Pronto Vs Televue 60

Which is the better scope? Is the Pronto as good? Is $650 a good price for a used Pronto?

Thanks, I'm new and very excited to get started.

Margaret Stratton said:

Which is the better scope? Is the Pronto as good? Is $650 a good price for a used Pronto?

Thanks, I'm new and very excited to get started.

Margaret:

First let me say hello and welcome to Astromart...

Second, I owned a Pronto for several years, it was a nice scope and I had a lot of fun with it but it is a scope that time has passed by. Today, $650 will buy a significantly more capable refractor. The Pronto is essentially an achromat so that at higher magnifications, there will be false color that interferes with the view. Modern ED scopes have much less false color.

In terms of the TeleVue 60 versus the Pronto, maybe you could tell me more about what you are hoping to look at, what is your dream??? Both these scopes are quite small in terms of aperture and it is the limited aperture rather than the quality of the optics that limits what you will see.

Jon

Hi Margaret,
I have owned two TV 60s. They are optically great scopes, but the aperture is small and thus it's good mainly for quick views of the night sky. For birding they are great!
Ivan

I have used a Pronto and cannot recommend it. Your money would be better spent on a modern ED
refractor like this one at a lower price point. I am very happy with mine:

http://www.telescope.com/Telescopes/Refractor-Telescopes/Refractor-Telescopes-with-Premium-Optics/Orion-ED80-80mm-f75-Apochromatic-Refractor-Telescope/pc/1/c/10/sc/332/p/9895.uts

If you are physically able to move a larger telescope, and are only interested in astronomy (no birding),
then some sort of 6" to 8" Dobsonian telescope might be a better choice. The increased aperture (light gathering) would let you see more objects:

http://www.telescope.com/Telescopes/Dobsonian-Telescopes/IntelliScope-Dobsonians/Orion-StarBlast-6i-IntelliScope-Reflector-Telescope/pc/1/c/12/sc/27/p/102026.uts?refineByCategoryId=27

http://www.telescope.com/Telescopes/Dobsonian-Telescopes/IntelliScope-Dobsonians/Orion-SkyQuest-XT8i-IntelliScope-Dobsonian-Telescope/pc/1/c/12/sc/27/p/102012.uts?refineByCategoryId=27