Telescope

I have just bought a 700-80 telescope with the following lenses 20mm, 6mm, a
2x Balrlow lens, and a T-18 erecting lens. Using the basic lens I can get a
fair image of the moon but all attempts at using any of the other lenses to
look at anything fail. What am I doing wrong?

Michael Humphrey wrote:
I have just bought a 700-80 telescope with the following lenses 20mm, 6mm, a
2x Balrlow lens, and a T-18 erecting lens. Using the basic lens I can get a
fair image of the moon but all attempts at using any of the other lenses to
look at anything fail. What am I doing wrong?


Hi Michael,

"700-80" doesn't tell us a whole lot about your scope... What make/model
is it exactly? Did it come in a big shiny box with pictures from the
Hubble space telescope on it? ;-)

On a general note, and if this is the kind of scope I'm thinking it is,
the (biggest) problem is likely to be the quality of the bundled
eyepieces. However - let us know what we're talking about here before
you run out and buy any new ones!

Cheers,

Steve

PROBABLY what you did wrong was to buy a 700-80 telescope. You did not name
the brand and model. Many of these have decent objectives, but almost all have
very bad mounts, and most have bad eyepieces. That the Barlow is 2X and not 3X
is a plus, since the "el cheapo" scopes generally have totally useless 3X
Barlows and pretty bad 6mm EP's.
The 20mm EP probably gives a decent view of the Moon, but, if the objective is
not too bad, better EP's (Plossl's or Orthos) would do much better. But those
may not fit the eyepiece holder - a lot of these scopes use .965" holders and
EP's, and the better EP's are generally 1.25" or 2". Takahashi makes good
..965" EP's, but those on a 700-80 would be like putting a supercharger on a
tricycle. Let the newsgroup know the brand and model of the scope, we may be
able to give more specific info. Or, if it is not too late, return the scope
and get a nice Dob from Orion or Hardin of another good scope dealer.
It would also be a good idea to look up some internet info on how to set up and
use a scope, and how to star-hop. These scopes have pretty cheap finders and
you might be missing the objects.
Clear, Dark, Steady Skies!
(And considerate neighbors!!!)

Michael Humphrey wrote:

I have just bought a 700-80 telescope with the following lenses 20mm, 6mm, a
2x Balrlow lens, and a T-18 erecting lens. Using the basic lens I can get a
fair image of the moon but all attempts at using any of the other lenses to
look at anything fail. What am I doing wrong?

A lot depends on what the 700-80 means.

If it's a 700mm focal length telescope with an 80mm diameter objective, it might be that you're having problems finding objects in the narrower field of view you get at higher power. It's possible you didn't put it together or adjust it quite right, or
it could be on a cheesy mount.

But the fact it came with a barlow and an erecting lens leads me to think it's a toy, and the number you gave is a stock number, or an indication they claim it's a 700 power telescope. If this is the case, the best thing you can do is return it.

Almost all telescopes sold in department stores, discount stores, and on TV shopping channels are junk. They're poorly designed, and poorly made. Trying to use them will be frustrating, and may discourage you from a hobby you'd enjoy if you had access
to useful equipment.

You'll get good advice here, but if you have an astronomical society in your area, that may be a better place to start because in a half hour conversation they can cover quite a bit, and you'll get a chance to look through the telescopes their members
have.

Another place to get good information is through magazines dedicated to astronomy. Ones you might try include Astronomy, Sky and Telescope, and Night Sky. (a beginners publication)

Good luck.

On Wed, 06 Oct 2004 08:35:31 GMT, Michael Humphrey wrote:

I have just bought a 700-80 telescope with the following lenses 20mm, 6mm, a
2x Balrlow lens, and a T-18 erecting lens. Using the basic lens I can get a
fair image of the moon but all attempts at using any of the other lenses to
look at anything fail. What am I doing wrong?

Two things: with a few exceptions, although I can't think of any ;o), an
erecting lens furnished with telescope equals at least two inferior
products and that "T" in T-18 -- would it stand for "Tasco?"



--
Martin
"Photographs From the Universe of Amateur Astronomy"
http://home.earthlink.net/~martinhowell

First Mistake: Not reading the FAQ.
Telescope Buyers FAQ
http://home.inreach.com/starlord


--


"And for the second time in four million years, the monolith awoke."
Arthur C.Clarke 2062dyssey three

SIAR
www.starlords.org
Telescope Buyers FAQ
http://home.inreach.com/starlord
Bishop's Car Fund
http://www.bishopcarfund.netfirms.com/

"Michael Humphrey" wrote in message
...
I have just bought a 700-80 telescope with the following lenses 20mm, 6mm,
a
2x Balrlow lens, and a T-18 erecting lens. Using the basic lens I can get
a
fair image of the moon but all attempts at using any of the other lenses
to
look at anything fail. What am I doing wrong?




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oh sure the whole world reads it! Get a wheel.




starlord wrote:

First Mistake: Not reading the FAQ.
Telescope Buyers FAQ
http://home.inreach.com/starlord

--

"And for the second time in four million years, the monolith awoke."
Arthur C.Clarke 2062dyssey three

SIAR
www.starlords.org
Telescope Buyers FAQ
http://home.inreach.com/starlord
Bishop's Car Fund
http://www.bishopcarfund.netfirms.com/

"Michael Humphrey" wrote in message
...
I have just bought a 700-80 telescope with the following lenses 20mm, 6mm,
a
2x Balrlow lens, and a T-18 erecting lens. Using the basic lens I can get
a
fair image of the moon but all attempts at using any of the other lenses
to
look at anything fail. What am I doing wrong?



---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.770 / Virus Database: 517 - Release Date: 9/27/04

By basic lens you are refrring to the 20mm eyepiece which would come to
focus. The 6mm eyepiece is too much power fore this scope and any image
you get is a dark blur - corrrect? So use only the 20mm and the barlow
with the 20mm which halves the 20mm to a 10mm eyepiece. Next time
buy a better telescope: astromart.com. Lesson learned.



Michael Humphrey wrote:

I have just bought a 700-80 telescope with the following lenses 20mm, 6mm, a
2x Balrlow lens, and a T-18 erecting lens. Using the basic lens I can get a
fair image of the moon but all attempts at using any of the other lenses to
look at anything fail. What am I doing wrong?