68 replies to this topic

[sw196060]

Get a good 4” refractor, and/or a 6” f/8 dob. Then
ignore the internet and social media for 10 years at least.
You will enjoy the night sky and learn yourself what is good and a right solution for you.

[scotsman328i]

Get a good 4” refractor, and/or a 6” f/8 dob. Then
ignore the internet and social media for 10 years at least.
You will enjoy the night sky and learn yourself what is good and a right solution for you.

ADVICE OF THE YEAR!!!

[ABQJeff]

What would I do differently, hindsight being 20/20, starting with refractors (per OP):

For refractors: I would say pass on the Orion 80ED to accompany my 6” Mak and get the ST120, as it is more complimentary. Then yes when funds allow the next year still get the 102 F/7 apo.

As it is, I used my first astronomy Xmas to get the ST120 and I sold the 80ED at a bit of a loss (but used the 80ED well for the 8 months until I got the 102 F/7).

For Cats: I would say pass on the C9.25Edge and go straight for the C11Edge. The C11 is easy to handle and mount (for me), ignore all the dire warnings.

As it is, now my C9.25Edge sits unused in its storage case for over 2 years now.

For binoculars: pass on the Oberwerk 20x80 Deluxe III, go with the 15x70 Deluxe for the Paragon Plus. The 20x80DIII are too heavy for that mount.

As it is, I ended up having to get an OB PM2/TR3 to carry the 20x80DIII. But then that mount could handle more, so
I got the 23x110s and sold the 20x80DIII for a bit of a loss.

Eyepieces: skip the Expanse/Gold Band/etc. 66 degree AFOV EP line and go with the AT/SV/Meade/etc. UWA 82 degree series as an affordable well performing 1.25” EP line.

Edited by ABQJeff, 19 March 2025 - 11:16 PM.

[ichdien]

I would say, "Younger self, smart move to buy that brand new Traveler back in 1995!  That $1900 you thought was exorbitant?  The 6 months it took between the time you ordered it at Company Seven and the day you took delivery?  Don't get me started. Thirty years from now you'll still be enjoying the scope, which you'd be able to sell for a lot more than what you paid."

[Wildetelescope]

You should educate yourself, verify your expectations very well before falling into those two traps when its too late. Sounds like you are aware, eh.

Agree that understanding your own expectations is the key to happiness when purchasing scopes or any other piece of gear.   Education is the key.   Spending money on a quality telescope brand is not a trap, IF you can afford it, and you really know what you want.   Most folks run around buying many less expensive scopes, with no idea what they really want, spending the equivalent of what the initial cost of a Tak or AP, etc...  

 

For my part, I would recommend either an F9 100 mm ED Doublet, or and F7 120 mm ED doublet.  The recommendation is based on design and functionality.  You can get these designs from brands ranging from generic Synta brands, to the well known Skywatcher versions to Fluorite based Takahashi's:-)   I think that range really illustrates the versatility of the designs.   Frankly, I think that the F9 100 mm ED doublet is perhaps the optimal compromise of light grasp, limiting magnification, cool down time and portability.  From there, let your wallet determine what brand you want.  

 

Second recommendation. Buying used can often get you much more for your money, again IF you have educated yourself and know what you are looking for.  I have an AP 127 mm F8 refractor that I paid about 300-400 dollars more than I would have paid for a new Orion 120mm Eon at the time.  It is a fabulous visual scope and very much usable for imaging.  About 5 years after getting the 127, my name came up for an brand new 130 mm AP scope.  Even though I could afford that new scope which cost 3-4 times the older one, I passed because I was completely satisfied with the performance of the older scope, and I did not feel the small improvement in correction for lateral color would be worth the extra cost.   The funny thing was that I did not even have to think about it, when I was on the phone with AP(they called me).  The words were out of my mouth before I realized what I was saying, lol.  No regrets to date;-)   If you know what your expectations and they are met, then you are happy:-)

 

JMD

[LDW47]

Even to this day when my mind starts to wander towards a new scope I read / hear about I do the necessary research and especially the math, from various angles, to weigh whether I am gaining anything more than what I already have ie at least 10 various size refractors up to 5". Most times it convinces me not to, lol. But I never stop keeping myself open, even at age 77, it gets in the blood, eh.

