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 Meade ETX 90 AT F138 Maksutov Cassegrain UHTC Telescope 3514 04 15 $399.00 Time Remaining: 18d 6h 28m Buy It Now for only: $399.00 |
 8 INCH MAKSUTOV CASSEGRAIN TELESCOPE 100th ANNIVERSITY EDITION $1,600.00 Time Remaining: 4d 18h 42m Buy It Now for only: $1,999.00 |
 NEW MEADE 3514 03 55 ETX 90PE 90MM Maksutov Cassegrain Telescope $495.95 Time Remaining: 28d 6h 48m Buy It Now for only: $495.95 |
 Meade ETX 125PE 127mm Maksutov Cassegrain $1,000.00 Time Remaining: 16d 8h 43m Buy It Now for only: $1,000.00 |
 Celestron NexStar 4SE Maksutov Cassegrain Computerized Telescope 11049 $499.00 Time Remaining: 24d 3h 50m Buy It Now for only: $499.00 |
 iOptron SmartStar A MC90 Maksutov Cassegrain Cube Mount 8604 $580.00 Time Remaining: 9d 9h 19m Buy It Now for only: $580.00 |
 Celestron SkyProdigy 30 90x65mm Maksutov Cassegrain Telescope $149.99 Time Remaining: 22d 12h 7m Buy It Now for only: $149.99 |
 Orion StarMax 102mm EQ Maksutov Cassegrain Telescope $150.00 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 9d 5h 26m |
 Vixen 2614 VMC95L 95mm f 11 Maksutov Cassegrain Tube $259.00 Time Remaining: 10d 3h 20m Buy It Now for only: $259.00 |
 iOptron SmartStar G MC90 Maksutov Cassegrain Cube Mount 8804 $550.00 Time Remaining: 9d 9h 14m Buy It Now for only: $550.00 |
 Blue Fireball SCT Thread Adapter for some Maksutov Cassegrain Telescopes C 07 $24.00 Time Remaining: 29d 11h 52m Buy It Now for only: $24.00 |
 Phenix 33 66x90 zoom Maksutov Cassegrain Spotting Scope $205.42 Time Remaining: 4d 13m Buy It Now for only: $205.42 |
 Phenix 30 60x80 zoom Maksutov Cassegrain Spotting Scope $158.01 Time Remaining: 4d 14m Buy It Now for only: $158.01 |
Can someone tell me if these are good telescopes to buy?
Please tell me the pros and cons of each telescope as well as what I will be able to see through them. I am hoping to also be able to view galaxies (and other deep space stuff) as well as planets. Please let me know what "measurements" (160 mm for EXAMPLE, etc.) are required/good to view deep space objects. ALSO IF THERE ARE ANY OTHER TELESCOPES THAT YOU RECOMMEND, PLEASE let me know. I am willing to spend up to $300.
1. Zhumell Perigee 100 Maksutov Cassegrain Telescope.
2. Celestron Starhopper 6 Inch Dobsonian
3.Celestron StarHopper 10 Inch Dobsonian (and also 6 inch, please include cost of both).
4. StarBlast 6 Astro Telescope
5. SpaceProbe 130ST EQ
ARE ANY OF THE ABOVE TELESCOPES GOOD FOR ASTROPHOTOGRAPHY??? Also, if you have ANY suggestions for telescopes that are decent for viewing galaxies and other deep space objects, please include them (under or VERY close to $300). I know I am asking for a lot, but please answer all the questions. THANKS!
1. I wouldn't recommend this. Too small.
2 & 3. I believe these have been discontinued. Try Dobsonians made by Orion, SkyWatcher, or Zhumell instead. Recommended.
4. This scope is new and hasn't been reviewed much, but should be good.
5. A bit on the small side, and with a flimsy shaky mount. A 6" or larger Dobsonian would be a far better choice.
None of these scopes are good for astrophotography, except for snapshots of the Moon and planets. Astrophotography requires spending a LOT more money than you are budgeting!
Here are a few web pages with good information on beginner's telescopes:
http://www.gaherty.ca/tme/TME0702_Buying_a_Telescope.pdf
http://www.scopereviews.com/begin.html
http://observers.org/beginner/j.r.f.beginner.html
For more advanced information, read Phil Harrington's Star Ware, 4th edition (Wiley).
You'll get the greatest value for your money with a Newtonian reflector on a Dobsonian mount, such as these:
http://www.telescope.com/control/category/~category_id=dobsonians/~pcategory=telescopes/~VIEW_INDEX=0/~VIEW_SIZE=1000000
http://www.skywatchertelescope.net/swtinc/product.php?class1=1&class2=106
Buy from a store which specializes in telescopes and astronomy, either locally or online; don't buy from department stores, discount stores or eBay as mostly what they sell is junk. Find your local astronomy club and try out different telescopes at one of their star parties:
http://www.skyandtelescope.com/community/organizations
maksutov-cassegrain & schmidt cassegrain simulation