Tasco Luminova 578x good?

[blurblock]

Really appreciate all the comments you guys have given me!

I'll be snooping around this forum now on to find out more on what it's like to be an astronomy enthusiast and to look out for any affordable + worthy starter junk scope

Actually there is a Star Party near Temask Poly on 27 Feb, some will bring their telescope there. So if you can wait, why not wait until then and look into their telescopes to get an idea

[ron]

yeap i've waited for quite a years already surely i can wait some more before buying one.

i'm sure i there won't be many beginner scopes there at the party for me to check out? hehe shall stay tuned anyway thanks for informing!

[fizzy123]

Pls do not get any Tasco scopes, as most of them are pathetic, useless department store scopes. To be frank, I own one of Tasco 60mm scope given to me by my uncle. The tripod is flimsy and lack slow motion control, thus viewing of objects and aiming is very difficult. When I attempt to show celestial objects to others, ie. jupiter, it just 'run' out of the view! The eyepieces are of extreme poor eye relief and is the0.965 inch type, it strains the eyes and the H12.5mm one is usable only. The finderscope is made of plastic and poorly constructed. The scope according to the manual is fully coated, but it shows a great degree of chromatic problems. On the whole, if u are just testing water or on extreme budget, consider it as a last resort. The scope even though is a thrash, it brought me fascination when viewing saturn's rings, jupiter's moons and moon's craters when viewing at 56x.

[fizzy123]

.... I hope this will encourage u a bit....www.astrosurf.com/l60/en/L60_deep_sky.html

[Airconvent]

.... I hope this will encourage u a bit....www.astrosurf.com/l60/en/L60_deep_sky.html

Good link , fizzy123,
I have added your link to the FAQ for those interested in buying a 60mm scope.

rich

[weixing]

Hi,
The main reason that most of us discourage newbie from buying a department scope is not because of their small aperture, most binoculars got even smaller aperture, but because of the quality of the len they use. Most department store scope use lens made of plastic, which is very low in quality. Most binocular use lens made of glass, so their quality and performance is much better than a department store scope.

As long as the lens are made of good quality lens, even a 60mm aperture telescope will allow you to enjoy observation for a long time.

Have a nice day.

[Poseph]

I also started off with a "junk" 60mm refractor about 20 years ago. I think it served my needs adequately, and pushed me onto the next step of astronomy.

I would still recommend such scopes for a beginner (if now was 20 years ago!!). But telescope affordability and quality have improved tremendously in the last 10 years with the introduction of the Meade EXT and Celestron NextStars, or even one of the beginner Orion beginner scopes. You can pay just $100 dollar more and get a good "go-to" auto-tracking scope. These scopes have improved the quality of beginner scopes tremendouly and allowed the masses to try astronomy.

I think they would be better choice for you.

[Kelvin]

Reading your post makes a to-be newbie feel encouraged. I shouldn't be embarassed too to say that I'll be totally elated just to see Saturn through the lens of a junk scope (if it can show me Saturn of cos). I've always wanted to own a scope since many years ago but haven't got the chance to.

Well, it is Ok to get a scope and i was once like you getting this kind of scope. I had it for 2 years. Let me give you some points.

1. The dialogue mirror will last you only 2 years. After that, greay smugs on the mirror will appear.

2. The eyepieces will not last. over time. Dust will gather into it thus making the eyepieces usable but not 100% outstanding.

3. The mount....URG ! the mount is terrible, viewing from 150x power will make object disapper nad move very fast, 1 - 2mins is all you got. The mount is light and unstable too.

4. The finder scope is of NO use. try using a low power eyepiece to search then using high power to view.

Overall, you CAN SEE jupiter, saturn and the moon, Veuns and Mars but that's about it. Color wise prepare for false colours or rainbow effect.
But if youare like me, thinkinh about a telescope ( i don't really have one) it is a good way to start off with one first. But only planetry work.

Feel free to ask me, i a old bird in using this kind of "Junk Scope".

[ron]

Reading your post makes a to-be newbie feel encouraged. I shouldn't be embarassed too to say that I'll be totally elated just to see Saturn through the lens of a junk scope (if it can show me Saturn of cos). I've always wanted to own a scope since many years ago but haven't got the chance to.

Well, it is Ok to get a scope and i was once like you getting this kind of scope. I had it for 2 years. Let me give you some points.

1. The dialogue mirror will last you only 2 years. After that, greay smugs on the mirror will appear.

2. The eyepieces will not last. over time. Dust will gather into it thus making the eyepieces usable but not 100% outstanding.

3. The mount....URG ! the mount is terrible, viewing from 150x power will make object disapper nad move very fast, 1 - 2mins is all you got. The mount is light and unstable too.

4. The finder scope is of NO use. try using a low power eyepiece to search then using high power to view.

Overall, you CAN SEE jupiter, saturn and the moon, Veuns and Mars but that's about it. Color wise prepare for false colours or rainbow effect.
But if youare like me, thinkinh about a telescope ( i don't really have one) it is a good way to start off with one first. But only planetry work.

Feel free to ask me, i a old bird in using this kind of "Junk Scope".

Thanks and will consult you guys again if I find any tempting cheapo scopes lying around in auctions. (: Meanwhile saving up...

[Bergkamp_]

DUN GO FOR 60MM TO ENJOY THE SKY!! THERE ARE FEW REASONS!

1. Astronomy is alot more well known now = more pple wif scope therefore u can see n compare which type of scope suits u =)

2. The sky is no longer as dark as 20 yrs ago, singapore lots of $$ on streets light all over singapore.

3. U can save and buy a better scope =) Maybe a bino will get u a better start than.. -.-" 60mm scope, cos bino is a grab n gd.. easy to keep

i started with a 4" i dun find tat enough.. now with a 5" .. tats alot better =P well in dark area of other countries.. 4" will be enough to collect the dim tiny weedy starlights.. but singapore.. we got to fight against street lights!!

well.. remember.. the sky isn't tat dark tat it used to be.. =)

Carez