First telescope

bretttp1

I was thinking of buying a starter telescope, I currently use binoculars and want to get something more substantial.

I realize from looking at some other posts in the forum that an 8-inch reflector seams to be the minimum starting point, but for spending around the €300 mark, what would anyone recommend.

Maybe this would just be throwing money away but I was looking at this Celestron 70EQ or the 114 reflector :

http://www.astronomy.ie/firstscope.html


What does anyone think of these telescopes? I live in a moderately light polluted area but transporting around an 8-inch reflector to an area free of light is not practical at the moment.

Any help would be appreciated.

slade_x

Those on a more modest budget can aim towards the 4-6 Inch

As you linked there that 114(4 1/2" approx) is €349, if you are willing to pay that may i suggest spending just under or around €400 on a Celestron C6-N as pictured here: http://www.celestron.com/c2/product.php?ProdID=41 with a nice astrophotograph included at the bottom taken with it;

by Chris Everaert

DATE TAKEN: 05/28/2005 at 12:30 am
LOCATION: Belgium
TELESCOPE: Celeston C6-N
MOUNT: Equatorial
CAMERA: Canon EOS 300D
SOFTWARE: AstroArt 3.0
EXPOSURE: 20 minutes

This is my first attempt with the C6N and Eos 300D. 30 images where stacked with exposure time 60 - 90 seconds, ISO 1600

It appears to be the Whirlpool Galaxy (Messier 51)

UK Price example; Advanced Series C6-N £249 = €371

Also you could try contacting Andromeda Optics on

Phone: 01-496 6866
149 Upper Rathmines Road
Rathmines
Dublin

And North Down Telescopes contact details:
Andy McCrea
Phone: 028 91 273584

For a telescope you shouldnt settle on something thats just readily available to you, im sure astronomy ireland will be beaten on price

Kevster

That image is amazing... I had no idea common telescopes had that good a resolution.

slade_x

Kevster wrote:

That image is amazing... I had no idea common telescopes had that good a resolution.

its a Processed stack of 30 with Astroart

Latest version: http://www.msb-astroart.com/

bretttp1

Cheers for that guys, I'll check out the C-6 N.

Flukey

I have a Firstscope 70 EQ. It is very good as a starter telescope.

Here are a few photos I've taken using it, which will give you an idea of what you can expect to see:

The Moon:


Saturn:


Venus:


Jupiter:


Lidl are doing a good deal from tomorrow, on the Meade ETX-70AT, as shown elsewhere in this forum. That might be a better option.