beginner scopes

[spykid27]

what is a good and low cost beginner achromatic? There is a celestron powerseeker series one, but is it good? If anyone got use before can link me to their review?

[cloud_cover]

What's the budget?
Also, why an achromat? Is it because of the perception that they are cheap?
A word of caution: Achromats are not the best, per se, for looking at planets and bright objects which is precisely what's best seen in light polluted Singapore. Achromats generally excel at wide-field viewing of deep space objects, which unfortunately tend to be fairly washed out in Singapore. One exception is long-focus achromats which have good color correction due to the long focal length but tend to be expensive or bulky requiring expensive mounting.
If budget is really the limiting factor, why not go for a cheaper reflector (which gives more bang for the buck) or simply borrow scopes at star parties and save up for an ED/APO?
Consider buying used as well, there usually is a good market from the US but as its now summer season generally prices are higher.

[weixing]

Hi,
I think the first question most of us here will ask is: what's your budget?

Basically, there are two type of Achromatic Refractor:
1) Rich field or Fast Achromatic Refractor (Focal ratio f6 and faster): good for wide field viewing, but not so good on planets and lunar at high magnification. Shorter and easier to carry around.

2) General purpose Achromatic Refractor (Focal ratio f8 and slower): Maximum field of view is smaller better rich field Achromatic Refarctor, better colour correction than the rich field Achromatic Refractor, so perform better on planets and lunar at high magnification. Longer and heavier than the rich field Achromatic Refractor with same aperture.

Have a nice day.

PS: Focal Ratio = Telescope Focal Length / Telescope Aperture (diameter). Smaller number = faster and larger number is slower.

[stargazer]

I guess TS intends to start with a budget.

The Celestron Powerseeker series are among the most affordable in Celestron telescopes. I myself started with the 4.5" Powerseeker Newt. Reasonable performance with good aperture size at affordable price.

The Nexstar SLT or LCM series offer GOTO capability too, yet again at affordable price (though most ex than Powerseekers). But that may in turn sustain TS interest in astronomy as finding objects should be easier.

My 2 cts...

[Mariner]

Just an opinion on the GOTO function. It may be nice and convenient but I feel that using it often pampers users too much and beginners may end up being over reliant on it and will not master the basics of locating objects. The feeling of locating an object found via star-hopping is hard to beat.

I'm old school.

My 1c.

[Gary]

If your decision is rich field fast achro (see Weixing's reply), can consider the Orion Short Tube ST80mm:
http://www.telescope.com/Telescopes/Ref ... p/9947.uts



You may also consider using a heavy enough camera tripod and mount as shown in the video or using a slow motion adapter on a decent camera tripod.

Because of its portability over long achro, you may end up using it more frequently and find it easier to bring to overseas to observe under truly dark skies. I will never forget my first view of my 80mm F/5 scope under milky way skies in Johor sweeping the stars at Cygnus and observing the whole dagger of Orion in it.

[spykid27]

thanks people!
my budget is like, around 300 dollars, so it's quite hard to find a good one. however, I have considered getting newtonians, since I heard they have more value 4 money per aperture.
BTW, I heard the powerseeker refractors are not that good.

[Gary]

thanks people!
my budget is like, around 300 dollars, so it's quite hard to find a good one. however, I have considered getting newtonians, since I heard they have more value 4 money per aperture.
BTW, I heard the powerseeker refractors are not that good.

$300 is too low a budget for a brand new decent telescope, accessories like eyepieces, a mount and tripod. 2 suggestions:

(1) Wait and save up a bit more. Go to more sidewalks and starparties and enjoy the telescopes there free of charge and learn more about them. I am sure those sessions will really refine your thought process on what is the best beginner scope suitable to you for your budget. In the meantime, also patiently wait for good deals on used scopes to maximise the value out of your budget.

(2) Get a good $150 -$200 binocular and spend the rest of the money to go to Johor dark sites. You will see much more celestial objects this way. When you have saved up enough for your first telescope in the future, the binocular will still be a keeper and very useful for wide rich views of the night sky.

[cloud_cover]

I agree with Gary: I have a Nikon Action EX 10x50 that I started out with and I still keep it in my back seat or bring it along with me even though I do have a few good quality scopes from a 4" ED to an 8" SCT.
The Binos are something you can grab a small field chair, plonk down in a slightly darker field or area and simply scan the skies. If you have a smartphone or tablet/laptop, you can even load steallrium/Skysafari and have excellent star charts to cruise with!
Learning star hopping is also much easier with binos due to their much larger FOV

[spykid27]

actually, I think binos are great too!
since they can be used for land viewing, I can use them for bird spotting, etc. any info on astro master series?
prehaps I will buy a scope or bino direct from factory in china using yuan. I need to Beware of counterfeits, though...