Top 3 Beginner's Telescopes! Which one should you buy?

[@wayneteachey2714]

If you want to get someone interested in astronomy, show them Saturn. When they see those rings in real-time and not in a photo, most get hooked!

[@thomasewing2656]

The moons of Jupiter are fun, too. You can watch them rise and set. Active astronomy!

[@genarovillarreal992]

Just did it yesterday with the kids!! It was awesome!

[@Scottocaster6668]

This comment is so true. It happened to my wife, she saw a video on the news about this guy took a picture of Saturn with the rings and she was awstruck. "Oh hon, we gotta get a telescope!!" 🤪 Blah,blah,omg blah!

[@thewonderinghealer6449]

Whoaaaaaaaaa

[@thewonderinghealer6449]

Wait really!!??

[@jfan4reva]

The comment about seeing the moon for the first time through a good telescope vs pictures, kind of brings out the fascination of astronomy for me. It's you, a few pieces of glass, and the sky. No screens, no monitors, no electronics. Nothing between you and the universe. Live. In real time. If my arm was long enough, I could reach out and touch the thing I'm looking at. It makes the universe real.

[@jenni3746]

this

[@Dr.Pepper001]

Well put.

[@MrJonpac]

@@jenni3746 Nerd

[@A-A-RonDavis2470]

@@MrJonpac cringe

[@reddeadghost4343]

@@MrJonpac cringe

[@Agent-vj3ns]

I got a 4.5" starblaster, took it out to a parking lot and pointed at the first bright thing I could see. Got chills when I realized it was Saturn. Saw it's rings and moons. Make us seem so small and insignificant 🔭

[@alchemyalch984]

OH WHAT THATS SOO COOL! Have you come across any new planet/stars/cosmic events yet?

[@SimRacingVeteran]

That’s because we are tiny and insignificant.

[@ritachaudhary8960]

How much did it cost ?

[@ericaroundtheworld]

Did you add any eye pieces ??

[@Astronurd]

@@ericaroundtheworld It won’t work without them

[@RaysAstrophotography]

I thought this video is 10 years old. Never knew someone can a create a purist video these days. Good job Ed!

[@waterproof4403]

I know right. KZbin was all great up to 2015

[@msspeak.]

that's funny, i was thinking the same

[@Muesli711]

How cool would it be to have Ed as your local astronomical mentor!

[@hifijohn]

It don't mean a ting if it ain't Ed.

[@zephyrgames7418]

@@hifijohn 😂😂

[@johnnymartinez478]

How about your neighbor ! Even better

[@VickiAnkney]

You got my vote.

[@u9s0e9r]

The first half of your comment made me feel uneasy while reading it 😅😂

[@richardleetbluesharmonicac7192]

We used to make our own out of cement tubes and we have ground our mirrors and used binocular eyepiece as a lens. They were incredible. I spent years with John Dobson and The SF Sidewalk Astronomers

[@TheAutumnWind_RN4L]

Such ingenuity.

[@will0ughby]

Ed, how do you not have more viewers man? I found your channel recently and went back to watch every astronomy related video (and a few of the other ones as well)! Keep up the quality work!

[@lowellmccormick6991]

My friend purchased an Edmond Scientific 8" f8 optical tube assembly in 1976. It's pretty amazing that 44 years later the price is almost the same. I think Ed's #1 pick is spot on. It is a scope that's good enough to be a scope for a lifetime and cheap enough that if it's sits in a closet unused didn't cost an arm and a leg. Plus it's so simple to use. I find that people with of scopes with lots of electronics tend to spend most of their time tweaking stuff and getting it working rather than observing. And EQ mounts can turn off a new user just trying to point it where they want. I turn on my Telrad & secondary heater and I'm ready for a night of observing.

[@Skfkf1393a]

The man wears reverse double pleated pants and talks science. I’m sold.