[LDW47]

Agree that understanding your own expectations is the key to happiness when purchasing scopes or any other piece of gear.   Education is the key.   Spending money on a quality telescope brand is not a trap, IF you can afford it, and you really know what you want.   Most folks run around buying many less expensive scopes, with no idea what they really want, spending the equivalent of what the initial cost of a Tak or AP, etc...  

 

For my part, I would recommend either an F9 100 mm ED Doublet, or and F7 120 mm ED doublet.  The recommendation is based on design and functionality.  You can get these designs from brands ranging from generic Synta brands, to the well known Skywatcher versions to Fluorite based Takahashi's:-)   I think that range really illustrates the versatility of the designs.   Frankly, I think that the F9 100 mm ED doublet is perhaps the optimal compromise of light grasp, limiting magnification, cool down time and portability.  From there, let your wallet determine what brand you want.  

 

Second recommendation. Buying used can often get you much more for your money, again IF you have educated yourself and know what you are looking for.  I have an AP 127 mm F8 refractor that I paid about 300-400 dollars more than I would have paid for a new Orion 120mm Eon at the time.  It is a fabulous visual scope and very much usable for imaging.  About 5 years after getting the 127, my name came up for an brand new 130 mm AP scope.  Even though I could afford that new scope which cost 3-4 times the older one, I passed because I was completely satisfied with the performance of the older scope, and I did not feel the small improvement in correction for lateral color would be worth the extra cost.   The funny thing was that I did not even have to think about it, when I was on the phone with AP(they called me).  The words were out of my mouth before I realized what I was saying, lol.  No regrets to date;-)   If you know what your expectations and they are met, then you are happy:-)

 

JMD

Well said, you have to look at all the facts, every angle and there is definitely nothing wrong with used with the proper research, the right questions. Your wallet loves that route, lol.

[Jon Isaacs]

I think it's hard to tell, because I started out as a 13 year old in Norway 1983. I got a 60mm from the the US. I don't know what options I had at the time.

Maybe it makes more sense to say what advise I would give myself if I were younger and starting out today.

I don't advice people to spend too much on the first scope, because so many people use it once or twice. If you are not able to enjoy a $300 80mm achro, you should probably not spend $2000 on an APO.

I don't think it's wrong to start out with an 80- 100mm F/5 achromat. Large FOV. Enough aperture to show some DSO and the planets. OK to experiment with astrophoto with a relatively light tracking mount.

 

 

Kpm

[Wildetelescope]

I'd change nothing.  My past made me the person I am today.

 

Therefore, I would recommend to my younger self:  Go with that first serious telescope from the late 1960s -- a (unknown brand) 60 or 65mm (uncoated) cardboard-tubed refractor with a single Ramsden eyepiece (uncoated lenses in a rubber housing) along with a single-element (uncoated) Barlow lens (in a rubber cell) that could be pushed various distances into the refractor's (plastic) focus tube in order to achieve pretty much any magnification between 60x and 150x.  The telescope also came with an optional-to-use 35mm aperture stop that could be used to reduce aberrations.  Oh, it also came with an eyepiece solar filter that I made good use of -- sunspot observations as well as a partial solar eclipse.  I read (and followed) the instructions for safe use of that filter and had no problems with it.  The scope also came with a mirror star-diagonal, a cheap tripod, and a sheet-metal alt-az mount.  It had no finder, but I still managed to observe the Sun, Moon, planets, at least one comet, and a variety of star clusters, nebulae, and galaxies.  When pointing the telescope at objects I quickly learned to shift the scope up a bit before releasing the Optical Tube Assembly (OTA) so that when the scope dropped down (as it inevitably would) it would end up pointed at the desired object.

