Cheap beginner telescope

[Johndepro]

Hi, I am wondering if I can get any telescope better than my 50az
My budget is around $100-$200.

[sgnic]

Get a binocular

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[Hardwarezone]

You prefer to look at stars or planets ?

[orly_andico]

answer.. nothing much really. you would need a mount for any telescope and that would cost far more.

suggest try to find an EQ mount and put your 50mm on that. There was an old Vixen GP being sold here some time ago for under $200 if I recall (used to be mine). That would be a decent-ish mount and 50mm is not bad for moon and planets. I'm sure you are bummed by your really shaky mount/tripod.

[antares2063]

.....not only the mount but I'm guessing your eyepiece / diagonal is the .965 format, a H20 (Huygens) eyepiece?

Try to save up a bit more, get an entry scope with a decent plossl , makes a world of difference

Regards,
Junwei

[Johndepro]

You prefer to look at stars or planets ?

I prefer planets

[Johndepro]

answer.. nothing much really. you would need a mount for any telescope and that would cost far more.

suggest try to find an EQ mount and put your 50mm on that. There was an old Vixen GP being sold here some time ago for under $200 if I recall (used to be min). That would be a decent-ish mount and 50mm is not bad for moon and planets. I'm sure you are bummed by your really shaky mount/tripod.

Thanks, is the mount sold? I don't really think I can put my telescope on another mount

[antares2063]

Why not? The size of the Tripod mounting screw is universal

Anyway I have a spare CG4 mount lying around, currently on loan, see if u want to borrow when I get it back

Regards,
Junwei

[orly_andico]

You can mount any scope on any mount, with enough motivation.

Here is the same scope (a Barska 90060 which cost about $150 including the tripod and everything)

1) on its original shaky EQ mount
2) on a less shaky mount



So yes, your 50mm could be mounted on another mount, with some ingenuity.

[Gary]

Hi, I am wondering if I can get any telescope better than my 50az
My budget is around $100-$200.

Hi John. Welcome to the forum!

Agree with Junwei about saving up a bit more. In the meantime, look through more telescopes at planets and see how they perform and how much they cost. You don't want to be in this situation:

(1) Spend $200 get telescope B to replace A
(2) Find the A to B improvement marginal
(3) Spend $XXX to get telescope C to replace B
(4) Find the B to C improvement marginal
(5) Spend $XXX to get telescope D to replace C
(6) Find the C to D improvement marginal

Instead, save up to buy telescope D directly. Then you will find the jump from A to D visually significant!

Find out more about the mix-and-match capabilities of different telescope with different mount. Usually an additional adapter is all that is required. Don't be restricted only by full set telescope systems.

Another approach is this. After viewing through different telescopes and doing more research, finalise your decision on Telescope X + Mount /Tripod Y. Then save up for both and buy them when ready. In the meantime, if you see them for sale used at a good price, you may:

- buy X and wait for Y used or continue to save up until you can buy Y new
- buy Y and wait for X used or continue to save up until you can buy X new
- if you are lucky, X and Y both appears used at the same time, then buy them and enjoy the higher total savings and cutting short your waiting time to get X and Y.

It may feel "torturous" to have X or Y only and not able to use them alone for stargazing immediately. But when you finally get both, you will appreciate the savings and be rewarded with your patience and greatly reduce the desire to keep upgrading aimlessly. If you procure your telescope first, bring it to our stargazing sessions. We will be very glad let you use our tripod/mount with it to scratch your stargazing itch.

The same approach can be applied to eyepieces and other accessories - e.g. waiting for a good barlow and a good eyepiece.

Good luck!