[@SpicyTexan64]

Overpleater

[@lorcankelleher5434]

I'm very frustrated that it took me this long to find your channel and that I just bought my first telescope without coming here first. Love the content, keep it up!

[@jimrodgers3684]

What did you buy? Is it on Mr. Ting's short list, and are you happy with it?

[@alasdairmacdonald6730]

I'd like to thank you for this and your other videos. But mostly this one. I took your advice and bought an 8 inch DOB just after Christmas. And what fun it has been. Even from our light polluted street I'm still seeing things I never thought possible. Brilliant. And the Dobsonian mount makes you learn, which to me is a far more rewarding idea than dialling up an address and watching the mount do its thing. So, thanks again and see you in the next one!

[@charlesmorgan4596]

My first was a 4 1/2 inch Newtonian reflector on an equatorial mount. $50 at a garage sale. Ended up using it for afocal photography with a homemade mount with a 35 m film camera. What a learning experience it was. Woke up my 10 year old daughter at 4am to view Saturn. Daddy, Daughter time.

[@ericaroundtheworld]

Will Orion starblast , starseeker or Celestron 130EQ better ?? Looking for one easy to assemble. Because of the space and usage wise. We can't keep it assemble. Maybe need to be taken down. Would like to see some planets , galaxy and nebulas will Orion starblast be able to see it ? The one mount on the table is it difficult to use cuz it is too low . Please I need some help thanks

[@ericaroundtheworld]

How is it

[@Allyourbase1990]

My dad used to wake me up when I was a little boy and show me planets when they were close by. I always loved it and can’t wait to do it with my kids

[@ChallengerNetwork]

Hi Ed, I just wanted to say that because of yours and other astronomy channels' videos, you have reignited my passion for astronomy. I had bought myself a 10" Sky-Watcher flextube dobsonian telescope back in January this year, and I haven't looked back. It has given me the clearest views of Saturn's rings I have ever dreamed of; the turbulent cloud bands and great red spot of Jupiter, as well as the Galilean quartet orbiting it; even the Mariner valley on Mars. Though it may be a manually driven scope, I have taken video footage and stabilized it in Vegas for use in Registax, with impressive results. Every night is a new adventure for me, and I cannot wait to see what's in store for future dates.

[@edting]

Hey that's great - doing planetary webcam through a Dob is a challenging task. Well done!

[@steffeness1]

@@edting What do these telescope magnifications start at & stop at?

[@richardkrawchyk7076]

My first two telescopes were an Orion 4.5 inch Starblast on an equatorial mount, and the Orion Short Tube 80 (and I still have both). I feel validated that these are two that Ed recommends for first time telescopes.

[@AbhijotSingh1609]

Hi I’m a beginner what’s a good telescope that you recommend for me?

[@recarsion]

I can relate so much to the Moon being much more exciting than I had thought. I thought it's just nice but ultimately not as exciting, BOY was I wrong! I will never forget the first time I saw it through my first telescope. It was in the growing period, almost half moon, and I could actually see the dark half actually emitting some very faint light, I could see that it really was a 3 dimensional sphere as opposed to the flat circle I see it as with bare eyes, and it was even better once I put in some higher power eyepieces, this thing has entire mountain chains, craters etc. It's an unforgettable experience.

[@ericaroundtheworld]

Would you do a solid 114 mm or retractable tube 130 skywatcher ?? I'm debating. Ideally I would love to get zhumell telescope z130 but it is out of stock. Should I wait?

[@robertt9342]

What the OP is referring to is called Earthshine. It’s really cool when you realize that the “glow” from darkened portion of the moon is the light reflecting off of earth.

[@robertt9342]

I really like looking at the moon during different phases as it really shows off the craters.

[@Nautilus1972]

When you consider it’s inhabited aliens ….

[@NatarajanGanesan]

My first experience of seeing moon was through a pair of lenses I held by hand at an appropriate distance. The thrill was unmistakable.

[@timotheverrette5988]

They had one at the Lakes of the Clouds hut as well when I was there last year! Cool stuff!

