Observing Telescope
When buying a reflector or a refractor telescope? – Guidelines and Advice
There are lots of factors to consider before buying a telescope. And these factors ranging from pricing, to the wishes of performance, skill level and your lifestyle. I will go over these factors and help you find the appropriate instrument for you.
A quick look at the beginner areas
Before entering the specific performance and prices of telescopes I give you a quick rule of three types. If you are a beginner a lot and is looking for a telescope to get started you should probably consider getting a 60 mm refractor telescope in the range of 70 mm. This is the ideal area for beginners. If you're pretty sure you will spend a good amount of time with telescopes and want to get a low price that has superior performance should consider getting a Dobsonian in the range of eight to ten inches. If you know a bit about astronomy, or already have a scope, and are pretty sure it will be monitored throughout the life I recommend you consider getting a Schmidt-Cassegrain scope, which is a high-quality composite style instrument (It is a composite reflector and refractor).
Style of Astronomy who want to follow
Reflectors and refractors have very different performance in the night sky and performance could be a factor in the type of instrument to buy. Generally, if you're going to make the observation of the moon and planets and want the absolute best performance you should consider getting a refractor. This kind of outcome is more favorable performance in this area. If you have a lot of deep space exploration by searching and viewing galaxies, nebulae and other deep space objects you have to go with a reflector telescope. This is because the most important thing about deep space objects is the ability to capture light, and a dollar for dollar basis of reflector gives a substantial advantage over the refractor. You can get an eight-inch reflector of a few hundred dollars, but an eight-inch refractor telescope that cost several thousand dollars.
Lifestyle and ease of use
There are some other considerations that should enter their choice of field of application. If you are a backpacker or camper? Do you travel a lot? If this is the case, then the weight, portability and ease of use are important considerations. Two good fits to this lifestyle would be a low-cost reflector telescope of four inches or if you are able to spend more than a Schmidt-Cassegrain in the range of six to eight inches. Both types of areas are very portable (suitcase size) and very suitable for travel.
Where to buy a telescope used?
This is more a matter personal preference and I can not say whether a new or used is right for you. But I can say that for the most part, if a scope is well cared for can stay almost perfect for decades. I can recommend that you do not buy a used one if you can not get a good hands-on first visit. If you do not know much about of areas to try to find someone who does that can go with you to assess the condition and value of which you are considering. If you are a smart shopper, As with anything, you can find exceptional value and make an instrument less than half their retail value.
Telescope Buyers Dilemma
One question that is asked a lot is "What if I have a range of low-end now and I love hearing the fans?" Then I have to leave and spend more on a more bigger and better. The money in the first telescope is more or less lost it? There is a small amount of truth in this, but you have to consider that with his first telescope that is going to get a small, barely dabbled in the hobby. If at any point in the future to spend more money and get a larger telescope you will find that your first telescope is very useful. Some nights you drag a hundred pounds of the telescope by the door and spend a half hour to set. You only have to do a little light for observation and the scope will be perfect. That first instrument, and smaller, also be a perfect gift for a child or a younger brother. I very easily solved this dilemma when I started my first refractor right into the tube of my telescope reflector second, much larger. He served as a field observer. At least, if you take care of your scope, you will be able to return to sell and recoup some of their costs. But due to the different sizes and types of all fields are always useful benefits and people who have been bitten by the bug of astronomy telescopes rarely sell. They are usually sold by people who have lost interest in the hobby.
The hobby of amateur astronomy is a wonderful hobby that can give you a lifetime of rewarding watching and taking photos. And finding the right instrument can be a bit of a challenge, but with a little thought the price, lifestyle and future aspirations of observation can find one that is perfect for you.
About the Author
The author has been an amateur astronomer for decades. Learn more about telescopes and astronomy by visiting his website at:
The Telescope Nerd
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