The BEST Telescope for Beginners (What You Need to Know)

[@AmatureAstronomer]

I just got into the hobby in August 2023. I had a $300 budget. I wanted to do deep space astrophotography. Everyone said I must buy a Dobonian and aperture is king. So, I bought a 10" Dobsonian. Then found out it was too heavy for me to drag into the back garden and not well suited for photography. Then, I bought a 150mm Newtonian on a CG-4 mount. Still too heavy and no motor drive. Then, I bought a 130mm Newtonian on a EQ-3 motorized mount. Great! Not too heavy and could track. But, in my Bortle 6 sky, looking through my cataracts, I could not star hop. Then, I bought a Sky-Watcher AZ GTi mount and an 80mm ED refractor. Worked nicely. Started taking pictures. But, field rotation kept eating my photos. So, I recently purchased a Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer GTi equatorial mount, a 6" SCT, a x0.63 reducer and a Hyperstar 4 v6. When the weather clears, I hope to use this setup for most all photographical needs. Oh, and I am over budget.

[@ianlauerastro]

That's a lot of telescopes! Hope this latest one works out for you - astrophotography is tough but definitely rewarding.

[@osamakareem9739]

You didn’t rate any of those scopes, did you like any?

[@AmatureAstronomer]

@@osamakareem9739 National Geographic 114mm/500 Newtonian reflector with pan handle mount and rickety tripod and poor optics. Not favored. 10% National Geographic 70mm/700 refractor with pan handle mount and rickety tripod and poor optics. Not favored. 12% Celestron 102mm/1000 refractor. Very big and awkward refractor. Good for lunar and planetary us. 50% Celestron short tube 80/400. Very light easy to use pluse 1.25" SvBony 231 color correction filter.. Preferred grab ad go optical tube. 75% Skyoptikst 90mm/500 refractor plus 2" SvBony 231 color correction filter. Surprisingly good optical tube. 80% SvBony 80mm ED - very nice takes good pictures easy to focus and use. 85% Bresser 102mm/460 ED refractor with Founder Optics generic x0.8 reducer corrector runs at f/3.6, my fastest refractor. Lightning fast. Lots of chromatic aberration. Fringe killers don't help. Takes terrible pictures. But, using an SvBony 220 dual band narrow filter on emission nebula, no chromatic aberration, lots of glowing nebula and very small., tight stars. 5%-90% Will make and post some videos reviewing all my scopes once I figure out how to use my new video camera and my new video editor.

[@Cakebattered]

Dobsonians are just a astronomy tax on newbs. They are amazing for people who live with dark skies, but very limiting for those anywhere near a major city. Thus Dobs are commonly found used on craigslist.

[@AmatureAstronomer]

@@osamakareem9739 I like the SvBony 80mm ED for a grab and go. I like the 6" SCT for lunar, planetary and with the Hyperstar, very large things. I also like my brand new Sky Watcher Startravel 120 refractor for general work. If I use an SvBony 231 color correction filter and the color correction function in Sharp Cap Pro - no purple fringe. It is the largest refractor I can use with my light mount. Was out last night photographing galaxies. Used the 120mm refractor. With the x0.8 reducer/corrector, it is quite fast @ f/4.0. Going out tonight to photograph M27 with my SCT and x0.63 reducer, humidity allowing.

[@josipmatic1912]

My 6 year old daughter is crazy about astronomy and space and begs me to buy a telescope. This was super helpful. Thnx.

[@ianlauerastro]

Glad it was helpful! Happy stargazing!!

[@electrongaming123]

So great yo are stimulating her curiosity.

[@ivismendoza7693]

We’re here for our 6 year old kids. My son is also a solar system nerdy. Trying to give this to him for his 6th birthday this month!

[@BengalCatLola]

We are all here for the kids!😹 which did you choose?

[@Broshan69]

Hey, as a beginner, i got a 152/1200 dobsonian to learn the sky and constellations. I got to see m29 and m39 in cygnus! I am in b4 germany. I am loving it!

[@ianlauerastro]

Very nice!

[@FlorianSalta]

Thank you for putting together this helpful video!!

[@ianlauerastro]

Glad you found it helpful - I hope you get to spend some time under the night sky!

[@absorbingphotons]

This is my new favorite video to send people when I get the "what telescope should I buy?" question from my friends who are beginners. Agree entirely with everything you recommended. I especially love the GoTo tabletop Dobs like the Sky-Watcher Virtuoso GTI 150p. 👍

[@ianlauerastro]

Thanks so much dude!! I also like those dobs. Appreciate you!

