Sage advice about telescopes

[Mark Wagner]

I've been in conversation with someone looking to buy a telescope.

And it brought up the age old question, which telescope is best?

Any sage advice?  :-)

[Richard Navarrete]

Easy. The best one is the one you’ll use. 😉

Richard

Sent from the all new AOL app for iOS

--
Observing Sites, Observing Reports, About TAC linked at top of:
https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/sf-bay-tac
 
Subscribers post to the mailing list at:
 
sf-ba...@googlegroups.com,
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "The Astronomy Connection (TAC)" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to sf-bay-tac+...@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/sf-bay-tac/f73d692e-aaef-4d26-a04a-17433288ecd9n%40googlegroups.com.

[Surya Rao]

6inch or 8inch Celestron SCT with go to, is what I have been recommending.

Surya

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/sf-bay-tac/2087696205.356828.1761413232280%40mail.yahoo.com.

[Steven R.]

I rescued an aunt from buying a trash scope for her grandkid, steered her towards a tabletop dob. I miss the Astroscan for those situations.

"Which telescope is best?" is an under-constrained question :-)

-Steve

--

[Mark Wagner]

On Saturday, October 25, 2025 at 10:48:53 AM UTC-7 Steven R. wrote:

 

"Which telescope is best?" is an under-constrained question :-)

Purposely. 

[Vishal Kasliwal]

8" Dobs are my recommendation for anyone who might get serious. They are the least fussy option around and sport life-long aperture at a low f-ratio for wide-field viewing and low-power hunting.

If there were a good off-the-shelf truss 8" with premium optics and auto-guiding for high-power planetary work, that would be a killer scope!!

--

Observing Sites, Observing Reports, About TAC linked at top of:
https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/sf-bay-tac
 
Subscribers post to the mailing list at:
 
sf-ba...@googlegroups.com,
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "The Astronomy Connection (TAC)" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to sf-bay-tac+...@googlegroups.com.

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/sf-bay-tac/4c531ba5-16be-49f9-bace-e58dc647cbcen%40googlegroups.com.

[Mitchell Koerner]

I'm of the opinion:

8" solid tube dob if they are comfortable with the transportation size (like really properly comfortable with it) with at minimum a red dot reflux sight (or a telrad/quikfinder).

6 or 8" SCT if the slightly increased compactness will probably change how often they use it.

Most everything else is too fiddly or too under-powered to reliably hook someone into the hobby without frustration!

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/sf-bay-tac/CANZYFeEqvYtgcHONKfcmQtFAyVw4aWPyBJW3JQgpp4WqWOMznw%40mail.gmail.com.

[Ted Hauter]

I have changed my opinion on this.

To weed out the wannabes from the gotta be's I'm reccomending spending at least $3,500.

Gotta go with the 9.25 on the AVX.

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/sf-bay-tac/CAFc0qytNpdDGO%2B1j8ryi65_562Tu60z1Vbe3DTi5YjX4FL4K_A%40mail.gmail.com.

[Richard Ozer]

I'm with Richard on this.  The best scope to look through is not necessarily the best one to own.  All too often people buy equipment beyond their means or circumstances and it all goes unused or becomes a logistical and/or financial burden.  Eventually, it all gets donated to me, and I then sell it to Tom.

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/sf-bay-tac/2087696205.356828.1761413232280%40mail.yahoo.com.

[Jeff Crilly]

SeeStar.

(Apologies in advance for the above. However there is some truth to the answer.)

My real answer is “it depends”. Given the person is “asking”, I gather it’s safe to assume the person hasn’t thought much about it.

I get this question a bunch up at Lick Observatory when doing the outdoor program.

It really depends on a handful of factors like transport , storage , backyard use, and also the skills the person has to use the telescope.

Those 6” collapsible fobs from skywatcher are attractive. Put a PiFinder or Hopper on it and it should be easy to use. Small to transport.
But… not great pushing it to see the planets.

[Paul Alsing]

Understand also that a solid tube 8" dob can easily use a PiFinder for a few hundred dollars that will give you 10 arc-second accuracy without an encoder or wiring in sight.

\Paul

---

From: sf-ba...@googlegroups.com <sf-ba...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of Mitchell Koerner <mfko...@gmail.com>
Sent: Saturday, October 25, 2025 11:19 AM
To: sf-ba...@googlegroups.com <sf-ba...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: Re: [TAC] Sage advice about telescopes

 

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/sf-bay-tac/CAFc0qytNpdDGO%2B1j8ryi65_562Tu60z1Vbe3DTi5YjX4FL4K_A%40mail.gmail.com.

[Mark Wagner]

Totally agree.  I think that makes two Richards saying that.

Mark

You received this message because you are subscribed to a topic in the Google Groups "The Astronomy Connection (TAC)" group.
To unsubscribe from this topic, visit https://groups.google.com/d/topic/sf-bay-tac/LxVCqNQhv-I/unsubscribe.
To unsubscribe from this group and all its topics, send an email to sf-bay-tac+...@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/sf-bay-tac/CAEgXk-kuqSWU-TH7AVNwQ%2BUO4viKpWeZDry26RRaehkFURp3jg%40mail.gmail.com.

