Looking for some telescope geeks!

[elmo]

Morning one and all!

I usually have good luck here asking questions and getting some great answers... ...but serious now...I am trying to gather some information about telescopes.

And no Ira...it isn't to look at the lady next door...telescopic lens work just fine for that!

I am looking for a good setup that of course can look at stuff without breaking the bank. Around $200-500 if possible.

What kind of things do I need to be looking for? Is there a good place to get one? Internet or store? etc.....

Any help would be appreciated! Thanks in advance!

Elmer

[rasp]

http://www.telescope.com/ or http://www.astronomics.com/ , both are places i shop for my scope stuff.

[Ira]

You're amazing:

My younger boy wants one for Christmas, I haven't started researching it either, and we're talking around the same price range.

Doesn't Mary MAKE telescopes?

I'm looking for the type with the GPS where you can plug in the coordinates and it points to where it's supposed to point.

[Ira]

Great links!

200 bucks, Elmer:

http://www.telescope.com/jump.jsp?itemI ... 792&KICKER

[rasp]

you might want to do a bit of reading before you go out and buy one though. here is a start for you

http://home.comcast.net/~astrohammer/beforeyoubuy.htm

[elmo]

Great links!

200 bucks, Elmer:

http://www.telescope.com/jump.jsp?itemI ... 792&KICKER

It looks nice....but what is the 4.5 stuff and what would the lowest or highest you would want to go?

What are the must have features I need?

[elmo]

you might want to do a bit of reading before you go out and buy one though. here is a start for you

http://home.comcast.net/~astrohammer/beforeyoubuy.htm

Thanks Rasp...I think we posted at the same time...that looks like a great site. I have some reading to do.

Do you have a personal favorite that you would suggest?

Thanks Elmer

[Ira]

Thanks, Rasp. Great link.

I would go up to $500, if after studying about it I could find one that meets all of the requirments for that. So maybe higher if I have to.

My younger boy is 10, and he's very into astronomy. And it's not like he's been into it just recently either. It's been a few years.

My ex-boss in New York had the type where you just plug in the numbers and it moves to where you want it to go, but I obviously have no idea on the cost.

[rasp]

this is the one i started out with
http://www.telescope.com/shopping/produ ... tID=238462

great scope, easy to operate, great views. anyone of the dobsonians would be great starter scopes, that is my thoughts.
you can check my sight to see what i use
http://www.gtlakes.com/personal/rasputin/equipment.htm

[Ira]

I'm already confused.

Can you just tell me what to buy?

[rasp]

My ex-boss in New York had the type where you just plug in the numbers and it moves to where you want it to go, but I obviously have no idea on the cost.

that stuff starts around a grand, up from there.

[rasp]

I'm already confused.

Can you just tell me what to buy?

this would be a great starter scope.

http://www.telescope.com/shopping/produ ... tID=238462

or this

http://www.telescope.com/shopping/produ ... ductID=387

[elmo]

I'm already confused.

Can you just tell me what to buy?

I started to follow along and started thinking about cooking some bacon...Mmmmmmm....BACON!

I agree with you Ira!

[Mary K]

Doesn't Mary MAKE telescopes?

OH Gosh No! I have thought about building one for years. Maybe after I "finish" the TD...lol

That's a good deal on the SkyQuest XT6 Classic with Bonus Accessory Pack. Bonus pack is nice. Trust me, you will like the right angle finder scope, less neck achs.

Rasp, what is the Lasermate Collimator? Thanks,

Mk

[Ira]

Thanks, Rasp. If the kid continues to be good, I'll get him the more expensive one.

Is there a short answer on why one is more expensive? The focal length, quality, both, or additional feature(s)?