[@babybalrog]

That was my reaction too. ian goes from "dont' buy computerized" to "buy smart" to "buy a dob". The Sky-Watcher Virtuoso GTI 150p has been on my radar for awhile as a good suggestion to start with. If you want to use it for astrophotography, there was a presentation on "The Astro Imaging" channel about a year ago with tips from a seasoned user. One: back focus is an issue, but since these are collapsible, just dont extent it 100%. and two. tracking sucks, so go with short exposures. He was using 3 seconds. Modern cooled cameras with very little read noise can handle it.

[@rebecag4196]

thank you so much! i’m planning to buy my boyfriend a telescope for christmas but i don’t have one clue about telescopes lol i’ve been researching and this is the only video that gave me actual advice and good recommendations! i’m leaning more towards the 130 heritage dobsonian skywatcher due to my budget and it also seems like a great first telescope

[@renzokouken9781]

Just got our Celestron DOB 8” star sense telescope Really excited to set it up I pray we got the right one for basic astronomy for our students Cheers

[@Mellymel.o]

I really needed this video thank u!

[@ianlauerastro]

You're so welcome!

[@flaberdoopin]

Thank you so much for this awesome video. i had a telescope as a kid and just the other day my kids were telling me they wanted to see the milky way (somehow i have failed them for the past 14 years and they have never seen it) and just do some star gazing. I didn't know that there were such a thing as smart telescopes... that is what i'm going to go with and i'm tempted to go big and get the Vespera II.

[@dusk1234567890]

What’s the point of smart telescope if your just going to look through an iPad or phone? Might as well just google the images then…

[@ianlauerastro]

Some people like explore in different ways. Whatever gets them outside, looking up and interested in astronomy.

[@stephen6621]

I bet you all they’re doing is downloading photos from the Internet. LOL

[@Cakebattered]

If smart scopes were just downloading the images, the images they produce wouldn't look so amateurish.

[@josephbradley7216]

I can see both sides of this argument. There's no way I'd personally use a smart telescope for observing BUT if that's what it takes to get someone outside and interested in the Hobby then so be it!

[@johndaley9188]

What a narrow minded take on technology. For the people with limited mobility/stability, like me, Smart telescopes are a God send. My ZWO Seestar S50 is also light enough to carry and set up. While images are building I use that new thing called the INTERNET to research what I'm trying to capture. Best part is being able to share my efforts with friends and family no mater where they live. Traditionalist equates to deniers.

[@starforge5663]

I am really new to astrophotography and just at home astronomy in general so this was really helpful for me so thank so very much!! I would ideally I think want a good telescope that can get good photos with my phone and one I can look through so maybe I’m leaning more to the side of big telescopes. But I really love the idea of smart telescopes because they look super cool and from my point of view they are not that expensive and I’m in college rn so I’m all about saving money. But think my most idea setup in terms of having the most telescopes is having a telescope great for astrophotography and one that is great for looking through.

[@stevesedio1656]

Nicely done! I has a 6" EQ, it was a pain to get it pointed where I wanted. I upgraded to a 10" Dob, much easier to use and almost 3 times the light gathering (10^2 / 6^2). But, even with moderately dark skies, deep sky objects were were disappointing. I bought the SeeStar, (only $500) wonderful for deep sky. I use a tablet for a larger screen, easier to share with the grand kids. Compared to an EQ mount, a camera body, a good lens, the software, and the time to use the software, (many thousands of dollars), very nice. The 10" is great for planets, and giving the kids the real time look through experience. One point, the Newtonian telescopes using mirrors have another advantage. Inexpensive glass lens act like a prism, the blue and red have different focal lengths. So you get blue on one side, red on the other. Mirrors reflect light the same, no matter the color.

[@hyyhisspace23]

Thank you so much, I was struggling to find a perfect telescope for me a beginner. I appreciate this video.

[@LearnToStargaze]

Carroll and Ostlie has to be the only book titled “An Introduction” that is over 1300 pages.

[@ianlauerastro]

As my professor called it, “BOB” aka the Big Orange Book

[@mistyskies6396]

Thank you, I did listen and I will use your tips 😊 TY

[@DOGE-x3m]

I've been watching so many videos so help simplify the language required to purchase a great scope for my 8 year old. This video was by FAR the most helpful. Thanks.

[@ianlauerastro]

Glad it helped! Happy stargazing!

[@sinansljc]

I have been interested in buying a telescope for a long time. However, I found it difficult to find out more about it. This video gave me some very good tips and advice to help me make a decision. Very helpful video and very nice explanations. Subscription is out.

[@iwasntlooking87]

Just buy a stupid cheap one and point it at the moon. Get a feel for using one and the enjoyment of getting to see things. Then start your search. That's what I did and I'm a little more knowledgeable of what I'm looking for. Same boat as you otherwise.