[Mark Scrivener]

The best scope is the one someone else brought to a star party, setup, collimated, aligned, selected the best eyepiece for the object in question, and said "check this out" as they guided you to look through the eyepiece.

Seriously, I feel the best advice is to go look through a bunch of scopes at a public event, talk to the owners, and get a feel for what it can do and what it requires.

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/sf-bay-tac/CAG72LjCBJ8PffFQWb46nLEm7_pEFs6aWyDHb-Ah1Q26KwBmV%2Bg%40mail.gmail.com.

[Alan Agrawal]

One scope to rule them all - a 10”  f/6 Zambuto dob - the absolute sweet spot in my opinion.

Or if you know you are a die hard deep sky observer and have the funds get a 60” in a dark site observatory and don’t look back.

Alan

Begin forwarded message:

From: Mark Wagner <itsmar...@gmail.com>
Date: October 25, 2025 at 10:26:07 AM PDT
To: "The Astronomy Connection (TAC)" <sf-ba...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: [TAC] Sage advice about telescopes



[Vishal Kasliwal]

I agree with Alan - a 10" Zambuto truss-dob with tracking would reign supreme!

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/sf-bay-tac/F1FDEDFD-A181-491D-881F-3F11DAA03A4A%40yahoo.com.

[Mark Wagner]

I recall a 30" Starmaster that got hauled around.  Occasionally.

The best scope is the one that gets used the most.

Mark

You received this message because you are subscribed to a topic in the Google Groups "The Astronomy Connection (TAC)" group.
To unsubscribe from this topic, visit https://groups.google.com/d/topic/sf-bay-tac/LxVCqNQhv-I/unsubscribe.
To unsubscribe from this group and all its topics, send an email to sf-bay-tac+...@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/sf-bay-tac/F1FDEDFD-A181-491D-881F-3F11DAA03A4A%40yahoo.com.

[Joel Lee]

I believe the best answer to that question would be for what purpose or what do you want to use the scope for? If visual, there’s  plenty of great responses already here. If imaging, then it’s a whole different can of worms based on experience, targets interested in, budget, willingness to fiddle with the scope etc. There unfortunately isn’t a one size fits all asides from something small enough that you will use it as often as possible and something big enough that it will work for your targets. 

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/sf-bay-tac/CAFv1_F2QYM3QOyTH7JrJouHj%3Dp9iGXcoXGszMNVfDCFmhbROGw%40mail.gmail.com.

[Steve Gottlieb]

I have to say that despite the views through my 24” (Alan also has a similar scope), in terms of simplicity for observing a single night, my 14.5” f/4.3 Zambuto truss-dob with tracking and Nexus is the sweet spot for me. Easily takes up to 700x when the seeing allows.

Steve

> To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/sf-bay-tac/CANZYFeHsMaGRzWQR1viZNoJL%2BefxC0Z4strqn_E2S%3DkvHQi1dA%40mail.gmail.com.

[Mark Wagner]

Again, totally agree Steve.  It's why my 10" has seen more light than my 18 in the last year or so.  Quick setup, easy tear down when done, and steers like a sports car rather than my old Suburban.  Much of the pleasure and enjoyment of the hobby is in the right gear.  It's not always bigger is better that is the answer.

Mark

You received this message because you are subscribed to a topic in the Google Groups "The Astronomy Connection (TAC)" group.
To unsubscribe from this topic, visit https://groups.google.com/d/topic/sf-bay-tac/LxVCqNQhv-I/unsubscribe.
To unsubscribe from this group and all its topics, send an email to sf-bay-tac+...@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/sf-bay-tac/7CB91F76-8F3E-4E09-8C5E-4FFA9CAFE29C%40gmail.com.

[Peter Santangeli]

I'm kind of with Jeff on this one.

I've said 'Seestar' in the past, but I think 'small dob with PiFinder' is probably as effective. All depends on how 'tech-y' they are (one of my sons, who just joined TAC, is just interested in imaging, for instance. His 'first scope' is a good mount, a good camera lens, and now my unused LXD75 6" Achromat for it.)

Here's my rationale: The biggest problem newbies have is finding anything. And though we'd all love to say "Then learn the sky!", the reality is:

• Many people these days are not in locations particularly conducive to that. Too much light pollution
• In a world of short attention spans, and video everywhere, mobile phones, social media, etc, most of the younger generation simply doesn't have the patience to learn the sky. The most we can hope for is they learn it over time.
• You need to 'strike while the iron is hot' for people - again, the newer generations want immediate gratification.

So... I'd say:

• if they have come to the hobby from more of an imaging bent, hard to go wrong with a Seestar.
• if they have come to the hobby from more of a visual bent (encounter at a star party, etc), then a 6-8" dob with a PiFinder is probably ideal.

--
Observing Sites, Observing Reports, About TAC linked at top of:
https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/sf-bay-tac

Subscribers post to the mailing list at:

sf-ba...@googlegroups.com,
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "The Astronomy Connection (TAC)" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to sf-bay-tac+...@googlegroups.com.

