Atlas Explorer Telescope

Hi

Does anyone have any knowledge or opinion of Atlas Explorer telescopes?

I couldnt find much on the net about them. ONe of the first pages I did find was from Astronomy Ireland saying not to buy, but then it also listed every other other brand of telescope not to buy except one!

Sizzzzzzle

Sizzle

I recommend that you disregard the page posted on Astronomy Ireland's web site - it's using scare mongering to capture business.

The offending page is here (I'd like other's oppinions on this)

www.astronomy.ie/christmas.html

I find it outragous that they are taking this tactic.

While there is a problem that first-time buyers are sometimes (maybe even often) buying sub-standard telescopes from stores that have no speciality in astronomy - it is a disgrace that Astronomy Ireland are bundling, for example, Meade (a very respectable brand), in with the junk category.

Sizzle - I'm sure you'll receive other guidance on the forum in your quest.

Mark C.

Let's not get into too heated an argument over Astronomy & Spaces business tactics as it only allows for more on air screen time of their website which will defeat the purpose of your question, Mark.

Atlas Explorer are a very good low budget series of telescopes Sizzle. Tasco, which are like them, was once a tarnished reputation for small reflectors, and I don't know why. I had a 75mm reflector since I was 12 years old (my first scope) and it did nothing to detract me from pursuing astronomy. I believe it is all down to one's experience, though as habit we are creatures of promoting bad reviews over good, so you're only ever going to hear more of the bad then the good from user reviews.

My opinion? Buy one second hand for cheap. Make sure it works before buying, and if in time it simply breaks or you get bored, it will be less of a loss than buying a new scope. Save your money for a bigger newer scope which, in the end, you are going to crave for anyway!

Seanie.

mjc wrote:

Sizzle
www.astronomy.ie/christmas.html
I find it outragous that they are taking this tactic.

hahahaa, there is a sucker born every minute, if you wanna go beleive this crap, then go ahead, they're basically lambasting all their competition,
Yea, sure, tasco are cheapo scopes, and the other ones are on the cheaper side, but as for meade, well they dont sell meade scopes anymore for reasons we cant get into. :laugh: :laugh:
If you have a particular scope in mind, put the model of it up here and we'll give you our honest opinion.

Re-iterating what others have said:

1. Ignore the A&S web page - they are dealers and have a vested interest in down-playing the competition
2. Do the research and find out (roughly) what kind of telescope you want
3. Look at the brand names available and whittle your list down to a handful
4. Come back here and tell us what you have your eye on - you'll get impartial advice and there's a good chance someone has what you're looking for and give you a first-person review
5. Have your list down to two or three telescopes then go bargain hunting - you can buy new or second-hand. Second-hand clearly gives you savings. New gives you security and a warranty. But you'll be guided most by your needs/wants and then your budget

You'll certainly get plenty of good solid advice here to help you get what you want.

Dave

Well my first scope was an atlas explorer,

it was many moons ago I seen one of thes scopes in a shop and saved my money and bought it,
I was a lot younger and new very little about astronomy but this scope really fueled my
interest in astronomy, I can remember been amazed at the views of the moon,:woohoo:
so if you could by one very cheap second hand then youve really nothing to lose,

thats my experience with atlas explorer, no regrets.