[@moontan91]

i would go for astronomy binocular before a telescope. the most fun i had watching the night skies was with naked eyes, a starmap and binoc.

[@francocordero32]

I started with a celestron sct 9,25” and a Nikon Z6… my first telescope and first camera… I had to spend over a year just to learn how to actually use both of them to start getting results, if you are committed then you could go for a big budget but I find your recommendations very useful for people that aren’t so sure if they would’ve spending the required time to master a telescope

[@astrofaenza]

We usually suggest to start with a good binocular. An 8x40 (or 10x50 or 7x50) of a respectable brand costs 100~200€ and is easy to use, easy to carry, can give good sights of Pleiades, Milky Way, Andromeda Galaxy, bright comets like the one is passing in these days, and of course moon, landscapes and birds. And when one decides to buy a telescope, you don't throw away the binocular, because it is still a good companion (if you bought a decent one and not a cheap 30-50€ one) Another amateur astronomers group of our zone (Ravenna, Italy) bought 15 8x40 Nikon binoculars to make lessons on how to use binoculars and what to watch. We think it's an awesome initiative so we called them to do it also in our city

[@The_Wandering_Warrior1]

Thanks for the suggestions. How about combining Binoculars and a smart telescope?

[@napke8571]

Nice vid, I am using a Skywatcher 200mm Newtonian ( 200P ), Skywatcher 102mm/f500 ( very compact ) , Teleskop Service 102mm/1100mm refractor with fine dual focuser ( my best lens and view quality for the planets ) and a Bresser 127mm/F9,5 refractor ( nice but not especially better than my other refractors ). All fine scopes for very reasonable prices. But please boys and girls, spend some money on better eyepieces and the mount, it WILL change the hobby! My favorite scope is my smaller 102mm/F500, you know why? Very easy to handle and the setup is done in 2 minutes, the only one that is also possible to travel with without car. Crispy clear views one Jupiter, Saturn, the Moon and some star clusters and yes Andromeda is watchable as well. The best telescope is the one you use the most, simple as that :)

[@sharna1]

With your f500, can you take photos through it?

[@John-g6x1h]

The first thing I learned about using my "department store" telescope was to set the whole thing, tripod and all, up on a table so I didn't wreck my back looking through it for more than a minute. The second thing I learned was that it's surprisingly hard to find what you're looking for. The third thing was, the farther away you're looking, the more you have to keep moving the thing to keep up with what you're looking at.

[@ruud9767]

Moonraker sells some stunningly good looking hand-made telescopes: shiny steampunk tubes with intricate sciency details. They're not just showpieces though, many of them have impressive optics varying from classic f/15 doublets with long tubes to state of the art modern APO triplets. I'd have a Moonraker if I could afford one.

[@manuelkipke5712]

I somehow don't agree on your point with the EQ mounts. You are right - they are not the easiest to handle for a beginner. And if you only want to watch the sky, I agree - a dob is the way to go.But if you plan to do astrophotography, an EQ mount isn't so bad to start with. To use it, you have to learn how to orient your mount, you learn how to point your scope to the stars and you learn how to track objects by using only the right ascension axis. With some practice, you can even start to take some photos with 10-15 Seconds exposure time if you have a steady hand. Of course these telescopes are not viable for serious astrophotographie and you need a complete new rig to start with, but they teach you the basics. On the other hand, smart telescopes don't do that. You put them on the ground, start your app on your phone or tablet and then magic happens. Sounds good at first but you cannot process from there further. Most of the smartscopes come with an 50mm/F5 scope and therefore are somehow limited in what you can observe. If you update to a larger rig, let's say a 6 inch or 8 inch newton, you start at zero - you need a serious mount to carry your scope which requires a lot of knowledge and practice to get good photos out it. Chances are high that your first photos will be terrible because of poor alingnment of the mount, non-working tracking, bad focus. In the end, it feels like "I've spend thousends of bucks for nothing".

[@Sutkobar]

I absolutely agree with you

[@catherinepaiva988]

Incredible guide many tks

[@ianramoscardenas4507]

Thank you very much for this information Ian

[@crabbyreef]

Great video, just wish I had seen it before throwing money away on an EQ scope. The awkwardness of the EQ is spot on! Junk! Thanks again!

[@ianlauerastro]

Glad it was helpful!

