[Chaos-l] telescope recommendations

[E. Allen Davis]

Very good advice as was Roberts  allen

E. Allen Davis
 starstorm151 at embarqmail.com

 "M'Illumino              "I am enlightened
 D'Immenso"              by the immensity."

   -Ungaretti               -Ungaretti

----- Original Message -----
From: "Mark Lerch" <mark.lerch at quest.com>
To: "Jeff Wright" <jwright at cs.duke.edu>, "Chapel Hill Astronomical Observation Society" <chaos-l at rtpnet.org>
Sent: Thursday, October 1, 2009 2:35:42 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern
Subject: Re: [Chaos-l] telescope recommendations

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