need a telescope for $350 to $400

eric · Guest

Well my title is self explainatory. I don't want a computerized one, and I am leaning toward a refractor.

opticsplanet.com · Posted: Thu Jan 05, 2006 1:11 pm Post subject:

Hi

For a refractor, try the Celestron Advanced Series C4R, http://www.opticsplanet.net/celestron-c4-r-advanced-refracting-telescope.html This is supplied with the CG4 mount, which is a step up from the usual equatorial found on the Celestron Firstscope or Meade EQ series.
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Guest · Posted: Thu Jan 05, 2006 1:36 pm Post subject:

Ok I want something that looks big to impress people. Does this scope have good optics? Is it big? Could you tell me your opinions on this scope

opticsplanet.com · Posted: Thu Jan 05, 2006 5:22 pm Post subject:

Hi

I like refractors for their great images and light transmission. The CG4 mount is not Celestron's largest, but on a scope this size, it is adequate.

If you want the largest telescope for the money, you need to look at a Dobsonian such as the Celestron Starhooper 8", http://www.opticsplanet.net/celestron-star-hopper-8-dobsonians-telescope.html A Dob may not look all that "techie", but an 8" Dob is a serious deep-sky scope and is also one of the easiest manual scopes to use and operate.
_________________
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Your personal optics expert
Joanie (Jne) K
http://www.OpticsPlanet.com
Phone: (888) 263-0356
Fax: (847) 574-6820

Jimbo · Guest

Eric, if you plan on going with a dob, you are guranteed to get the largest aperture for your money. Remember when buying a telescope, the magnification on the box means nothing, it all comes down to the aperture(size of the front lens) of the scope. That dob Jonie linked to is an excellent choice. However if you plan on doing some astrophotography I would reccomend getting the refractor because dob's are not the best choice for this purpose. I think either way you are going to get an excellent scope, and remember to keep you expectations in line, no telescope in the world is going to give you images like you see in the magizanes, those are the result of long exposure photo's and stacked images.