Southern Gables

help choosing a telescope and a pair of binoculars?

hey everyone

1) Yes, Orion are not widely distributed in the UK, they are basically an American importer. There’s nothing wrong with the Meade if that is what you want but it is comparatively expensive. There are cheaper solid tube Dobs out there similar to the Orion scopes, e.g. the 8″ Sky-Watcher http://www.rothervalleyoptics.co.uk/skyliner-200p-with-free-binoculars_d12.html which will probably be a hundred pounds or so cheaper than the Meade.

2) An 8″ scope is suitable for a broad range of objects -stars, planets and it is just about big enough to have some use for deep space objects – clusters, galaxies and nebulae. That depends on a dark sky of course. There’s little point in a largish scope if you are sat under light pollution all the time since you wouldn’t see much more than with a smaller scope.

3) & 4) Forget about astrophotography for now. It is not nearly as difficult as often made out here but a basic competence is a prerequisite. £500 is not a generous budget for a suitable scope – you can easily spend more than that on a decent mount. There are a few options available but I would forget astrophotography for now. When you have the skills to advance to it generally you won’t need someone else to suggest what to buy.

5) You’re in a dead price spot for 7x50s there. There are cheap pairs that are not worth bothering with for £50 or less and usable pairs for £150+ but inbetween is fairly sparsely populated for 7x50s. If you open up the spec a bit there are some reasonable options – there are some nice 8x42s and 10x50s on your budget and they are possibly a better option under less than ideal conditions. Since I answered an essentially similar question earlier today I’ll simply point you to http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20100413080253AAHBV1c If you really must have 7x50s the Opticron Vega IIs are probably your best option but the spec looks vague (i.e. poor) and I have never handled them personally.

As for books I never really know what to recommend since my introductory books are now mostly out of print. However one thing I would say is do not rely too much on any single book. Read a variety of them to get different perspectives and ensure you are not overly influenced by a single author’s opinion. Your local library should have a reasonable selection which will be worth checking out.

David Rives Presents – The Heavens Declare

Meade USB to RS 232 (Serial) Adapter $39.00 For connecting Meade Serial Device to PC’s USB Port….

Meade ETX70AT Telescope w/882 Tripod and Software $419.98 The Meade ETX-70AT brings home technology that would seem far-fetched even in speculative future-fiction. Experience push-button astronomy as high-resolution Meade optics, combined with the incredible Autostar controller take you on an automated guided tour of the Solar System, the Galaxy, and beyond. Even novice stargazers can locate and explore planets, asteroids, comets, nebulae, galaxies, and …

SKY & TELESCOPE Limited Edition NIGHT SKY MONOPOLY Featuring MARS ROVER Collectible Pewter Token along with Meade Telescope and Binoculars, Observatory Dome, Radio and Hubble Space Telescopes Pewter Game Pieces – 2004 SKY & TELESCOPE Limited Edition NIGHT SKY MONOPOLY Featuring MARS ROVER Collectible Pewter Token along with Meade Telescope and Binoculars, Observatory Dome, Radio and Hubble Space Telescopes Pewter Game Pieces – 2004. Instruction Guide gives extra background on space formations and the night sky. Great learning game as well as fun!…

Celestron 21024 FirstScope Telescope $29.99 In 1609, world-renowned Italian scientist, Galileo Galilei, introduced an elementary telescope to the growing astronomy community, which sparked interest into the mysterious night sky for centuries to come. Four centuries later, in celebration of the International Year of Astronomy 2009, Celestron offers the portable FirstScope Telescope. The FirstScope pays tribute to Galileo Galilei and many of …

Meade #505 Connector Cable Set for #497 Autostar (ETX-90,105,125). $19.99 For use with #497 Autostar (ETX-90,105,125)….

Meade 8-Inch LX90-ACF (f/10) Advanced Coma-Free Telescope $1,849.99 Meade LX90ACF 8in Telescope with UHTC 0810-90-03…

So You Want a Meade LX Telescope!: How to Select and Use the LX200 and Other High-End Models (Patrick Moore’s Practical Astronomy Series) $25.81 The Meade LX200 series of telescopes was introduced in 1992 and represented a giant step forward in technology for amateur astronomers – computer control. The LX200 series telescopes were an instant success and have outsold all other astronomical telescopes put together. Steady development has continued to the present day, and LX200s are available in a range of apertures from 8-inch through the gi…

Choosing and Using a Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope : A Guide to Commercial SCTs and Maksutovs (Practical Astronomy.) $38.04 Amateur astronomy is becoming more and more popular, mostly because of the availability of relatively low-cost astronomical telescopes of superb quality – commercially-made Schmidt-Cassegrain and Maksutovs. Rod Mollise’s book contains everything amateur astronomers need to know about these telescopes….