[@nekonik]

I'm so happy watching your videos. I'm a beginner living in central MA. I'm sure I'm gonna learn a lot just following your channel.

[@mikenofi281]

Ed, I have been involved in astronomy for over 60 years and I love your videos. Many years ago I bought a short-tube 80 from Celestron and was impressed with how little CA there was for an f/5 for visual use. I got suspicious and decided to ray-trace the optical layout. I discovered that while the scope has an 80 mm clear aperture, the effective aperture is only about 69 mm. The baffle before the focuser tube was made undersized to restrict the lens opening. This increases the f/number from f/5 to f/6.5. Of course there is also a reduction in light-gathering power and resolution. Not sure if this is still the case on the newer ST 80s.

[@DP-qb1zw]

Those dirty rats. 🐀

[@kimzocco3911]

Thank you for initializing the Orion Library program! I checked it out a few times in Basalt, Colorado - the whole family had fun and was quite impressed with the Moon images. =)

[@logangrey179]

You are amazing, the fact that put all those links too is sooo helpful!!!!

[@fruitypebbles803]

I live in Amsterdam and they just started a telescoop borrowing program at our local library too! The waiting list is 9 months long though, so I’m looking into just buying my own telescope instead. Thanks for the excellent information!

[@vegahimsa3057]

Telescopes at the library is a brilliant idea!

[@timurhant469]

I really enjoyed this one and your closing words were super nice! Thanks a lot!

[@OhShunz]

This was such a great video!! And dang you really reminded me of my father for some reason. He was my very own childhood Indiana Jones. He definitely planted many seeds of adventure in my little brain. Can't wait to find me one of those #1 Pick 8" Dobs and start stargazing. R. I. P. miss you pops

[@davidlsmith3864]

After doing research, off KZbin, from many reviewers (like, also, "Ken from Orion Telescopes") I bought an Orion SkyQuest XT8 Plus Dobsonian Telescope #08974 , which was usually their top recommendation, from eBay last year. Price asked: "Sells for $629.99 NEW from Orion. Condition: Used Price: US $399.00 and Shipping: $288.58 Or "Make Offer"." I made an "Offer" of just $300.00 fully expecting a "Counter Offer" of course. Well, the Counter was only $325.00 ($25.00 over) so I grabbed it up.... but the $288.00 Shipping you say. The telescope was just 20 miles away (30 minutes) and I picked it up locally, saving the $288.00. $325.00 plus $26.00 NY Sales Tax for a Total of $351.00. Waited many decades wanting a good telescope and finally got one.

[@PRosendo0101]

Sir your enthusiasm is contagious! I keep doing research, my lovely partner knows my love to astronomy, and rather than doing a day trip to the Lowell observatory for a private viewing, we’re getting a telescope. This helped so much!

[@Cbrandon203]

A smile came to my face when you said “you’ll never forget the first time you saw the moon through a good telescope”. Took me right back to that moment in my childhood in our front yard. Thanks for that! Time for my sons to experience the same thing👍

[@stefanschneider3681]

Beautiful video, because it summarizes it all: the breathtaking leaps in technology, but also the pure joy and fascination of just being out there and being thrilled by the beauty of the night sky! Binocular-view of the moon? It blows your mind! Thanks!

[@joellalhriatpuia7045]

The eye blinking rate is magnificent

[@demej00]

I have the Orion short tube 80 with barlow and multipower eyepiece. Love it.

[@CharlieWellsPlus]

Thank you Ed! Your website is a treasure!

