Feeling like a YOYO..............
Started by
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, Nov 11 2003 05:57 PM
9 replies to this topic
#1
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topic starter
Posted 11 November 2003 - 05:57 PM
For the past few days I have been reading up on this and that and I really do not know which way to go...Is there somewhere I can go to read up to make sence of this mess I have made for myself
#2
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topic starter
Posted 11 November 2003 - 06:01 PM
Buddha, have you read "The Backyard Astronomer's Guide" by Dickinson and Dyer? Highly recommend it! Here is an Amazon link
#3
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Posted 11 November 2003 - 06:10 PM
TY tom read the description on the book am going to order it. Sunday I was gunHOOOOO to buy a telescope that day then after about ten hours of clicking I felt like a 2 year old at a insurance seminar.
#4
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Posted 11 November 2003 - 06:17 PM
Dickinson is an enthusiastic writer and it shows. He also gives you his honest opinion about things, which is rare these days as everyone is so concerned about political correctness. Very enjoyable book. I also recommend "Nightwatch" by him as well.
I know how you feel about information overload. There is sooo much to this hobby and it is all tradeoffs. I think the scope you posted will be a good all around instrument if you decide to go that way. To me, half the fun is the research and learning required.
I know how you feel about information overload. There is sooo much to this hobby and it is all tradeoffs. I think the scope you posted will be a good all around instrument if you decide to go that way. To me, half the fun is the research and learning required.
#5
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Posted 11 November 2003 - 06:32 PM
You will never stop learning in this hobby if you are active in it. There is so much to know, I don't think anyone could grasp it all in one lifetime.
#6
SAL
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Posted 11 November 2003 - 07:32 PM
Don’t get discouraged. I just started this hobby a few weeks ago, and the folks at Cloudy Nights have been invaluable to learn from. In addition, it is one of the friendliest forums you will find. I wholeheartedly agree with Tom’s book recommendations. I own “Night Watch” and found it to be fantastic… (Scott)
#7
jrcrilly
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Refractor wienie no more
Posted 11 November 2003 - 09:28 PM
Here's the good news. ANY of the scopes mentioned by folks on this site will give you the thrill of astro observing. 
Even under mediocre skies you'll see the major planets, most of the Messier objects, plenty of interesting doubles. Once you choose an instrument, relax and know that it'll do what you want it to.
Even under mediocre skies you'll see the major planets, most of the Messier objects, plenty of interesting doubles. Once you choose an instrument, relax and know that it'll do what you want it to.
#8
Norvin
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Posted 12 November 2003 - 12:15 AM
You might also try to buy this book from Barnes & Noble...
"Cambridge Guide to Stargazing With Your Telescope" by Robin Scagell
Norvin
Post #165
"Cambridge Guide to Stargazing With Your Telescope" by Robin Scagell
Norvin
Post #165
#9
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Posted 12 November 2003 - 01:41 AM
Buddha;
I highly second Cambridge guide to Stargazing. Very informative.
The 2 types of scopes that will be recommended over and over will usually be a refractor or a dobsonian. You can hardly go wrong with either one.
My bias is towards the refractor. Buy a short to mid tube 80-100mm from a step up manufacturer (Stellarvue and Williams Optical come to mind) and you will likely keep it a long time (even if you want a bigger scope of another style) as it is easy to move and use. EQ or Altaz mount whatever you think you will like. Alt-az is lighter and simpler to use, EQ is nicer to track once properly set up.
A dobsonian will give you the most aperature for the buck. I don't like the "nudge, nudge, oops too far, go back" operation of the standard dob mount and would tend to want one on an EQ mount. That makes it big and bulky. On the other hand an 8" dob is pretty easy to cart around. They do take a while to cool down.
If you haven't tried them out find a club/store where you can and see if one tickles your fancy. Norvin will sing the praises of a dob for you.
