first telescope

boxercreations

Hi - looking to buy a telescope for my boyfriend - he's a total newbie to Astronomy and I've come across a Helios 114mm 900 mm. Would this be "better" than the bressler ones that were sold in Lidl, seen a few of these second hand? Not looking for too much tech info - just a basic guideline as to which is preferable.
thanks

Mongarra

Have a look at www.astronomy.ie. They have a good selection of telescopes and good advice.

I am not connected in any way with them except as a member of Astronomy Ireland as a hobby, so I have no ulterior motive in this post.

peterako

Lots of people on this forum like the Celestron Astromaster 130EQ.

I liked mine as it gave decent, sharp views and was easy to use, move around and store. It's a very decent scope!

(I've since sold mine as I got a larger scope and the Astromaster was not getting used)

I think Astronomy Ireland have those for about €200.

If you trawl the Interweb-thingy you'll find it for cheaper delivered (but without the shop support).

Clear skies,
Peter

shedweller

I would prefer the bresser telescopes over the helios telescopes. Bresser have a good name and rightly so. You'll have to buy them online though as nobody in Ireland sells anything new other than celestron.

backboiler

Lidl has the Meade Bresser R-102 once or twice a year for something about €300 or so.

http://www.meade.de/en/products/telescopes/product.html?act=pdis&actid=4702100

Very capable scope with a nice solid mount (total assembly is over 20 kg) and decent finder scope. Comes with 3 eyepieces and a 2x Barlow.