[@ERidesOn2]

Great advice. I had an 8" Cat. A B&L Criterion. I bought during Haleys Comet event in 1986. Wasn't the best idea for a comet, but it got me started. It wasn't the best scope for packing to a mountain top, even if I drove there. Especially if it envoled a vacation which meant packing it with a family with kids. I recently found a 6" computer controlled Mead. Sooo much easier to pack or just to take outside. I've still yet to master the controls. I used to just polar align, lock my scope, and switch on the drive. Then it was just a matter of finding my object, aiming my "tel rad" and initially use a low power eyepiece to get on it easily. That may sound complicated to a newbie, but its pretty simple for a pretty simple old guy. I've used a bicycle wheel in a holder to explain polar alignment. The axel of the wheel being Polaris..... So funny my son just did the Pemi Loop last month and Mt Washington last Sunday. He's become a White mountain junkie. God bless you for helping folks discover the skies.

[@gonzo187th]

Hi Ed, just seen a couple of your videos. Thank you, been a great help. Yes I am a beginner at this but have always been fascinated with everything in space. I bought a old Bushnell scope and mount but the equatorial was broken in some spots. So I bought the Orion Star Blaster 4.5 equatorial Reflector Telescope and in 3 days I will be receiving the Orion 80ST/400mm. This Summer I will be looking into purchasing the Orion 120mm from the company in California.

[@edting]

Good for you! If I were you, I'd just get a 6"/8" Dob. You'll likely wind up there anyway, so just go there now!

[@gonzo187th]

@@edting never thought of it, until you mentioned it. Yes, most definitely after seeing couple videos on both I do like it a lot more. I got a few months to summer so it will be in budget by then..thanks for the recommendation. I like the 8” but I have several eyepieces and Barlow that I can use on the 6” so more than likely it will be this one.🤙🏽

[@timyates64]

Based on the information in this video, and information from Astrobackyard, I have ordered and am waiting for the Apertura AD8 to arrive. Thanks Ed, for all you do for the hobby.

[@jimvacca7101]

Thanks for a great post walking folks through the options! I just purchased your #1 with the StarSense Explorer option for my wife as a Christmas present!

[@dannyvegito6357]

Sincerely thank you Mr. Ting I went and bought a 30 Nat Geo telescope from target for 30$, was blown away by all that I was missing, went to KZbin because this is something that I definitely want to pursue and your advice has helped me tremendously! Thank you again

[@johnwright291]

Pretty much by dumb luck the xt8 Orion dobsonian was my first scope and I have to agree that for getting your money's worth can't be beat. I had the mirror recoated and the views of saturn were breathtaking. I'm very glad that I didn't start out with a goto scope because I now know the northern hemisphere sky like the back of my hand. I run into people at star parties with super expensive gear and they don't know the sky at all. For instance one guy with a high end apo refractor thought that the star sirius was a planet. He acted insulted when I corrected him.

[@ridleyroid9060]

I got a 60mm refractor for $100 and I have been enjoying it so far, but a time will come to upgrade, thank you for the video!

[@Space_Tour1]

Awesome video, I knew the first place rank 😁 but kept watching because it's always joyful listening to Ed explain

[@AGKyran]

Hello! I must admit I'm pretty happy. I've ordered a xt8 dobsonian (there's no shop to buy one around). I've looked for a good amount of time at recommendations. But seeing videos and all, I believe it'll be perfect. There's a 2x Barlow shorty that comes with it, some accessories like a "sky map", a red light. I'm totally new to telescopes, but I'm pretty sure it's gonna be awesome. I don't even want to look at anything specific. Just want to explore and wander around, focusing on anything I can see. So thank you a lot! Can't wait for it to arrive.

[@davidborger1808]

Ed is my new favorite youtuber

[@markbergendahl2651]

Great overview of beginning scopes Ed ! I got a 6 inch Orion maksutov cassegrain scope with a computerized equatorial mount and am still procrastinating using the polar alignment process. You definitely have to put the time into learning the products. Even properly setting up a finder scope takes time & I already returned one. Since my scope has an 1800 mm focal length I'm going to have to get a 28 mm eyepiece to open up the field of view a bit.