[@tuunaes]

Actually equatorial mount has few tricks like finding Dumbell Nebula in seconds by putting Gamma Sagittae into center of view and moving telescope up on declination axis. But beyond that it's far more problem than help and especially bad for ergonomics with Newtonian. Also proper sturdyness equatorial mount costs lot and weights lot making them bad for getting performance for limited budget and reasonable weight. Upgrading to 250mm Dobson with aluminium base and tube added only handfull of kilograms from 110mm TAL-1.

[@gaborcsuzi4504]

The more i hear about EQ the more i want it as first. Difficult times also means a lot of figuring stuffs out!

[@evelynamador9454]

Me too😢

[@gaborcsuzi4504]

Update: Now that i have an EQ mount i absolutely don't understand these videos, and i think its extremely dishonest, so i modify my opinion to a dislike. It was extremely easy to set up, and you can figure everything out on your own rather quickly, its pretty intuitive, and most importantly, accurate. I had to make three custom Vernier scale into it and buy a custom cross-hair eye piece to be able to set it up and navigate to objects quickly and efficiently, within 4-5 minutes but that is about it. The only thing i had to look up was fine alignment methods to give my scales a more accurate zero, but that is about it... If you want to watch the stars just use your phone's camera, a cheap telescope will give you nothing more. If you want to see further objects with higher magnification you would have to use a tracking mount, which is extremely expensive, or an eq mount anyways...

[@hattrick-df4bo]

Great info., thanks!!

[@drgbleached]

I wasn't sure what type of telescope that was given to me as a gift years ago. Thank you. I now know what I have. 😊 Turns out it was a pretty nice one for my level. 😀

[@FalconTheFries]

This is literally a gold mine! Thanks a lot

[@ssiva5212]

excellevt video - I also have my checklist of requirements and will use this along with the information from your video to make my first telescope purchase from a retailer that also provides the benefits of knowledge and customer service - so excited

[@BillyTheTrap]

I really need this! I’m getting myself into astronomy!

[@ianlauerastro]

Glad it was helpful :)

[@garyquail1955]

This has been very helpful. I know now I need a Dobsonian. Thank you

[@armando67223]

killer video, love all the points you touched on, thank you for sharing your summarized decade of experience with us! I now want a smart telescope badly!

[@cameronross4559]

Great, informative video. Despite being rather experienced with telescopes and astrophysics myself, I learned more here. What is your opinion on the Flex-tube vs. traditional Dobsonian? I always viewed the open flex-tube as inviting unwanted light pollution....

[@ianlauerastro]

Thank you! If you need to travel and have limited space, the flex tube scopes would be my choice because they are easier to transport (being collapsable and whatnot), otherwise the classic dob will get the job done. The open tube is an issue if you're in a light polluted area, but you can always buy a light shroud (a piece of fabric that blocks stray light).

[@Ozul-h9z]

This deserves a subscribe.

[@iliana9190]

I’m looking to get a telescope as a Christmas gift for my husband. Something we can take with us when we go camping to stargaze. Or enjoy at home. What would you recommend? Would the Dobsonian be a good choice?

[@venkatavula7409]

Very Knowledgeable and will surely consider. Thanks for the great insights, appreciate that.

[@ianlauerastro]

Glad it was helpful!

[@lisavincenti3612]

Thank you so much for this information 😊 as i didn't know what to get as a beginner 😊

[@The_Wandering_Warrior1]

OMG Ian! This is the guide I was looking for thanks a for the amazing content. Liked, Subbed! When I was a kid I wanted to be an astronomer. Un/fortunately I ended up in tech. I am planning to get me a smart telescope. At 4:41 where you said, they are not good to gaze on planets in Sol is a bummer since I wanted to start local 😄 Does that include the Vespera II? Thanks!

[@utilautila3233]

I just got a celestron star Sense explorer DX and I am trying to figure out what I am doing wrong . Thank you for your awesome video

[@TransformersHoarder]

Before I watch this video, I think I did ok for our first telescope, went with a Celestron Starsense 8” Dob. My problem is Glass. Eye relief, field of view and so forth. I know I’m collecting a good amount of light but eyepieces seem to be more important if not just as important. From my limited research it seems as Tele Vue is the Rolex of the glass world. But man are they crazy expensive. I know, I know… buy once cry once but at these prices I think I’ll only get away with buying a couple pieces per year. Another issue is we are in a high light pollution area and I need a good light pollution filter to combat some of it. Thinking of starting with Tele Vue 24 mm Panoptic 1.25" Eyepiece, Tele Vue 9 mm Nagler Type 6 Eyepiece, Tele Vue 2.5x - 1.25" Powermate, and a Celestron 1.25" Ultra High Contrast (UHC) Light Pollution Reduction Filter. From there not sure where I would go?

