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Good news folks, unlike the 1960s, when you had to grind your own mirror to afford a decent telescope, you can now afford an amazing device for not much more than you paid for your last bicycle. Like bicycles, you can pay a lot for fine workmanship, performance, prestige, durability, portability, etc. And like bicycles, there are literally hundreds of varieties to choose from. Below I point to a few telescopes that you may wish to consider, broken out by general budget levels:
Under $250:
Edmund Scientific's Astroscan: This fun little reflector is portable and easy to point. It's 4.5 inch aperature lets in a fair amount of light and it's plastic body makes it kid friendly. Last I saw these were selling for $199 at www.scientificsonline.com.
Orion StarBlast Astro Telescope: Another reflector marketed toward kids, but I've known adults who were excited to get one. About $169 from www.telescope.com
Under $750:
Celestron/Meade 8" Schmidt-Cassagrain: I've owned a "Celestar 8" for several years now. It's not fancy, but in a bag about the size of a medium size travel suitcase, I can tote my scope all over. Sets up in a flash, stout enough to impress your friends, small enough to toss in the car for the camping trip, wide enough to see some dim galaxies. With the advent of 'go-to' it is hard to find the simpler version of a couple years ago. Try www.astromart.com for a used one for about $600.
Orion SkyQuest XT10 IntelliScope: You gain almost twice the light gathering power of an 8 inch and even greater ease of use - but you get a simple dobsonian mount and a lot more bulk. I've never owned one, but wouldn't be ashamed to pull one of these out of the garage for the block party. Try www.telescope.com.
Under $1500:
Celestron Nexstar 8i: I've mixed feelings about 'go-to' technology. Part of me hates being driven to celestial places that I already know. I also feel like I'm not learning the sky if I'm being chauffeured around. But you do get to find hard to find places fast and spend more time observing instead of hunting. Celestron has a fairly inexpensive, one armed creature that seems like a great deal.
Discovery 10" DHQ Dobsonian: This simple, largish reflector seems slightly nicer than many and has good reviews.
Meade 16" Dobsonian: Okay, I don't know why I put this here since it is very impractical. About the size and shape of a nuclear torpedo, this big light bucket can pull in the very faintest of objects. Costing only $1,200 NEW, its value is hard to beat, though many have been critical of its slow cooling mirror and the quality of its components. Not recommended for those in shaky relationships - certain divorce for those with houses smaller than 4,000 square feet. But just look at that thing! (Don't forget you pay shipping....)
Under $3,000:
Celestron/Meade 8"-11" GPS Go-To Schmidt-Cassagrains: I've got the Celestron 11". It makes a nice sized Saturn image, pulls in some deep galaxies, has a certain 'gravitas' that makes me proud as I stand on my street corner. Meade makes a similar scope in a pleasant blue color - its motors are louder, but nicer standard tripod.
Takahashi Sky 90: This is a little refractor that you can carry with you. These are a lot of money for such a small scope, but they are made like the fine instruments that they are, smooth mechanics and crisp images. It's small size won't let you see dim objects, but a wide field of view makes groups of stars wonderful and its great for cruising the mountains of the Moon. I have mine mounted on a simple mount called a Telepod.
TeleVue 85: Made by optics legend Al Nagler, this scope is another premium make that is totable.
Obsession 12.5" Dobsonian: Though dobsonians are by definition simple and less expensive telescopes, Obsession is one of the finer brands. www.obsessiontelescopes.com
If you are spending more that $3,000 you need more than a quick pick. But if you have a budget that goes significantly north of 3K, you'll start into territory where you can get some serious aperature, fine optics, and solid construction. With big money the hard to come by Astro-Physics telescopes may be had, or a giant Starmaster dobsonian could be yours. I personally dream (I'm a government worker so this will remain a dream) of owning a Takahashi Mewlon 300 (or dare I ... a Mewlon 400?!). Oh yeah!
Telescopes are one of the few things that make me I wish I had a sickly rich uncle.
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