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class="prefix prefixSilver">Discussion Any Interest in a Featured Review of Sub $200 Telescopes

Discussion in 'Telescopes and Mounts' started by george, Mar 11, 2016.

Any Interest in a Featured Review of Sub $200 Telescopes

Started by george on Mar 11, 2016 at 9:07 AM

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  1. george

    george Developer

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    george, Mar 11, 2016
    #1
    I have seen a growing interest in discussions in various places of what telescopes are good for children and low barrier to entry options. Would there be any interest in a featured review of Sub $200 telescope options. If so what are some telescopes that warrant comparison? Also what are features or what factors should these telescopes be evaluated for?

    Here are some of the questions I would be interested in answering
    • Ease of setup
    • Instructions and training material
    • Ease of use
    • Build quality
    • Views (What type of views achievable, i.e. expectations)
    I would love to hear your thoughts on this subject. Do you think this would be an interesting or worthwhile review?
     
  2. aeajr

    aeajr Well-Known Member

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    aeajr, Mar 11, 2016
    #2
    I definitely do feel this is a topic of interest. How do you plan to do the review? Do you plan to buy and test the scopes or are you comparing specs and reviews?

    S&T did a review back in the December issue of 3 and it was a very helpful report. Certainly the under $200 class is not going to yield the best scopes but one does want something that can be useful and perhaps a launch point into bigger and better things. Perhaps a child's first scope. Or perhaps that second, grab and go scope for travel or fast set-up and short sessions.

    Here is a list that I keep handy for scopes I would recommend or would buy for myself if I was looking for something like this. Perhaps you may find something worth reviewing here.

    I have basd these on reports I have read or recommendations I have received from respected forum members on this and other forums. One, the Meade ETX 80, is based on personal experience. There is a new version out now but it is over the $200 limt.

    Up to $50 - Binoculars – These are just examples

    For a child under 10 -Bushnell Falcon 7X35
    http://www.amazon.com/Bushnell-Falc...rds=bushnell+falcon+7x35+binoculars+with+case

    Celestron 8X40
    http://www.amazon.com/Celestron-UpClose-Porro-Binocular-71252/dp/B006ZN4WOQ/ref=sr_1_2?s=sports-and-fitness&ie=UTF8&qid=1457702177&sr=1-2&keywords=8X40+Binoculars+under+$50


    Celestron G2 Up Close 10X50
    http://www.celestron.com/browse-shop/sport-optics/binoculars/upclose-g2-10x50-porro-binocular

    Harbor Freight Gordon 10X50
    http://www.harborfreight.com/10-x-50-wide-angle-binoculars-94527.html


    Up to $100 - telescopes

    Meade Instruments 209003 Infinity 70 AZ Refractor Telescope
    http://www.amazon.com/Meade-Instruments-209003-Refractor-Telescope/dp/B00LY8JVZ2/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1453613802&sr=8-12&keywords=TElescope+under+$200

    Celestron Travel Scope - I see this more as an alternative to binoculars than as a direct competitor to astronomical telescopes. As a travel scope for the family or as a first scope for a smaller child who would use it with the tripod short. Key value here is the dual purpose erect image for astronomy and non-astronomy use. More stable and more flexible than binoculars.
    http://www.celestron.com/browse-shop/astronomy/telescopes/travel-scope-70-portable-telescope

    LightBridge Mini 82 3.2" tabletop altazimuth mini-Dob reflector
    The entire Lightbridge line was named Innovative Astronomy Gear in
    Jan 2016 Sky and Telescope
    http://www.meade.com/products/telescopes/lightbridge-mini/lightbridge-mini-82.html

    Orion SkyScanner 100mm TableTop Reflector Telescope
    http://www.telescope.com/Telescopes...lector-Telescope/pc/-1/c/1/sc/25/p/102007.uts

    Up to $200

    Meade Instruments Infinity 80 AZ Refractor Telescope
    http://www.amazon.com/Meade-Instruments-209004-Refractor-Telescope/dp/B00LY8JVZC/ref=sr_1_23?ie=UTF8&qid=1453614127&sr=8-23&keywords=TElescope+under+$200

    Meade Infinity 90mm Altazimuth Refractor Telescope
    Received Sky and Telescope Innovative Astronomy Gear in
    Jan 2016 Sky and Telescope
    http://www.telescopes.com/products/meade-infinity-90mm-altazimuth-refractor-telescope

    Meade LightBridge Mini 114mm Tabletop Dobsonian Telescope
    The entire Lightbridge line was named Innovative Astronomy Gear in
    Jan 2016 Sky and Telescope
    http://www.telescopes.com/collectio...ridge-mini-114mm-tabletop-dobsonian-telescope

    AWB 'ONESKY' TELESCOPE - 130 mm
    Reviewed in Dec 2015 Sky and Telescope -
    http://store.astronomerswithoutbord...roducts_id=4&zenid=f6qh5ob9np9qmqj5tia3qer8s7

    Meade LightBridge Mini 130mm Tabletop Dobsonian Telescope
    http://www.telescopes.com/collectio...ridge-mini-130mm-tabletop-dobsonian-telescope