[@ianlauerastro]

Great telescope choice. The eyepieces it comes with are OK for starting out, but yes upgrading your eyepieces is definitely the next investment I would recommend. TeleVue are AMAZING, I use them with my Celestron Evolution 9.25" and I absolutely love them. A good way to save a bit of $$ is to get them used. Explore Scientific eyepieces are a great budget option too. A Moon filter is a good accessory to have. With a telescope of your size, sometimes viewing the Moon (especially near Full Moon) is ROUGH! The Moon filter (or a variable version) is nice to cut the brightness down, allowing you to observe for longer.

[@TransformersHoarder]

@@ianlauerastro thank you, looking into moon filters now.

[@Stephen-gp8yi]

I’m only interested in visual so I bought a stellalyra 8 inch dob and it’s fantastic!I think Astro would be far too difficult for me so I just use my smartphone for photos!

[@k.shawndohm459]

Came across your video by accident. Glad I did. Recently started paying attention to what's above instead of what's put in front of us. Found your information insightful and helpful . Subscribed and look forward to videos and information. Thanks

[@ianlauerastro]

Welcome aboard! Thanks for the kind words.

[@davemmar]

Having been a telescope user since the 1960s, I feel like this video addresses a small number of wannabe viewers. I would recommend try it before you buy it. Local astronomy clubs have public viewing nights. Getting a chance to talk to an actual owner and why they like a particular telescope is really helpful. You will get an excellent sense of what you can see through a telescope and how good the planets, moon, stars, celestial objects are seen through the different models. I find that knowing what can be seen and how pleasing a view is of different objects would help you in your choice. Telescope operation can be confusing as I have found as lead instructor for telescope facilitation at DMNS so working with your local club is so vital. Get involved with other amateur astronomers and your telescope will not end up collecting dust.

[@captaincobalt6890]

Hello! Thanks for posting such an awesome video! This was very informative and helpful. You are clearly extremely knowledgeable. My current goals are to visually observe the outer planets and their moons in decent detail and clarity. I'd love to see Titan and Enceladus. As well as neptune and uranus to some degree. I am strongly considering the Heritage 150 dobsonian, or their classic 6" dobsonian I just worry about the heritage series in my yard since i have a lot of glare there and the heritage series has an exposed mirror. How reasonable are my goals for these telescopes?

[@genepierson1728]

Thaks for sharing. Full disclosure question: Were you sponsered or were you benefited in any way by any of these companies you recommended?

[@ianlauerastro]

I wish! Maybe one day I can get sponsored :)

[@Bluedeath673]

I live in a rv right now we will be getting a house soon but I have the perfect view but I have no space for Christmas I’m hoping I can get a telescope and I will probably show my parents the heritage table top thank you so much for these recommendations I hope I’ll get it

[@gringocangrow]

Thank you for making/posting this!

[@ianlauerastro]

Thanks for watching, hope it helped!

[@Theoutdorz]

I think what i am going to buy is the seestar s50 (ive already been looking into buying one) for looking a galaxys and nebulas and ill get 8 dob aptera for looking at planets

[@ianlauerastro]

That’s a great route to take! Happy stargazing!

[@Ackky1]

Hi guys, just for some context, I live in London so light pollution is a nightmare. But on a clear night even with the street lights on I can see clear constellations in the sky like Orion, Lyra, Ursa Major. I’m looking to purchase my first telescope to get a better view for space and it’s celestial bodies. Naturally I know I’d definitely need something quite portable to travel with, but also powerful enough so I can get a better view for the planets, galaxies, nebulas etc. Given my location I wouldn’t want it to be too small of telescope to not get my correct usage out of it. Of course having watched the video and looking at some reviews, I’m torn between SkyWatcher 150p flex tube dobsonian and the classic 200p dobsonian as mentioned. I’m not sure whether the extra £100 or so would be worth it generally for what I’m trying to achieve. Especially considering it’s my first telescope. I’d appreciate if anyone could narrow it down for me given the context. Thanks!

[@DeveshKumar-uo6lx]

Hey, loved your video, you have made us very excited about getting our first telescopes. Def gotta us a Dobsonian. But man these smart telescopes! Our question is... between the Dwarf 3 and the Seestar S50, which one do you recommend and why??? From video reviews, the S50 appears more fun and user friendly, but the field of view on the Dwarf 3 is very compelling. I do have experience with photography and post processing, so that's not really a factor. Would love to hear any of your opinions on this specific matchup!! Thank you

[@feedusafetus2903]

This was so thorough! I really appreciate your input.

[@ianlauerastro]

Glad it was helpful. Happy stargazing!