[@thomaslawson9429]

What a great "Three Best Scopes" walkthrough that let me decide something I have heard dozens of times lately from several sources. The most expensive is not always the best. Now I'm going back online and relook at the Dobsonian bucket, while continuing to work on the Skywatcher EVO 100 OTA ED I just purchased. Thank you so much for your expertise Dr. Ting! Great information.

[@jochenkraus7016]

I think it's a bit like photo lenses or radio controlled model ships: When they are on site and set up, it's more bigger, more better ;-) At any other moment, size and weight cause more pain to handle, transport and store (and pay).

[@SteveLFBO]

Refreshingly clear advice. Warning to anyone looking at binoculars as an option: the ones with 80mm objectives weigh a muscle-burning ton.

[@6o6uk]

Great video! In this hobby for 2+ years already, my old good Dob8’ is a super thing! Unfortunately, have to make a pause due to some life circumstances , but wish to get back into this hobby as soon as possible! Good luck to everyone!! Night clear sky, stars, and telescope = happiness 😊

[@audioaficionado9494]

I got a 10" DOB. 12" x 48" x 35# OTA and I could fit it into a compact car. With the Strap A Handles I mounted on the OTA, it's so easy to carry, anyone can safely do it. Got an Orion ST80 too.

[@edmisto5199]

Thanks for the great videos. Just jumped in the water and am waiting on my Apertura 8” Dobsonian to arrive. Should be in stock just in time for spring viewing.

[@dryisi]

I went and got the Orion 8tx plus as you suggested. My 8 year old son and I really like the hobby. I already want to host a star party with family and friends to enjoy. My favorite eyepiece is the 2inch 28mm. Thanks

[@marianunez2767]

This is awesome! I'm in NH and never new this. Going to call Monday. Looking at your videos to see which Telescope to buy my 7 yr old grandson.

[@Panomition]

Great video! Just ordered and Orion Dobsonian and really excited to start looking up!

[@haroonzia2214]

Congrats! :) Which model did you get, and how is it going so far?

[@denisejo10462]

I am new to stargazing, and this video was very helpful for me. Thank you!

[@osvaldoomarjorge]

Kudos! Excellent, sharp, and kind, honest guide to see the sky!

[@Oneup572]

I bought a gskyer 90mm/600 for my first telescope about a month ago or so.. I like it a lot..we where able to see the space between Saturns rings with it!! Amazing .. I really like your Channel as I have learned a lot from it.. thankyou for putting in the time to educate me..👍 also I got it for 75$ on marketplace… a steel if ya ask me …

[@markattardo]

Imagine my surprise after looking up the Starblast I borrowed from my local NH library and find a video from someone in the affiliated club. Cool program and video!

[@oninoyakamo]

2:40 The ability for the ST80 to be used as a finder scope for larger telescopes is an interesting feature that could allow it to remain in your gear indefinitely

[@DP-qb1zw]

Yes, nice to have an 80mm finder. I use an 80mm Lumicon on my 17.5" dob. Nice low power views to complement the main telescope view.

[@markbarber7839]

Thanks for the video. I bought a 4.5" Bushnell refractor used for $75. Great telescope but it's the "planetary mount" which is a must

[@Wesley-xo9jn]

Thank you for making an actual informational video. The only one I've seen without fake comments 😂

[@edting]

Thank you for your kind commments!

[@jenniferbruce9551]

Thank you so much for that! lots of great information and your enthusiasm for all of it is contagious -very pleasant to listen to and to watch- thank you again bless you and your family and all of your people

[@dannielthul8068]

Thank you for the library trick!

[@rickthompson2520]

Thanks for the info , probably going to start with the starblast

[@alfors]

Love your channel, subscribed. Well, didn't exactly follow your recommendations, ended up with the Skywatcher ED80 on AZ5 mount as my first scope, grab and go and capable of photo...maybe later. But thank you so much for all the really useful information you provide. Thumbs up!

[@dougsbir]

nice honest video for beginners thankyou!