    Up to $300

    Orion Starblast 4.5
    Received good review in Sky and Telescope Dec 2015 issue
    http://www.telescope.com/Orion-StarBlast-45-Astro-Reflector-Telescope/p/102010.uts?keyword=Starblast 4.5

    Meade ETX 80 computer assisted GoTo refractor
    http://www.telescopes.com/collectio...ade-etx-80at-tc-astro-telescope-with-autostar

    Meade StarNavigator 90mm Refractor Telescope - computer assisted GoTo
    http://www.telescopes.com/collectio.../meade-starnavigator-90mm-refractor-telescope

    Sky-Watcher Virtuoso 90mm Maksutov-Cassegrain Telescope - Tracking
    http://www.telescopes.com/collectio...r-virtuoso-90mm-maksutov-cassegrain-telescope

    Meade Instruments 209006 Infinity 102 AZ Refractor Telescope
    http://www.amazon.com/Meade-Instruments-209006-Refractor-Telescope/dp/B00LY8JWAQ/ref=sr_1_34?ie=UTF8&qid=1453615632&sr=8-34&keywords=TElescope+under+$400

    Orion StarBlast 114mm AutoTracker Reflector Telescope
    Manual version received good review in December 2015 Sky and Telescope
    http://www.telescope.com/Telescopes...11/sc/339/p/102786.uts?refineByCategoryId=339

    Orion SkyQuest XT4.5 Classic Dobsonian Telescope
    http://www.telescope.com/Telescopes...12/sc/398/p/102009.uts?refineByCategoryId=398
     
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  3. Diogenes

    Diogenes Active Member

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    Diogenes, Mar 11, 2016
    #3
    It might be easier for folks to chip in with their thoughts? It's a tall order to ask someone to go through the huge morass of $200 scopes, especially considering many of them are quite similar. The other thing to remember is sometimes it can be hard to remove the jaded amateur astronomer from the newbie - of course that $200 scope isn't really going to wow you the same way that 14" SCT will.

    Some (cheaper) scopes I can offer detailed feedback on are:

    Celestron C90 Mak/Spotting Scope - Not technically a complete kit, but if you've already got a mount, can be found at $200 +/- 25 bucks

    Celestron Cosmos 60MM - As far as I can tell, this is a slightly rebadged Astromaster 60AZ. Picked up (with a coupon) for the princely sum of $15 dollars.

    Orion Skyquest XT4.5 - Orion seems to have come to their senses, for a while they were retailing north of $300, which is insane. I picked up a used one at around $100 bucks.

    Scopes that I've played with:

    Heritage 130P AKA AWB Onesky
    Orion/Celestron 76MM Funscope
    Orion 4.5" Starblast
     
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  4. Bomber Bob

    Bomber Bob Well-Known Member

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    Bomber Bob, Mar 12, 2016
    #4
    There are hundreds of vintage scopes below $200 that are great choices for kids. We've gone that route with our grandchildren. Besides low cost, old scopes are simpler, often better quality than comparably priced moderns, and rugged, with no or very little plastic parts. We got Hadley a Western Field / Towa 60x800 AZ for her 5th birthday, and when she's ready we have a Lafayette 4" reflector waiting to be enjoyed.
     
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  5. Diogenes

    Diogenes Active Member

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    Diogenes, Mar 14, 2016
    #5
    I'd actually love to hear more about vintage scopes - I can't seem to find any good sources on the net these days, besides things on Unitron, and I can't quite bring myself to spend that kind of money on a <4" refractor.
     
  6. george

    george Developer

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    george, Mar 14, 2016
    #6
    As someone who comes from a recycling background, I love the idea of reusing older equipment, but I personally can't see someone who is not already into astronomy, purchasing a vintage scope or could properly evaluate the condition of said scope. We get quite a few calls for people who pick up telescopes from garage sales or craigslist and end up getting incomplete setups such as missing diagonals, eyepieces, and mounts. In many cases they find out that they have really cheap department store models that do not have standard accessories or parts and they are out of luck in terms of compatible parts. Sometimes the individual parts end up costing more than the initial scope purchase.

    Now if the person was experienced like yourself or was doing the evaluation for a less experienced person then I would definitely recommend the route of purchasing a 2nd hand scope. You will almost always get a better deal buying used then purchasing new.
     
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  7. Bomber Bob

    Bomber Bob Well-Known Member

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    Bomber Bob, Mar 16, 2016
    #7
    On the other sites, we encourage newbies considering vintage gear to ask us before they buy - if they can. Buying a $20 scope at a yard sale that turns out to be junk is a lesson, not a serious injury, IMHO. For the folks here: Post as many pictures & info as you can, so we can give you a good assessment of the scope. You never know: One newbie nabbed a complete Unitron 114 at a garage sale for $20!

    My secret source is the Goodwill online auction site. The downsides to buying from GW are that some stores will not ship scopes; and if they do, you have to hope they pack it well. Besides the usual Tasco and Bushnell small refractors, GW has had Questar, Celestron, & Meade catadioptrics. If you're serious looking for vintage, it's worth your while to check GW every couple of days.
     
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  8. Diogenes

    Diogenes Active Member

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    Diogenes, Mar 17, 2016
    #8
    Here's the link to the Goodwill site. I've seen a surprising number of Swifts for sale, which is pretty cool.
     
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