Any suggestions on Telescopes?

[Roomys]

Hi Guys,

Do any of you have telescopes or know where to get a decent enough Telescope from? I am looking to spend about R3000 max for it. I have seen some of the prices out there, but quiet frankly i want to show my Wife the Moon etc not look up the Sun's Uranus.

Any Suggestions on brands, whats good or not etc?

Thanks.

[HavocXphere]

I'd be wary with that. Telescopes is a go big or go home kind of thing. I've got a lower end one and its a pain...you can clearly see the potential fun in it but the crap gear results in endless frustration & ruins it.

Go for the absolute max you can afford and focus on the tripod & view finder. If those are shit then you're in for some serious frustration regardless of the billion x magnification.

Lose the moon idea. You want to be able to see much more. Moon is entertaining for about an hour max...but there are a million galaxies to explore...if you have the gear.

I'd get a catadioptric or reflecting - though tbh I can't tell you which of the two is a better plan. The refracting ones are a recipe for neck-pain. reflecting =\= refracting.

[Roomys]

Thanks for the reply bud, I had a tasco entry level about 9 years ago and it had all the problems you described above. That was the reason i post this, hoping to get some ideas on what amateur scope name brands are out there that are semi decent without breaking the bank.

[Crzwaco]

Perhaps this will narrow down your search.
http://www.astronomyforum.net/astron...ice-range.html