Best Telescope?

[Argonus]

Hey guys...

I have an Orion "Dobsonian" Intelliscope, which I bought a few years ago; mounted it at my family's cabin in Norcal, but...

.. I'm tryin' to buy one for friends who are about to have their first baby; the wife can't go skiing this year as she's due in late August, but she'll be visiting their cabin (different cabin, different lake ) and I thought it'd be a great gift for her (and her husband, durr).

Figure it's something fun we can do. Nothing beats the stars when you're in the woods and 50 miles from any city lights.

Uh.. looking to spend probably around $400, tops.

Any advice on what to get? I don't know jack about the field, except that I love mine.

[nbr3bagshotrow]

Hubble?

[DeKind]

first i'd question if they'll actually use it. $400 is a lot to blow on something that they may check out once or twice then stick in the closet. Do either of them have an existing affinity for the hobby? Most people would probably appreciate a nice new grill or stainless cook set more.

second, a quality pair of binocs that can be put on a tripod can go a long way and may be more useful [day spotting] but if you want to go for a telescope i'd recommend a computerized one so they can simply punch in what they want to see and be taken there.

ETX-80 is tried and true, heres a nice starter kit

http://www.telescopes.com/telescopes...hautostar1.cfm

and competition from celestron

http://www.telescopes.com/telescopes...dtelescope.cfm

or if someone actually has an affinity for the hobby already and will have the patience to use a star chart an undriven dob is definetly the best bang for buck due to its much larger optics.

http://www.telescopes.com/telescopes...rtelescope.cfm

lastly if you want something with form and function [e.g. it wouldnt look out of place in a study] look at refractors. Vixen, Celestron, Sky-Watcher, Orion, there are many quality brands.

HH-9249 should be a functioning $25 off $250 coupon for that site or Zhumell for 10% off any Zhumell branded products.

[Argonus]

Originally Posted by nbr3bagshotrow

Hubble?

[Argonus]

Thanks Dekind; I got them the ETX.

Yeah, I'm more of a "find on your own" type person, but it'll be fun for them to use this; their nieces and nephew can make use of it also.

Originally Posted by DeKind

first i'd question if they'll actually use it. $400 is a lot to blow on something that they may check out once or twice then stick in the closet. Do either of them have an existing affinity for the hobby? Most people would probably appreciate a nice new grill or stainless cook set more.

second, a quality pair of binocs that can be put on a tripod can go a long way and may be more useful [day spotting] but if you want to go for a telescope i'd recommend a computerized one so they can simply punch in what they want to see and be taken there.

ETX-80 is tried and true, heres a nice starter kit

http://www.telescopes.com/telescopes...hautostar1.cfm

and competition from celestron

http://www.telescopes.com/telescopes...dtelescope.cfm

or if someone actually has an affinity for the hobby already and will have the patience to use a star chart an undriven dob is definetly the best bang for buck due to its much larger optics.

http://www.telescopes.com/telescopes...rtelescope.cfm

lastly if you want something with form and function [e.g. it wouldnt look out of place in a study] look at refractors. Vixen, Celestron, Sky-Watcher, Orion, there are many quality brands.

HH-9249 should be a functioning $25 off $250 coupon for that site or Zhumell for 10% off any Zhumell branded products.

[Nidgit]

I highly recommend Optivisions "Pervatron 2000" . . . you can see just about anything with this one . . . and I mean anything