New to this.

Started by betio43, 10/03/2021 09:18PM
Posted 10/03/2021 09:18PM Opening Post
Hello all.  I was pretty much tired of watching my wife stare at the moon and stars with binoculars every night, so at a weak moment bough a telescope at a local flea market.  I probably should have studied this site a bit before buying anything.  The scope is a ETX 90 EC (I believe) which was not in so good condition.  Problem number one was a broken clutch knob. Problem two was that it is missing the controller.  My lack of knowledge was/is problem three.  Me being a tinkerer, had the scope down to all its basic and small parts.  I put it back together and took it out side to view the stars.  Problem four showed up when I relished that the scope was also missing the focus knob.  Ten minutes on the lathe fixed that.
Now this is where my lack of basic knowledge showed up.  While focusing on the stars with my 26mm eyepiece, I expected to see everything in huge proportions.  All the stars and planets looked like white donuts with the big black dot in the middle.  After a few days of frustration, I finally figured out that I was getting no way near to focus.  Now everything comes in crystal clear, albeit much smaller.  Jupiter looks to be about 1/4” diameter.  I couldn’t believe how many stars I could see through the scope. 
I dug out my old camera tripod and removed the scope from the original cradle.  I may replace it when I get the parts to fix it.
I also purchased another cheap scope on ebay which was probably not a good idea, but I was getting frustrated with this one at first.  The new scope is a table top Astroscan Mellinium.  Just something to hold me over until I feel comfortable enough for a large Dobsonian.
No more rambling for now, but I am waiting for more eye pieces to be delivered.  
george
Posted 10/03/2021 11:24PM | Edited 10/03/2021 11:25PM #1
Welcome to the hobby George......I get just as much enjoyment out of the tinkering as I do with the viewing maybe even a bit more. Sounds like you are enjoying yourself. I would suggest it would benefit you if you can find a nearby astronomy club and either join or at least attend a public viewing night with them so you can get some eyepiece time at various types and sizes of scopes before you decide on spending any real $$ on the hobby.

20" MidnighTelescopes f/5
8" f/16 Muffoletto Achro
Meade 6" AR6 f/8.0 Achro
Celestron C11
Parallax PI250 10" F/5 Newt
Vixen FL102S,NA140SS,R200SS
80mm Stellarvue Nighthawk with WO APOupgrade lens, 90mm f/16.67 Parallax Achro
LXD75/LX200, Mini-tower, GP-DX, CG5 ASGT, LXD650, GM-8, G11, GM-100, GM-150EX, GM-200 and a Gemini G40
4" portable AP convertable 44" or 70" pier
Stellarvue M7 Alt-Az, TSL7 Pier/Tripod
12.5" f/5 MidnighTelescopes DOB Swayze optics
Monroe GA
Posted 10/03/2021 11:46PM | Edited 10/03/2021 11:49PM #2
Here is what I ended up with.

Attached Image:

betio43's attachment for post 183268
Posted 10/05/2021 04:54AM #3
Yep it looks like an ETX90 to me..... I actually recommended one of those to a friend who wanted something the grandkids could enjoy when they visit a couple years ago that wouldnt break the bank and it has seen quite a bit of use......in fact they added a 8" SCT to the stable a couple months ago. 

20" MidnighTelescopes f/5
8" f/16 Muffoletto Achro
Meade 6" AR6 f/8.0 Achro
Celestron C11
Parallax PI250 10" F/5 Newt
Vixen FL102S,NA140SS,R200SS
80mm Stellarvue Nighthawk with WO APOupgrade lens, 90mm f/16.67 Parallax Achro
LXD75/LX200, Mini-tower, GP-DX, CG5 ASGT, LXD650, GM-8, G11, GM-100, GM-150EX, GM-200 and a Gemini G40
4" portable AP convertable 44" or 70" pier
Stellarvue M7 Alt-Az, TSL7 Pier/Tripod
12.5" f/5 MidnighTelescopes DOB Swayze optics
Monroe GA
Posted 10/05/2021 07:09AM | Edited 10/05/2021 07:12AM #4
I wish i would have bought one without problems.  I purchased a zoom lens and things look a little better at about a 9 or so. But nothing to write home about.   Shouldn’t Jupiter be larger than a 1/4” circle?  Fairly clear but tiny.  I guess these are meant for looking at the moon.  Unless mine is totally out of adjustment.
Posted 10/05/2021 10:01PM #5
I may look at an Orion 8” Dobsonian this week end.  What is the price range on these?
Here’s what is included.  Any thoughts?


Orion SkyQUest XT8 8" Classic Dobsonian and Stand
Padded Travel bag for Telescope Tube Assembly
Meade 14mm Series 5000 Plossl Eyepiece
Tel View 2x Barlow Lens
9x50 Finder Scope
Orion EZ-Finder Finderscope
T-Adapter for Nikon DSLR cameras
Solar Filter and Case
LaserMate Delux Laser Collimator
Posted 10/06/2021 10:25AM #6
Originally Posted by George Behary
I may look at an Orion 8” Dobsonian this week end.  What is the price range on these?
Here’s what is included.  Any thoughts?


Orion SkyQUest XT8 8" Classic Dobsonian and Stand
Padded Travel bag for Telescope Tube Assembly
Meade 14mm Series 5000 Plossl Eyepiece
Tel View 2x Barlow Lens
9x50 Finder Scope
Orion EZ-Finder Finderscope
T-Adapter for Nikon DSLR cameras
Solar Filter and Case
LaserMate Delux Laser Collimator

I have no idea what those go for these days but a search of the classifieds here on AM for "Skyquest XT8" should give you some information on that.....Sounds like that one comes with a few accessories as well.....

20" MidnighTelescopes f/5
8" f/16 Muffoletto Achro
Meade 6" AR6 f/8.0 Achro
Celestron C11
Parallax PI250 10" F/5 Newt
Vixen FL102S,NA140SS,R200SS
80mm Stellarvue Nighthawk with WO APOupgrade lens, 90mm f/16.67 Parallax Achro
LXD75/LX200, Mini-tower, GP-DX, CG5 ASGT, LXD650, GM-8, G11, GM-100, GM-150EX, GM-200 and a Gemini G40
4" portable AP convertable 44" or 70" pier
Stellarvue M7 Alt-Az, TSL7 Pier/Tripod
12.5" f/5 MidnighTelescopes DOB Swayze optics
Monroe GA