Thread: Does anyone here have any experience with telescopes?

Originally Posted by Blueline

Don't get me wrong about the 2 scopes you have looked at, they are both fine scopes and will allow you to see alot. I just know that after I got my first scope, by the end of the first star party I was already looking at upgrading to a bigger scope to see more/better. So rather than spend 400 and then 600 soon after, I'd just as soon spend 700 and get the better scope right at the start if I had it to do over.

Oh I totally understand. I'm really leaning towards the Dobsonian one, but again my fear was it being overwhelming. That's why I want to do some more research and looking at what I'm getting myself into.

...Plus, the damn thing is huge. Almost 4.5 feet tall.

Originally Posted by SmytheKing

...Plus, the damn thing is huge. Almost 4.5 feet tall.

Yes, but it also why dobsonians are prefered by most, they are simply put "light buckets". They aren't as fancy as other scopes, but really pull in the light allowing you to see the deep sky stuff you are after.

FYI, not really telescope related, but close. The Persied Meteor shower peaks on the 13th, but as the moon is full on the 13th, tonight may be the best viewing available. Look to the NE after 11pm as Perseus rises (best viewing should be pre-dawn as is with most meteor showers). The meteors should appear to shower the earth from the constellation Perseus.

WTF . . . not ONE Uranus joke so far? You guys are slipping.

Enjoy the hobby . . . I tried it one summer and just didn't have the patience for it, but I have several friends who are still nuts about it, and man they have a great time. Wine is usually also involved, though.

Not sure what smartphone you do (or don't) have but I use an awesome app on my iPhone called Star Walk. It uses the GPS and compass to track your location and shows you almost everything in the night sky real time. Makes finding objects MUCH easier.

http://vitotechnology.com/star-walk.html