| T.R | Title | User | Personal
Name | Date | Lines |
|---|
| 1345.1 | My opinion... | STAR::DIPIRRO | | Mon Apr 14 1997 16:56 | 10 |
| I guess I'll offer my opinion. A new scope for $200 is not going to
buy you much. Basically, it'll buy a department store refractor scope
of pretty low quality. If the person is possibly just getting
interested in astronomy and doesn't have anything yet, he'd probably be
better off with a good pair of binoculars to start with...but they tend
to run less than the $200 of your budget. Maybe combined with star
charts and some PC astronomical software, you might bring the gift
price up. If you're willing to spend, say $400, then you have some
telescope options such as some low-budget Dobsonian reflectors which
would make more reasonable starter scopes.
|
| 1345.2 | Go for some quality binoculars... | NETCAD::BATTERSBY | | Mon Apr 14 1997 23:18 | 9 |
| I'll second the opinion that for $200 or maybe $250, one can
get a quality pair of binoculars which might provide more overall
usefulness than what you'd get for a telescope for the same
amount of money. A quality pair of binoculars would be useful
not only for star-gazing, but could also be used for wildlife
viewing, or for sports events etc. For the money, you'd be giving
a gift with more bang (uses) for the buck.
Bob
|
| 1345.3 | | CHEFS::GORE_I | Bar Sinister with Pedant Rampant | Tue Apr 15 1997 14:32 | 7 |
| I agree with the last two, though there are a couple of possibilities if you
(they) realy want a 'scope. You could build one yourself, or have a look at the
Orion ShortTube Refractor at $258. I've heard good things about these 'scopes,
though they need a photographic tripod to complete the package. If the happy
couple already have one, this might be the way to go.
Ian G.
|
| 1345.4 | | ANDREW::DGAUTHIER | | Tue Apr 15 1997 14:58 | 6 |
| Well, thanks for the advise folks. I sort of expected what you said.
And I will check into the binoculars and the Orion ShortTube Refractor
Ian mentioned. Are there stores in the greater Boston area which might
have these on display?
-dave
|
| 1345.5 | Try Harvard Camera in town of Harvard... | NETCAD::BATTERSBY | | Tue Apr 15 1997 15:24 | 10 |
| Well, if you like driving through some country roads, you might
try Harvard Camera in the center of town in Harvard Mass. The town
of Harvard is west of Rt495 at the Rt. 111 exit. Just follow
Rt 111 west until you get to the center of Harvard. You won't
have to fight for a parking spot, or fight any traffic. :-)
They have a very good selection of binoculars, and may have the
Orion ShortTube Refractor or a good substitute. The sales people
are very helpful and are knowlegeable of the products they sell.
Bob
|
| 1345.6 | | ANDREW::DGAUTHIER | | Tue Apr 15 1997 16:23 | 6 |
| Hi Bob: I know Harvard (I live in Boxborough). I bought my N50 at
Harvard Camera. And yes, come to think of it, I do remember them
having telescopes on display there. Thanks for the reminder?
-dave
|
| 1345.7 | | CHEFS::GORE_I | Bar Sinister with Pedant Rampant | Wed Apr 16 1997 10:58 | 9 |
| Re .5
> They have a very good selection of binoculars, and may have the
> Orion ShortTube Refractor or a good substitute.
Something I should have mentioned before; the Orion 'scope isn't made by them,
it's imported from the far east. You can find the same 'scope under different
names.
Ian G.
|