| There are a lot of factors to consider before you | | | | very portable (suitcase sized) and well suited for |
| buy a telescope. And these factors range from price, | | | | travel. |
| to performance desires, to your skill level and your | | | | Should you buy a used telescope? |
| lifestyle. I will go over these factors and help you find | | | | This is more a matter of personal preference and I |
| the instrument that is right for you. | | | | can't tell you whether a new one or a used one is |
| A Quick look at scopes for beginners | | | | right for you. But I can say that for the most part, if |
| Before I get into the specific performance and prices | | | | a scope is well cared-for it can remain practically |
| of telescopes I want to give you a quick rule of | | | | perfect for decades. I can recommend that you don't |
| thumb about three different types. If you are very | | | | buy a used one if you can't get a good hands-on |
| much a beginner and are just looking for a telescope | | | | look at it first. If you don't know much about scopes |
| to get started with you probably should consider | | | | you should try to find someone that does who can |
| getting a refractor in the 60mm to 70 mm range. | | | | go with you to assess the condition and value of the |
| This is the perfect entry-level scope. If you are | | | | one you are considering. If you are a savvy shopper, |
| pretty sure you are going to spend a fair amount of | | | | as is with most anything, you can find a fantastic |
| time with telescopes and you want to get an entry | | | | value and get an instrument for less than half its |
| level priced one that has superior performance you | | | | retail value. |
| should consider getting a dobsonian in the eight to | | | | The Telescope Buyers Dilemma |
| ten inch range. If you know a bit about astronomy, | | | | One question that gets asked a lot is "What if I get |
| or already have a scope, and are pretty sure it will | | | | a low end scope now and find out I love the hobby?" |
| be a life-long pursuit I recommend you consider | | | | Then I have to go out and spend more on a bigger |
| getting a Schmidt-Cassegrain scope which is a high | | | | and better instrument. The money on the first |
| quality compound style instrument (It is a compound | | | | telescope is pretty much wasted right? There is a |
| of both reflector and refractor). | | | | small amount of truth to this but you have to |
| Style of Astronomy you want to pursue | | | | consider that with your first telescope you are going |
| Reflectors and refractors have very different | | | | to be getting a small one and just be dabbling into |
| performance under the night sky and this | | | | the hobby. If at some point in the future you spend |
| performance could be a factor in what type of | | | | more money and get a larger telescope you will find |
| instrument you buy. Generally, if you are going to do | | | | that your first telescope is very useful. Some nights |
| observing of the moon and the planets and you | | | | you won't be dragging a hundred pounds of |
| want the absolute best performance you should | | | | telescope out the door and spending a half-hour to |
| consider getting a refractor. This type of scope has | | | | set it up. You will just want to do some light |
| the absolute best performance in this area. If you | | | | observing and the first scope will be perfect. That |
| want to do a lot of deep space exploration by finding | | | | first, and smaller instrument, will also be a perfect gift |
| and viewing galaxies, nebulae, and other deep space | | | | for a child or younger sibling. I pretty handily solved |
| objects you should go with a reflector telescope. | | | | this dilemma when I mounted my first refractor right |
| This is because the most important thing about deep | | | | onto the tube of my second, much larger, reflector |
| space objects is light gathering ability, and on a dollar | | | | telescope. It served well as a spotter scope. As a |
| per dollar basis a reflector gives you a substantial | | | | bare minimum, if you take care of your first scope |
| advantage over the refractor. You can get an | | | | you will be able to re-sell it and recoup some of your |
| eight-inch reflector for a few hundred dollars but an | | | | costs. But because the different sizes and types of |
| eight-inch refractor would cost you several thousand | | | | scopes all have benefits they always useful and |
| dollars. | | | | people who are bitten by the bug of astronomy |
| Lifestyle and ease of Use | | | | rarely sell their telescopes. They are usually sold by |
| There are some other considerations that should go | | | | people who have lost interest in the hobby. |
| into your choice of scope. Are you a backpacker or | | | | The hobby of amateur astronomy is a wonderful |
| camper? Do you travel a lot? If this is the case then | | | | hobby that can give you a lifetime of rewarding |
| the weight, portability, and ease of use are important | | | | observation and photo taking. And finding the right |
| considerations. Two good fits for this lifestyle would | | | | instrument can be a bit of a challenge but with a little |
| be an inexpensive four-inch reflector telescope or if | | | | thought to price, lifestyle and future observing |
| you are able to spend more a Schmidt-Cassegrain in | | | | aspirations you can find one that is perfect for you. |
| the six to eight-inch range. Both types of scopes are | | | | |