[@decibellone696]

Ive been at this hobby a long time (51 years), get the best you can afford, Go-To doesn't seem important at this point, but trust me if you like it (the hobby) you will need it.

[@otter25702]

Thanks great video and where else is best to get advice but from a astrophysicist, I still have not made a buy for my first telescope I am 73 years old and would like to just study the sky at night. I live in the country outside of city lights so I should have a great view.

[@jhunjhuncastro3811]

Thanks for you're good advice..

[@anulearntech]

Im hearing about smart telescopes for the first time here. I only knew about the dobsonian and one ones with lenses for astro photography.

[@Guitarplayer724]

Wouldn’t an equatorial mount be better for a beginner? I know they’re more complex to set up, but once you have it set up, it’s really easy to track whatever object you’re viewing. Just a thought. Edit- Great video!

[@santicraftmcesp.9178]

I like my Orion 130 EQ, for me the eq mount is useful and well made, one day I will get my hands on a Apertura 12” Dob, probably next year

[@LAAstroSociety]

Thanks for the helpful advice!!

[@hunterbruciafiamma3389]

What a great video, congrats!

[@thickymcghee7681]

This was a very helpful video. Thank you.

[@ianlauerastro]

Glad it was helpful!

[@himashakurera]

Hi Ian, thanks for the informative and comprehensive video. I find myself in a particular situation. I am a photographer who is passionate about astro photography and I have always taken photos with the equipment I have. Currently I'm looking for something that allows me to do sky observation and deepsky astro photography. The longest lens I have and use is a 70-200 with an APSC body. I'm using the Sky Watcher Star Adventurer 2 as a mount. I would like to upgrade the lens. I'm looking for something that can be used to take even more "distant" photos but at the same time that can also be used for just viewing and that's it. What do you recommend? Thanks again

[@prashanthirve1820]

Hello there, very informative video!! Thank you I am planning to buy a dob STARSENSE EXPLORER 150mm, would that be a good choice?

[@شهدفهد-م1و]

hey lan thank you I have learned so much from your video so I want to get my first telescope but I want some thing that is traditional and smart but not fully smart I want a telescope that locate the objects in the sky since I don't have any experience in the sky can you please recommend me some I have seen many but I couldn't decide what to get ,I want to see if I'm really in to it

[@ianlauerastro]

It sounds like you’re looking for a go-to telescope (one that will find objects for you). The Celestron nexstar or evolution telescopes are very good for that. Skywatcher also makes go-to dobsonian telescopes, take a look at those. As an alternative, there are “push-to” telescopes like Celestrons star sense explorer telescopes, where you use a phone app attachment which helps guide where you should manually move your telescope to. Hope that helps!

[@chrono581]

Personally I chose the CELESTRON StarSense Explorer DX 130AZ to be honest a tabletop telescope would it would be nice to have because it is heavy to luck that beast around but it does get good views. I'm also thinking of trying out smart telescopes

[@calvb8349]

Thank you Ian, great video.

[@ianlauerastro]

Thanks so much - I hope it was helpful!

[@zechariahtheprofit4812]

Great advice way to simplify it

[@anothermatt618]

Which would you recommend for someone with a master's degree in Space Physics, but no experience operating a telescope? Is there a best intermediate-level telescope I could figure out how to operate if I put the time in? Price range would be 1k-2k

[@elijahpawlicki7973]

hey! I just got my first ever telescope!!!! Polaris 130 reflector, i am struggling to use it, any videos i should watch to learn it?

[@ClearlensProduction]

Well explained! Thank you

[@ianlauerastro]

Glad it was helpful!

[@baycchief3785]

Thanks for the overview and great education. Between the Celestron Startscense Explorer 130MM and the Sky-Watcher heritage 130 Dobsonia which one would be a better shot?

[@pattimcb31]

I am on the fence to get a telescope in my mind I see me and the grandkids exploring the skies enjoying each other's company but I thought we were going to do that with the View Masters I purchased but it turned out in fights and crumpled discs.

[@shubinternet]

