[AZ-Observing] Re: amateur telescope
- From: Jeff Hopkins <phxjeff@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: az-observing@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Thu, 10 Nov 2005 13:48:04 -0700
Hello Barb,
The ETX 90 is a better scope than the ETX 80, but retails for a lot
more. Retail price is around $600. There are two options for it. One
with a special coating for $50 more and one without the coating.
Remember you would be buying used so you don't know for sure the
condition. It would probably be okay, however. I see it comes with a
hard case. That's nice and worth another $50 or so. If you could get
it for under $500, I would say it is a good deal.
If you want to spend up to $1,000 there are many other options.The
smaller scopes are great for portability and for observing the Moon
and planets. They do not so well on deep sky objects, e.g., galaxies
and nebula. For those you need a large telescope to gather more
light. An 8" DOB is great for portability and having the ability to
do decent deep sky observing. A 10" or 12" is even better, but more
money a a lot more to handle.
Jeff
At 13:34 -0700 11/10/05, Barbara Liebler wrote:
>It's still there - try
>http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7562031424&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMESE%3AIT&rd=1<http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7562031424&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMESE%3AIT&rd=1>
>I'm thinking this would retail for close to $1000 and this might be
>a good opportunity to get it for a lot less. I'm just a little
>hesitant because I know so little.
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Jeff Hopkins<mailto:phxjeff@xxxxxxxxxxx>
> To: az-observing@xxxxxxxxxxxxx<mailto:az-observing@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Sent: Thursday, November 10, 2005 1:28 PM
> Subject: [AZ-Observing] Re: amateur telescope
>
> Hello Barb,
>
> I checked EBay, but that item is no longer there.
>
> How much money do you want to spend as a maximum?
>
> Meade has a very nice ETX 80 mm refractor with Autostar for under $300.
>
> Check
>
>http://www.optcorp.com/product.aspx?pid=1-600-603-571-591-7295<http://www.optcorp.com/product.aspx?pid=1-600-603-571-591-7295>
>
> The Autostar is nice as once you set it up you just punch in the
> object you want to view and it will automatically go to the object.
> This is great if you are just learning the sky. While it takes a bit
> to understand the setting up part and the use of the hand controller,
> it is not really difficult. It just takes some practice. One
> advantage of the refractor is there is essentially no maintenance and
> it is easy to set up.
>
> Also check Orion telecopes at
> http://www.telescope.com<http://www.telescope.com/>
>
> Orion has some nice scope for beginners. A Dobsonian (DOB) would give
> you the best value for a larger telescope. You can get a nice 6" for
> $259 or 8" for $358. I recommend at least an 8" if going that route.
> These are heavier and are not computerized like the EXT 80.
>
> If you have more questions, just drop me a note.
>
> Jeff
>
> At 12:28 -0700 11/10/05, Barbara Liebler wrote:
> >I'm new to the world of "star gazing," and I'm considering buying a
> >telescope. I see an Ebay item, number 756031424, that is a Meade
> >telescope with an "autostar" attachment. Will that be easy enough
> >for a rank novice to use to find a particular star?
> >Barb
--
Jeff Hopkins
HPO SOFT
http://www.hposoft.com/Astro/astro.html
Hopkins Phoenix Observatory
7812 West Clayton Drive
Phoenix, Arizona 85033-2439 U.S.A.
www.hposoft.com
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