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Need a little help...Norah wants a telescope

ryantt
ryantt Posts: 2,532
edited October 2020 in Off Topic
As the title says Norah Grace wants to get a telescope...I have no idea what to buy and do not want to break the bank.  Thinking under $300.  Any suggestions, as you guys seem to know just about everything.


XL BGE, KJ classic, Joe Jr, UDS x2 


Comments

  • Kayak
    Kayak Posts: 700
    At that price point, maybe start with a good pair of binoculars? A telescope in that range (other than used) has a high likelihood of poor quality and high frustration. You might look at Oberwerk, or Orion. At least you'll learn some things from them. Good luck!

    Bob

    New Cumberland, PA
    XL with the usual accessories

  • lkapigian
    lkapigian Posts: 10,708
    I went through this awhile back on this thread..there is a couple good reads I did first 

    https://eggheadforum.com/discussion/1225111/way-ot-telescope-pros

    Not sure where you live but where I am, Light Pollution ( street lights homes ETC) and Air Pollution really limits you @ home, so If driving to view , consider something portable 
    Visalia, Ca @lkapigian
  • WeberWho
    WeberWho Posts: 11,008
    I know nothing about telescopes but your best bet might be something used in that price range. My dad's work associate was down sizing his house and gifted my dad a really nice used telescope for nothing as he didn't have the room or location for one anymore. A telescope is one of those items someone really wants until they don't. You might be able to snag one off someone who is looking to downsize or just not interested in it anymore on the cheap. 
    "The pig is an amazing animal. You feed a pig an apple and it makes bacon. Let's see Michael Phelps do that" - Jim Gaffigan

    Minnesota
  • ryantt
    ryantt Posts: 2,532
    @lkapigian ordered the book.  

    Also we live near the Amish so we can get to the country pdq.

    this is my version of rush hour traffic 

    XL BGE, KJ classic, Joe Jr, UDS x2 


  • SciAggie
    SciAggie Posts: 6,481
    These folks make quality produces. The telescope you need depends upon what you want to view.

    https://www.telescope.com/

    For example Reflector telscopes are a great value but the image is upside down and backwards. No big deal if you are looking at stars and nebulas. It's a big deal if you are looking at deer.

    Coleman, Texas
    Large BGE & Mini Max for the wok. A few old camp Dutch ovens and a wood fired oven. LSG 24” cabinet offset smoker. There are a few paella pans and a Patagonia cross in the barn. A curing chamber for bacterial transformation of meats...
    "Bourbon slushies. Sure you can cook on the BGE without them, but why would you?"
                                                                                                                          YukonRon
  • QDude
    QDude Posts: 1,052
    I would look for a used Dobsonian design telescope on Craigslist - 6" or larger. Avoid the crap scopes that are advertised for Christmas every year. The scope is just the beginning of the cost as decent lenses cost a pretty penny.

    Northern Colorado Egghead since 2012.

    XL BGE and a KBQ.

  • thetrim
    thetrim Posts: 11,352
    =======================================
    XL 6/06, Mini 6/12, L 10/12, Mini #2 12/14 MiniMax 3/16 Large #2 11/20 Legacy from my FIL - RIP
    Tampa Bay, FL
    EIB 6 Oct 95
  • fishlessman
    fishlessman Posts: 32,669
    no idea about the telescopes but pay attention to the tripod as well. just worked on a project with cheap tripods and ended up gluing most of the joints to get them to work in a way the client could use them. worth paying for a good tripod as they can be used on other things like video and photography
    fukahwee maine

