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Author
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Topic: Repair or replace 40 year old telescope?
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tfetner
Member Posts: 247
From: Birmingham Alabama USA
Registered: Sep 2002
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posted 02-09-2009 01:00 PM
  
Need some assistance for those active in the telescope world. I have a very old refractor telescope that is 900mm in length. I'm talking about 40 years old. Well, with age the multi coating on the lenses has deteriorated making viewing impossible. The scope needs new eye pieces and the lens at the end (chipped.) Is it worth fixing or should I just buy a new one. I'm wanting to use it for "lite" viewing / to introduce my kids into astronomy. The tripod, mount etc are all in excellent shape, just the glass in the scope that is no longer functional. |
dsenechal
Member Posts: 539
From:
Registered: Dec 2002
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posted 02-09-2009 05:42 PM
Unless this telescope has some sort of sentimental value, I'd suggest replacement. The capabilities of today's telescopes far exceed those of 40 years ago, and I'd guess the cost of restoring the optics would be rather spendy.Dave |
LCDR Scott Schneeweis
New Member Posts:
From:
Registered:
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posted 02-09-2009 06:22 PM
Concur..given the price an optician will charge to grind the custom glass you can secure a good SCT or Newtonian with mount (note these options are both reflectors as decent performing Apochromats are pretty expensive in general - with the exception of the cheap Chinese optics you can pick up at a Walmart which I dont recommend).Also keep in mind eye pieces have evolved and wont be interoperable with your older refractor. Depending on your aging eyesight, you will require eyepiece adjustments to match your exit pupil and with additional eye relief (particularly if you wear glasses). ------------------
Scott Schneeweis
http://www.SPACEAHOLIC.com/ |
tfetner
Member Posts: 247
From: Birmingham Alabama USA
Registered: Sep 2002
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posted 02-12-2009 11:55 AM
THNX all, any recommendations for a good starter scope in the $300 range?
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Philip
Member Posts: 5952
From: Brussels, Belgium
Registered: Jan 2001
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posted 02-12-2009 12:07 PM
I assume the Refractor is a chromatic refractor and not a high end Apochromatic? Why not go for a 6 inch refractor which are available for about US $500.00 (Optical Tube Assembly only)? |
Rizz
Member Posts: 1208
From: Upcountry, Maui, Hawaii
Registered: Mar 2002
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posted 02-12-2009 12:23 PM
I'd recommend an ORION SkyQuest XT 4.5 or XT 6. It's a Dobsonian, basically a reflector optical tube on a swiveling base. They are great for kids because they are easy to use.The 4.5" runs about $200, and the 6" about $250 or you can get the computerized 6" for about $400, (offers guided star tours) well worth the extra $$ if you can afford it. They often times have 'blemished ones' for a few bucks less. Generally they have a small dent in the tube or a scratch, but they are guaranteed optically. Have fun. Rizz |
tegwilym
Member Posts: 2331
From: Sturgeon Bay, WI
Registered: Jan 2000
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posted 02-12-2009 04:08 PM
Orion Telescopes would be a good place to start with some kind of Dobsonian. That is the most scope you can get for the money. Also might check out AstroMart for a used scope. I found my 8 inch Meade LX90 from someone on that site. I've bought a lot of used stuff from there over the years and never had any bad luck.Just stay away from "Wallmart Trashco" telescopes or anything called "Galileo". If you have questions feel free to email me. Tom |
astroborg
Member Posts: 200
From: Woodbridge, VA, USA
Registered: Nov 2000
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posted 02-12-2009 06:57 PM
Be sure to check out Cloudynights.com also. Lots of great info in the forums, and reviews of gear. -Rich |
tfetner
Member Posts: 247
From: Birmingham Alabama USA
Registered: Sep 2002
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posted 02-12-2009 06:58 PM
Thank you all for the info. I'll look into getting a basic model along the suggestions made. |
mjanovec
Member Posts: 3811
From: Midwest, USA
Registered: Jul 2005
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posted 02-12-2009 07:11 PM
If getting an Orion dob, I would recommend the 8-inch or the 10-inch. I have the 10-inch and love it. Nothing against the 4.5 or 6 inchers, but the extra aperture really opens up a new world of possible targets (and gives you considerable improvement on targets that the smaller apertures already perform well on). I find the 10-inch to be essentially the perfect telescope: affordable, great aperture, portable, easy-to-use (setup, mount operation, take down). While there are scopes that will beat it in any of these four criteria, I have yet to find another scope that offers such a perfect compromise between those criteria. For example, I often observe with two other guys. One had a 15-inch truss tube dob and the other had a small GOTO cassegrain. After they both used my 10-inch Orion for a while, they both bought ones for themselves! |
tfetner
Member Posts: 247
From: Birmingham Alabama USA
Registered: Sep 2002
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posted 02-12-2009 08:24 PM
Again, thnx to all for the info, if anyone sees a used unit for sale please send an email. I'm searching the web, fleabay and the two places suggested in earlier post. |
tfetner
Member Posts: 247
From: Birmingham Alabama USA
Registered: Sep 2002
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posted 02-12-2009 08:35 PM
Quick note, I'm not opposed to a scratch -n- dent or used! THNX All. |
FFrench
Member Posts: 3161
From: San Diego
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 02-12-2009 09:08 PM
Your local astronomers' group will almost always take in a donated non-working telescope (they may be able to use parts of it) and are frequently the best source to purchase a used telescope for yourself (as members upgrade and like to see their old telescopes go to good homes). |
Lunar rock nut
Member Posts: 911
From: Oklahoma city, Oklahoma U.S.A.
Registered: Feb 2007
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posted 02-12-2009 09:38 PM
I have sent you an email.Terry |
tegwilym
Member Posts: 2331
From: Sturgeon Bay, WI
Registered: Jan 2000
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posted 02-13-2009 04:09 PM
Just go with our suggestions and you'll be hooked into a fine hobby! I always hate when I see someone buy one of those Wallmart "Megapower 450x Zoom Pro" telescopes with the colorful Hubble images on the box. If I steer someone away from that, I've done good as a Solar System Ambassador.  Tom
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Mercury7
Member Posts: 360
From: Greenville, SC, USA
Registered: Aug 2006
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posted 02-19-2009 08:03 AM
Hi... Just my 2 cent on the scope advice, I recommend an etx90 maksutov cassegrain by meade, they can be found used fairly cheap, they are very portable, have a drive motor to track and most importantly have excellent optics.Bigger scopes provide brighter images but the number one rule in astronomy is to buy a scope that you will use. believe me, the difference between 5 minutes or 10 minutes to set up is huge in your normal decision making process on whether to observe or not... especially for those nights where you will probably only be looking 5 minutes anyway... which for most people is 90% of the time. good luck. Scott |
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