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Buying Telescopes
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Altitude: 50 Meters (more or less)		   Updated Sept. 24, 2007
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Telescopes: How to Buy

Many scopes are trash
Which telescope brand has
historically been called "Trashco"?

(Click image for answer) 		Want to buy a telescope? Buying a telescope is unfortunately not simple.
    A Few Tips:

  • Don't buy telescopes from most department stores — they are usually "trash." They typically have poor optics, very low quality eyepieces, and shaky mounts.
  • Also, don't buy a telescope advertised by magnifying power — that is a good indication they are low quality instruments. (A 60mm diameter telescope usually has a maximum power of about 100-150x but are often sold as 450-675x!) Telescopes should be specified by aperture (and focal length or f/ratio) not magnifying power.
  • Generally telescopes worth buying cost about $300–$400 and up. If you can't afford that much, buy binoculars first (not mini-binoculars) — preferred size is about 7x50 or 10x50.
  • Then buy some good books on astronomy, learn the sky, visit/join a local astronomy club, talk to members and go to "star parties" to see others are using.
  • Finally, the best telescope for you is the one that you can most easily use and see something with. (Big telescopes are not necessarily "best.")

    – Need to Collimate Your Telescope? Click here
    – Need a Solar Filter? Click here.

Please send additions and corrections to webmaster@floridastars.org.
Interested in Buying a Telescope?
It's not easy. Opinions vary. Perhaps the links below will help

[Sky & Telescope]   [How to Buy]   [Reviews]   [Where to Buy]   [Classifieds]

Also visit our "Companies Page" for a list of telescope manufacturers, vendors and suppliers


"Sky & Telescope Magazine" Be sure to see this popular magazine's long series of useful articles on Telescopes & Binoculars

Telescopes: How to Buy
Telescope Reviews
Where to Buy
Astronomy Classifieds

Astromart is a widely used service but here is a short list of links to buy/sell astronomy stuff:
(Listings of vendors or manufactures does not constitute an endorsement by the AAC)
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