Request.. Anybody Help..

[desmond_lim87]

hi frenZ out there...

i am consider quite a newbie towards astronomy.. currently i have a bino which stated 99990x5880 , gross field 8m/380000m and7:5018mu0000m ( i dunno wad tt so i juz copy and paste) but i can say that is isn't a good bino as for example.. when i use it to observe venus.. all i can see is like a close up star the size is just maginified to abt 2mm and i cant see the shape of the planet.. so i was juz wondering whether i can find a good budget telecope which allows me to get a good close up with the planets and also a faint deep space object.. and i heard the astro shop in science centre is outrageous.. is it truth?
tnkZ

newbie

Desmond

27/06/04

[weixing]

Hi,
What scope to get will be depend on your budget and what is your interest or you can always get a used telescope in the "Buy and Sell Section". I think the Sky-Watcher brand telescope which is carry by a few local vendor is actually one of the most affordable and value for money telescope in Singapore... just don't expect you will get Takahashi quality.

Anyway, before you decide to buy any scope, you can always check out their US price in the web and add US$100 to US$300 as shipping cost (depend on the size and weight of the telescope and mount)... This will give you the telescope US dollars price. Convert to Singapore dollars and compare to the price you get from local vendor and decide whether it is expensive or not. Do remember that if you buy directly from oversea, there are always a certain amount of risk you have to take... For example, if the telescope arrive damage, you may have to send back to the vendor at your own expense and that will cost quite a lots. So I think it is always better to get from local vendor if you are buying a new telescope... if your telescope got problem, just go after the local vendor.. hee hee

Have a nice day.

[Airconvent]

hi frenZ out there...
i am consider quite a newbie towards astronomy.. currently i have a bino which stated 99990x5880 , gross field 8m/380000m and7:5018mu0000m ( i dunno wad tt so i juz copy and paste) but i can say that is isn't a good bino as for example.. when i use it to observe venus.. all i can see is like a close up star the size is just maginified to abt 2mm and i cant see the shape of the planet.. so i was juz wondering whether i can find a good budget telecope which allows me to get a good close up with the planets and also a faint deep space object.. and i heard the astro shop in science centre is outrageous.. is it truth?

Hi Desmond,
I'm not familiar with the specs of your bino. They are typically specified as Mag x Aperture size, eg 10x50 (means magnification 10 @ 10mm diameter lens). You did not mention the brand, so I suppose its generic?

In anycase, using a Bino, you will not be able to discern any detail on Venus unless you use a tripod since your hand would be moving too much.
Also, x10 is alittle too low to look at Venus. The planet itself is nothing much to look at except when its a crescent.

Astroscience's prices reflect its location in the science centre.
You can also try our vendors here who are generally very active and helpful especially Sam from Harlequin Astronomics. Be prepared to pay $800 for a basic setup. I'm talking about decent optics and not toy scopes (in which case you can buy them for $40!). You can also try Wee Kiong who recently closed his $100 offer for a Meade 60mm refractor. Not sure if he has anymore units.

But if you ask me, it would be better that you join in some observations when it is called, looked at the various types of scopes and draw your own conclusions as to which suits you.

rich

[fizzy123]

Hi Desmond,
Ur bino definitely do not have enough power to view venus as a cresent. U need at least 50x on a decent small scope to see it. Scopes of large aperture have claim to be able to merely detect veri faint markings on the planet. Anyway do not be too fast to condemn ur bino nor get a scope rite a way. Ur bno can serve as a stepping stone to learn the nite sky and star-hopping to find DSO. Bino are also good at bringing out the true glory and wonder of star clusters like M35 and M41. The view thru a scope on them can never be compared to the bino as the true FOV is smaller. Ur bino can be used to scan the milky way or maybe even search for comets! Lastly, at the buy and sell section, folks are constantly selling their scopes to move on to bigger scopes. Thus, if u do not mind a second hand scope, u can always keep a look out.


Happy star gazing, clear skies! 8)

[shoelevy]

Hi,
What scope to get will be depend on your budget and what is your interest or you can always get a used telescope in the "Buy and Sell Section". I think the Sky-Watcher brand telescope which is carry by a few local vendor is actually one of the most affordable and value for money telescope in Singapore... just don't expect you will get Takahashi quality.

Anyway, before you decide to buy any scope, you can always check out their US price in the web and add US$100 to US$300 as shipping cost (depend on the size and weight of the telescope and mount)... This will give you the telescope US dollars price. Convert to Singapore dollars and compare to the price you get from local vendor and decide whether it is expensive or not. Do remember that if you buy directly from oversea, there are always a certain amount of risk you have to take... For example, if the telescope arrive damage, you may have to send back to the vendor at your own expense and that will cost quite a lots. So I think it is always better to get from local vendor if you are buying a new telescope... if your telescope got problem, just go after the local vendor.. hee hee

Have a nice day.

don't forget the 5% gst the government will charge you!