[@jeffreyburley4033]

As stated by many amateur and professional astronomers, the best first-time telescope to purchase is the one you will use over and over again. Just think of all the telescopes setting in closets across the world that were used once, maybe twice and that was it. So, how do you define the best one to buy? The cost factor should be down the list. The size should be down the list. What I think should top the list is useability. How easy is the telescope to transport, set up, and look through. Part of each of those factors is weight, size, and ease of use. I know the major manufacturers have tried to solve that problem with varying degrees of success. If you have a possible future astronomer in the family and want to get them started, it is best to research for local star groups and make a few phone calls. Anyone who continues to enjoy this hobby will talk a blue streak to you but will also know what they started with, what worked for them, what didn't work for them. Never be embarrassed to ask questions.

[@bmarques333]

I've been looking around on how to begin stargazing (the many hours on space games finally pushed me there), and your channel is helping a lot to consolidate that knowledge in my brain! The sad part is learning from a 3-year old video that 8" Dobsonians used to cost $400... it's reached the 500€ range here on the EU these days. (and good luck finding a used one for a good price - though I suspect Maks and SCGs are easier to get a second-hand bargain)

[@JohnPaul-m5l]

Thx Ed, bought my first telescope about 6 weeks ago based on your advice. Apertura AD8. Great scope and a lot of fun so far!

[@edting]

You made a great choice!

[@higherlearning228]

I remember this lady at our history & science museum. She had a big cylinder telescope out in front pointed towards Saturn at dusk. It was an amazing sight to see Saturn's rings with the naked eye. Definitely got me hooked on stargazing.

[@The..Commenter]

this is actually so smart i never thought of using binoculars

[@superheart6025]

Thank you! After watching a few ‘which 1st telescopes’ I finally have my answer.

[@tooalice]

Thank you for sharing this information. I’ve been wanting to purchase a telescope and had no idea where to start. Just subbed last week. ❤️

[@the27thMONKEY]

I started out with a Nexstar 130SLT but found it wasn't suitable for astrophotography. The only OTA I could find in my price range and also in stock was the C6. I'd already got an AVX mount separately. Seems I got lucky with my choice seeing as you recommend it! I had the Nexstar for several years but barely used it until last year. I'm now addicted to this hobby. I also recently picked up a WO Zenithstar 61 and it's currently getting the most use as a lot of the targets I'm going for need the wide field view. Problem now is I have 2 scopes and only 1 mount and the DSLR gets all the action, I can't look at stuff when its taking pictures and being in the UK the weather is usually cloudy anyway. I also want to get a dedicated astro camera but I'm tempted to get a second mount first so I can do visual astronomy. New subscriber, enjoying the channel!

[@NeuroplasticityReprogram]

Awesome work getting Telescopes into Libraries, what an excellent idea. Great content, thank you!

[@cthulhuspawn96]

You should come to Colorado and hike all the mountains here, so many beautiful views and the stars at night will blow you away when in the mountains

[@MaxAbramson3]

Nice, a New Hampshire telescope channel!

[@sixgundave]

It wasn't long ago on Ed's suggestion to get binoculars that I got a Nikon 7x50 pair. Two weeks of off and on gagging around, looked at Jupiter, and discover I could see three of its moons. I had idea I could do such a thing with just a nice pair of binoculars. I've only lately, past few months, been curious about telescopes, but after seeing those moons for the first time, I decided to make my first telescope purchase, something modest to start, an Orion Starblast 4.5" reflector on an equatorial mount. I'm looking forward to learning how to use it and determine if this is indeed a hobby I could enjoy doing and invest in a larger scope more worthwhile in the future. Thanks to Ed for all his videos, the hobby is a lot to learn when you're new to it, yet he does quite well at explaining things simply 👍

[@ZopcsakFeri]

I love binocular astronomy! What seems to work for me is that I have a huge plastic tray, I throw it on the ground and sit on it, while I have an almist fully collapsed tripod between my knees. For zenith stars I just pick the binos off the mount, throw my back on the tray, put my head down, while I put the binos on my browbones! No chair, "no nothin" :D freedom 100%

[@salvadorpneri]

This is a phenomenal tutorial video. Thank you.

