#1
|
|||
|
|||
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
|
|||
|
|||
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
|
|||
|
|||
intro help
|
#5
|
|||
|
|||
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
|
|||
|
|||
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
|
|||
|
|||
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
|
|||
|
|||
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
|
|||
|
|||
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
|
|||
|
|||
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? |
|
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Min's Intro & Essay #1 | John Carruthers | Amateur Astronomy | 2 | July 25th 04 05:22 PM |
FITS Intro | Tony | FITS | 2 | April 1st 04 10:24 AM |
Intro to optical design | matt | Amateur Astronomy | 2 | March 10th 04 12:26 AM |
The Fifth Element....Quintessence! Princeton Physics Dept Dark Energy Intro..... | jonathan | Astronomy Misc | 0 | January 16th 04 05:07 AM |
Review of the 'Unmatched Pair' Intro (51-L) | John Maxson | Space Shuttle | 0 | September 29th 03 06:36 PM |