Beginner : Meade ETX-80BB or Meade 114EQ-AR

nostraticispeak · Joined: 25 Feb 2008 Posts: 6

Hi!

I'm a beginner's beginner with telescopes and I have no idea which one to pick. I'm willing to spend only upto $300 (+shipping) on a new telescope (my bro wants to buy me one, and I dont want to push him too much). I was looking at various telescopes on this site and others and zeroed in on the Meade ETX-80BB Backpack Observatory Telescope priced at 299.

Is this a good telescope for a beginner? I imagine I'll be using the telescope I buy now for quite some time, so I am thinking about accessories and additional fittings for later, like filters and lenses and so on. Do I need to spend 299 for this or 199 for another telescope like the Meade 114EQ-AR Telescope to which I could add accessories. Can I purchase additional lenses, etc and get the cheaper telescope to be optically more powerful than the 299 one?

I've been a astronomy crazed kid for a very long time but could never really afford a telescope. I basically would like to see the rings of Saturn clearly and see distant nebulae and other close galaxies.

I'd like the first telescope I buy to be light (114EQ weighs 25lbs, while the ETX-80 weighs 7.5 lbs). Don't want the weight to slow my commitment to this hobby.

Could you guide me to something I could buy? I learn very quickly and I tend to push the tech specs to their maximum within a month - atleast for all my DSLRs. Are either of these good long term investments in terms of compatibility with other lenses, installation of digital eyepieces etc? I'd like to explore the various facets of telescopes heading toward astrophotography in a few months - like investigating compact cameras before moving on to DSLRs.

Or should I just invest in good binoculars?

Thanks!!!

Jne_K · Site Admin Joined: 24 Sep 2003 Posts: 5517

Hi

Buy the largest telescope you can afford with the features you want and that suits your observing style and observing site. Telescope size, in terms of the diameter of the main lens or mirror, is the primary factor in telescope performance.The ONLY thing the ETX-80 has is its portability. Any 114mm reflector will outperform it.

The first decision to make on a telescope is whether to buy a computerized model or a manual model.

A computer does make navigation easier for a beginner and most are relatively simple to get set up and aligned. This is the most practical option for a light polluted area, since learning to navigate manually is tough to do when you can't see a lot of guide stars. Meade and Celestron both make good computers. If you like computers and are technically inlcined, this is the way to go.

On the other hand, you can buy a bigger scope for your dollar with a manual scope, since you are not buying a computer. Learning to navigate the old fashioned way takes more initiative and effort and it is slower, but in many ways more enjoyable. It is also quite practical if you observe from a dark or mildly light polluted site.

Your next decision on a telescope is telescope size, since the size, in terms of the diameter of the main lens or mirror, is the primary factor in telescope performance. Be wary, however. Portability is also directly related to size and large telescopes are time consuming to set up and not easy to transport.

Related to telescope size, is telescope design - reflector, refractor, Maksutov, Schmidt-Cassegrain and so on. Each type has its advantages and disadvantages.

For a through discussion of the basics, be sure to review our article, first, at How to choose the right telescope (good info on what all the numbers mean)
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nostraticispeak · Joined: 25 Feb 2008 Posts: 6

Hello Joanie,

Thanks for that! I was beginning to look at other telescopes since the reviews for the Meade telescope I mentioned weren't that impressive at all.

I have some other questions that I need to know that wasn't in your article.
But before that, let me tell you that I'm now looking at the Bushnell NorthStar 1250 x 90mm Maksutov Cassegrain Telescope. It has the right price (under $300) and specs seem to look good - although that was the case with the Meade too.

Is this a good buy, in terms of the review for the earlier versions in this series (like the 78830 which has a lot of complaints)?

1. Bushnell NorthStar 1250 x 90mm Maksutov Cassegrain Telescope: is it easy to set up?

2. There are complaints that the Bushnell North Star 675x4.5" Reflector Telescope is hard to set up or calibrate. Does this model have any of the calibration issues that its predecessors do?

2.1 Does the computer work the very first time the device is set up? How about keeping track of time and other issues associated with calibration?

3. How big will it be when i hold it?

4. How much maximum useful magnification can I get out of it with additional lenses? Can I attach additional lenses like the Barlow Lens to further increase the magnification for this telescope?

