Looking for advice on Telescopes
Feb 23, 2016 13:31:31 #
My present telescope, a 8 inch Meade reflector, is getting old and I've been looking into replacing it for a while now. I've done a lot of research on what's available today and have concluded there's way too much information out there to comprehend in my already overloaded mind. I'm looking for some meaningful help.
I'm looking for a scope that may be used for both celestial and terrestrial observations. The image alignment doesn't really matter to me, upside down, right side up, inverse, since my main objective is astrophotography.
I'm looking for a complete package, the OTA and motorized mount and tripod. The scope needs to be portable and durable and my budget, according to the wife anyway, is under $2000 USD. I'm leaning towards a Cassegrain type reflector, preferably a RitcheyChrétien but I'm limited by the budget.
Any useful suggestions or expertise on this issue is greatly appreciated.
I'm looking for a scope that may be used for both celestial and terrestrial observations. The image alignment doesn't really matter to me, upside down, right side up, inverse, since my main objective is astrophotography.
I'm looking for a complete package, the OTA and motorized mount and tripod. The scope needs to be portable and durable and my budget, according to the wife anyway, is under $2000 USD. I'm leaning towards a Cassegrain type reflector, preferably a RitcheyChrétien but I'm limited by the budget.
Any useful suggestions or expertise on this issue is greatly appreciated.
Feb 23, 2016 13:43:46 #
You are probably way ahead of me on this, but I had a friend who was interested in getting into the field and telescopes.
We are in Oregon, and each year out in the center of the desert and high up (no towns or lights for 100 miles in any direction) there is a gathering of people who camp for about a week and watch the sky. Hundreds of people in every camping mode you can imagine.
We drove out there for a day and one night.
Elmer had been researching telescopes for about three months, and in one day, about 75% of his research got "blown out" of the water.
As in all things, real world usage and the people who use the gear are superior to all the internet "marketing" you try to digest.
It was interesting to see how many of these gatherings take place across the country. You may want to go to such an event, unless your current level of experience already has you looking at that solution/source of info.
There were also about three vendors there for the week and plenty of used gear for sale.
We are in Oregon, and each year out in the center of the desert and high up (no towns or lights for 100 miles in any direction) there is a gathering of people who camp for about a week and watch the sky. Hundreds of people in every camping mode you can imagine.
We drove out there for a day and one night.
Elmer had been researching telescopes for about three months, and in one day, about 75% of his research got "blown out" of the water.
As in all things, real world usage and the people who use the gear are superior to all the internet "marketing" you try to digest.
It was interesting to see how many of these gatherings take place across the country. You may want to go to such an event, unless your current level of experience already has you looking at that solution/source of info.
There were also about three vendors there for the week and plenty of used gear for sale.
Feb 23, 2016 14:04:15 #
Kuzano wrote:
You are probably way ahead of me on this, but I ha... (show quote)
I know of these events but they are rare near where I live, about 30 miles west of Philadelphia. These gatherings usually take place in light pollution free locations and they are pretty rare in this part of the country.
I met Dave Barry years ago when he was a young writer for one of the local new papers in Chester County, PA. Nice guy...
Feb 23, 2016 14:21:01 #
Leitz
Loc: Solms
rmorrison1116 wrote:
My present telescope, a 8 inch Meade reflector, is... (show quote)
Talk to the folks who specialize in the subject:
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/s-109-1.html
Feb 24, 2016 10:14:32 #
Google Oceanside Photo and Telescope (OPT) they are known worldwide and great folks to work with.
Feb 24, 2016 10:24:17 #
rmorrison1116 wrote:
My present telescope, a 8 inch Meade reflector, is... (show quote)
A couple of years ago I purchased a new Meade 8" SCT LX90 ACF... cost a little under $2k... it's about as big as I can comfortably take to the field... the 10" was just too big to schlep around. This 8" SCT is a GoTo scope and has given me a very nice platform for astrophotography... as well as solar work with the correct ERF. I don't regret the purchase at all.
Feb 24, 2016 11:16:18 #
jaybyrd wrote:
Google Oceanside Photo and Telescope (OPT) they are known worldwide and great folks to work with.
Thank you for the lead... I will check them out.
Feb 24, 2016 11:17:44 #
billgdyoung wrote:
A couple of years ago I purchased a new Meade 8" SCT LX90 ACF... cost a little under $2k... it's about as big as I can comfortably take to the field... the 10" was just too big to schlep around. This 8" SCT is a GoTo scope and has given me a very nice platform for astrophotography... as well as solar work with the correct ERF. I don't regret the purchase at all.
Thank you for your input, I will take a look at this scope, sounds like it may be what I'm looking for.
Feb 24, 2016 11:44:50 #
Feb 24, 2016 12:24:53 #
Feb 24, 2016 13:16:55 #
I have the Meade LX200-GPS. It's to much scope for terrestrial, you'll see all sorts of heat waves. It's a little heavy (I'm rather muscular and lift weights) for moving around (which is why I didn't get the 10" or 12"). And Meade hasn't gotten around to writing software for Macs. I feel Meade has superior Optics to Celestron, but I'm not very happy with many of their other idiosyncrasies. The different demands you are looking for will not be perfectly met with any individual instrument. The old adage holds true, " the best telescope is the one you use most often". I used an old 3" refractor more often than my 8" Meade.
Feb 24, 2016 13:21:52 #
rmorrison1116 wrote:
My present telescope, a 8 inch Meade reflector, is... (show quote)
The Winter Issue ( their LAST) of "c't Digital Photography" has a really nice article on using telescopes with a camera. They are still on the magazine stand at Barns and Noble - or should be.
Feb 24, 2016 13:31:53 #
rmorrison1116 wrote:
My present telescope, a 8 inch Meade reflector, is... (show quote)
I have the Celestron Nexstar 8SE (8") computerized telescope. It is a complete package for $1,199.00.
Schmidt-Cassegrain design. Fully automated, goto mount w/ database of 40,000+ celestial objects automatically locates. Also, it will focus down to 30-40 feet for terrestrial subjects.
Feb 24, 2016 16:09:59 #
I am no expert on telescopes but B&H Photo has an extensive selection for sale.
Feb 24, 2016 22:22:14 #
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