Any Telescope Nerds here?!?

oscarflytyer

oscarflytyer

Well-Known Member
OK - so I KNOW there are a lot of us nerds hanging out here (mostly mechanical, or course, but...)... Thought I would post for giggles and grins. Who knows...

So I have played a cpl times long ago with cheap telescopes, and been very frustrated (and in areas with a lot of light pollution). Of course I knew nada. And still basic case. And a lot of nonsense on the interweb!

Now that I have moved out a bit with less light pollution, and have a clear unobstructed sky view, I am once again very interested.

Direction I THINK I want to take - and feel free to tell me I am going down the wrong path! - is an 8" Dobson scope.

My criteria and limitations. I have old eyes (but can still use peep sights!). Portability is not an issue. I will use it mostly in the back yard, and occasionally take to the hunting property/RV'ing - but not a lot. I want a large(r) aperture - 8"/203mm (more light). Ability to take cell phone pics would be cool, but... I really like zoom abilities. Budget is under $600 (like to stay below $500, but negotiable if accessories included; I really don't want a basic and have to spend another $2-300 on accessories).

Some models I am looking at:
Orion SkyQuest XT8 Plus
Sky-Watcher Classic 200P Traditional 8″
Zhumell Z8
Apertura AD8 Dobsonian Reflector
 
Ian

Ian

Notorious member
An 8" reflective type can be very capable. I took an astronomy class at UNT one semester to lighten the load a little and remember at least that much. A lot of the ones set up at the star parties at the Davis observatory are also 8" reflective. As far as brand, I never paid attention.
 
P

Petrol & Powder

Well-Known Member
I can't give a lot of input here but I'll toss this out. There are astronomy clubs, and just like shooting sports; they are full of helpful and knowledgeable people.
My neighbor invited me to a viewing party one night and the local club had set up telescopes in a field. The people in attendance had some incredible gear and a LOT of knowledge. They were quick to share what they knew and there wasn't an arrogant person in the bunch.
In addition to having their own equipment (which was an impressive collection of high end telescopes, some they had made themselves) they sponsored events at local observatories.

Now here's the catch, the best viewing occurs during high pressure systems in the winter. So that means clear, crisp, COLD nights ! You can't have a bonfire. So be prepared to stand outside in some seriously cold conditions.

Check out your local areas for astronomy clubs and reach out to them. Even if you don't join, there's a wealth of knowledge there. They are like shooters, HAM radio folks, boaters, motorcycle riders, etc. You'll be surprised at the level of knowledge.
 
Winelover

Winelover

North Central Arkansas
Cindy has a Bushnell AK 78-9565 that she picked out for one of her milestone anniversaries from work. Probably 15 years ago. PITA to set up, even more, to find the image in the eyepiece. Hardly, ever use it. It just takes up space in the corner of her home office. You need a dedicated place to keep it set up for continual viewing.

I prefer just to use my 38 power Léopold Spotting scope. Much faster set up and portability.
 
P

popper

Well-Known Member

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Dad had an Orion years ago, I got to watch Haley's & Christmas comet through it.
Reflector is the only way to go. Not an optics eng but did a add-on tracker project for Sunspot sun tracker years ago plus reflector (shuttle bay dia.) laser NASA project. Quality of the reflector is very important, most use a corrector lens (optional add-on). Add some $ for good base/tripod + $$ for auto tracking motor control. IIRC they ground that NASA reflector 3 times to get it right.
 
oscarflytyer

oscarflytyer

Well-Known Member
Petrol & Powder said:
I can't give a lot of input here but I'll toss this out. There are astronomy clubs, and just like shooting sports; they are full of helpful and knowledgeable people.
My neighbor invited me to a viewing party one night and the local club had set up telescopes in a field. The people in attendance had some incredible gear and a LOT of knowledge. They were quick to share what they knew and there wasn't an arrogant person in the bunch.
In addition to having their own equipment (which was an impressive collection of high end telescopes, some they had made themselves) they sponsored events at local observatories.

Now here's the catch, the best viewing occurs during high pressure systems in the winter. So that means clear, crisp, COLD nights ! You can't have a bonfire. So be prepared to stand outside in some seriously cold conditions.

Check out your local areas for astronomy clubs and reach out to them. Even if you don't join, there's a wealth of knowledge there. They are like shooters, HAM radio folks, boaters, motorcycle riders, etc. You'll be surprised at the level of knowledge.
Click to expand...

I have to come clean, P&P! I live in Space Nerd Nirvana haven - Huntsville AL! I have friends who are PHds in this crap - one helped fly a satellite past (I think) Jupiter! (and I am just a lowly IT guy!). They can talk MOONS and PLANETS around me - lol! I just thought I would reach out to you guys for practical normal user experience! I am a real noob and don't want some real geek trying to talk me into a $1K+ scope!
 
oscarflytyer

oscarflytyer

Well-Known Member
Winelover said:
Cindy has a Bushnell AK 78-9565 that she picked out for one of her milestone anniversaries from work. Probably 15 years ago. PITA to set up, even more, to find the image in the eyepiece. Hardly, ever use it. It just takes up space in the corner of her home office. You need a dedicated place to keep it set up for continual viewing.

I prefer just to use my 38 power Léopold Spotting scope. Much faster set up and portability.
Click to expand...

I have a big dark back yard I can set up in!
 
Winelover

Winelover

North Central Arkansas
I have large parcels of standing oaks, around me. Couple houses on the far southern ridge. No crops raised around here.
 
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JWFilips

JWFilips

Well-Known Member
Well A Nerd you have found but I will say I'm completely unknowledgeable of the modern scopes being sold ( and I'm not impressed Too much bells and whistles just to sell them)
The best starter scope I can tell you is a Newtonian design 20 cm ( 8" inch) mirrors as Ian mentioned above.
It needs to be on a motorized Equatorial mount and pedestal to be used for serious work.
While it is larger then the modern stuff being hawked today....It is the most simplistic of designs that easily give you enjoyment and do semi professional research and photography.
How do I know : well in the 1960's and 70's My buddies and I ( all nerds) were members of the Lackawanna Astronomical Society.
At that time Keystone College Purchased a 9" Clark Refractor telescope from Dave Garroway . They built an observatory to house it but They also needed a staff to man it and that was something they could not afford. That is were we stepped in and did the set up and pioneering research to make it a functional facility...We spent the better part of 7 years doing this ! Now the place is a complex of Observatories housing many nice scopes!
I would have to say almost all of us at that time had Newtonian Reflectors made by Criterion Mfg. These scopes paved the way for our knowledge to expand and help build an astronomical facility.
https://www.keystone.edu/observatory/history/
https://lackawannaastronomicalsociety.org
 
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