GOTO

[Zeke]

I am 70 this year and I hope that I can persuade my wife to buy me a Goto telescope!!
Can anyone suggest a 'scope which is not too expensive?

[David Frydman]

. Hi there,
I would suggest that you don't go for a long focal length telescope such as a Maksutov but rather a short focus refractor either F/5 or F/6 about.
the reason is that the goto telescopes are not that accurate, especially the cheaper ones. So you're probably not going to find what you're looking for.
It might help if you can have one with a 2 inch focuser as this enables wider fields of view with low-power eyepieces. But even the one and a quarter inch focuser short focus refractors have wide fields of view.

Regards David

[Brian]

Dear Zeke,

what price range do you have in mind?

Regards,

[Zeke]

I'm not sure Brian, what can you suggest?

[Brian]

Hi Zeke.

Well, I'd think along the lines of the Skywatcher or Celestron alt/azimuth GoTos from a good astro supplier. For instance, have a look at FirstLight Optics website for some options and prices (other suppliers are available of course):

http://www.firstlightoptics.com/slt-series.html (Celestron)

http://www.firstlightoptics.com/az-goto.html (Skywatcher)

The Celestrons are a little more expensive, but the telescopes are apparently made by the same factory. "Best value" in either line is the 130mm Newtonian reflector in my opinion. I have a 102mm f5 short focus refractor on a different mount and I find it a good general purpose instrument. There is some "blue fringing" on bright images - expected from a short-focus achromat - but this can be cut out by screwing a "fringe-killer" filter into the eyepiece.

I'm sure others here will have some input. I know one or two members are using these alt/az gotos to good effect

Regards,

[Zeke]

Thank you Brian.