ETX70 purchase

I was also looking a purchasing that scope (second hand), I've read a lot of
reviews on the internet, and most say its good as a first time scope. Some
on here disagree, but I think I'll go for it (I'm saving quite a bit)

Larry

"Jacob Nilsson" wrote in message
k...
Hello group.



I'm currently scouting for my first time telescope.


I've read up on alot of different brands and types with the "goto"
feature,
and came across a Meade etx70at package with mount, an electronic
lense(plossl?) and a 2x barlow for the price of 3300 danish quid or ~330£.

My question now:
Will this be a good telescope to purchase as my first one, how well will
it
perform, and will i need to buy other lenses with it
Feel free to offer any opinion regarding the scope/price as you like.

Thanks.

On Tue, 2 Sep 2003 13:49:13 +0200, "Jacob Nilsson"
wrote:


My question now:
Will this be a good telescope to purchase as my first one, how well will it
perform, and will i need to buy other lenses with it
Feel free to offer any opinion regarding the scope/price as you like.

What do you want to see with it?

Looking for astro bits and eyepieces?
http://www.stores.ebay.co.uk/astrobitsandpieces
http://members.ebay.co.uk/aboutme/orpheus1959

The ETX70 is a very small telescope. About 2/3 of its price is the computer
pointing system. It definitely has its uses, but it's mainly for low-power
viewing of star clusters, nebulae, etc., not high-power viewing of planets.
You may prefer something bigger without a built-in computer.

Also, be aware that even with the computer, you still need to learn your way
around the sky. Otherwise you won't be able to set it up and won't know
whether it's working right.

But it's very portable and comes with a decent eyepiece. Small telescopes
often have wretched eyepieces that have to be replaced.

--
Clear skies,

Michael Covington -- www.covingtoninnovations.com
Author, Astrophotography for the Amateur
and (new) How to Use a Computerized Telescope

skrev i en meddelelse
...


What do you want to see with it?



Thanks for the replies so far


I would like to view the planets with reasonable detail, like the icecaps on
mars, moons of venus and rings of saturn. I would also like to have a look
at the moon for sure. Im not sure if this telescope will alow for deep space
objects viewing, however if it is possible then i wouldnt mind having a
look.
I have read somewhere that amateur astronomers quickly find their favorite
places to aim their scopes, i cant yet say what i will prefer, so a bit of
everything seems a good start.

"Michael A. Covington" skrev i en
meddelelse ...
The ETX70 is a very small telescope. About 2/3 of its price is the
computer
pointing system. It definitely has its uses, but it's mainly for
low-power
viewing of star clusters, nebulae, etc., not high-power viewing of
planets.
You may prefer something bigger without a built-in computer.

I understand what you are saying, would you be willing to name a few more
suitable scopes to start out with?
Please keep in mind that im very novice, and on a limited budget, so as i
said in another post further up, i would like a bit of everything to view,
while learning the basics of astronomy as i go along.

Also, be aware that even with the computer, you still need to learn your
way
around the sky. Otherwise you won't be able to set it up and won't know
whether it's working right.

I know most of the constellations by heart, i can find polaris and with a
little help from the skychart from sky and telescope i dont have much
trouble at naming stars and planets.

But it's very portable and comes with a decent eyepiece. Small telescopes
often have wretched eyepieces that have to be replaced.

Can you recommend some aditional eyepieces, that i might invest in to make
my time out in the open more enjoyable?


Clear skies Michael, and thanks for answering.

"Stephen Tonkin" skrev i en meddelelse
...
Michael A. Covington wrote:

Also, like a lot of these small computerised scopes, it is incapable of
showing you many of the items in the computer's database.

Jacob, my £0.02: Get a larger aperture uncomputerised scope and the book
_Turn Left at Orion_ for the same money.

I understand, do you have any special preference in mind, that you can aim
me at?
So far i have only found Celestron and Meade dealerships here in Denmark, so
should i brace myself with patience and try foreign internet shops instead?

