Telescope help - total newbie

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Originally Posted by O2HeN2

Ps. I'll warn you, the problem with buying a telescope is that in a short time you'll want to upgrade to the Hubble.

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That's exactly why I haven't bought one yet I've always wanted one. I know me...the first time I see something cool I'm gonna want more "power". Just like Tim Taylor.

There are augmented reality apps for phones that overlay the constellations on your screen based on the location of your phone and camera view. SkyView is one such app. It's pretty slick.

I suggest a good cheap telescope from Amazon and use the App. If the kids are into it, you'll know by Christmas. If not, you have plenty of dough left over for pizza.

Get on an astronomers forum and find a good used telescope so that you can get a little more bang for your buck, it will be worth it. Like every other hobby there will be people always upgrading equipment selling off their old gear or selling stuff to get out of a hobby they have grown bored of.

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Originally Posted by Bailey Guns

That's exactly why I haven't bought one yet I've always wanted one.

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Not the Hubble but check these out... But hold onto your wallet.

https://www.obsessiontelescopes.com/

O2

A generous member here gifted me a Celestron 114 eq newtonian telescope. I'll let him identify himself if he so chooses. We got it set up and were able to see Saturn's ring and 4 planets around Jupiter. My son thought it was awesome and wants to do it again.

Thanks a bunch! It's working out great for us.

Jeezus - what kind of spotting scopes do you guys have???

Was up at a friends cabin in Summit County over the weekend and he had an Orion Starblast 6/6i up there and we could clearly see the moons around Jupiter and the rings around Saturn with it. He had the model without the computer controller on it so you have to manually aim it using a red dot scope mounted to it but he said he only paid $300 for it.

It's cool being able to see some detail. The red dot finder scope on this one is missing the battery cover, but that's easily resolved. I called Celestron, but was directed to send an email, so I have an email out requesting a replacement cover, or guidance on how to proceed (what they recommend buying) if it's not available. New finderscopes are not expensive from Celestron if it comes to it.

It's hard to find anything without it, but I got pretty good at eyeball sighting down the scope tube and then walking it in the other night. I'll get that red dot fixed/replaced soon, and then start looking to see what else I need. Moon filters are likely to be first on the list. My kid would probably like that.