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EQUIPMENT GUIDE
Telescopes
Types of Telescopes
Choosing a Telescope
Telescope Accessories
Spotting Scopes
Astrophotography
Astro Binoculars
Types of Binoculars
Choosing Binoculars
Binocular Accessories
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Choosing Which Telescope to Buy
Selecting and buying the right telescope really boils on on your budget, what you plan on spending the most time viewing, and where you will using your telescope most at. With that said, here are some guidelines:
Quick and Dirty Rules of Thumb
First telescope and on a budget? Buy a Dobsonian reflector.
Interested mostly in viewing planets? Buy a refractor.
Interested in viewing galaxies, nebula, and star clusters? Buy the biggest reflector you can afford - this will be a Dobsonian.
Concerned about portability and weight but want a good all-around telescope? Buy a Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope.
Want absolute quality and money is no object? Buy an apochromatic refractor. This should also be your choice if you are serious about astrophotography.
Do's for Buying Telescopes
As a first telescope, a 6" or 8" Dobsonian reflector offers great bang for the buck. On the refractor side, an 80mm on a stable mount is also an OK alternative first telescope.
Plan on spending a minimum of $300 for a decent beginner's telescope.
Get an oversized/overrated mount - telescope mounts MUST be sturdy.
Stick with 1.25" size eyepieces at a minimum, stay away from 0.965" designs.
Get a size and weight that you don't mind setting up or lugging around to remote sites.
Select 2 (or 3) quality eyepieces and a Barlow lens. Low-cost but acceptable-quality eyepieces include Kellners and Plössls.
Get a single-power, reflex finder "scope" such as a TelRad.
Don'ts for Buying Telescopes
Don't buy a telescope from a department store, nature-science store or toy store. These are totally unsuited for astronomy and will end up unused or in the trash.
Don't buy any telescope that costs less than $300.
Stay away from 0.965" size eyepieces - 1.25" eyepieces are a minimum.
Avoid getting so large and heavy of a telescope that you don't want to use or transport it around.
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