 

Edit:  Some mentioned an Astro-Physics refractor and/or the purchase of land at a dark location.  Both of those came later for me.  I purchased a piece of totally undeveloped land under a seriously dark sky that become my home in the early '80s.  (It's still my home).  My new 130mm Astro-Physics refractor was delivered to me in the mid '90s.  I've had its use for the past 30 years  .

 

For starting out, for one's first telescope, that crude 60 - 65mm refractor was plenty to keep me going in this fascinating hobby.  But in all honesty, I was hooked on this hobby before I had that first telescope.  For me, it all started with books . . .

AMEN to books!!!    As a child I absorbed EVERY astronomy/astrophysics book I could get a hold of.   Many were titles that I no longer remember, but one in particular was a book called BlackHoles and Warped Space Time by a professor named Richard Kaufman.  Was reading that in Junior high.   Repeatedly checked it out of the library and poured over it.   Later in life I dug up a copy on Ebay as it is long out of print I think.  I was dead set on becoming an astrophysicist up until the 8th grade, when my industrial arts teacher had us do a report on the job we wanted to do in life and I discovered through research that there were like 3 openings a year in the country, lol.   This was the early 80s and my dad was an autoworker, so I had a front row education to the importance of job security;-).  So I followed a different path in the sciences and can afford my current crop of toys.  I think this story sums up well the importance of reading on astronomy and life choices as well as the importance of a good industrial arts program:-)!

 

JMD

[desertlens]

I second the importance of reference material (books). I lean toward observing guides like Sue French's 'Deep Sky Wonders' and Peter Birren's 'Objects in the Heavens', both of which offer realistic expectations for small instrument users. I have a PSA that is positively 'dog-eared' from years of study. Early on, I decided I wanted to learn the sky rather than rely on some sort of go-to system. Do the homework, which is also enjoyable.

Edited by desertlens, 20 March 2025 - 03:51 PM.

[DazeGazer]

Invest in a large stock of Vixen Porta Mounts to either have and use or to sell, or both.

[ABQJeff]

What would I do differently, hindsight being 20/20, starting with refractors (per OP):

For refractors: I would say pass on the Orion 80ED to accompany my 6” Mak and get the ST120, as it is more complimentary. Then yes when funds allow the next year still get the 102 F/7 apo.

As it is, I used my first astronomy Xmas to get the ST120 and I sold the 80ED at a bit of a loss (but used the 80ED well for the 8 months until I got the 102 F/7).

For Cats: I would say pass on the C9.25Edge and go straight for the C11Edge. The C11 is easy to handle and mount (for me), ignore all the dire warnings.

As it is, now my C9.25Edge sits unused in its storage case for over 2 years now.

For binoculars: pass on the Oberwerk 20x80 Deluxe III, go with the 15x70 Deluxe for the Paragon Plus. The 20x80DIII are too heavy for that mount.

As it is, I ended up having to get an OB PM2/TR3 to carry the 20x80DIII. But then that mount could handle more, so
I got the 23x110s and sold the 20x80DIII for a bit of a loss.

Eyepieces: skip the Expanse/Gold Band/etc. 66 degree AFOV EP line and go with the AT/SV/Meade/etc. UWA 82 degree series as an affordable well performing 1.25” EP line.

Forgot the requested pictures!!

 

My cat really enjoyed the ED80, good for bird watching, but the 102 F/7 app is a better all around scope, especially with an ST120 on hand.

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[rfcooley]

Hmmm...

 

I got a 60mm Tasco at 9 years old. I had some struggles learning how to use it but once I figured out it show me a lot of stunning views and I used it for a number of years. My next purchase, with my own money, was a 10.1 Coulter Dobsonian. I saw far more stunning views with it. However, by the time I got the 10.1 I knew where things were and how to find them. So I am not sure I would change any thing.  Goto technology was not available in the 70s., neither were computers. My first used car had an 8 Track in it. If your old enough to know what that is, than we are about the same age. I used the Coulter for many years before I began purchasing other telescopes in earnest.  If I had not gone through that phase I would not know what I know now.  What I know now is that there are still things to learn and what I thought I knew, I don't.  In any case, I am not sure I would advise myself any different since the technology was not there then.

