Never had a telescope before...

[Amoeba]

... and I don't want to be duped into shelling out for something I don't need or for something that's rubbish. Can anybody advise a basic telescope for basic needs?

Something that isn't too complicated, and something that I can adequately view things at a decent magnification but I really don't need anything too powerful or fancy. Preferable if it isn't too bulky either and can be taken outside with me.

Any advice?

[nightshade]

I don't use one often but for £60 I think this one is excellent The Opticron Piccolo Opticron Fieldscopes right at the end of the list (there may be an ED glass option)

[artdemole]

I have a Sky Watcher telescope. Recommended By Sky at Night and Astronomy Now Hot Product.That Has a short barrel and easy to move about.I store it in a wooden blanket chest whilst the tripod mount goes by the side of wardrobe.It comes with 3 lenses which is good enough to keep me occupied on the patio.That costs about £169.00 You can get lower priced if you look about.Online stores will be not too costly.Best look around the stores if you have one near to get a good idea of what price you want to pay...aDm...

[nytecam]

Originally Posted by Amoeba

... and I don't want to be duped into shelling out for something I don't need or for something that's rubbish. Can anybody advise a basic telescope for basic needs?

Something that isn't too complicated, and something that I can adequately view things at a decent magnification but I really don't need anything too powerful or fancy. Preferable if it isn't too bulky either and can be taken outside with me. Any advice?

Took this YouTube - urban red fox - vid from indoors @150ft vid with £19.95 Aldi 60mm spotting-scope [less than the cost of a cheap eyepiece for a 'scope] with x20-60 zoom although best at x20 My other Aldi s-scope vid on my Youtube Nytecam Channel - enter 'aldi scope' in search.

Birders hereabout throw serious money at s-scopes mainly, I suspect, 'cos birding can be a group activity [what will you turn up with?] whilst stargazing is more likely a lone persuit

[artdemole]

I have a Vision King spotting scope which is used occasional for looking at stars.Not as good a view or magnification as the telescope.

[Amoeba]

Thanks everyone, keep them coming! I want to be very thorough. I've looked at a few others too, but any additional tips and advice would be appreciated. As I say, I really don't know anything about telescopes.

[britnik]

I see that a number of responses have recommended spotting scopes even though you have posted this in the astronomy forum.

What exactly do you want the telescope for, you say "basic needs" can you expand a little.

Are you very new to astronomy, do you already have a good pair of binoculars?

[Amoeba]

Originally Posted by britnik

I see that a number of responses have recommended spotting scopes even though you have posted this in the astronomy forum.

What exactly do you want the telescope for, you say "basic needs" can you expand a little.

Are you very new to astronomy, do you already have a good pair of binoculars?

I don't even know the difference between a telescope and a spotting scope to be honest. I'd never heard of a spotting scope before now.

I want to look at the moon and stars for personal enjoyment. I want to get a better close-up of that nebula in the Orion constellation too. With the naked eye it just looks like a fuzzy blotch. I'd like to see it as a slightly less fuzzy blotch.

[nytecam]

Because this is a minority 'sport' telescopes are relatively expensive and you can blow serious money on something that maybe is not of lasting interest - hence popular binoculars [always handy] and the more powerful [bird] spotting telescope may suit for starters -with my cautionary note on the cost of the latter.

A compact Meade ETX-70 or 80 goto astro scope [finds things in sky from internal memory] cost ~£250. Lidls have <£100 astroscopes occasionally. As a rule - don't buy astroscopes from camera shops or electrical megastores. Peruse TelescopeHouse website etc and good luck

[artdemole]

Originally Posted by Amoeba

I don't even know the difference between a telescope and a spotting scope to be honest. I'd never heard of a spotting scope before now.

I want to look at the moon and stars for personal enjoyment. I want to get a better close-up of that nebula in the Orion constellation too. With the naked eye it just looks like a fuzzy blotch. I'd like to see it as a slightly less fuzzy blotch.

Have a look at scopesnskies.com For some good info and the difference will be seen....aDm...