Best,
Stephen

--
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+ Stephen Tonkin | ATM Resources; Astro-Tutorials; Astro Books +
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Thank you for your reply Stephen.

On Tue, 2 Sep 2003 16:06:06 +0200, "Jacob Nilsson"
wrote:


I would like to view the planets with reasonable detail, like the icecaps on
mars, moons of venus and rings of saturn. I would also like to have a look
at the moon for sure. Im not sure if this telescope will alow for deep space
objects viewing, however if it is possible then i wouldnt mind having a
look.

I've been through exactly the same process, and had pondered the ETX70
for its portability, and GOTO (and its damnded sexy looks).

But I gathered it wasn't particularly brilliant for planetary, which
is what I want to start with. So I've goine for a Skywatcher Skymax90

http://www.sherwoods-photo.com/sky_w...assegrains.htm

which is recommended for planetary, and is compact. I've gone without
the Equatorial Mount which I reckon I won't need straight away. Buying
the tube by itself at 179ukpounds, and getting a cheapish tripod from
a local shop is, I reckon a cheap way of getting into astronomy with a
serious scope.

I hope!



Mark Watson
Best SF - www.bestsf.net
Best SF reviews: classic and current short SF
Best SF Gateway: online short SF

On Tue, 2 Sep 2003 16:06:06 +0200, "Jacob Nilsson"
wrote:


I would like to view the planets with reasonable detail, like the icecaps on
mars, moons of venus and rings of saturn. I would also like to have a look
at the moon for sure. Im not sure if this telescope will alow for deep space
objects viewing, however if it is possible then i wouldnt mind having a
look.
I have read somewhere that amateur astronomers quickly find their favorite
places to aim their scopes, i cant yet say what i will prefer, so a bit of
everything seems a good start.

Ok well this is how I see things, and many are going to disagree with
me..
Firstly GPS and GOTO are crap, you dont need them, and the money that
they would cost could be spent on a better scope.

Secondly magnification isnt everything, having tried most scopes, I
prefer refelectors of 6" and above, for me the more light let in, the
better the picture.
Refractors are OK, but they give me a backache if i have to look any
higher than 60 degrees in them.

In Europe the cost of Scopes is stupidly high, If you order from the
States you can save as much as 50% on European prices, HOWEVER you may
get caught for taxes and import duties, but even then, it can still
work out cheaper.

For example I just recently helped someone get a Meade ETX 70, UK cost
appx £250, US cost $179, even after Import duty and VAT and Shipping
were paid, it still worked out at just over £160 a saving of over £90.

BUT a word of warning, if you do buy from the USA make sure that the
warranty is a worldwide one, Meade and Celestron are pretty good for
that, others Like Konus are not.

This last year have imported something like 200 Scopes from the
States, BUT if you really want some good advice at the Moment the
States are in the Middle of a "mars rush" and demand is outstripping
supply, I stopped bring Scopes over at the begining of August because
supplies were erratic, this means that if you can 2/3 Monthst, I am
willing to bet there is going to be a glut of nearly new scopes coming
onto the market.

Looking for astro bits and eyepieces?
http://www.stores.ebay.co.uk/astrobitsandpieces
http://members.ebay.co.uk/aboutme/orpheus1959

Jacob Nilsson wrote:
[...]
I understand, do you have any special preference in mind, that you can aim
me at?

See:
http://www.astunit.com/tutorials/firstscope.htm
http://www.astunit.com/tutorials/evaluating.htm


So far i have only found Celestron and Meade dealerships here in Denmark, so
should i brace myself with patience and try foreign internet shops instead?

Ah; I've only just cottoned on that you are in Denmark. I suggest that
you get in touch with your local astronomical society (See: URL:
http://astroplace.com/amateurs/clubs.asp) and get advice from people
who understand the situation in Denmark.

--
Best,
Stephen
http://www.astunit.com