[Chaos-l] telescope recommendations

[Mark South]

Ditto with Mark Lerch. I've owed a Mak and hated it. It's ok for  
planets and double stars but I prefer refractors and newtonian dobs.
Mark south

Sent from my cell phone

On Oct 1, 2009, at 2:35 PM, Mark Lerch <mark.lerch at quest.com> wrote:

> Jeff-
>
> My personal view after owning SCT's and Dobs for many years would be  
> to avoid the 8" Meade/Celestron Schmidt Cassegrains. There is just  
> so much they don't offer. If you really must have a Meade, I like  
> Robert's suggestion.
>
> I've never owned a Mak, but unless you're planning to get into  
> serious astrophotography (which sounds nice on paper but is a whole  
> different science unto itself), I don't think they offer much either.
>
> That leaves Newtonians, which are awesome for both visual observing  
> and astrophotography as well. You can get a 'starter' scope which  
> you may find yourself pulling out 15 years from now, no matter how  
> much you grow in the hobby.
>
> As you know, "the best scope is the one you will use the most often."
>
> I can't recommend enough Robert's suggestion of going to the Mid  
> Atlantic Star Party the week after next. It is by FAR the best way  
> to answer your question for yourself. Look at all the scopes, talk  
> to the owners, you will learn so, so much, and it's real  
> information, not marketing hype.
>
> The astronomy community is one of the best aspects of our hobby, and  
> the best way to experience it is to go to a star party. If you  
> haven't been to one - go!
>
> Mark
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: chaos-l-bounces at rtpnet.org [mailto:chaos-l-bounces at rtpnet.org]  
> On Behalf Of Jeff Wright
> Sent: Thursday, October 01, 2009 12:44 PM
> To: Chapel Hill Astronomical Observation Society
> Subject: [Chaos-l] telescope recommendations
>
>
> I am thinking of buying a new starter scope, something in the $1000 or
> less range, that I can also use as a decent portable scope at dark
> sites. I have found a few Maksutov models in the 5" range that look
> fine. I am leaning toward a Meade or Celestron, just because of  
> previous
> experience with them, but am open to other suggestions.
>
> Anyone have any experience they can share? Thoughts on 5" scopes in
> general? I have considered going with an 8", but of course, now we are
> talking $2000.
>
> BTW, I don't mind manual polar-alignment either.
>
> Also, any recommended dealers/web-sites? I am familiar with ORION, but
> don't have experience buying from anyone else.
>
> Thanks!
>
> Jeff
> _______________________________________________
> Chaos-l mailing list
> Chaos-l at rtpnet.org
> http://rtpnet.org/mailman/listinfo/chaos-l
> _______________________________________________
> Chaos-l mailing list
> Chaos-l at rtpnet.org
> http://rtpnet.org/mailman/listinfo/chaos-l