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/sf-bay-tac/39169707-3B5F-41D3-84CE-2A635E35A48E%40gmail.com.

[Alex]

I recall seeing an article from like 50-es that the best all around reflector should have a 1 foot (12") mirror. The reason is that its angular resolution is finally enough to observe some distinct planetary details without the need to wait for the perigee.

[Akarsh Simha]

The best telescope has a couple meters of aperture, is placed in a Bortle 1 site with good seeing, has a Sitall or Zerodur mirror, cools quickly, is baffled well, has goto and tracks precisely, and has a small-sized secondary obstruction. Jimi’s 48-inch is the closest one I know to the perfect (amateur) machine — the downside of course is that it has a “mere” 1.2m of aperture.

I’m on my third telescope and it’s a long shot from this perfection.

Regards

Akarsh

On Sun, Oct 26, 2025 at 02:09 Alex <alex.k...@gmail.com> wrote:

I recall seeing an article from like 50-es that the best all around reflector should have a 1 foot (12") mirror. The reason is that its angular resolution is finally enough to observe some distinct planetary details without the need to wait for the perigee.

--

Observing Sites, Observing Reports, About TAC linked at top of:
https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/sf-bay-tac
 
Subscribers post to the mailing list at:
 
sf-ba...@googlegroups.com,
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "The Astronomy Connection (TAC)" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to sf-bay-tac+...@googlegroups.com.

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/sf-bay-tac/CAG%2BmxVRLPriH6wubDOODbOpVbJJuScTxygzda5bi9gr6dX1pag%40mail.gmail.com.

[Akarsh Simha]

On Sun, Oct 26, 2025 at 04:16 Akarsh Simha <akars...@gmail.com> wrote:

The best telescope has a couple meters of aperture, is placed in a Bortle 1 site with good seeing, has a Sitall or Zerodur mirror, cools quickly, is baffled well, has goto and tracks precisely, and has a small-sized secondary obstruction. Jimi’s 48-inch is the closest one I know to the perfect (amateur) machine — the downside of course is that it has a “mere” 1.2m of aperture.

I’m on my third telescope and it’s a long shot from this perfection.

I guess I make-do with whatever I have, and therefore it’s the best telescope for me?

[Akarsh Simha]

Or if you know you are a die hard deep sky observer and have the funds get a 60” in a dark site observatory and don’t look back.

I see Alan beat me to it, I would begrudgingly settle for a 60” even though it’s no 2m

That being said, I guess a 60” is pretty portable, even with a century old technology, so might be a good stopping point in aperture:

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/sf-bay-tac/F1FDEDFD-A181-491D-881F-3F11DAA03A4A%40yahoo.com.

[Alex]

SeeStar is great, but that's not a telescope. Just an automated telecamera. :)
If a physically capable adult is asking what to get as a first telescope, a full OTA (better) or collapsible Dob at 8-10" 1/5 with 2" EP is about perfect due to its quick operation learning curve and minimal  care/maintenance demands. The PiFinder appears to be resolving the pointing problem for beginners (haven't tried it yet but I know the tech, so after these years they should have it matured enough at least for beginners), while an EQ platform could be a logical next upgrade for it if the manual guiding cannot be mastered to the acceptable level (I could imagine a few impeding factors, including subpar commercial Dob mounts).

[Ted Hauter]

9.25, AVX fulfilled all requirements for a 1st scope. Especially longevity. 

When the person knows what they are doing order a 12" where colors start to come into play and can seek more magnitude. 

On Sat, Oct 25, 2025, 4:48 PM Alex <alex.k...@gmail.com> wrote:

SeeStar is great, but that's not a telescope. Just an automated telecamera. :)
If a physically capable adult is asking what to get as a first telescope, a full OTA (better) or collapsible Dob at 8-10" 1/5 with 2" EP is about perfect due to its quick operation learning curve and minimal  care/maintenance demands. The PiFinder appears to be resolving the pointing problem for beginners (haven't tried it yet but I know the tech, so after these years they should have it matured enough at least for beginners), while an EQ platform could be a logical next upgrade for it if the manual guiding cannot be mastered to the acceptable level (I could imagine a few impeding factors, including subpar commercial Dob mounts).

--

Observing Sites, Observing Reports, About TAC linked at top of:
https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/sf-bay-tac
 
Subscribers post to the mailing list at:
 
sf-ba...@googlegroups.com,
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "The Astronomy Connection (TAC)" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to sf-bay-tac+...@googlegroups.com.

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/sf-bay-tac/CAG%2BmxVS9zJM%2B41j-ncYqsJm1LvHs%3DUNMft1V9fh0HZ%3DcSgxV3Q%40mail.gmail.com.

[Alex]

A 12" Dob is significantly more demanding with full OTA (handling, transportation, storage). But I agree, that's the first "serious" aperture for a Dob. I gave mine (full OTA 12") to a beginner a few years back, though along with the ultimate DIY transportation/storage system for it. While upgraded only 0.5" up myself.  :)

[Mark Wagner]

Thanks all.  Lots of valuable advice here for those thinking about a first telescope or upgrading.  Great utility is the key to enjoyment IMO!