A User’s Guide to the Meade LXD55 and LXD75 Telescopes (Patrick Moore’s Practical Astronomy Series) $9.06 This book offers a comprehensive introductory guide to “choosing and using” a series LXD55 or LXD75 computer-controlled (“goto”) telescope, containing a wealth of useful information for both beginners and more advanced practical amateur astronomers. The manufacturer’s manuals are not nearly detailed enough to be of real help to beginners. No other book offers advanced techniques for more expe…

Starry Night AstroPhoto Suite – Windows Share your passion for astronomy with others by capturing beautiful astrophotographs. Starry Night AstroPhoto Suite will help you every step of the way, from identifying objects to controlling your computerized telescope and imaging equipment to capturing and processing images. The AstroPhoto Suite combines essential features of Starry Night Pro astronomy software with MaxIm DL Lite digital imagin…

MEADE 20099 – 102mm Refractor Telescope With Audiostar $264.95 Meade StarNavigator DS-102 refractor telescope #20099. This easy to operate and fully computer-guided GO TO telescope features the Meade lightweight, portable and reliable DS-2000 single arm robotic mount and Meade AudioStar Computer Keypad. This incredible technology knows the night sky right out of the box. Turn it on, and after a brief alignment procedure, your telescope is ready to take you to any object in its over 30,000 object library or take you on a guided tour of the heavens. See mo…

Meade $9.71 This book is in New – Excellent condition

So You Want a Meade LX Telescope!: How to Select and Use the LX200 and Other High-End Models $29.83 The Meade LX200 series of telescopes was introduced in 1992 and represented a giant step forward in technology for amateur astronomers – computer control. The LX200 series telescopes were an instant success and have outsold all other astronomical telescopes put together. Steady development has continued to the present day, and LX200s are available in a range of apertures from 8-inch through the giant 16-inch, which is widely installed in university astronomy departments and the smaller public observatories. For anyone considering buying a high-end Meade telescope, the book offers an experienced user’s guide to what can actually be achieved with it.So You Want a Meade LX Telescope also provides detailed discussions about some of the many software packages available to aid optimizing and actually using the scope. The typical results are discussed so readers can know what to expect. Also reviewed are essential accessories such as CCD cameras and the latest Active Optics units.These extraordinary telescopes are capable of amazing results, but using them and setting them up can be a chore. That’s why this book is essential reading for anyone who has bought or upgraded to an LX200 or its top-of-the-range companion, the RCS400 (later re-designated the LX400ACF).

So You Want a Meade LX Telescope! by Harris, Lawrence Edition ILL, 1 $27.99 The Meade LX200 series of telescopes was introduced in 1992 and represented a giant step forward in technology for amateur astronomers – computer control. The LX200 series telescopes were an instant success and have outsold all other astronomical telescopes put together. Steady development has continued to the present day, and LX200s are available in a range of apertures from 8-inch through the giant 16-inch, which is widely installed in university astronomy departments and the smaller public observatories. For anyone considering buying a high-end Meade telescope, the book offers an experienced user's guide to what can actually be achieved with it.So You Want a Meade LX Telescope also provides detailed discussions about some of the many software packages available to aid optimizing and actually using the scope. The typical results are discussed so readers can know what to expect. Also reviewed are essential accessories such as CCD cameras and the latest Active Optics units.These extraordinary telescopes are capable of amazing results, but using them and setting them up can be a chore. That's why this book is essential reading for anyone who has bought or upgraded to an LX200 or its top-of-the-range companion, the RCS400 (later re-designated the LX400ACF).

Meade Coronado Personal Solar Telescope $599 The Sun’s got a lot going on, and the Meade Coronado Personal Solar Telescope will show you. By zeroing in on far end of the Sun’s light spectrum – the hydrogen-alpha line at 656.3nm to be exact – the PST reveals a star rolling with violent, ever-changing activity. Best of all, the PST’s innovative design allows H-alpha solar viewing for a breakthrough price.

The Telescope $14.06 This book is in Good Used condition

Telescope $12 This book is in Used condition

Choosing and Using a Dobsonian Telescope $34.51 In the 1960′s, American amateur astronomer, John Dobson, designed a revolutionary kind of astronomical telescope featuring a lightweight large-aperture reflecting system on a simple mounting, using the then-revolutionary material called teflon. The design combines simplicity and portability with large-aperture prowess. Thirty years later Dobsonians remain supreme for visually observing faint deep-sky objects and are one of the best-selling large telescopes in the USA and Europe. This popularity is reflected in the recent increase of companies now heavily marketing Dobsonians, in particular, Meade (the "Lightbridge" range), Orion USA (XT Intelliscope series), and Skywatcher (Skyliner and Flextube models). This book is the ultimate guide to buying and using commercial Dobsonians, both ‘Econo’ and ‘Primo’ models, with in-depth accounts for the various models (plus accessories) on the market and descriptions of the many innovations that amateurs have made to optimize their telescopes’ performance.

Meade Coronado Personal Solar Telescope (PST) with Case $699 Specialized “H-alpha” solar telescope reveals dramatic prominences, flares, filaments, granularity, plages, and other solar phenomena! The PST is the most affordable hydrogen-alpha solar telescope on the market. Internal etalon filter transmits only hydrogen-alpha light (656.3nm), with a bandpass of &lt:1.0 Angstrom. Internal blocking filters reject all unwanted and harmful radiation, for completely safe viewing. Weighs only 3 lbs., so requires only a small telescope mount or sturdy camera tripod for support.

