Be an informed astronomical telescope buyer.

First, some don't do items.
-Don't buy a department store telescope.
-Don't buy a scope with lots of power.
-Don't buy from a store that only handles a single brand of telescopes.

The following information was donated by Gary Pike

The best advice a beginner can get is from an astronomy club.
Seasoned astronomers can tell you all the things they would have
done differently and what has gone right for them. A list of
astronomy clubs are available on the World Wide Web sites of the
astronomical magazines listed below.

There are several good inexpensive scopes. Meade, Orion Telescope
Center, Coulter, and Celestron have good inexpensive scopes and will
be happy to send you information. Orion has an excellent catalog
containing information and equipment. I recommend you contact
Orion at least for the catalog. These companies have scopes for
under $500, some for under $300. 

The addresses are: 

Meade Instruments www.meade.com Orion Telescope www.telescope.com          
16542 Millikan Ave.  		2450 17th Ave.           
Irvine, CA. 92714    		Santa Cruz, CA 95061     
				
 
Celestron www.celestron.com     Coulter Optical www.murni.com
2835 Columbia St.		1781 Primrose Lane
Torrence, CA 90503		West Palm Beach, FL 33414

There are two telescopes for under $250 available from
Stargazer Steve at:

Stargazer Steve stargazer.isys.ca
1752 Rutherglen Cr.
Sudbury, Ontario, P3A 2K3
Phone 705-566-1314

I have not seen this telescope, but it was reviewed in the
December 1995 issue of Sky and Telescope Magazine.

A word from Ron Netzley , President, Stillwater Stargazers, 1997.

A GREAT ALTERNATIVE TO THE "X-MART" SCOPES


Edmund Scientific's 3" F/6 Reflector is certainly a good starter scope for young astronomers just getting interested in astronomy. It's easy to use, and "You can actually See Something" through it. The scope comes with an adjustable tri-pod that will accommodate the shortest to the tallest new amateur astronomer. It's fork mount, coupled with it's peep sight finder, makes for a simple and user friendly telescope. At a price of $200.00 or less, it beats the pants off of similar priced scopes available at your local "Buy All Stores."

After purchasing one of these scopes for my 7 year old granddaughter, and having used it myself, I'm quite pleased with the usefulness/cost ratio. This coupled to the fact that it was delivered to my door in 3 days made it quite attractive.

The above opinions are mine, and mine alone, and I am in no way connected to Edmond Scientific, or anyone else who is selling the scope.

Ron Netzley, President, Stillwater Stargazers, 1997.

For more info contact; Edmond Scientific www.edsci.com at 1-609-547-8880

Just a note about another great little scope. Orion Telescope Center (URL above) has a nice little 4.5 inch model in the same price range. I have not personally inspected or used this scope, but it look very good. Ron Wagner 2000.

Another company that handles the major brands of telescopes is:

Pocono Mountian Optics
104 NP 502 Plaza
Moscow, PA 18444
(717) 842-1500 (till 9pm in the eastern time zone.)

I recommend that you DO NOT buy telescopes from department stores
or from magazines that are not astronomy magazines, such as
clearance houses that offer a little of everything. Also DO NOT buy a
telescope that uses magnification as a selling point, such as a
575x telescope. Good telescopes are sold according to its diameter
of the lens or mirror. For example, a 3 inch refractor or 8 inch reflector.

Used telescopes are usually a good bargain. I am the third owner of
my ten-year-old Odyssey telescope and have really enjoyed it. If
you can find an astronomy club in your area, they may be able to find
you a good used scope.

Sometimes good telescopes can be found in the hobby section of local
"trading posts." There is an astronomical "trading post" on the web named
Astromart www.astromart.com.

Binoculars are a great way to begin astronomy. Good models can be
found for around $125. 8x50 binoculars are what I recommend.
Higher magnifications are too hard to hold steady and the stars
"dance" all over the binoculars.

NightWatch by Terence Dickinson and The Light-Hearted Astronomer by
Ken Fulton are good books for beginners. I have had NightWatch for
six years and still go back to it for information.

NightWatch is a very readable, information packed book. Terrence
starts at the Sun and takes the reader on a tour of the universe.
First telling about the universe and then how to observe it. The
book also has charts which are useful in finding your way around
the sky. NightWatch is published by Camden House and is spiral
bound so it will lay flat.
ISBN 0-92065 About $23.00

The Light-Hearted Astronomer deals with buying telescopes and
accessories and is a good book to read before buying a telescope.
It is published by Kalmbach - the ASTRONOMY magazine people.
ISBN 0-913135-01-1. $7.95

There are two general astronomy magazines. Sky and Telescope and
Astronomy. Their addresses and World Wide Web sites are:

Astronomy www.astronomy.com                             
21027 Crossroads Circle                
P. O. Box 1612                          
Waukesha, WI 53187                      

Sky & Telescope www.skypub.com
P. O. Box 9111
Belmont, MA 02178-9111
I hope this has been helpful and that you join us again.

-=Gary=-


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