Kerny92 1,246 Posted August 28, 2018 Report Share Posted August 28, 2018 (edited) Being a geek i think it's time i bought myself the ultimate boys toy. Always had an interest in Astronomy but never really owned a decent telescope. I think having those cheap little things as a kid kind of put me off. Seeing the amazing footage of the moon shot by the Nikon camera rekindled my interest. A good telescope will blow a camera out of the water tbh. Been having a good look at telescopes and even joined a forum for good measure. I'll tell you what, just getting the right hardware for the hobby is a skill and art form in itself. I've narrowed it down to a few options, it's either a 10-inch Dobsobian telescope or a 8-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope. Bigger is usually better in this game but you've got to think about portability and practicality. Does anyone on here have an interest? Edited August 28, 2018 by Kerny92 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
socks 32,253 Posted August 28, 2018 Report Share Posted August 28, 2018 There's loads of guys on here with an interest in 8 and 10 inchers ......... 4 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Kerny92 1,246 Posted August 28, 2018 Author Report Share Posted August 28, 2018 21 minutes ago, socks said: There's loads of guys on here with an interest in 8 and 10 inchers ......... Of the telescope kind? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ChrisJones 7,975 Posted August 28, 2018 Report Share Posted August 28, 2018 (edited) Personally, I love the idea but never got round to buying the telescope. I have zero light pollution here and the Milky Way is visible this time of year. It's nice to sit out with your libation of choice. We enjoyed the Perseids meteor shower last month and two of my sons have birthdays in November so we traditional sit out and watch Leonids meteor shower snow permitting. I'd love a scope but all I've needed so far is a folding chair, a bottle of scotch, and a couple of decent cigars! Look forward to reading recommendations. Edited August 28, 2018 by ChrisJones Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Kerny92 1,246 Posted August 28, 2018 Author Report Share Posted August 28, 2018 8 minutes ago, ChrisJones said: Personally, I love the idea but never got round to buying the telescope. I have zero light pollution here and the Milky Way is visible this time of year. It's nice to sit out with your libation of choice. We enjoyed the Perseids meteor shower last month and two of my sons have birthdays in November so we traditional sit out and watch Leonids meteor shower snow permitting. I'd love a scope but all I've needed so far is a folding chair, a bottle of scotch, and a couple of decent cigars! Look forward to reading recommendations. The same here, just got me thinking. We or i spend thousands on silly phones over the course of a contract. I know they are not cheap but you will get years upon years of use from a good telescope. Like i said though, understanding the hardware is an art form in itself. There's different scope technologies, different lenses, eyepieces, mounts, etc...... 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ChrisJones 7,975 Posted August 28, 2018 Report Share Posted August 28, 2018 5 minutes ago, Kerny92 said: The same here, just got me thinking. We or i spend thousands on silly phones over the course of a contract. I know they are not cheap but you will get years upon years of use from a good telescope. Like i said though, understanding the hardware is an art form in itself. There's different scope technologies, different lenses, eyepieces, mounts, etc...... I admit I'm totally green on the subject but I'd love to hear a recommendation of a quality entry-level telescope. Looking up can be a truly enjoyable experience if you're willing to take the time. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Kerny92 1,246 Posted August 28, 2018 Author Report Share Posted August 28, 2018 (edited) 1 minute ago, ChrisJones said: I admit I'm totally green on the subject but I'd love to hear a recommendation of a quality entry-level telescope. Looking up can be a truly enjoyable experience if you're willing to take the time. You gotta tell me that budget first. I think I've narrowed it down to two, either the Celestron NexStar 8SE or the Skywatcher Skyliner 250PX Flex Tube SynScan GOTO Dobsonian Telescope. Both different technologies, the Dobsobian will give a better image but the NexStar is way more portable and probably the more sensible bet. Edited August 28, 2018 by Kerny92 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ChrisJones 7,975 Posted August 28, 2018 Report Share Posted August 28, 2018 2 minutes ago, Kerny92 said: You gotta tell me that budget first. I'm looking at the $500 - $700 range to start. (£400 - £550) I'm thinking of more real-world experience as opposed to intensive internet research though... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Kerny92 1,246 Posted August 28, 2018 Author Report Share Posted August 28, 2018 2 minutes ago, ChrisJones said: I'm looking at the $500 - $700 range to start. (£400 - £550) I'm thinking of more real-world experience as opposed to intensive internet research though... This would be ideal for you. https://www.rothervalleyoptics.co.uk/skywatcher-skyliner-250px-flex-tube-dobsonian-telescope.html Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ChrisJones 7,975 Posted August 28, 2018 Report Share Posted August 28, 2018 5 minutes ago, Kerny92 said: This would be ideal for you. https://www.rothervalleyoptics.co.uk/skywatcher-skyliner-250px-flex-tube-dobsonian-telescope.html The importation to the US would make it cost prohibitive, unfortunately. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Born Hunter 17,751 Posted August 28, 2018 Report Share Posted August 28, 2018 42 minutes ago, ChrisJones said: Personally, I love the idea but never got round to buying the telescope. I have zero light pollution here and the Milky Way is visible this time of year. It's nice to sit out with your libation of choice. We enjoyed the Perseids meteor shower last month and two of my sons have birthdays in November so we traditional sit out and watch Leonids meteor shower snow permitting. I'd love a scope but all I've needed so far is a folding chair, a bottle of scotch, and a couple of decent cigars! Look forward to reading recommendations. I don't know much about telescopes but I'd say once you have seen the rings of Saturn, moons of Jupiter, a comet and the moon in detail there ain't very much a terrestrial telescope can show you of great interest. Few star clusters perhaps. Imo the most 'wow' you can get for your money is with the mark one eyeball in an area with little light pollution and cloud. Not that that should stop anyone getting into astronomy. Just depends what their objectives are from it is my point I think. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Kerny92 1,246 Posted August 28, 2018 Author Report Share Posted August 28, 2018 20 minutes ago, ChrisJones said: The importation to the US would make it cost prohibitive, unfortunately. They are Canadian and do have a US market. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Kerny92 1,246 Posted August 28, 2018 Author Report Share Posted August 28, 2018 15 minutes ago, Rusty_terrier said: What are the cheaper celestrons like kerny? I can't tell you but generally the more you pay the more you get, if you can afford and store a bigger aperture the better. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Kerny92 1,246 Posted August 28, 2018 Author Report Share Posted August 28, 2018 9 minutes ago, Born Hunter said: I don't know much about telescopes but I'd say once you have seen the rings of Saturn, moons of Jupiter, a comet and the moon in detail there ain't very much a terrestrial telescope can show you of great interest. Few star clusters perhaps. Imo the most 'wow' you can get for your money is with the mark one eyeball in an area with little light pollution and cloud. Not that that should stop anyone getting into astronomy. Just depends what their objectives are from it is my point I think. Tbf a good pair of binoculars is the way to go for a lot of folk, give a way bigger field of view and unrivalled clarity. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
downsouth 7,143 Posted August 28, 2018 Report Share Posted August 28, 2018 Ultimate boys toy?Ive heard of Motorbikes,quads,jetskies,speed boats,guns and all sorts of other stuff described like that but never a f***ing telescope. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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