Okay so after trying to see Mars in my binoculars last night I've decided its time to buy a telescope for my boy and i to play with on the odd occasion.

Im looking to use it for some simple star and planet gazing (it would be cool if you could see a planet outline at least, if thats possible?) but would also like to try and maybe use it as a long range binocular. For example to spot whales a km away in the bay of Middleton beach

It would also be cool if i could somehow take a photo with it as like a huge tele lens? (If i need a particular camera that would be cool)

Lastly portable enough that it is easy enough to take on holidays

Maybe if i could also get it to make my bed and massage my neck, that would also be great

Just thought id ask for a recommendation or at least a point in the right direction. I understand optics quality is important too but don't want to take out a small loan either

Thanks..

Have a look at www.ozscopes.com.au/ and www.bintel.com.au/ Prices start around $55 and the sky is the limit. (no pun intended). Good brands for starters are Celestron, Saxxon and Skywatcher. Less than $350 will get you seeing Mars and Venus really well. No real details but you can
I like the Cassegrain style as they are very compact and can be easily used for photography with an adaptor.

if your kids are old enough, have a look at building one from a kit.

A good spotting scope or a pair of binoculars resting on the fence will keep kids busy for hours looking at the moon. Bushnell or Tasco make some good value scopes.

Tasco are a brand that have been around a while although I'm sure someone here will find them too commercial.

Get a Canon Powershot SX50HS. 200X zoom plus you can photograph what you see.

Sailhack said..
Tasco are a brand that have been around a while although I'm sure someone here will find them too commercial.

They also make the most sh!t riflescopes in the world, such that most serious shooters mock them.
Dunno that their optics can be much better in a telescope.....

OI Mark!!

Depends on which tasco rifle scope you have, my .223 sako has Q.D. mounts for 3 different scopes- all tasco's.
This elcheapo combination scares the bejeezus out of some of our clubs serious [too serious] F class shooters.

One is a 24x target scope, the second is a 8x general purpose hunting scope, and the third is a 4x I.R night sight and good for pinging foxes and cats out to well over 200 paces with total cloud cover/ minimal starlight.

The 24x scope gave me a group of 12 shots that could be covered by a 50 cent piece, from a distance of 600 yards.
The 8x is good for vermin out to 400+ yards [furthest I have tried with that scope is 450 paces]

Yes- some of the cheaper Tasco scopes are just that- cheap, but a lot of thier gear is pretty damn good.
You can get better quality than Tasco- but expect to pay through the nose for it.

Having said all that- iron sights are more fun!

I have been following a topic on another forum- where a couple of west aussies are building thier own night scopes using 3D printers to make much of the scope mountings, housings, battery case etc.

It wouldnt be hard to make your own conventional scope using the same principals- buying lenses over the internet, using PVC pipe for the tube, and making the rest with a 3D printer.

stephen

Thanks for the replies. I was thinking around $300 would be a reasonable price I really will use it only a little but just thought it would be a cool toy to have to play with.

Im really not sure what i would see out of one and i guess if i could make out a planet's outline that would be great. I had a look yesterday and it is bloody confusing for a layman who is crap with technical stuff

Any recommendations on shops or places to buy? North of Perth would be ideal but if anyone has a personal recommendation for online I'm keen

I was looking at Celestrial and Skywatcher as well. I say Saxxon but no looked into them yet..

Can i get a model that i can use to still use for binocular work, if i change out something?

Rod

Cambodge said..

Get a BIG pair of binoculars with a tripod plus a sun lounger to lie back on whilst you gaze star wards. Otherwise it's multi-000's dollars to make a Dobson telescope truly worthwhile.

I've had that suggestion. Also i have now had the Spotting scope idea thrown at me..I honestly am so lost its not funny..

Maybe i should actually get a telescope and a pair of binoculars and share the tri pod

Chris6791 said..

Accept that whatever you buy will be wrong, simply because you don't know what you want or need. It's the just a matter of setting a budget of money you are willing spend as a starter. You wanted a telescope to start with, but a spotting scope might also suit your needs (especially portability).

You can buy a budget telescope for $150, just go buy one then wait and see how much you enjoy it, how much you use it and whether it's a passing fad or not. If you get your money's worth out of it then you can actually invest a bit more money in a better scope when you have a much better understanding on the technicalities of it all and what you want out of it.

Yeah i know I'm being a scatter brain..Im set ill buy a Spotting scope to start with. I could use that to look around when down south a bit more and can see it getting used more than a plan night scope. Looking at a few just to work out straight through or 45 degree view
btow.com.au/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=369_305&products_id=1933

I think also a bit more in my budget as well..The hard part is most shops are telling me to spend over $600..But thats another surf board

^ ha ha

DNSDC said..

Have a look at www.ozscopes.com.au/ and www.bintel.com.au/ Prices start around $55 and the sky is the limit. (no pun intended). Good brands for starters are Celestron, Saxxon and Skywatcher. Less than $350 will get you seeing Mars and Venus really well. No real details but you can
I like the Cassegrain style as they are very compact and can be easily used for photography with an adaptor.

if your kids are old enough, have a look at building one from a kit.

A good spotting scope or a pair of binoculars resting on the fence will keep kids busy for hours looking at the moon. Bushnell or Tasco make some good value scopes.

I just ordered this one for Whale watching of Albany
www.ozscopes.com.au/celestron-c70-mini-mak-spotting-scope.html
Will play with this and then order a telescope for more star watching..

Oz Scopes were great to deal with, easy and down to earth