Looking for opinion on Telescope

thegills

Guys,
I am looking to get a beginner telescope. My budget is €300. I have looked at the andromedaoptics.com website and they have a number of scopes within this budget. I was also directed to www.frys.com in the US. I am looking for some comments on the following scope - Click Here.
I would also appreciate some comments on the andromedaoptics.com scopes and which offers the best value for money.
Regards
thegills

Kersh

I have the celestron version of that scope, the nexstar 114gt.
Its ok, the eps are not that good. And from my light polluted Swords site it struggles a bit. Any other choices available?
If you do get it , try and get the celestron ep set. That improved it no end.

Seanie M

thegills, perhaps would you consider saving more money and getting an even bigger telescope that will help you from your light polluted Swords? Would be worthwhile, especially if you can't get away from the city lights and all that.

Seanie.

byrnenj

I'm also looking for a 300 euro beginner telescope! I've been evry confused with all the diffreent types and why one is better than the other. I've been reading various websites and I think what I should be looking for is the biggest apateur for my 300?

Is that basicly it? Or should i be looking for focal lenght too.
I was going to go with a reflector, possible one of these:

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Skyhawk-130 (130mm (5.1") F/1000) Newtonian Reflector Telescope
Price: €350.00

Standard Specification:
Magnification Range : x50, x100, x200
Diameter of Primary Mirror : 130mm
Telescope Focal Length : 1000mm (f/7.69)
Eyepieces Supplied (1.25") : 10mm & 20mm Super MA
x2 Deluxe Barlow Lens (with camera adaptor)
60x30 Finderscope
EQ-2 Equatorial Mount
Aluminium Tripod with accessory tray

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Explorer-130 (130 mm (5.1") F/900) Newtonian Reflector Telescope
Price: €295.00

Standard Specification:
Magnification Range : x45, x90, x180
Diameter of Primary Mirror : 130mm
Telescope Focal Length : 900mm (f/6.92)
Eyepieces (1.25") : 10mm & 20mm Super-MA
Diffraction Limited Optics
x2 Deluxe Barlow Lens
6x30 Finderscope
EQ-2 Equatorial Mount
Aluminium Tripod with accessory tray

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thegills

Thanks for the advice guys. I'm actually based in Ballina / Killaloe and the skies down here are unbelievable (hence my increased interest in astronomy). Similar to byrnej I am totally confused about what exactly to look for. byrnej where did you get those prices from? I also like the idea of being able to take digital photos from the scope.

thegills

byrnenj

Thos prices are from www.andromedaoptics.com but I can't seem to find anything on their website where about they are based. There are no contact details apart from an email address. Most of their telescopes don't have prices.

Anybody know where they are?

albertw

byrnenj wrote:

Thos prices are from www.andromedaoptics.com but I can't seem to find anything on their website where about they are based. There are no contact details apart from an email address. Most of their telescopes don't have prices.

Anybody know where they are?

Its ran by two amateur astronomers in Dublin. Website isnt the greatest, just send them an email.

Cheers,
~Al