Is this a good telescope for a beginner?

Question

OPTICS
Type of Telescope:- Reflector
Construction:- Newton
Objective diameter (mm):- 76
Focal width (mm):- 700
Aperture ratio:- 1 : 9,2
Max. reasonable Magnification (-times):- 152

GENERAL
Installation:- AZ-1
Tripod:- Tripod made of aluminium
GoTo System:- n/a
Weight (kg):- 6

ACCESSORIES
Number of Eye pieces:- 2
Eye piece diameter (inch):- 1,25
Oculars:- Super 10mm, Super 20mm
View finder binocular:- 6x30 Sucher
More Accessories:- n/a

Answer 1

I'd avoid that telescope because of the mount.



It's not likely to be stable or easy to aim precisely. This means it will be frustrating to use.



As magnification goes up, so does the need for a stable mount. You might not notice it vibrate in the breeze or while you're focusing if you look at the telescope, but when you're looking through it the vibrations will be magnified just as much as what you're looking at.



Most people who buy a scope like the one you're looking at will give up on astronomy or buy a better telescope before they've seen five objects they can identify with it.



The least expensive type of telescope mount that's stable is a Dobsonian.



A good basic Newtonian on a Dobsonian mount starts at about $180 in the USA, and with a 114mm diameter mirror, it'll gather 2.26 times as much light. Here's a link to one at a dealer in Germany.



< http://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/product_info.php/info/p1889_Orion-Kompakt-Dobson-114-450mm---Parabol-Optik.html >



It is about twice as expensive as what you're looking at, but I've known people who have had that scope and enjoyed it for years. You might find a better deal elsewhere - I'm not familiar with European dealers.



Otherwise, the best thing you can do while saving up to buy your own telescope is find and join a local astronomy club. You'll be able to observe with people who have more experience than you, and they'll be happy to have you look through their telescopes. Membership is usually very inexpensive.



Good luck.

Answer 2

for a beginner i would not recommend a high-tech telescope such as the meade 80AT. I would recommend that you go the simpler route. you don't have to do this but it will improve your knowledge by following this route. if you are an absolute beginner to astronomy, you became interested about 2 weeks ago, then the Meade 80AT is not the right choice. mainly because you will buy it loose intrest in astronomy and the telescope will live the rest of its life in the cupboard. I would have to say that you should go with a dobsonian telescope. they are nothing more than a cylinder of alliminium and a mirror at the bottom. however you will find that this type of telescope can do everything that any other telescope of the same size can do. The trick is that a dobsonian telescope has to be moved by hand. you have to allign it to look at a specific ster or whatever. it takes some getting used to but in the end is worth it. If you have kept you intrest in astronomy for at least half a year i would say the chances are that you wont lose intrest at all. then you could start of small with the Meade 80 AT and work your way up

Answer 3

This is still the minimum.



http://www.telescope.com/control/product/~category_id=dobsonians/~pcategory=telescopes/~product_id=09804



The dob mount is rock solid stable. The optics are good, if small, at 4.5 inches (114 mm). It's portable - it fits in your car and sets up quickly. It comes with two useful eyepieces, 36x, 91x, neither of which push the high end of magnification, so views will be good with either. The company has excellent after sales support, so buying online won't hurt you. I've used this scope before, and disagree with Sir Patrick Moore on this point. Dark skies are an equalizer. From dark skies, the entire Messier list is available from this scope.



200 U.S. dollars = 154.261473 Euros

If this is too much money, i suggest you wait. You could visit a local astronomy club in the meantime. They can show you what you should expect, and what to look for.



http://www.skyandtelescope.com/community/organizations

Answer 4

The specifications look pretty good, but it all comes down to the quality of the optics. If the scope is from a reputable manufacturer, it's an excellent first telescope. If not, it's a gamble.



For what it's worth, the fact that the maximum reasonable magnification given is 152 rather than 400 or 600 argues in favor of this being a good scope (they're not advertising useless magnification).

Answer 5

I've seen your earlier question and it seems like you are having difficulty finding a good telescope but the urge to buy one clings on. I've had one telescope of the same objective diameter. The views are quite good for a beginner. However, as you get more into digging deepsky objects, you may begin obsessing for larger aperture in the future. Clear skies!



Anyway, here is a link if you want to import:



http://www.astronomy-shops.com/



I hope you can find a country near enough where you can buy one.

Answer 6

The aperture is far too small to be useful for Astronomy. Patrick Moore's old dictum that the minimum size for a refractor is 3" and for a reflector 6" still stands.

Answer 7

you can do better than that. the mount is wobbly, and the aperture is too small to do much of anything with.



if money is an issue, please hang out with local astronomers and look through their telescopes until you can afford something worthwhile. this will also help you figure out what you want.



the orion starblast is the cheapest scope worth buying, and is highly recommended.

Answer 8

Looks good to me.



Would like to know the price you are paying though?



Sometimes you can get far better telescopes second hand, with better specifications for less money.



However, only buy from an authorised dealer.

Answer 9

Yes it is.

Answer 10

yeah really good actually.