Cheap telescope from ebay - shame on me ??

Hi,
When looking for my first telescope it was very hard to get an
objective view about any of the cheaper telescopes around eg seben,
tasco, galileo. Its alright for you guys who are well into the hobby
and would spend more an an eyepiece than I would on the whole kit, but
some of us have to start somewhere.

There also seems a bit of eliteism with so many negative comments about
cheap scopes, but no-one that comments seems to have actually owned one
or used one.

Well I got a Galileo FS-120DX. Its a 120 mm relector with 20mm and
6.8-16mm zoom eyepieces. I've been out the last two nights and have
seen wonderful things. Moon, saturn and rings, jupiter with cloud bands
and moons, and orion nebula.

I was really worried when I bought it, but am now really pleased. The
zoom eyepiece works really well and seems crystal clear right down to
6.8mm which surprised me.

So come on all you cheapo's out there, post your good experiences and
make it easier for those just starting out to find something cheap that
works.

By the way, I have been on some brilliant sites that let me know what
to expect and that it takes abit of effort. Maybe without these I would
have expected too much and been disappointed.

Regards

davlap:
When looking for my first telescope it was very hard to get an
objective view about any of the cheaper telescopes around eg seben,
tasco, galileo. Its alright for you guys who are well into the hobby
and would spend more an an eyepiece than I would on the whole kit, but
some of us have to start somewhere.

There also seems a bit of eliteism with so many negative comments about
cheap scopes, but no-one that comments seems to have actually owned one
or used one.

You should have the 'scope that _you_ want -- the 'scope that satisfies
_your_ needs.

Well I got a Galileo FS-120DX. Its a 120 mm relector with 20mm and
6.8-16mm zoom eyepieces. I've been out the last two nights and have
seen wonderful things. Moon, saturn and rings, jupiter with cloud bands
and moons, and orion nebula.

I was really worried when I bought it, but am now really pleased. The
zoom eyepiece works really well and seems crystal clear right down to
6.8mm which surprised me.

And it sounds like you have that 'scope. Congratulations and best
wishes for clear, dark skies.

Davoud

Edmund's "Astroscan".... Bought at a star party sale for $50, ten years ago.
Nice and portable, can be taken anywhere as it can cradle in the arms. The
mirror is 4" dia at F/4 so wide field. Still use it on a regular basis and,
although I do own the "big and expensive", the Astroscan gets the most use.
From a 'used' perspective, I considered this scope both cheap and high
quality, although I may be cheating since the scope is close to $300 new (if
Edmund is still even making it).

Juan Grouse

"davlap" wrote in message
oups.com...
Hi,
When looking for my first telescope it was very hard to get an
objective view about any of the cheaper telescopes around eg seben,
tasco, galileo. Its alright for you guys who are well into the hobby
and would spend more an an eyepiece than I would on the whole kit, but
some of us have to start somewhere.

There also seems a bit of eliteism with so many negative comments about
cheap scopes, but no-one that comments seems to have actually owned one
or used one.

Well I got a Galileo FS-120DX. Its a 120 mm relector with 20mm and
6.8-16mm zoom eyepieces. I've been out the last two nights and have
seen wonderful things. Moon, saturn and rings, jupiter with cloud bands
and moons, and orion nebula.

I was really worried when I bought it, but am now really pleased. The
zoom eyepiece works really well and seems crystal clear right down to
6.8mm which surprised me.

So come on all you cheapo's out there, post your good experiences and
make it easier for those just starting out to find something cheap that
works.

By the way, I have been on some brilliant sites that let me know what
to expect and that it takes abit of effort. Maybe without these I would
have expected too much and been disappointed.

Regards

Hi,
I have a small scope also and I understand how you feel. I had joined
an astronomy club and they didn't seem to take me seriously because I
had a small scope. It's a 4.5" reflector and I like it just fine! It's
easy to carry in and out of the house, transports fairly easily and I
get some good views with it! One friend with a 12" Dob mount was
impressed with how well my view was. I think because the big ones have
gotten so cheap that people go for the big ones but they don't know
anything about astronomy, they just punch a button on a pad and bam
there it is! To each his own I guess! I think starting out a person
should get an economical scope. You may find you just don't use it that
much or whatever and it would be a shame to spend big $ on a scope that
just sits in the house/garage!
Enjoy what you have and if it pleases you that's all that mattters!
LeAnn

wrote in message
ups.com...
Hi,
I have a small scope also and I understand how you feel. I had joined
an astronomy club and they didn't seem to take me seriously because I
had a small scope. It's a 4.5" reflector and I like it just fine! It's
easy to carry in and out of the house, transports fairly easily and I
get some good views with it! One friend with a 12" Dob mount was
impressed with how well my view was. I think because the big ones have
gotten so cheap that people go for the big ones but they don't know
anything about astronomy, they just punch a button on a pad and bam
there it is!

astronomy is not about starhopping.

yeah, they are pretty hot...don't hop on any of 'em

Tom



"md" not given to avoid spam wrote in message
...

wrote in message
ups.com...
Hi,
I have a small scope also and I understand how you feel. I had joined
an astronomy club and they didn't seem to take me seriously because I
had a small scope. It's a 4.5" reflector and I like it just fine! It's
easy to carry in and out of the house, transports fairly easily and I
get some good views with it! One friend with a 12" Dob mount was
impressed with how well my view was. I think because the big ones have
gotten so cheap that people go for the big ones but they don't know
anything about astronomy, they just punch a button on a pad and bam
there it is!

astronomy is not about starhopping.

So come on all you cheapo's out there, post your good experiences
and
make it easier for those just starting out to find something cheap
that
works.

If it works keep doing it.
I do all my astronomy on a shoestring, you do however get what you pay
for. I borrowed an 8mm Radian last year and it was the best eyepiece
I've used, (under a good sky, rare here). I bought a 6mm Orthoscopic
last week on e-bay that is just as good under a moderate sky, if a
narrower FOV, but 1/10th the price.
I can't justify the expense of top of the range equipment that will
seldom be used to its full capability but what I do buy is fully
utilised.
jc
http://mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/jc_atm/

On 18 Mar 2005 14:04:44 -0800, "davlap" wrote:

So come on all you cheapo's out there, post your good experiences and
make it easier for those just starting out to find something cheap that
works.

I am a genuine NASA nurd (22 years) but between money and time I have
not been able to get the fantastic scope that I have wanted. My wife
bought me a cheapie 4.5" reflector that got me back into the hobby for
the first time since I was about 14 years old.

Gee, I work around scopes that could swallow that one and have seen
custom ones to die for. But I'd never be able to move the pedestal for
our 16" and the 14"'ers would hardly fit in my truck unless I were to
remove all my windsurfing gear. And I cen get my little scope set up
and aligned while others are stgill unpacking.

Do I still dream of larger apertures? Sure! I'm always impressed with
others' gear but with my lifestyle I have had to settle for something
inexpensive, small, very portable, and simple to set up. It serves me
well. I've been able to get my wife and daughter to say "wow" on
several occasions so I guess I've accomplished something. I even set
it up and let the local Brownie Scouts earn a "Try It".

All scopes have their places, large and small. For now this small
scope has a nice home with me. I just got mine connected to my
notebook computer this week. More cool stuff to keep me interested for
a while longer.

Glenn