next step in a telescope?

jamie crx · 27-07-2009 9:10pm #1

hi all,winter isnt to far away and another few months of star gazing,ive been into astronomy last 3 years,i have a meade etx 70at{lidl} and celestron powerseeker{argos}.i have to say the meade is a brillant telescope,value for money,good view of saturn ,i dont like the celestrons mount,bit shakey,or maybe that wos me from the cold,im looking to step it up a bit,i wana see more.what would b the best step up scope?without spending thousands,maybe under 600.even second hand.thanx for looking and any info welcome.

27-07-2009 9:27pm

If you've a budget of €600 you'll get a very nice telescope. I'll give you a few of what I'd go for.

This Celestron Omni XLT 150 is a 6" reflector with a great solid equatorial mount (although it isn't motorised). It'd be a great step up, and it's only €400.

This Celstron Schmidt-Cassegrain is a nice little scope too. It's 5 inches, and it won't be as powerful as the above reflector, but it is a lot more portable, and it's a tad over €600.

If you'd prefer a refractor, this Celestron would be a good choice.

It depends what you want, really. If you prefer observing planets a refractor is better, while a reflector/catadioptric is better for deep sky observations (because of the ability to get a larger aperture for less money). For €600, you could possibly get a 10" or maybe even a 12" Dobsonian reflector, which is, as far as aperture is concerned, the greatest value for money. The only downside is the, in my opinion, clumbsy alt/az mount.

I'd stay away from computerised systems: they cost more for less performance. You only need a computerised/motorised system for astrophotography, really.

I only gave the above links because they're all available from Astronomy Ireland's shop, which is handy because of its relative locality. If I had to choose any, I'd go for the 6" reflector. It comes in at only €400 euro, leaving you some money to get some nice eyepieces and accessories.

If you've any particular questions, just say.

Hauk · 28-07-2009 10:54am

I'm going to second the Omni XLT 150. I've owned this scope for a number of months now. I love it to bits.

Ostrom · 28-07-2009 11:02am

Hauk wrote: »

I'm going to second the Omni XLT 150. I've owned this scope for a number of months now. I love it to bits.

I'm looking to invest in a good reflector soon, how does the omni do on planetary detail?

Stargate · 28-07-2009 2:59pm

-JammyDodger- wrote: »

If you've a budget of €600 you'll get a very nice telescope. I'll give you a few of what I'd go for.

I'd go for the 6" reflector. It comes in at only €400 euro, leaving you some money to get some nice eyepieces and accessories.

Hi All

Just catching up on recent posts

I almost bought an Omni XLT 150 , lovely scope
But got a beautiful 2nd hand Celestron C8 N in mint condition
over on http://www.irishastronomy.org/cms/forum , from Mark
at a great price

You meantioned Eyepieces -JammyDodger-

Great EP`s here , fab prices !
http://www.owlastronomy.com/exwide.htm

Stargate

Hauk · 28-07-2009 3:03pm

Hi efla.

The only planets I've viewed through it are Saturn and Jupiter. I can easily make out the rings of Saturn, and that was with the standard 25mm eyepiece I got with the scope(I didn't purchase more eyepieces until Saturn had gone down). I got a crisp image of the globe and the rings, which was wonderful.

I had my first view of Jupiter in less than optimum conditions about two weeks ago. I tried the 25mm and was able to make out the globe and the 4 moons.

Then I pushed the mag to a 9mm lens, and it effectively doubled what I was looking, a lovely sight of the moons and planet.

I then pushed it to the 6mm lens with a 2x barlow, which made it 250x magnification, and I was able to make out the cloud bands on the planet.

But I must stress, I was looking at Jupiter in very un-favourable conditions, so I am waiting for a break in these goddamn clouds so I can get a decent look.

I'm waiting for my first look of Mars through it, so I'll let you know when I get decent conditions.

Hauk

Stargate · 28-07-2009 3:23pm

Hiya Hauk
Howya doing today?

Pretty poor weather in Cork again , i think its the same all over

My sis is on hols in Spain at the mo and sent a lovely pic of them on the beach with a clear BLUE sky as a backdrop lol , heartbreaking weather here day after day .Specailly when you want to do some viewing

Stargate

Hauk · 28-07-2009 3:28pm

I'm doing grand.

It is heart-breaking. Night after night of clouds. We must be in to a few weeks now.

Oh well, I'm sure we'll be rewarded.

Stargate · 28-07-2009 7:27pm

Hauk wrote: »

I'm doing grand.

Oh well, I'm sure we'll be rewarded.

LoL Hauk , you mean really rewarded.

Thats the best news iv had all week haha
Tnx Hauk

Stargate

Hauk · 28-07-2009 9:54pm

I don't understand. What good news was I giving? o_0

jamie crx · 30-07-2009 6:40pm

thanx for the info lads,i mite invest in the omni range,but i am curious in a dob telescope,seems u get alot for ur money.apart from there size,is a dob hard to use,or just point and look?

Stargate · 30-07-2009 7:27pm

Hauk wrote: »

I'm doing grand.

It is heart-breaking. Night after night of clouds. We must be in to a few weeks now.

Oh well, I'm sure we'll be rewarded.

We gonna get 3 months of sunshine , clear skies at night , and win the lotto Hauk , now thats what i call really rewarded lol

Thanks for the reply by the way

Regards
Stargate

next step in a telescope?

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