Comparison of Two Scopes

ANDY O · Guest

HI:

I really don't know much about telescopes, but I do respect your opinion. I'd like to know how you would rank RANK and RATE the following 3 telescopes. Which would you select or could you make another recommendation for teenage son's first telescope?

Celestron NexStar 102 SLT Refractor Telescopes 22096,
Celestron NexStar 4 GT Maksutov Cassegrain Telescope - 11041,
Bushnell Northstar 5" Motorized GoTo Maksutov Cassegrain Telescope 127mm 788850

I'm buying it as a Christmas gift and really don't want to spend more than $500. Thanks again for you assistance!

opticsplanet.com · Posted: Mon Nov 28, 2005 4:30 pm Post subject:

Thank-you.

Each of these has its points.

The 102SLT is a refractor with the latest GOTO computer package from Celestron. This one will be the easiest to set up and align for a night's viewing.

The 4" Celestron Mak is a great scope and I'd rate it as the best of the bunch optically, but on this one Celestron model, the tripod is not included and must be purchased separately at http://www.opticsplanet.net/celestron-tripod-wedge-nexstar-4gt-5i.html This may affect your buying decision, of course.

The Bushnell 5" Mak is the largest scope of the bunch and will have an edge for observing the faint stuff. I don't rate it quite as high optically as the Celestron Mak, and the computer is not quite up to the convenience of the SLT, but it's easily the best value in the bunch.
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