Celestron ExploraScope 100/Edmund Scientific Astroscan

[weixing]

Hi,

how bout the orion startblast? ive read some good reviews on the web and im wondering if its available here in singapore? or if some1 here is selling one?

This is an interesting scope that I had notice it long ago, but hesitate to recommend to anyone because it's a F4 scope and I never seem through it before.

Usually, a F4 scope mean that 1) collimation is critical and will be difficult to collimate, 2) coma will be a major problem at low power and 3) require good eyepiece (at least TeleVue Plossl) to perform well at low power. I think it's best that you see through one before you decide to get one.

Anyway, there are some lower cost and decent option from various brand that you can consider:
1) 80mm - 102mm F/10 or F/11 Refractor,
2) 114mm - 130mm F/7 or F/8 Long Tube Reflector, and
3) 114mm - 130mm F/5 Reflector.

By the way, one of my old 6" F/5 Newtonian is on sell section now (if still available) at a good price.

Have a nice day.

[Airconvent]

weixing
Your concerns are valid for seasoned astronomers but for beginners, I don't think those are major issues. For a start, they will be happy to see a decent image of saturn and jupiter. And for the price, they are great grab and go scopes. That is why i bought the Exploracope in the first place....ease of use.

I notice that because everyone here is so used to and pampered by those large aperture and $$$ scopes, suddenly all cheaper ones become "unacceptable", " poor image quality", etc. I agree for the carrefour or toys -r-us scopes but the celestron stuff should be acceptable because their performance still qualify them as real telescopes.

I know Astroscientific presently has some good deals for 60mm refractors at less than $300 complete with tripods. None of the usual hardcore hang here will ever accept a 60mm scope (except maybe the TV60 or WO66? heh heh) but this IS the starter scope for beginners....

Also, if they decide this hobby not for them, the damage is only a couple of hundred dollars but if they decide this is for them, they can always upgrade later after checking out the higher end scopes in singastro....

- Still a beginner at heart...

[mandaragit]

@weixing
Thanks for the advice! can you give me some brands of those scopes in your list? the reason im interested on the starblast is because of it's portability. and i think i may hand-carry it when i visit the philipines this february(really dark sites there). ill go check your list and see if i can find what im looking for...

@airconvent
Hey thanks! do you know how where i can find the prices on astroscientific? cause they're not listed on the website. astroscientific is on omni-theater right?

i really appreciate all your help guys! and sorry for my noobish questions . so do you know if i can buy the orion starblast here in singapore?

[weixing]

Hi,

Thanks for the advice! can you give me some brands of those scopes in your list?

Celestron, Orion and Sky-Watcher.
For Celestron, you can check the price at their show room in Omni Theater. Anyway, I'll be going there this evening to get something and will check out some of their entry scope price.
For Orion, you can check with Astro Bargains... in fact, you can ask Astro Bargains to help you to bring anything you want.
For Sky-Watcher, you can check with McGill.

so do you know if i can buy the orion starblast here in singapore?

You can ask Astro Bargains to help you bring one in, but I think shipping might not be cheap.

Have a nice day.

[acc]

Actually I would vote for the Orion Starblast. True there will be some coma and collimation is critical, but the optics are decent and the aperture/portabaility ratio can't be beaten for the price For DSOs, it will blow any sub-80mm refractors out of the water

[Airconvent]

@weixing
Thanks for the advice! can you give me some brands of those scopes in your list? the reason im interested on the starblast is because of it's portability. and i think i may hand-carry it when i visit the philipines this february(really dark sites there). ill go check your list and see if i can find what im looking for...

@airconvent
Hey thanks! do you know how where i can find the prices on astroscientific? cause they're not listed on the website. astroscientific is on omni-theater right?

i really appreciate all your help guys! and sorry for my noobish questions . so do you know if i can buy the orion starblast here in singapore?

you should pop by the science centre to have a look. the store is very very very well stocked at the moment. I enjoy walking around the aisle and bask in the rows and rows of scopes. heh heh
you can also try the celestron exploracope as they have one unit there although it is not the 100mm version but the smaller one 80mm one. Less than $400 which is a good price for a scope that include everything you need to get started (except maybe a star chart as weixing not included! ha hah )

btw, info on the scope :
http://www.celestron.com/c2/category.php?CatID=4

rich

[Canopus Lim]

Which Orion starblast? Is it this:

http://www.telescope.com/shopping/produ ... es#tabLink

Anyway, I can help you collimate and teach you how to collimate this scope if you buy it.

[acc]

Yup that's the one.

[mandaragit]

yup that's the one. Sure Canopus Lim, that'll be great!

im going to request a quotation from astrobargain about this scope. and if the price is not that steep i may order it already thanks a lot guys! you really helped me alot. i think im going for the starblast now as my starter scope, considering the fact that i may bring it to the philippines one day hassle free.

oh by the way... what can you see in singapore using smaller aperture? like 4"

thanks thanks

[weixing]

Hi,

oh by the way... what can you see in singapore using smaller aperture? like 4"

I'll be starting my Singapore Small Scope Observation List once the weather clear up and then I'll be able to answer your question.

Have a nice day.