Advise on next purchase

Carlschlueter · Joined: 13 Jan 2006 Posts: 1

I got a meade ds2114 as a gift and am going to return it to the retailer. I was more then disappointed in the viewing quality to say the least.

OK now the question. What would be my best purchase for about 400+- or so? Main interests are browsing not photography. Very casual not intense hobby.
Looking at the Bushnell Northstar 100. Sorta interested in the computerized but I also am looking at a Celestron C6N series.

Recommendations? Thanks.

carl

opticsplanet.com · Posted: Fri Jan 13, 2006 11:50 am Post subject:

Hi

Thanks for posting with us.

Not sure what you mean by viewing quality on the 2114, but it is about what you will get with any 114mm reflector, so going smaller to the 4" Bushnell (100mm) will not necessarily be an improvement. Viewing quality is also a matter of what you are trying to observe, seeing conditions, telescope design and aperture, eyepieces used, light pollution, and many, many other objective factors. Viewing quality is also a vey subjective thing and is greatly influenced by your experience and expectations. On this last point, I recommend visiting a local astronomy club on one of their outings so you can see what different telescopes can do. This also gives you an opportunity to talk with experienced astronomers and ask questions as you look through different telescopes.

Stepping up to a larger telescope such as the 6" C6 is a step in the right direction. Aperture is one of the biggest factors in telescope performance, but not the only one. I also like the CG mount on the C6N - much better than the inexpensive DS2114 mount, though it won't be computerized.

As far as computerized or not computerized goes, balance this against how much effort you are willing to expend to learn the night sky. Going with a manual scope like the C6N will require you to learn more of the night sky, but in the end, you may find that this is one of the most enjoyable parts of astronomy and far from being a chore.
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