Hi Everyone, Over the past several years, we've purchased two telescopes for our daughter that haven't been very good and have caused more frustration than enjoyment. We are now in the process of trying to sell them and buy something she can use and enjoy. We had thought we might get astronomical binoculars, but we're also not sure if this is the best decision. We're wondering if we should try for our third telescope, and hope we get it right this time! So, if any of you have any opinions about all this, I'd love to hear from you! Does anyone have binoculars that are designed for astronomical use? If so, do you like them, or not, and why? If anyone would like to suggest a telescope, or features of a telescope, that we should look for, I'd love to hear about that also. Our daughter is14 years old. She wants something that will enable her to see the planets (and have them look like more than just a star!), but at the same time, we want it to be simple enough to use that she won't get frustrated. Please feel free to share your opinions and experience with me! Thanks so much. Dottie
I can understand your frustration. I bought my first telescope last year, and since I didn't know much at the time, I found it hard to use, etc. This summer I was in John and Lisa's telescope making class where I built a larger aperture scope. Besides this class, I have done quite a bit or reading and experimenting (built a small scope in order to understand better how it works) and I am just finish an Astronomy class as well. While I don't consider myself an expert by any means, I would like to share some of my experience. First, the scope I got last year is not that bad. It was not great, but as I have learned this year, I have made improvements to it. Compared to last year, it works much better now, I have seen cloud bands in Jupiter open clusters, crater on the moon, etc. The two major improvements were that I replaced the eyepieces that came with the telescope with some better ones. (I don't know what your budget is, but I am cheap, so you can find some good EPs for a relative low cost). The second major improvement is that I also replaced the plastic finder. The third improvement was not with the telescope, but with myself. I am learning how to be a better observer - avoid city lights, learn the constellations so I can find objects, and being patient at the eyepiece, The longer you look, the more you see. (and patience is virtue) I don't know the sizes of your two previous scopes, but if you have time this coming school break (and the skies cooperate) perhaps we can get together one evening and see what we can find with your scopes and mine, even from our light polluted skies. --- J Waterreus <jwaterr@comcast.net> wrote:
Hi Everyone,
Over the past several years, we've purchased two telescopes for our daughter that haven't been very good and have caused more frustration than enjoyment. We are now in the process of trying to sell them and buy something she can use and enjoy. We had thought we might get astronomical binoculars, but we're also not sure if this is the best decision. We're wondering if we should try for our third telescope, and hope we get it right this time! So, if any of you have any opinions about all this, I'd love to hear from you! Does anyone have binoculars that are designed for astronomical use? If so, do you like them, or not, and why? If anyone would like to suggest a telescope, or features of a telescope, that we should look for, I'd love to hear about that also. Our daughter is14 years old. She wants something that will enable her to see the planets (and have them look like more than just a star!), but at the same time, we want it to be simple enough to use that she won't get frustrated. Please feel free to share your opinions and experience with me! Thanks so much.
Dottie
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David, Thanks for your offer. I have the telescopes advertised right now, but so far, there's been no interest. If we don't sell them by Christmas, it would be fun to get together during the break and see what we can find! I just posted another e-mail with the information about our telescopes. A couple people from this group told me last spring that they weren't all that great, so I'm not expecting much! Dottie
I can understand your frustration. I bought my first telescope last year, and since I didn't know much at the time, I found it hard to use, etc.
This summer I was in John and Lisa's telescope making class where I built a larger aperture scope. Besides this class, I have done quite a bit or reading and experimenting (built a small scope in order to understand better how it works) and I am just finish an Astronomy class as well.
While I don't consider myself an expert by any means, I would like to share some of my experience.
First, the scope I got last year is not that bad. It was not great, but as I have learned this year, I have made improvements to it. Compared to last year, it works much better now, I have seen cloud bands in Jupiter open clusters, crater on the moon, etc.
The two major improvements were that I replaced the eyepieces that came with the telescope with some better ones. (I don't know what your budget is, but I am cheap, so you can find some good EPs for a relative low cost). The second major improvement is that I also replaced the plastic finder.
The third improvement was not with the telescope, but with myself. I am learning how to be a better observer - avoid city lights, learn the constellations so I can find objects, and being patient at the eyepiece, The longer you look, the more you see. (and patience is virtue)
I don't know the sizes of your two previous scopes, but if you have time this coming school break (and the skies cooperate) perhaps we can get together one evening and see what we can find with your scopes and mine, even from our light polluted skies.