[@timcomputerdoc]

Hello Ed, new subscriber and absolute newbie in astronomy, thanks for saving me some time! Was going to get the cpc1100 as my first, really needed this vid.

[@Phred_Phlintstoner]

I was at my local Saint Vincent DePaul store and found an Orion SpaceProbe 130st Eq for $50. I couldn't pass it up. I have 4 younger kids, and still remember when my uncle bought my brothers and me a Meade with about the same size mirror that sparked my life long love for space. I can't wait to get a nice clear night that I can set it up for the kids and show them everything that we can find with it!

[@attackrobotmonkey]

Ed thanks for all these videos!!!they are jam packed with little helpful information! You have my sub❤

[@edting]

Thanks. As you may know, Orion abruptly closed their doors a few weeks ago. We still don't have an explanation as of today. I'm hoping this isn't permanent.

[@coltoncyr2283]

In NH!! Awesome!!! That's an awesome program. I think space is just mesmerizing and puts anyone in awe. I'm going to check my local Library soon!

[@mrjack8849]

I just bought and received one of the Orion Short Tube 80 in December 2020. Orion announced sometime in November they were bringing them back. Not sure why it went away and came back so quickly. I had purchased and returned an Orion CT80 in October 2020. It was very light weight and felt fairly cheap. The "new" Orion Short Tube 80 appears to be very well-made compared to the CT 80 and works as described in your review. I got it with the rings and not the attached rail.

[@T.K.9]

I remember buying my first ever scope. Starsense explorer 102dx with the app that tells you where to point to see any planet, clusters, stars etc. . First saw the moon and her craters. I was struck immediately with WOW. But then when I bought extra eyepieces and 2x barlow and aimed at what seemed to be a bright star every night infront of my house. I see it everytime I go to work at night. Not joking, I thought it was a star or a satellite. Pure WOW moment when I found put it was Jupiter. And a bit to her right side was a small orange dot Saturn. With the 102mm refractor, she looks crisp at max magnification with her rings. But she moves so fast though. Id be standing outside talking to myself in awe looking at such planets. Really changes your perspective about everything. We are but a grain of sand on a beach. The beach being the universe.

[@jochenkraus7016]

That's how it started, noticing "stars" that seemed too bright for stars ;-) One day, a co-worker that did astronomy checked with Stellarium which planet it could be. First seeing Saturn with the ring in a telescope was indeed a special moment.

[@coltoncyr2283]

Mountain Lafayette is not an easy hike lol, but LOVE the views. The hike UP Mt Little Haystack is one of my favorites! But I haven't done nearly as many as you.

[@joebond5012]

Thank you Ed, an excellent channel full of useful information.

[@edting]

Thanks for the nice comments, Joe!

[@joebass5163]

So in the last month I bought 3 scopes used. A $70 100mm skyscanner tabletop. A $60 3" Spaceprobe on EQ mount. And finally an 8" Starhopper sonotube white base with a dirty mirror for $250 with 3 lenses and additional extras. I cleaned the mirror with water and dish soap and it looks almost new again. I took it out last night and it's amazing. Ok I think I'm done buying scopes now.

[@edting]

Yeah, the Starhopper is the keeper of the bunch!

[@shadowbirdstudio9035]

Awesome advice. Much appreciated.

[@glen1arthur]

Thank you for sharing you knowledge with us.

