Is this a good first telescope?

Hi guys I'm thinking of buying one of these and was wondering if anyone more
knowledgeable than me could tell me if it is a good first telescope or what
I should be looking for if it isn't.

Thanks in advance.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...tegory=28 181

"Tom Lavier" wrote in message
...
Hi guys I'm thinking of buying one of these and was wondering if anyone
more
knowledgeable than me could tell me if it is a good first telescope

No. It is not a good telescope. I have a friend who bought one to see what
was in it and found a spherical mirror (no correction). This is a bad thing,
especially at the shorter focal ratios. And when the color of the tube is a
selling point...

or what I should be looking for if it isn't.

What is your budget and what do you want to do with it? I'd start by going
to:
http://skyandtelescope.com/resources/organizations/ and finding a nearby
astro club. Then go to one of their public nights. You'll get to look
through a lot of different kind of telescopes and talk to their owners about
the strengths and weaknesses of each. And, there are ususally people who are
looking to upgrade and have a scope for sale. That way you get to look
through it first, get others to evaluate it, and get a better price.

Also, start looking at www.astromart.com to get a feel for prices.

Clear Skies

Chuck Taylor
Do you observe the moon?
Try the Lunar Observing Group
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/lunar-observing/

************************************


Thanks in advance.


http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...tegory=28 181

"Tom Lavier" wrote in message
...
Hi guys I'm thinking of buying one of these and was wondering if anyone
more
knowledgeable than me could tell me if it is a good first telescope or
what
I should be looking for if it isn't.

Thanks in advance.


http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...tegory=28 181

Hi Tom,

It's an extremely bad telescope. If you want something you can actually use,
I would suggest you look places other than e-bay. If you just want something
that will look very cool set up in your living room, then go for this one.
*grin*

No, and there's a lot of those being sold now a days, Please read the Telescope
Buyers FAQ first, and then you can use it to look at the market of telescopes
and get yourself a good one.

Telescope Buyers FAQ
http://home.inreach.com/starlord


--
"In this universe the night was falling,the shadows were lengthening
towards an east that would not know another dawn.
But elsewhere the stars were still young and the light of morning
lingered: and along the path he once had followed, man would one day go
again."

Arthur C. Clarke, The City & The Stars

SIAR
www.starlords.org
Freelance Writers Shop
http://www.freelancewrittersshop.netfirms.com
Telescope Buyers FAQ
http://home.inreach.com/starlord
Ad World
http://adworld.netfirms.com

"Tom Lavier" wrote in message
...
Hi guys I'm thinking of buying one of these and was wondering if anyone more
knowledgeable than me could tell me if it is a good first telescope or what
I should be looking for if it isn't.

Thanks in advance.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...tegory=28 181




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Optics is probably shaving mirror quality. You get, what you pay for.

JS

"Tom Lavier" wrote in message
...
Hi guys I'm thinking of buying one of these and was wondering if anyone
more
knowledgeable than me could tell me if it is a good first telescope or
what
I should be looking for if it isn't.

Thanks in advance.


http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...tegory=28 181

These "short tube" scopes generally use a negative lens mounted in front of
the secondary mirror, and they can be a real pain to align. Also, the optical
quality of these scopes is sometimes not all that hot. I would go for a
standard longer-tube Newtonian with an f/ratio in the f/6 to f/8 range. Clear
skies to you.
--
David W. Knisely
Prairie Astronomy Club: http://www.prairieastronomyclub.org
Hyde Memorial Observatory: http://www.hydeobservatory.info/

**********************************************
* Attend the 11th Annual NEBRASKA STAR PARTY *
* July 18-23, 2004, Merritt Reservoir *
* http://www.NebraskaStarParty.org *
**********************************************

I have been using a" CELESTRON C-5 " for 3 years or more and I
recommend it to anyone who asks . I've referred to it as the worlds
smallest giant . It was selected by NASA for use on space shuttle
missions . I know there are many people reading this who may feel the 5
inch mirror is a bit small for serious astronomy . But this is high
quality and gives a clear picture . I have not used any other telescopes
, I have been happy with my setup . Scope , 3 eyepieces , 1 barlow lens
, slow motion control (manually) , and tripod (camera style) . $ 1200 .
at Oceanside photo and telescope . I am happy with everything exept the
tripod , its too wobbly . This scope also works well as a terrestrial
scope .

A lot of it depends on your budget and your needs. Do you need something
portable that you can travel with? Are you planning on doing primarily
deep-sky observing or planetary viewing? Do you want something that will
also function as a spotting scope? There are 16" scopes that are hunks of
junk and 3.5" models that can change your life. Ask around - a lot - before
deciding. And make sure you know what's included in the price -- the
eyepieces and/or mount may end up costing you more than the scope itself!

I just picked up my fourth telescope in ten years, a Televue Pronto, which
is a little powerhouse. Great combination of portability, quality, and
price.

E

"Tom Lavier" wrote in message
...
Hi guys I'm thinking of buying one of these and was wondering if anyone
more
knowledgeable than me could tell me if it is a good first telescope or
what
I should be looking for if it isn't.

Thanks in advance.


http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...tegory=28 181

I thank everyone for their advice. It's really appreciated.

"Erik T. Nomad" wrote in message
. ..
A lot of it depends on your budget and your needs. Do you need something
portable that you can travel with? Are you planning on doing primarily
deep-sky observing or planetary viewing? Do you want something that will
also function as a spotting scope? There are 16" scopes that are hunks of
junk and 3.5" models that can change your life. Ask around - a lot -
before
deciding. And make sure you know what's included in the price -- the
eyepieces and/or mount may end up costing you more than the scope itself!

I just picked up my fourth telescope in ten years, a Televue Pronto, which
is a little powerhouse. Great combination of portability, quality, and
price.

E

"Tom Lavier" wrote in message
...
Hi guys I'm thinking of buying one of these and was wondering if anyone
more
knowledgeable than me could tell me if it is a good first telescope or
what
I should be looking for if it isn't.

Thanks in advance.



http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...tegory=28 181

when I 1st got in to photography, all of the salesmen said" try this
four hundred dollar
set up, ( this was in the seventies) and if you like taking pics , we'll
sell you this eight hundred dollar set up "for more professional pics",
and then we'll sell you this fifteen hundred dollar set up to go into
business.

my advice: A) do not spend less than two pay
checks on your first anything,
if you get the absolute best that
you can afford, you are rarely
disappointed.
B) look thru at least a half dozen scopes ,prior to
your decision to purchase.

C) check out STARIZONA.COM

good luck,