How to Use a Computerized Telescope: Practical Amateur Astronomy Volume 1 $10.1 How to Use a Computerized Telescope describes how to get a computerized telescope up-and-running, and how to embark on a program of observation. Michael Covington explains in detail how the sky moves, how a telescope tracks it, and how to get the most out of any computerized telescope. Packed full of practical advice and tips for troubleshooting, his book gives detailed instructions for three popular telescopes: the Meade(R) LX200, CelestronDCC NexStar 5 and 8, and Meade(R) AutostarDTM (ETX and LX90). Michael A. Covington is an associate research scientist at the University of Georgia. He is a computational linguist trained in the computer processing of human language and the computer modeling of human logical reasoning, and a widely recognized expert on the Prolog programming language. He is the author of nine books including Dictionary of Computer and Internet Terms, Seventh Edition (Barron’s, 2000), Astrophotography for the Amateur (Cambridge, 1999), PROLOG Programming in Depth (Simon & Schuster, 1996), Cambridge Eclipse Photography Guide (1993), and Syntactic Theory in the High Middle Ages (Cambridge, 1985). A senior member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Covington is a Contributing Editor to, and former "Q&A" columnist of, Poptronics magazine.

Meade’s Army $33.75 This book is in New – Excellent condition

Stargazing with a Telescope $3.95 "Revised and updated." Buying a telescope is crucial for enhancing interest in astronomy. With so many choices, how does the beginner choose? Robin Scagell supplies the expert objective advice to making a smart purchase. Stargazing With a Telescope is a practical guide that demystifies the process of buying a telescope. The features and benefits of the different types of viewing instruments are evaluated in straightforward terms. The color illustrations help to clarify the choices. Equipment covered includes: Binoculars: a range of choices for astronomers at any level Refractors: classic telescopes that are easy to use and maintain Reflectors: sophisticated instruments that allow night sky photography Catadioptrics: compact telescopes that are gaining popularity. The book provides brand names and model numbers and the general advice applies to all brands, not just those covered. Lens size, focal lengths, focal ratios and much more is explained with clear diagrams and non-scientific text. Also covered are suitable accessories such as eyepieces, filters, mounts and supports, and suggestions for photography through the telescope, and choice of camera and film types. Useful tips are provided on setting up and using any telescope as well as a review of objects to look at with different sizes of telescope. There is also valuable advice on how to instantly spot misleading labels on low-end telescopes. These are often bought for young, aspiring astronomers who quickly become discouraged with the telescope’s poor performance. Stargazing With a Telescope is a must for newcomers to astronomy whatever their age.

Foundations of Electronics, Electron Flow Version (Book Only) by Meade, Russell Edition , 5 $68.49 Foundations of Electronics, Electron Flow Version (Book Only). Meade, Russell

Choosing and Using a Dobsonian Telescope by English, Neil Edition ILL, 0 $21.99 In the 1960's, American amateur astronomer, John Dobson, designed a revolutionary kind of astronomical telescope featuring a lightweight large-aperture reflecting system on a simple mounting, using the then-revolutionary material called teflon. The design combines simplicity and portability with large-aperture prowess. Thirty years later Dobsonians remain supreme for visually observing faint deep-sky objects and are one of the best-selling large telescopes in the USA and Europe. This popularity is reflected in the recent increase of companies now heavily marketing Dobsonians, in particular, Meade (the Lightbridge range), Orion USA (XT Intelliscope series), and Skywatcher (Skyliner and Flextube models). This book is the ultimate guide to buying and using commercial Dobsonians, both 'Econo' and 'Primo' models, with in-depth accounts for the various models (plus accessories) on the market and descriptions of the many innovations that amateurs have made to optimize their telescopes' performance.

Meade: Victor of Gettysburg $15.35 Most students of the American Civil War know the name George Gordon Meade, but few can tell you about the man. With this addition to Potomac’s Military Profiles series, historian Richard Sauers examines the life of one of the Union Army’s most notable generals. Rising from the Union officer corps to lead the previously ill-fated Army of the Potomac, Meade took command only hours before his forces stumbled upon Robert E. Lee’s Confederates at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, in 1863. He led his men to victory in one of the most famous battles in history, but Meade was soon embroiled in political battles with fellow generals and Washington politicians. Despite detractors’ efforts to question Meade’s judgment and smear his reputation-efforts often exacerbated by the general’s own volatile temper and undiplomatic behavior-he continued to put duty to his country and his men first. When Ulysses S. Grant was named lieutenant general in charge of all Union forces, Grant made his headquarters with the Army of the Potomac and soon overshadowed Meade. Sauers chronicles the tense relationship that developed between the two men and the effect it had on the crucial last days of the war. Sauers’s concise but authoritative biography sheds new light on one of the Civil War’s most significant leaders. His book, the only new biography of Meade to appear in over thirty years, should spark renewed study of this brave but overlooked general.