[@Westernequestrain]

I have an orion skyquest xt8 classic and the first thing I looked at was the moon. Wow. I sadly haven't looked at any of the planets yet, but I did manage to get M3 in the lens! The XT8 is a mixture of quality, power, and simplicity. No wonder why it made first on this list

[@bigrich6750]

I was just down in the Florida Keys camping on Bahia Honda on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean. The night sky was so black over the Atlantic, we could see an incredible amount of stars and planets. We didn’t have a telescope but used the Skyview app on my phone to ID the planets, stars, the Milky Way, and other constellations. Jupiter was directly overhead on one night and was the brightest object in the sky. Mars was very prominent as well. The last day we realized that one of our neighbors in the campground, had a massive telescope set up, and welcomed us to come join them to view the night sky. Unfortunately it was our last day and we had to pack up and leave. Still just seeing the night sky so bright with our naked eye was truly inspiring.

[@johnbarry5036]

A better comparison between #1 and #2 is if we mount the C6 OTA onto a manual alt-az such as the Vixen Porta 2 or Orion Versago 2. Ed says the #1 dob is lighter, simpler and cheaper than the SCT. But if mounted this way, the C6 is MUCH lighter (appx 23 lbs vs 42 lbs) and just as simple. It also lowers the price to appx $900. Let's not also forget that in case you are interested in terrestrial viewing, the dob is pretty much a non-starter.

[@deecross5028]

Thanks, enjoyed the video and you personality.

[@kensden599]

Really informative and helped a newb like me. Just retired and am enjoying evenings in my back yard with my Orion 4.5. Would like to set mine up like yours. Where can I find that moon map you attached? It would be real handy vs going back and forth from my large map to the telescope.

[@xsane5125]

My beginner is my Celestron 130slt. Love it and I still use it as my Primary !

[@tjzambonischwartz]

The Meade adventure scope 80 is the same Synta optical tube as the OG Shortube 80. The accessories are mediocre and the included tripod is terrible, but it does have a backpack case and it's still the same great little scope for around $90 typically. The infinity 80 is also the same tube assembly just with a better mount for around $150. The Celestron Travel Scope 80 is also The ST80 tube, outfitted in a similarly mediocre way to the Meade Adventure scope. Orion has had the ST80 out of their rotation for well over a year now.

[@jeffbecker8716]

Most binoculars can be mounted on a camera tripod so, yes, the views CAN BE shared. Thanks for another informative video, but you left off my first - a vintage Jason 60 x 800 by Towa. Kind of the stretched-out version of your Orion 80. Got it for just $10 at a yard sale and learned a lot by disassembling, cleaning, and restoring it.

[@jakestatefarm712]

Seeing the moon from a telescope and a rare eclipse sold me and I’ve been looking up

[@OrangeBlood485]

Thanks so much! This video was very insightful and helpful.

[@PatrickDale469]

just to let you know the XT8 is $650 now. and the starblast 114 is $269. just thought you should know. love your videos. thank you!

[@garyb6219]

XT8 is $650 in 2024

[@charlesroberts8971]

Thank you for taking the time and effort to share your experience and knowledge. your delivery and camera presence is excellent. My wife and i are in our late 60's and due to the pandemic began paying more attention to the moon and it's phases. i bought a relative inexpensive Meade refractor telescope and we both are captivated by viewing the night sky. we have used the Google sky Map up to this point. On your recommendation, I have ordered a planisphere. Now we are interested in buying something that we will enjoy even more. Listening to your videos has been my most trusted source of info. I am leaning toward the Meade 8 LX90 with the audio finder. But i do appreciate your comments concerning the Dobsonian 8". we have taking pictures of the moon using an attached cell phone to the cheap Meade telescope and enjoy that aspect of bragging about what we see. so would you encourage the LX90 for our late in life new adventure or what would you recommend? Once again thank you for yur hard work in all of our behalf.

[@edting]

The LX90 should be fine. Just be aware there is a learning curve on that model and some people never get past it. That is the reason I usually recommend the Dob. It is much simpler to use.

[@rodneyjohnson4794]

orion xt8 basic model is now $US 550, as of 11-17-2021. and they have 5 variations, going up to $US 900. i have an st80 and in spite of my trying to do things with it that it was not intended to do, i love it. for instance, you won't be able to see infinity, not for