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  #1  
Old November 28th 05, 05:56 AM posted to sci.astro.amateur
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Default intro help

Hello all,
Just started to seriously think about stronomy. Work in biology now
using various types of microscopes so I know a little about optics but
am still overwhelmed by the telescope options. Can I get a little
feedback
1) best telescopes for the serious beginner
2) build vs buy
3) support in the boston area

Thanks in advance
BK

  #2  
Old November 28th 05, 08:29 AM posted to sci.astro.amateur
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Default intro help

Read the Telescope Buyers FAQ listed below in my Sig.


--

The Lone Sidewalk Astronomer of Rosamond
Telescope Buyers FAQ
http://home.inreach.com/starlord
Astronomy Net Online Gift Shop
http://www.cafepress.com/astronomy_net
In Garden Online Gift Shop
http://www.cafepress.com/ingarden
Blast Off Online Gift Shop
http://www.cafepress.com/starlords




wrote in message
oups.com...
Hello all,
Just started to seriously think about stronomy. Work in biology now
using various types of microscopes so I know a little about optics but
am still overwhelmed by the telescope options. Can I get a little
feedback
1) best telescopes for the serious beginner
2) build vs buy
3) support in the boston area

Thanks in advance
BK



  #3  
Old November 28th 05, 04:23 PM posted to sci.astro.amateur
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Posts: n/a
Default intro help

wrote:
1) best telescopes for the serious beginner


C 9.25 with a Telrad finder

  #4  
Old November 29th 05, 08:07 AM posted to sci.astro.amateur
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Posts: n/a
Default intro help

In article .com,
wrote:

Hello all,
Just started to seriously think about stronomy. Work in biology now
using various types of microscopes so I know a little about optics but
am still overwhelmed by the telescope options. Can I get a little
feedback
1) best telescopes for the serious beginner
2) build vs buy
3) support in the boston area


How 'Boston' is Boston? Are you under relatively dark skies or would you
deal with light pollution on a nightly basis?

Like Starlord mentioned, check out his telescope buyer's FAQ -- it
helped me in buying my first scope. The first step is learning the
differences between reflectors, refractors and catadioptrics and all of
their sub-variants and weighing their optical pros/cons vs. portability.

Are you interested in observing planets? Deep sky objects?

Are you mainly interested in visual observation, or do you see yourself
dabbling in astrophotography?

What's your budget?

Are you physically fit/can move a moderately sized scope, or do physical
limitations (ie, lower back pain) preclude you from moving a medium to
large size scope?

Try finding a local club where you can sample different scopes. I'm
already preparing for my second scope (I've been an active/eager amateur
for only 6 weeks), and I hope to try various models at a local gathering
to see what kind of scope works well for my style/environment.

The only thing I can suggest is don't try to buy the 'perfect' scope for
your first scope; I already see myself buying a second and third scope
to fill different visual and imaging roles. My perfect scope would cost
me $10K, and then it would require another few thousand to build a
modest shed/observatory to house it, and then a few more thousand in
accessories -- in other words, the perfect scope will never be in the
cards unless I have a winning lottery ticket in hand.

Don't sweat the details too much -- buy a scope that will keep you
engaged for some time, with the understanding as you (and your skills)
grow with the hobby you'll want to move up to a more full-featured scope.

And don't buy a dept. store/Sam's Club/Wal Mart/Cosco telescope.

--
Jay Swartzfeger
http://www.swartzfeger.com
Scottsdale, AZ
  #5  
Old December 1st 05, 04:40 AM posted to sci.astro.amateur
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default intro help

Costco WAS selling Meade. Should Meade be added to the dreaded department
store list? I've Meade in some Wal-Marts too (Beckley, West Virginia).

If Department stores carried the better known names, you would see prices
drop....

Doink
"Jay Swartzfeger" wrote in message
...
In article .com,
wrote:

Hello all,
Just started to seriously think about stronomy. Work in biology now
using various types of microscopes so I know a little about optics but
am still overwhelmed by the telescope options. Can I get a little
feedback
1) best telescopes for the serious beginner
2) build vs buy
3) support in the boston area


How 'Boston' is Boston? Are you under relatively dark skies or would you
deal with light pollution on a nightly basis?

Like Starlord mentioned, check out his telescope buyer's FAQ -- it
helped me in buying my first scope. The first step is learning the
differences between reflectors, refractors and catadioptrics and all of
their sub-variants and weighing their optical pros/cons vs. portability.

Are you interested in observing planets? Deep sky objects?

Are you mainly interested in visual observation, or do you see yourself
dabbling in astrophotography?

What's your budget?

Are you physically fit/can move a moderately sized scope, or do physical
limitations (ie, lower back pain) preclude you from moving a medium to
large size scope?

