So I am upgrading to a better telescope. The one I have has a 2.4' aperture. I have done some research on the internet, and I think I want to upgrade to a Telescope with the following characteristics:
* Aperture: 8 inches.
* Mounting: Dobsonian.
*Type: Newtonian Reflector.
*Navigation: go-to or push-to system
this is all the basic info I should consider while purchasing a new telescope, right? I have 3 questions:
1) can I get a good telescope with all the above characteristics for not more than $500 ?
2) I live in the middle east (Lebanon) & I cant find a local dealer around. Is there a good brand that makes international shipments?
3) My old telescope aperature is only 2.4". And although the skeleton is very poor in quality, I do believe I get good images with it. Especially after I saw on youtube pics taken by Telescopes with 6 to 8 inch apertures. I didnt see that much difference in image quality regarding the moon, jupitor, etc...In fact, the main reason I am upgrading is because the mounting of my telescope is terrible & I cannot get it to focus on an object easily.
p.s. I like the Orion SkyQuest XTi8. is it worth it? (though its 50$ over budget). I wonder if I can find Orion Telescopes here :(
Thanks alot in advance :)
* Aperture: 8 inches.
* Mounting: Dobsonian.
*Type: Newtonian Reflector.
*Navigation: go-to or push-to system
this is all the basic info I should consider while purchasing a new telescope, right? I have 3 questions:
1) can I get a good telescope with all the above characteristics for not more than $500 ?
2) I live in the middle east (Lebanon) & I cant find a local dealer around. Is there a good brand that makes international shipments?
3) My old telescope aperature is only 2.4". And although the skeleton is very poor in quality, I do believe I get good images with it. Especially after I saw on youtube pics taken by Telescopes with 6 to 8 inch apertures. I didnt see that much difference in image quality regarding the moon, jupitor, etc...In fact, the main reason I am upgrading is because the mounting of my telescope is terrible & I cannot get it to focus on an object easily.
p.s. I like the Orion SkyQuest XTi8. is it worth it? (though its 50$ over budget). I wonder if I can find Orion Telescopes here :(
Thanks alot in advance :)
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Yes, the Orion SkySquest XT8i is the closest to your specifications. Unfortunately, Orion does not ship outside Canada and the USA. Consider instead a SkyWatcher Dobsonian. These are built in the same factory as Orion's SkyQuests, but with a slightly different design; they are exported much more widely than Orion's scopes, so should be easier to get shipped to the Middle East. They are available either manual or SynScan GoTo driven, nothing in between, so it may be hard to reach your price point.
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you will be disappointed with anything below 24 inches even then most celestial bodies are still tiny points of light, the photos you see of galaxies and nebulae are taken with telescopes and cameras that cost in the millions
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You can get competitive prices on all brands and types of scopes at http://www.optcorp.com as well as personal assistance, and international shipping.
I do not know what the import duties are on such a purchase. Perhaps you know someone who is coming back from USA or Canada and can bring you the scope as personal item with less tax and only the airline large item fee.
Anytime there might be live TV with telescopes doing amateur astronomy at http://www.nightskiesnetwork.com from around the world. A couple are doing that right now as I type this.
I do not know what the import duties are on such a purchase. Perhaps you know someone who is coming back from USA or Canada and can bring you the scope as personal item with less tax and only the airline large item fee.
Anytime there might be live TV with telescopes doing amateur astronomy at http://www.nightskiesnetwork.com from around the world. A couple are doing that right now as I type this.