 

Never Lose the Wonder,

 

RF

[LDW47]

Hmmm...

 

I got a 60mm Tasco at 9 years old. I had some struggles learning how to use it but once I figured out it show me a lot of stunning views and I used it for a number of years. My next purchase, with my own money, was a 10.1 Coulter Dobsonian. I saw far more stunning views with it. However, by the time I got the 10.1 I knew where things were and how to find them. So I am not sure I would change any thing.  Goto technology was not available in the 70s., neither were computers. My first used car had an 8 Track in it. If your old enough to know what that is, than we are about the same age. I used the Coulter for many years before I began purchasing other telescopes in earnest.  If I had not gone through that phase I would not know what I know now.  What I know now is that there are still things to learn and what I thought I knew, I don't.  In any case, I am not sure I would advise myself any different since the technology was not there then.

 

Never Lose the Wonder,

 

RF

Before the 8 track there was a small record player, maybe a Sony, that could play 45's under the dash, problem was every time my first old car, a 55 Ford, hit a bump the record would skip, lol. I do go back, times were easy and I could lay on my parents lawn in the suburbs and the sky was black and stars were forever, it was probably Bortle 1-2 right in our small city of 25,000. Oh for that wonder again !

Edited by LDW47, 20 March 2025 - 10:08 PM.

[jakecru]

I wouldn't change what I bought first, as it was enough enjoyment to keep me in the hobby through today. My first scope was a meade 90 mm alt/az achromat refractor, but that one was a gift when I was 12. My first scope purchase was a Meade 12.5" Starfinder dob back when I was 15. Those two scopes got me into the hobby. I will never forget looking at Saturn for the firs time with that refractor, in all its false color. It was a beautiful view. The Starfinder 12.5 taught me a lot of how to maintain a telescope, collimate, and lear what it is like to carry around a water heater. 

What I would change, is my younger self selling my 18" F/4.5 Teeter classic telescope. I now finally have an 18" F/4.5 Obsession which is just as good optically, but I went 10 years without an 18" dob when I sold the Teeter and it was a beautiful scope. 

If I were buying a new telescope back when I was younger (with younger telescope prices), i'd probably pick up a TEC 140 ED since you could find them on the used market for more affordable prices back then. 

Edited by jakecru, 20 March 2025 - 11:04 PM.

[Kevin Barker]

My first telescope was an Edmund Astroscan purchased in 1980.  The market is very different today.  There is really nothing I could go back and tell my younger self about astronomy equipment that would have made a difference at any point in the last 45 years. 

Like you my twin brother and I purchased an Astroscan in 1980 in Christchurch New Zealand. We were kids and we mowed neighbours lawns and saved. Our parents helped as it was quite expensive. That telescope really opened up the possibilities.

It was great for discovering what is out there including nature observing, Halley's comet etc etc

[zjc26138]

I started with an Orion 10" dob. Don't think I'd ever change that. Though I would add some sort of tracking platform.

 

I purchased a Meade AR5 LXD75 not long after, then a William Optics ZS80, then a Stellarvue Nighthawl, then a Stellarvue 80/9d, then a Nighthawk Apalant (spelling), and so on and so forth.

 

If I could go back I would not buy any of those scopes, instead I would have saved for top tier scope.

[Erlend L]

In second thought, I think the most important thing in the 80's would be more books on practical amateur astronomy. I fell out of the hobby mostly because I lacked knowledge. I remember Mars was disappointing because it looked like a red star. It was probably very far from Earth, but I didn't know that. I did not consider that seeing is bad close to the horizon. I did not know what to look at.

[desertlens]

Not to mention dark adaptation and averted vision techniques. I largely learned about these by word of mouth or comments here at CN. I've learned a lot this way but a thorough guide to visual observing would still be nice.

Edited by desertlens, 22 March 2025 - 04:59 PM.