I’m all-in on astrophotography. I have zero interest in optical observations. I can’t hold my body still enough to look through the eyepiece. Moreover, I want to see the stuff that is so faint you can’t see it with the human eye. So, I’m all-in for EAA. I already have a SeeStar S50. And I think that is the best starting point for EAA. But I want to step up from there. More importantly, I want to be able to select what camera I attach to the system. I want to be able to select my own filters, and camera rotation. So, I might well buy a Vaonis as my next smart telescope, but it’s not going to be enough. I’m going to need to build my own EAA system. I also dislike diffraction spikes. So, a Newtonian wouldn’t necessarily be a great choice for me. And I’d like something that has a glass or other method of sealing the OTA from the outside atmosphere, so that I don’t get dust or dew on the internal workings. So, that tells me that a Schmidt Cassegrain or a Maksutov Cassegrain OTA might be the best choices here. The SCT has the advantage that you can remove the secondary mirror and replace that with something like the Starizona Hyperstar, if you want to turn your SCT into something like a RASA. But then you could replace the secondary mirror assembly and turn it back into an SCT. There are more factors here, but so far I’m strongly leaning towards something like an Edge HD SCT. So, I know in another video you said that the mount was really the most important thing. Everything else can be easily changed, but the mount is the hardest part of the system to fix. And I believe you. So, what would be a good high quality mount for an eight inch SCT? Perhaps with a really high resolution camera, like one with an IMX571 (21 megapixel) sensor, or even an IMX455 (61 megapixel) sensor?

[@darthderecusgaming]

Hi Ian, This video was super helpful :) im looking at getting my first ever telescope, and you mentioned Celestron in your video. Would the "Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 114AZ Telescope" be a good first one? Cheers 😊

[@ianlauerastro]

I've only used the Starsense Explorer 130, but it worked just fine, amazing views of the Moon, and pretty nice views of the planets. If you find you enjoy using it a lot, I would recommend upgrading the eyepieces next, and getting a variable moon filter to reduce the moon brightness when looking at it near full moon.

[@darthderecusgaming]

@@ianlauerastro awesome thank you :)

[@brunoqueiros2971]

So here’s my question, I’m getting into astrophotography and I got a good old canon 6d and a couple cheap lenses that get the work done and I have a cheap and but alright tripod with 3d head. It doesn’t hold much weight, it holds like 5kg max before the legs start losing the grip and sliding down on it’s own. I wanna do some Milky Way shots and deep sky shots like nebulae and close galaxies, what you recommend?! A mount that comes with the EQ thing on a tripod or getting a new sturdy tripod and a mount separately?! I don’t got to much money to spend but I’m willing to spend some extra for a better thing because Ive been trying to get some night sky shots and stacking them but I get star trails bue to lack of a mount and shacking tripod, I’m willing to get a nice refractor achromatic or apochromatic telescope in the future

[@alexandrevaliquette3883]

I'm a cheap DIY folk... I think the best is to get a mirror the size we like and make a DIY structure to hold it. Then, with Arduino, stepper motors and 3D printed gears, make it motorize for a fraction of the cost. I'm sure there is a lot of free tutorial and plan if you search few minutes. You will then need your phone as a camera (not the best, but free) and a free open source software for data acquisition. Honestly, I prefer thinkering... The observation itself is not as fun imo.

[@windupmerchant1679]

After the first tip, I paused and opened the Amazon tab to check the telescope model I was looking at last, and sure enough it was an EQ model..... already good advice. 🤣

[@PainttoRoll]

Great help - thank you!

[@ProfShibe]

Thanks for this!

[@ianlauerastro]

Of course! Happy to help.

[@joeputz4559]

Hi Ian. Is a Sky-Watcher Flextube 250P SynScan GoTo Collapsible Dobsonian a good choice for a beginner living in the country. Its only 2300.00 canadian. Would this be good for planets and deep sky as well?

[@ianlauerastro]

That’s a great visual telescope for planets, moon, and if you’re away from light pollution, deep sky. I used one regularly for outreach years ago, and it’s quite heavy, but we mounted it on a custom roller base and it was great

[@TheHammer192]

This was so incredibly helpful

[@ianlauerastro]

So happy to hear that!

[@brigittehall3019]

have you had any experience on tthe Celestron orgin telescope, and if so what do you think for me to buy one for my first smart telescope.

[@davidphillips8485]

I bought a 16" F=1830mm from meade in 1997 it's the best l ever bought and I still have it 🔭 but it is very heavy with the peir mount it takes 4-persons to carry it big monster but it's great 👍 observatory research grade 🌠🌌🔭

[@ianlauerastro]

Great optics on those big Meade telescopes!

[@mrbee8522]

Hey Ian I'm looking for a telescope with a video out feature so I can plug it into a 25 inch monitor I have. This is so a group of people can see the view without having to take turns looking through an eyepiece.

[@ianlauerastro]

One of the smart telescopes might be the best choice, then you can screen mirror your iPhone or iPad view to the monitor to show the results of the telescope

[@gopakumarganapathyachary6122]

Hi i had celestron star sense explorer DX. can you tell me how to take photograph using Nikon 5300

[@RobertLeather]

I 100% your comment about Amazon. But right now, someone the telescopes you mentioned are up to 40% off.

