how much and quickly things move.
For £100 dont expect massive magnification, Maybe alright for looking at the moon and galaxys but done expect to see mars or saturn as more than a blur.
20 September 2006, 12:56 PM
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Originally Posted by mykp
as more than a blur.
20 September 2006, 12:59 PM
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Originally Posted by mykp
Only got one thing to say on the subject of telescopes, make sure it comes with a decent tripod or equatorial mount as it makes tracking objects easier. even the moon!
Its not until you look at something in space through a telescope that you realise how much and quickly things move.
For £100 dont expect massive magnification, Maybe alright for looking at the moon and galaxys but done expect to see mars or saturn as more than a blur.
Its not until you look at something in space through a telescope that you realise how much and quickly things move.
For £100 dont expect massive magnification, Maybe alright for looking at the moon and galaxys but done expect to see mars or saturn as more than a blur.