I went out a couple of nights ago and did some comparisons. With a pair of 10x50 binoculars, one can easily find some of the bright objects in the sky. Some fuzzy and dim objects can still be found, however, they are dim. I have learned to recognize those dim objects (many look much better under very dark skies). Also, it is easy to get tired holding the binoculars, but with an inexpensive adapter, they can be mounted on a standard tripod. That makes a more pleasing experience. I then used a 80mm F5 (that means short) refractor. Note: this is a "el cheapo" scope from ebay. It is not the best, however, it is not that bad after a couple of upgrades: one, I use a larger tripod than the one included, and two, I use my other eyepieces instead of the ones that came with the scope. This scope came with a diagonal that gives upright images (instead of upside down). That is an advantage in that it is easy to point (like using binoculars). While the aperture is not much greater than the one you currently use, the short focal length gives the advante of providing brighter images (but not larger images) than your current telescope. My son likes to play with that telescope (he is 12) and a red dot pointer helps a lot too. Anyway, based on your current telescope, either option (binoculars or short tube refractor [with easy "upgrades"]) would give your daughter a more pleasant experience. Neither will give you views like the pictures advertised, however, once you understand on what you *can* see, they are quite usable. __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Meet the all-new My Yahoo! - Try it today! http://my.yahoo.com
David Trevino wrote:
<snip>
Neither will give you views like the pictures advertised, however, once you understand on what you *can* see, they are quite usable. Funny you should mention that. I recently read that Meade's irritating (IMHO) habit of putting Hubble Space Telescope pictures on boxes containing their cheap-o telescopes got them sued for deceptive advertising. Now they have to include a sticker on the box saying something to the effect that the views you see through the scope will not be what you see in the pictures.
Score one for the little guys! Patrick
J Waterreus wrote:
Over the past several years, we've purchased two telescopes for our daughter that haven't been very good and have caused more frustration than enjoyment. We are now in the process of trying to sell them and buy something she can use and enjoy.
Hi, Please post the brand, diameter and model number of the scopes you are trying to sell. Once you do that some of us out here can let you know if they really are bad scopes or if they are good scopes that maybe you just need some help learning how to use. Clear skies! Patrick
J Waterreus wrote:
Over the past several years, we've purchased two telescopes for our daughter that haven't been very good and have caused more frustration than enjoyment. We are now in the process of trying to sell them and buy something she can use and enjoy.
Hi,
Please post the brand, diameter and model number of the scopes you are trying to sell. Once you do that some of us out here can let you know if they really are bad scopes or if they are good scopes that maybe you just need some help learning how to use.
Clear skies!
Patrick
Patrick, These are the two telescopes I'm selling. I'd love to know what your opinion of them is. Thanks! Dottie (1) Edu Science brand Astrolon Telescope, 402 power. Features: 5X 24mm Finderscope with crosshairs Diagonal viewer 1.5X erecting eyepiece 2.3 Barlow lens Accessory tray Aluminum tripod We bought this telescope at Toys R Us two years ago. (2) Saturn Telescope by Meade, model 60EQ-D. Features: 60mm refracting telescope 900 mm focal length, f/15 5X24 viewfinder with 6-point finder bracket rack and pinion focuser metal optical tube slow motion controls High quality, 2-element objective lens with high-transmission coatings Precision equatorial mount accepts optional motor drive, for automatic tracking of sky objects. Fully adjustable aluminum tripod with accessory tray. Equatorial mount with cable controls on both axes. SR4mm, H12.5mm, and H25mm eyepieces 3x Barlow lens
J Waterreus wrote:
These are the two telescopes I'm selling. I'd love to know what your opinion of them is.
(1) Edu Science brand Astrolon Telescope, 402 power. Features: 5X 24mm Finderscope with crosshairs Diagonal viewer 1.5X erecting eyepiece 2.3 Barlow lens Accessory tray Aluminum tripod We bought this telescope at Toys R Us two years ago.
As is normal with "Department Store Scopes" the most important thing (the diameter of the scope) is not mentioned. That's a red fag. They do mention the very unimportant power. Also bad. That I've never heard of the manufacturer doesn't help either. Bottom line, I'm guessing it's not a very good scope.
(2) Saturn Telescope by Meade, model 60EQ-D. Features: 60mm refracting telescope 900 mm focal length, f/15 5X24 viewfinder with 6-point finder bracket rack and pinion focuser metal optical tube slow motion controls High quality, 2-element objective lens with high-transmission coatings Precision equatorial mount accepts optional motor drive, for automatic tracking of sky objects. Fully adjustable aluminum tripod with accessory tray. Equatorial mount with cable controls on both axes. SR4mm, H12.5mm, and H25mm eyepieces 3x Barlow lens The manufacturer is not known for the greatest quality but some of their stuff is ok. Alas, the size (60 mm) is way small. Go to a star party and you rarely see stuff much smaller than 150 mm and most are much bigger. The eyepieces are poor and I suspect the mount and tripod are pretty shaky.
Bottom line, it's probably a bit better than the other one. Using the 25 mm eyepiece without the barlow might give ok views of the Sun (with a proper solar filter) and Moon. And on nights with really good seeing Jupiter and Saturn might be ok. Not much hope for most galaxies and nebulae, though. I suppose you could try and sell them but I'd feel a bit guilty doing that knowing that whomever got them would have the same problems. One thing you might want to consider would be to join SLAS and borrow one of their loaner scopes for a few weeks and maybe have one of the UVAA or SLAS members in your area show you how to use it. All of the loaners are Dobsonians and easy to set up and use. Another thought would be to purchase an inexpensive pair of binoculars. 7x35s are ok, 7x50 are better. And a planesphere (simple, cheap, rotating star finder). Patrick
participants (3)
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David Trevino -
J Waterreus -
Patrick Wiggins