4.1 How can I calculate the magnification and power for a Matsukov-Cassegrain?

4.2 Are these lenses available for any telescope?

4.3 What can I see with this telescope?

5. What is a kinematic mount? I couldn't find this in your article.

6. Even with the computerized model, will i be able to manually locate stars for practice?

7. Are photo adapters available for most telescopes including the ones that I mentioned? Can I do photography with this model?

8. How does the go to feature work? Some kind of feature tracking?

I know these are many questions, but I think answering these small questions would help a lot of us amateurs Very Happy

Thanks, You're really helpful!

p.s.: Is shipping covered for this model? it weighs in at 20lbs.

Jne_K · Site Admin Joined: 24 Sep 2003 Posts: 5517

Hi

Not sure I can answer with the kind of detail you expect, but I will try.

Optically, the Bushnell Maks are quite good, especially considering the price. I was pleasantly surprised the first time I tested one. If you want something optically good with all the fine features a Mak can deliver, these are good scopes.

The computer, on the other hand, is crude by comparison to Meade and Celestron and badly in need of updating by Bushnell. If you are looking for a computerized telescope for ease of use, a Celestron or Meade is a better choice.

As foe waht you can sse, a small telescope can see exactly the same TYPES of objects as a large telescope, it just cant-see as many of them or as much detail in them. If you are concerned with performance, buy the largest telscope you can afford that has all the features that you want. Since the main factor in telescope size is diameter of the mirror or lens, a larger scope is a better choice if you want a scope that has potential to maintain an interest in astronomy.

Lastly, there is far more to performance than just the telescope, itself. Your observing site is every bit as important as is your experience and skill as an observer. An expereinced observer can see more with a small scope than any beginner with a much larger scope. You simply cannot buy your way into becoming a good astronomer. Get out there and start observing, no matter what you have in the way of a telescope.
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nostraticispeak · Joined: 25 Feb 2008 Posts: 6

Hi!

Thanks for that reply.

Regarding the computer, is it possible to update the software if Bushnell updates it? i.e. are there any RS-232 ports or USB connections of sorts that permit firmware upgrades?

MOST IMPORTANT, is it possible for me to manually locate stars like for non-computer telescopes with this Bushnell model?

I am looking at purchasing this one with the hope that Bushnell would update the software at some point.

Thanks,

Jne_K · Site Admin Joined: 24 Sep 2003 Posts: 5517

Hi

No word from Bushnell as to if or when they will update.

You can certainly use any computerized telescope with the computer off, but you may expereince difficulty getting the scope to hold it's postion without the motors engaged. The mount is designed to be used with the computer and motors up and running. The mount has no locks to keep the scope in place, as with a manual mount.
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nostraticispeak · Joined: 25 Feb 2008 Posts: 6

Hey thanks for that!

After looking at most other options, I think I'd rather buy a reflector telescope without any on-board computer - I'd like to learn my way into this hobby.

Is the Meade 114EQ-AR Telescope a good buy? What accessories should I purchase in terms of photography - can I purchase the necessary photo-adapter lenses from this OpticsPlanet?

How about the Celestron PowerSeeker 127 EQ Newtonian Telescope? Is it portable?

Could you suggest other accessories that I will find useful for this telescope?

Couldn't find too many reviews, so could you tell me what else I need to buy?

Thanks!

Jne_K · Site Admin Joined: 24 Sep 2003 Posts: 5517

Hi

The Powerseeker will offer a bit more aperture, but the mount is not up to the quality of the Meade, or better yet, the Celestron Astromaster 130.

First thing you should always add when buying a telescope is more eyepieces. A good way to start is a basic lit, such as the Celestron.
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nostraticispeak · Joined: 25 Feb 2008 Posts: 6

I've decided to purchase the Astromaster 130EQ with the Zhumell 1.25" Eyepiece and Filter Kit. How do I select a good finderscope for this telescope? What specs do I need to look at?

Thanks.

Jne_K · Site Admin Joined: 24 Sep 2003 Posts: 5517

Hi

The one that comes with the scope is perfectly adequate. You do not need to add another finderscope.
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