Try finding a local club where you can sample different scopes. I'm
already preparing for my second scope (I've been an active/eager amateur
for only 6 weeks), and I hope to try various models at a local gathering
to see what kind of scope works well for my style/environment.

The only thing I can suggest is don't try to buy the 'perfect' scope for
your first scope; I already see myself buying a second and third scope
to fill different visual and imaging roles. My perfect scope would cost
me $10K, and then it would require another few thousand to build a
modest shed/observatory to house it, and then a few more thousand in
accessories -- in other words, the perfect scope will never be in the
cards unless I have a winning lottery ticket in hand.

Don't sweat the details too much -- buy a scope that will keep you
engaged for some time, with the understanding as you (and your skills)
grow with the hobby you'll want to move up to a more full-featured scope.

And don't buy a dept. store/Sam's Club/Wal Mart/Cosco telescope.

--
Jay Swartzfeger
http://www.swartzfeger.com
Scottsdale, AZ



  #6  
Old December 1st 05, 05:45 AM posted to sci.astro.amateur
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Posts: n/a
Default intro help

Doink wrote:
Costco WAS selling Meade. Should Meade be added to the dreaded department
store list? I've Meade in some Wal-Marts too (Beckley, West Virginia).


Don't know about WalMart but you'd be surprised at the quality items you
can find at Costco. Hell, they carry Maytag blue cheese at mine along
with some nice wines, can't go wrong there.

Greg
  #7  
Old December 1st 05, 05:32 PM posted to sci.astro.amateur
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Posts: n/a
Default intro help

G.T. wrote:
Doink wrote:

Costco WAS selling Meade. Should Meade be added to the dreaded
department store list? I've Meade in some Wal-Marts too (Beckley,
West Virginia).


Don't know about WalMart but you'd be surprised at the quality items you
can find at Costco. Hell, they carry Maytag blue cheese at mine along
with some nice wines, can't go wrong there.


The dependability cheese?
Costco sells lots of quality items, bought my Rebel XT camera there.
However, the telescopes I've seen there are of similar quality to their
mountain bikes.
:-p


Shawn
  #8  
Old December 1st 05, 06:51 PM posted to sci.astro.amateur
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Posts: n/a
Default intro help

Shawn wrote:
G.T. wrote:

Doink wrote:

Costco WAS selling Meade. Should Meade be added to the dreaded
department store list? I've Meade in some Wal-Marts too (Beckley,
West Virginia).


Don't know about WalMart but you'd be surprised at the quality items
you can find at Costco. Hell, they carry Maytag blue cheese at mine
along with some nice wines, can't go wrong there.



The dependability cheese?
Costco sells lots of quality items, bought my Rebel XT camera there.
However, the telescopes I've seen there are of similar quality to their
mountain bikes.
:-p


I guess they don't sell gray market Treks or Specializeds any more.

Greg

--
"Destroy your safe and happy lives before it is too late
The battles we fought were long and hard
Just not to be consumed by rock and roll" - The Mekons
  #9  
Old December 1st 05, 07:30 PM posted to sci.astro.amateur
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Posts: n/a
Default intro help

In article ,
"G.T." wrote:

Doink wrote:
Costco WAS selling Meade. Should Meade be added to the dreaded department
store list? I've Meade in some Wal-Marts too (Beckley, West Virginia).


Don't know about WalMart but you'd be surprised at the quality items you
can find at Costco. Hell, they carry Maytag blue cheese at mine along
with some nice wines, can't go wrong there.


They also carry some fine Belgian Ales from time to time.

Back to the scopes, I really meant no-name/Tasco scopes, but imho it's
better for a beginner to buy a Meade etc from a dedicated dealer for the
personalized service, guidance etc vs. a warehouse club that may sell it
for less $ but know nothing about the product.

--
Jay Swartzfeger
Scottsdale, AZ
  #10  
Old December 1st 05, 08:44 PM posted to sci.astro.amateur
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default intro help

G.T. wrote:
Shawn wrote:

G.T. wrote:

Doink wrote:

Costco WAS selling Meade. Should Meade be added to the dreaded
department store list? I've Meade in some Wal-Marts too (Beckley,
West Virginia).


Don't know about WalMart but you'd be surprised at the quality items
you can find at Costco. Hell, they carry Maytag blue cheese at mine
along with some nice wines, can't go wrong there.




The dependability cheese?
Costco sells lots of quality items, bought my Rebel XT camera there.
However, the telescopes I've seen there are of similar quality to
their mountain bikes.
:-p


I guess they don't sell gray market Treks or Specializeds any more.


They did? So much for my respect for those companies too. 'Course
Celestron making department store scopes hasn't stopped me from picking
up my second one this last weekend.
How any weeks can I expect an 11" telescope purchase to kill the weather?
:-)

Shawn

BTW Anyone want to buy a C8?
 




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