how do you decide what you want and what you need?

Im still in the process of deciding what gear i require. there are loads of stuff i would like and i think id use, but how do you know a piece of equiptment is good or will suit you without buying? you could spend a lot on a piece of equiptment and find you dont really need/use it or it doesnt work as well as you hoped with your scope. eg, im unsure what eyepieces i want/need and i could buy a few, but what if there are ones that would suit me better? i would have bought ones that arnt as good as others i could easily have afforded, but my money is spent now.

Jeepers, that's the 6million dollar qustion!

First, you've got to ask youself what specifically you want to do. You'll probably find that you want to do lots of stuff and choosing the right piece of gear to do them all can be difficult if not impossible.

When I first wanted to buy a telescope, my budget was £200. I bought a 4.5" reflector on an equatorial mount for that. I loved that scope and still have it. I'll never forget the view I got of Jupiter and her Red Spot through that scope on a crisp October morning.

A few years later I bought a Meade 8" LX90. This was pushing mu budget as far as I was concerned and I simply wasn't willing to pay the extra money for an 8" LX200. I also thoroughly enjoyed this scope. Provided alot more aperture than my 4.5" reflector and gave me GOTO.

As time went on, I got more and more interested in astronomy. I recently found myself asking what would I like as a long-term setup. To decide this, I spent many months reading up on all the various telescope and mounts on the marget before selecting the one I did. Someone else could go through the exact same process as I did and select something completely different.

So, to answer your qustion, there is no easy enswer. Easy person's taste is different as is the depth of their pocket and what they're willing to spend on a hobby.

When reading reviews of astro gear on the net, be aware the author might be blinded by the piece of gear they have. I've read far too many "reviews " which basically say "this is the best piece of gear ever" or something long those lines. Often, these reviews are shortly after the author has purchased the item. It's something we're all guilty of at times I believe. The best reviews are the ones which give a thughtful, well prepared review of an item after it has been tested extensively and mentions both pros & cons.

Hope this helps,

well, i have chosen the scope, its a celestron c6-s sct with xlt coating on an equitorial mount. go to would be nice but id rather learn the sky first, and the money can go for eyepieces. next, i want to get a few eyepieces to go with it. there are lots of reviews of various eyepieces but i like to feel and use stuff before i buy, and thats impossible with astronomy, as astronomy shops close when the stars are visible!! after i get the correct set of eyepieces, i want to get a few filters to bring out planetary detail, but im unsure of what brands to buy. people recommend things like a yellow, light blue etc, but i want to get a good set of filters, rather than waste my money on a bad set i wont use. so scope and mount chosen, its down to getting 3 eyepieces that will give me a good range of magnifications and then filters to enhance viewing. can anyone advise on that?

I think the key decision for any astromer is what they want to achieve.

For any given aspect of astronomy, you will find a niche product that will give you exactly what you want to achieve your objectives. Of course, there are many products out there that try to be the 'jack of all trades' and if you get one of those, its likely that you will be disappointed.

For example, if your objective is visual observing at wide fields of view, then you could choose Lidl binoculars - you will soon find them wanting. Or you could choose electronic stabilising binoculars and be on the pig's back for the next ten years.

Of course, the main issue with picking that niche product is that you will pay for it. If you do not have the budget, you will have to compromise on a 'jack of all trades' and be satisfied with a run-of-the-mill experience rather than a blow-your-socks-off deal.

You specifically mention eyepieces - the leader in that field is Televue. You pay top dollar but either

1. You will use it for the rest of your life and it will continue to blow your socks off or

2. If you find it doesn't suit, sell it. Niche products hold their value very well

To avoid option 2 above - research, research, research. I've spent the last two years deciding on what OTA and CCD I need to buy to achieve my objectives (plus saving up the dosh!).

The best bit of advice I can give on this score is not to be afraid of taking your time. The stars and planets are going nowhere soon. If you take your time and wisely research what you need, the satisfaction is far better than instant gratification followed a short time later by disappointment and putting you stuff on the 'for sale' list.

The best bit of research you can do is right here on the boards - ask as many questions as you need to to home in on the target of your desires

Cheers

Dave

p.s. Michael, do I get 6 million dollars?

its down to getting 3 eyepieces that will give me a good range of magnifications and then filters to enhance viewing. can anyone advise on that?

Bring your scope to club observing nights and other people there will usually let you borrow an eyepiece to try out. You can then weigh up the reality of your budget with what you would like and can afford.

filters to enhance viewing. can anyone advise on that?

Don't worry about filters - they (simple colour filters) really only work on planets and we won't be seeing too much of them in the immediate future.

Sort out the eyepieces first. Try-before-you-buy where possible. Heck, if your anywhere near Celbridge, call in and I'll loan you eyepieces and some colour filters (even the Televues if you promise to look after them ).

Dave