Re: [Utah-astronomy] telescope for 11 year old
On 2008-11-28 00:54, Darin Christensen wrote:
My son would like a telescope for Christmas. I would like to get one that is not too expensive and yet still good enough to be worth buying. A reflector type; perhaps with a software system to find objects. There are a lot of assorted scopes on amazon.com in the $200 to $300 range. Would anyone have any opinions or recommendations on telescopes in this range? or a recommendation of another range if it would be more appropriate......
A suggestions. I would look at the XT6 or XT8. The XT6 is lighter and easier to carry but the XT8 would allow both planetary and deep sky objects for quite some time. If your a member of SLASS you could borrow a scope and see how he does with an eight inch. Jay
A couple of questions. The last telescope I used a number of years ago had a "clock" mechanism to keep the telescope pointing at the intended target. Do the scopes with the computerized pointing follow the target or do they just point to at the moment they are programed? None of the scopes I have looked at even say anything about a "clock" and I wonder if a scope with a Dobsonian mount can even have one..... Is the computer pointing system worth the extra cost? ----- Original Message ----- From: "Jay Eads" <jayleads@gmail.com> To: "Utah-Astronomy" <utah-astronomy@mailman.xmission.com> Sent: Friday, November 28, 2008 8:48 PM Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] telescope for 11 year old
On 2008-11-28 00:54, Darin Christensen wrote:
My son would like a telescope for Christmas. I would like to get one that is not too expensive and yet still good enough to be worth buying. A reflector type; perhaps with a software system to find objects. There are a lot of assorted scopes on amazon.com in the $200 to $300 range. Would anyone have any opinions or recommendations on telescopes in this range? or a recommendation of another range if it would be more appropriate......
A suggestions. I would look at the XT6 or XT8. The XT6 is lighter and easier to carry but the XT8 would allow both planetary and deep sky objects for quite some time. If your a member of SLASS you could borrow a scope and see how he does with an eight inch.
Jay
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On 28 Nov 2008, at 21:15, Darin Christensen wrote:
Do the scopes with the computerized pointing follow the target or do they just point to at the moment they are programed?
Depends on the scope. Some (like the one on the Ealing at SPOC) help you find something but then the scope's clock drive or your muscles keep the scope on the target.
None of the scopes I have looked at even say anything about a "clock" and I wonder if a scope with a Dobsonian mount can even have one.....
Again, it depends on the scope. A basic Dob has no motors and no electronics. But if you want to spend the extra money a clock driven Dob is possible. However, some may question the sense of putting a drive on a small Dob.
Is the computer pointing system worth the extra cost?
That's one of those "personal choice" sorts of things. But the fact that most Dobs (including the state's largest) are motorless says something. As Jay suggested in his UA post earlier today you might want to consider borrowing one from SLAS and trying it out before you buy. patrick
This is the age of computers. And to compete in todays world, you have to be computer savy. I would recommend a fully loaded computerized scope. I know where there is a cherry ETX125 for sale with over 35,000 objects in it's onboard computer. Pick an object from it's vast onboard library, push a button and there it is. If at some point it's not challenging enough, you can cut the power and turn it into a 5" Dob. Quoting Patrick Wiggins <paw@wirelessbeehive.com>:
On 28 Nov 2008, at 21:15, Darin Christensen wrote:
Do the scopes with the computerized pointing follow the target or do they just point to at the moment they are programed?
Depends on the scope. Some (like the one on the Ealing at SPOC) help you find something but then the scope's clock drive or your muscles keep the scope on the target.
None of the scopes I have looked at even say anything about a "clock" and I wonder if a scope with a Dobsonian mount can even have one.....
Again, it depends on the scope. A basic Dob has no motors and no electronics. But if you want to spend the extra money a clock driven Dob is possible. However, some may question the sense of putting a drive on a small Dob.
Is the computer pointing system worth the extra cost?
That's one of those "personal choice" sorts of things. But the fact that most Dobs (including the state's largest) are motorless says something.
As Jay suggested in his UA post earlier today you might want to consider borrowing one from SLAS and trying it out before you buy.
patrick
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participants (4)
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Darin Christensen -
diveboss＠xmission.com -
Jay Eads -
Patrick Wiggins