Telescopes - Looking for a sweet spot

Discussion in 'Science and Nature' started by wyzard, Sep 16, 2015.

  1. #1 wyzard, Sep 16, 2015
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 18, 2015
    High there science loving blades. As this is one of my favorite forums, I thought I'd ask your collective opinion on the sweet spot for telescopes.


    I've identified a few scopes and I was hoping for some opinions if you have/actually use one of the scopes.
    Here they are in terms of my current ranking (as far as sweet spot/price value). I'd love your opinion on the order and scopes that ought to be included.
    Ranked Considerations (not deal breakers):
    • Prefer GoTo
    • Prefer 2" Eyepiece compatibility
    • highest quality optics (for price point)
    • stable platform
    • portability

    1) (my current pick) CELESTRON NEXSTAR 130SLT COMPUTERIZED TELESCOPE $400 - $500 - This scope is GoTo, and can use a 2" eyepiece


    2) CELESTRON NEXSTAR 6SE COMPUTERIZED TELESCOPE - $800 - A classic, has go to but I really like the idea of a 2" eyepiece and this is a 1.25"


    3) MEADE STARNAVIGATOR 102MM ALT REFRACTOR W/AUDIOSTAR - $400 - GoTo Refractor with reportedly high-quality optics (space.com)- expected to have slightly unstable tri-pod (my guess)


    4) CELESTRON OMNI XLT 150 R TELESCOPEOMNI XLT 150 R TELESCOPE - $1000 - Not GoTo and uses 1.25" eyepiece, this one is here because of its aperture (150 mm) and expected optical quality (as a refractor)


    5) CELESTRON NEXSTAR 8SE COMPUTERIZED TELESCOPE - $1200 - A GoTo scope with a giant aperture. loses points with me on portability, price, and 1.25" eyepiece. It is here because it is widely regarded as one of the best amateur scopes ever made. I simply don't want to pay the price.


    I constantly wonder is the NEXSTAR 8SE really three times as good (given my 5 criteria) as the NEXSTAR 130SLT? Is the NEXSTAR 6E a good midpoint given its lack of 2" eyepiece and double the price of the 130SLT?
    What do you think of this listing? Are there other scopes that I should really consider?
     
  2. #2 Tokesmith, Sep 17, 2015
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 17, 2015
    Tbh I wouldn't get a computerized telescope unless I was throwing down 8k plus. It's because can make a 36 inch mirror reflection scope into a very compact size. Added you won't get as clear of a view as a regular dobsonian reflection telescope.

    Pretty much you're paying for the star finder feature which is the lazy mans way of finding the location of celestial objects.

    With those prices you can get a fairly powerful dobsonian scope such as an 8 or 12 inch mirror. Check out lightbridge scopes, they are transportable due to how easy they break down, it's fairly light, and it has excellent views.

    Here's mine View attachment 1877158

    If you're new to astronomy I'd get something around the same size as the $400 refractor but instead get a reflector telescope. They produce better quality images however they weigh more. But honestly sacrifices are going to have to be made for high quality images (price, weight,... Etc..)

    Also why the 2 inch lenses? You can buy wide angle lenses specifically for your telescope that fit into the whole without 1.25 adapters. It'll give you just as much of a view but will also produce high quality images while being easily available due to the availability of 1.25 telescopes. And if you're buying a wide angle lens specifically for your scope it will produce VERY nice images.
     
  3. #3 Tokesmith, Sep 17, 2015
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 17, 2015
    Idk why it didn't post pic but here's my lightbridge ImageUploadedByGrasscity Forum1442517503.179039.jpg

    the top is like 4 pounds and the bars are removable and can fold into straight bars. The base is the hardest past due to it weighing about 50 pounds. However it easily fits into a large trunk such as an suv, hatchback, etc..
     
  4. The reason I prefer GoTo is that I am worried that too much fussing looking for objects will exhaust my young daughter's patience. I spent the last year observing with binoculars, and I can do alright, but I want to keep her attention.


    As you made a good point with the Dobsonian being a great option, I added it to the poll
     
  5. Yea that's a good reason for the GoTo.

    Check out sky quests, I also have one and they're excellent. This one has a star finding feature as well.

    http://www.telescope.com/mobile/catalog/product.cmd?productId=102012&gclid=CO6jhsms_8cCFYpcfgodMkcF8g
     
  6. Sorry for double post but I don't want to make a messed up edit with my mobile app.

    I would try and something similar to that but with an 8in mirror. Once it's 8 and up you can start getting some nice features on the moon and planets.

    I have to admit though I'm a little bias towards the dobsonian side due to myself having two. However I got the sky quest from an uncle who recently retired from nasa as a radio astronomer. He knows what he's doing and he liked the sky quests a lot.
     
  7. Just a plug for GoTo; Looking for objects is one thing, tracking them is another! Personally I've never used an equatorial mount which would surely be easier than alt-az, but it's tough to beat the hands and attention free nature of automatic tracking. It's wonderful to step away from the telescope to take in the big picture and come right back to what you were viewing with it.


    On the down side of course, GoTo can be tricky to successfully align, and the frustration mounts very quickly if you batteries run out or the power adapter gets unplugged and you have to do it all over again.
     

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