Does size matter?

[Joey Shabadoo]

My wife has hinted she would like a telescope for Christmas. She'd use it for looking at stars, planets and so on. However, I know nothing about telescopes and wondered if anyone here could give some advice.

1) Reflector or refractor?
2) Aperture or focal length - what figures are important?
3) Tripod mounted binoculars?
4) any suggestions around the £100-150 mark?

I should point out she's in a wheelchair so can't be bending over or moving heavy stuff around (hence the tripod for the binoculars).

 

[classic33]

If you go with binoculars, what about getting a chest support as well?

 

[Joey Shabadoo]

What's that?

ETA - Oh I looked it up. I don't think that would be steady enough for stargazing.

 

[classic33]

What's that?

ETA - Oh I looked it up. I don't think that would be steady enough for stargazing.

I was think more in taking some of the weight, with the arms/hands being used to keep the binoculars steady.
Give celestron.uk.com a gander as to whats available & prices.

 

[hoopdriver]

Great idea.

Reflectors will be the more cost efficient option.

Size does matter.

I am afraid £100-150 is a bit light, budget-wise.

 

[TVC]

I'm with Hoopdriver, You are best thinking about doubling your budget. I have 6" Newtonian which picks out a fair amount.

May I suggest you get in touch with your local Astronomical society and drop in on one of their group evenings. They will give the best advice, and should be happy to let her have a go with various bits of kit to see what suits her. There may be a chance of a borrow or second hand scope for her to get started.

 

[hoopdriver]

That's very good advice (above). Nothing like hands on experience to see what will work and what doesn't, especially is your wife is in a wheelchair.

 

[Cubist]

. I have 6" Newtonian

Now that's a sig line if ever I saw one.

 

[Joey Shabadoo]

Thanks for the pointers folks.

 

[Gravity Aided]

They also have tripod mounts for binoculars. There may also be an articulated arm sort of device for mounting to the wheelchair to hold the binoculars.
http://www.manfrotto.us/alternative-supports-arms-brackets-bars-arms
I also want to say that what @The Velvet Curtain says in his post is very sound advice, local astronomical societies are the best place for this sort of information, experience, and help.

 

[twentysix by twentyfive]

The good old 6" reflector is a sort of standard I think. Not sure how that would work with a wheelchair tho'.

 

[phil_hg_uk]

My wife has hinted she would like a telescope for Christmas. She'd use it for looking at stars, planets and so on. However, I know nothing about telescopes and wondered if anyone here could give some advice.

1) Reflector or refractor?
2) Aperture or focal length - what figures are important?
3) Tripod mounted binoculars?
4) any suggestions around the £100-150 mark?

I should point out she's in a wheelchair so can't be bending over or moving heavy stuff around (hence the tripod for the binoculars).

I follow Virtual Astronomer @VirtualAstro on twitter and he has a guide for telescopes here you might find useful ->
http://www.meteorwatch.org/telescopes-beginners-easy-guide-review/

I just bought a pair of binoculars he was recommending and they are great for looking at the moon and the sky.

 

[SpokeyDokey]

Buy some decent Bino's around 8x magnification - these can be held pretty steady. 10x probably will need a tripod.

8 x 50's will let in plenty of light. Good for sweeping the sky, moon watching etc.

Tbh at that sort of budget you may as well keep your money in your pocket re telescope. Unless you can throw serious money at it and get a really decent sized piece of kit then the experience can be underwhelming.

My late father had a big refractor and even that was disappointing to me (he loved it though) it only really came alive when it had a camera fitted to it - some smashing pictures were produced.

 

[Hugh Manatee]

I have a Celestron 4.5 Newtonian. It is fine for me. I have a 20, a 10 and a 5mm eyepiece. It would be in your price range but I'm not sure how the tripod would be. I remember my kids struggling a bit. Like someone has said, best find one to try.

 

[Joey Shabadoo]

I follow Virtual Astronomer @VirtualAstro on twitter and he has a guide for telescopes here you might find useful ->
http://www.meteorwatch.org/telescopes-beginners-easy-guide-review/

I just bought a pair of binoculars he was recommending and they are great for looking at the moon and the sky.

Thank you so much for that. It seems like good advice. I don't want to go splashing out loads of dosh on something that may just be a passing fancy. She only mentioned it the once and I wanted to surprise her.