I bought a Stellarvue Nighthawk after going through all my reasoning. Here in WA state we get a lot of changes in the weather. We might get an hour or two of reasonable clearing in the middle of the rain/overcast, so a couple of my considerations were a very minimal cooldown, and easy to move in and out. Plus I like well made equipment and good customer service. Stellarvue seemed to put it all together for me. If I hadn't bought from them, Orion would have been next.
There are several posts on this board about Orion's good customer service. Being of Chinese origin most of the Orion scopes seem to take a little alignment work to get good views from the equipment. There would be plenty of advice available here on the forum. For Dobsonian reflectors, in addition to Orion, Hardin optics and Discovery seem to get good reviews.
Final Advice: :question:Pick one and get started. After you have worked through all the limitations of whatever you pick, you will be in a much better position to decid what you want next. If you are just a casual observer like me, you may very well continue with what you have. I haven't begun to see all that my little scope will show. So adventure awaits. (unfortunately the clouds rolled in a little bit ago.)
Blessings
Keith CSN
BTW here is the Yahoo Stellarvue Groups link:
http://groups.yahoo....oup/Stellarvue/
I highly second Cambridge guide to Stargazing. Very informative.
The 2 types of scopes that will be recommended over and over will usually be a refractor or a dobsonian. You can hardly go wrong with either one.
My bias is towards the refractor. Buy a short to mid tube 80-100mm from a step up manufacturer (Stellarvue and Williams Optical come to mind) and you will likely keep it a long time (even if you want a bigger scope of another style) as it is easy to move and use. EQ or Altaz mount whatever you think you will like. Alt-az is lighter and simpler to use, EQ is nicer to track once properly set up.
A dobsonian will give you the most aperature for the buck. I don't like the "nudge, nudge, oops too far, go back" operation of the standard dob mount and would tend to want one on an EQ mount. That makes it big and bulky. On the other hand an 8" dob is pretty easy to cart around. They do take a while to cool down.
If you haven't tried them out find a club/store where you can and see if one tickles your fancy. Norvin will sing the praises of a dob for you.
I bought a Stellarvue Nighthawk after going through all my reasoning. Here in WA state we get a lot of changes in the weather. We might get an hour or two of reasonable clearing in the middle of the rain/overcast, so a couple of my considerations were a very minimal cooldown, and easy to move in and out. Plus I like well made equipment and good customer service. Stellarvue seemed to put it all together for me. If I hadn't bought from them, Orion would have been next.
There are several posts on this board about Orion's good customer service. Being of Chinese origin most of the Orion scopes seem to take a little alignment work to get good views from the equipment. There would be plenty of advice available here on the forum. For Dobsonian reflectors, in addition to Orion, Hardin optics and Discovery seem to get good reviews.
Final Advice: :question:Pick one and get started. After you have worked through all the limitations of whatever you pick, you will be in a much better position to decid what you want next. If you are just a casual observer like me, you may very well continue with what you have. I haven't begun to see all that my little scope will show. So adventure awaits. (unfortunately the clouds rolled in a little bit ago.)
Blessings
Keith CSN
BTW here is the Yahoo Stellarvue Groups link:
http://groups.yahoo....oup/Stellarvue/
#10
Norvin
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Posted 12 November 2003 - 01:55 AM
A dobsonian will give you the most aperature for the buck. I don't like the "nudge, nudge, oops too far, go back" operation of the standard dob mount and would tend to want one on an EQ mount. That makes it big and bulky. On the other hand an 8" dob is pretty easy to cart around. They do take a while to cool down.
If you haven't tried them out find a club/store where you can and see if one tickles your fancy. Norvin will sing the praises of a dob for you.
Oh yes! I recommend the Meade 16" LX200GPS-SMT. Around $10,000 will get it shipped. Once it's gone, Meade's gone, lol.
No seriously. I know I am a "preacher" of Hardin Optical but seriously. I was able to get my 8" from them for $349 which is literally a steal. The current price of $395 is a great deal. I don't have any movement problems. Mine glides easily. I grasp the front of the Dob sticking my fingers into it and move it wherever I please.
Norvin
Post #172
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