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Re: (IAAC) FWD: What should I buy? (rich field scopes)
>Hi Paul,
>:
>:With hindsight, I would probably have gone with small Dob or even
>:binoculars, but in many ways I think it is good to start out with a
>:dodgy scope: it certainly teaches you a few things.
>
>
>The thing about starting with such a frustrating instrument though is the
>fact that it can frustrate an amateur into never going out to observe. In a
>small refractor like that, planets and the moon zip by before there is time
>to even look at them.
>
>I do know a friend who souped up a Tasco type department store scope. He
>refitted it to accept 1.25 inch ep's, and put a better mount on it. He uses
>it in conjunction with bigger equipment, but's its easy to take out in a
>pinch to do planetary work. Again, these dept. store scopes always hawk
>their high magnification eyepieces....."450X power!" I saw on one box. (A
>Tasco). I would say this is the true myth, that high power is necessary to
>see deep sky objects with.
>
>Clear skies
>Penny
Penny,
Just couldn't let it go, could you? Of course, high power is not necessary
to see some deep-sky objects with and is certainly inappropriate for a
department store telescope. But the fact remains that with a large scope
high power can be used and used to good effect.
Dave
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