[@CJFromGroveStreet]

Hi . i want to buy a telescope . Should I get a 6 inch dob or 114mm eq ( It has an eq3 mount which I can convert to goto easily ) ? I want to do visual and deep space astrophotography

[@ianlauerastro]

A 6 inch dob is a great visual astronomy telescope. I would not recommend the 114mm eq for astrophotography, you will spend a lot of time struggling with it as it's not a great astrophotography telescope. Check out my video "New To Deep Space Astro? My Advice To You", it will answer a lot of your questions about deep space astrophotography.

[@Berxont]

Hi Ian! Really very informative video for someone like me who is interested in astronomy and wants to start! I live in an area with little light pollution (bortle scale 4-3) and since I don't have to travel anywhere with my telescope I would like to get one of the BIG TELESCOPES you mentioned in the video. When I researched the Orion SkyQuest XT8 Classic Dobsonian Telescope I came across your telescope and saw that Orion, one of the brands you recommend, produces it, but I wanted to ask you since I am new to this business. I am interested in deep space images and I wonder if I can view them with this telescope. Would you recommend this telescope?

[@ianlauerastro]

SkyQuest is a great visual telescope. It's good for viewing deep space targets! You said deep space images, so I'm guessing you're interested in astrophotography? If so and you are looking to do deep space photography, it is not a great option. Astrophotography is a different animal and requires different equipment entirely.

[@user-is6iq3yd6f]

What would be a good telescope for teaching a HS astronomy and exoplanet class?

[@ianlauerastro]

It all depends on your budget. Actually collecting data on transiting exoplanets will require a very large telescope and accessories. But if you want to show change in light curves, you can collect data on variable stars with very a modest setup. The SeeStar or, if you have the budget, the vaonis smart scopes, can do the job without the complexity of an telescope imaging system.

[@matthewmcgrath8886]

Hey I got my very first telescope I've just brought a Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 127AZ Telescope. Is it any good? It came with a 25mm and 10mm eye piece and a 2x Barlow lense so I'm hoping to see some planets and nebula etc.

[@magicalfrijoles6766]

The best telescope is the one you will actually enjoy using. If that's a 4" refractor at f/6 for $200, then that's the best telescope. I still love grabbing my cheap refractor and 2 min later I'm looking at the Moon.

[@ronconovoa7566]

very nice info thank you

[@nightscapejournals]

Nice one, Ian. I get asked this question all the time so now I can refer people straight to your video! It’s amazing now much choice there is available nowadays. My folks bought me my first telescope in 1991 and back then the options were so limited. It ended up being a Tasco 4.5” eq Newtonian, from a department store (and yes it had all the amazing photographs on the box of things not shot with that scope!), and whilst it definitely wasn’t Planewave quality, I dare say it was better than the equivalent cheap ones today and it certainly got me hooked on foregoing sleep to look at barely discernible smudges of possible-light while freezing my lower half off!

[@ianlauerastro]

Thanks dude! Everyone starts somewhere, and with so many options it can definitely be hard to choose.

[@Castwich]

thank you very cool video

[@ScarcelyEducated]

Hi! May I have a question? If I already bought a (used) Bresser Spica 130/1000 EQ3 before watching your video and cant return it. Do you have a Video or can you recommend a video for beginners how to use it?

[@extravagantswag7895]

Do you have a link to the skywatcher 12”

[@Woodsrunnersjournal]

Is the SpectrumOI Telescope worth it? I want a telescope at an affordable price and can see planets and nebulae pretty well.

[@pedrog4651]

How does the Sky Watcher Virtuoso GTi 130p compare for a beginner. Thank you!

[@ianlauerastro]

It’s a great telescope! I’ve not used it personally but it’s reasonably priced for what it does

[@jzwgrch]

Hey Ian! thanks for this informative video :) what build / telescope would you recommend for someone who wants to do astrophotography + visual as well? budget < $2.5k i cant decide if i should spend on the Celestron Nex Star 8SE, or a 8" dobsomian ? or build my own? thank you.

[@ianlauerastro]

Astro + visual is tough but definitely doable. What type of astrophotography are you most interested in? There’s no one telescope that can do it all (unless you’re willing to dish out some serious cash!) The SE and dobs are great visual telescopes, and can do some lunar/planetary astrophotography, but they are not suited for deep space.

[@jzwgrch]

@@ianlauerastro hmm more for stars + deep space and abit of moon :) what do you think about the Seestar S50?

[@ianlauerastro]

@@jzwgrch The SeeStar is great for exploring around the night sky, but it's not a visual telescope - it has a built-in camera. I do recommend the SeeStar because it allows you to see more details in deep space than you could see with an eyepiece!