    you can lead a fish to water but you can not make him drink it
  • dannys
    dannys Posts: 164
    I have a friend who is very into astronomy. When my late wife wanted a telescope I  asked him. He said emphatically Orion XT6.  It is within your preice range.
  • Corv
    Corv Posts: 359
    I used to have two telescopes for astromony. Neither are in your price range but what I learned might be somewhat helpful.
    The 90 mm (about 3.5") Televue gave a wonderfully clear view, but the only mount I could get at that time was an equatorial mount, which worked fine but was very awkward. The telescope optics were first rate.
    The 8" Meade was easy to use and became my go-to much of the time for that. But the size meant that it saw more atmospheric turbulence than the smaller Televue. That meant that the picture shook and vibrated much more. The optics, while quite acceptable, were not of the quality of the Televue, and side by side, that was easy to see.
    One thing I noticed looking at things around me with the telescopes is that for long distances here on the ground, the haze reduces the quality of the image. Basically the view is no better than what you can see - if it's hazy you'll have a washed-out view. For looking at the sky, I disliked the clunkiness of the equatorial mount. For mounts generally, set the telescope up and give it a tap. It should not move perceptably. If it does, the mount isn't stiff enough.
    Good luck!
    Somewhere on the Colorado Front Range
  • ryantt
    ryantt Posts: 2,532
    edited October 2020
    Called Orion and they suggested a few items that we've ordered. Amazing customer support when we called.  I thought for sure they’d want to up sell, but they pointed us to something under budget and then suggested some items to make it more versatile. Excited to get it and let her take it for a spin.  
    XL BGE, KJ classic, Joe Jr, UDS x2 


  • td66snrf
    td66snrf Posts: 1,821
    I would suggest the app Starwalk 2. You can point your smart phone and it will tell you what planet or star you're looking at. We had a 300mm refractory as a kid but by the time you set it up it was a major ordeal and then it was boring. I have no connection with this app. I think it's like 5 bucks but it's  way cheaper than a telescope. Buy the upgraded version. 
    XLBGE, LBGE, MBGE, SMALL, MINI, 2 Kubs, Fire Magic Gasser
  • When I was in middle school the high school neighbor girl and her friends started tanning in her backyard on the trampoline.

    I asked for a telescope for Christmas. She moved away. It’s probably still in a box around here somewhere.  =)

    "Brought to you by bourbon, bacon, and a series of questionable life decisions."

    South of Nashville, TN

  • lkapigian
    lkapigian Posts: 10,708
    I will a this, a good pair of binoculars will get you some very good gazing 
    Visalia, Ca @lkapigian
  • RyanStl
    RyanStl Posts: 1,050
    I agree with the good binoculars statements. At least they can be useful other than looking at the night sky. Luke someone else said, telescopes sound like fun, but unless you get an expensive one, it will be a let down.
  • RyanStl
    RyanStl Posts: 1,050
    thetrim said:
    I had one of those as a kid in the 90's. If I recall, it was closer to a hundred at the time. It was not the fun I expected.
  • thetrim
    thetrim Posts: 11,352
    =======================================
    XL 6/06, Mini 6/12, L 10/12, Mini #2 12/14 MiniMax 3/16 Large #2 11/20 Legacy from my FIL - RIP
    Tampa Bay, FL
    EIB 6 Oct 95
  • Botch
    Botch Posts: 15,431
    RyanStl said:
    I agree with the good binoculars statements. At least they can be useful other than looking at the night sky. Luke someone else said, telescopes sound like fun, but unless you get an expensive one, it will be a let down.
    Agree; I had an inexpensive Tasco as a kid.  It actually was a lot of fun looking at the moon (especially first/third quarter) but stars still looked like points of light, and without a camera you couldn't see anything else in real time.  
    _____________

    "I mean, I don't just kill guys, I'm notorious for doing in houseplants."  - Maggie, Northern Exposure


  • HeavyG
    HeavyG Posts: 10,324
    Botch said:
    RyanStl said:
    I agree with the good binoculars statements. At least they can be useful other than looking at the night sky. Luke someone else said, telescopes sound like fun, but unless you get an expensive one, it will be a let down.
    Agree; I had an inexpensive Tasco as a kid.  It actually was a lot of fun looking at the moon (especially first/third quarter) but stars still looked like points of light, and without a camera you couldn't see anything else in real time.  
    Stars (other than our Sun) will always look like points of light regardless of the price of your telescope.
    “Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away.” ― Philip K. Diçk




  • GregW
    GregW Posts: 2,676
    You may want to take a look at cloudynights.com
    They have an active forum and members sell their used equipment.