Buying Your First Telescope...All You Need To Know. 

Now on my fifth scope...remember kids astronomy is addictive and can lead to an empty wallet

for my birthday, my husband is gifting me a telescope of my choice. i am completely new to sky watching as i only own a pair of decent binoculars. i have watched at least 10 videos on "beginner scopes" and this man is by far the best at explaining with great clarity and patience, what it is that i need to know in order to make an educated purchase. so glad i came across his video.

I'm brand new to astronomy, and this video was incredibly helpful! Thanks for taking the time and making it simple!

Thanks Jason for putting this excellent video together. Your channel has really helped me and enabled me to buy my first telescope - a Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 130AZ. Obviously I'm new to this and I was quite nervous and unsure about getting into astronomy as it seemed pretty technical. But you have a wonderful way of making it seem easy and fun - you're like my Astro Uncle! I've joined your FB group as well. Cheers - James from Governors Bay, New Zealand. 😃

I think that a very important aspect when deciding to buy a telescope, and even more so if it is your first, is to set a budget, stick to it and optimize it as much as possible. The vast possibilities and the enormous variety of accessories that amateur astronomy offers nowadays makes it easy for the rookies to become disoriented and fall prey to marketing traps, plunging into a consumerist fever that can make him spend a lot of money on things that probably they won't use or will rarely use, when they could have budgeted for better quality, more aperture, better eyepieces or a sturdier, more stable tripod and mount. And we have to be very careful, because among so much supply there is also a lot of junk of doubtful quality, and it is already known that sometimes by looking for cheap we can end up buying expensive. It is also very important before the purchase to find out very well, consult with experienced people, ask in forums, look for information in trusted channels like this one, see or read reviews, assess the different options and, finally, decide conscientiously and accordingly. I love that this channel bets on intelligent and homemade solutions, I also claim astro-DIY in this sense.

Recommended first scope...8" dob! I have been an amateur astronomer for 40 years, next scope...8" dob!

Interesting point about goto mounts. I initially bought a cheap 80mm refractor on an EQ mount and just found it frustrating - now I know more it should have come with an AZ mount. Anyway I ended upgrading to a Mak with goto. What I've found is its not so much the goto that I've used but the tracking. Finding an object is great but its also great not having to chase it round the sky :) - I would say tracking is far more important than goto and tracking is not so easy on a cheap manual EQ mount with no alignment scope in the southern hemisphere when its a bit harder to align accurately

I was looking for refractor telescopes online and i saw doublets and triplets and i dont really know the difference between the two. Should i really care about the 3 lenses as a beginner or is a doublet fine?

Thank you for this excellent video. I am about to but my first telescope and I was clueless. I've now decided to buy a 130mm reflector telescope which is something I didn't even realise was a thing half an hour ago. I can't wait to watch more of your videos as I step into this exciting world of amateur astronomy.

Another great video, Jason. Glad I watched. Your comments on the Goto mount were really appreciated. I've been looking for one for a while, and your remark about missing a lot of the fun of searching was spot on! Very informative video.

Literally been looking at buying a telescope for several months now and I have been overwhelmed by the information out there. Found this video on youtube and thank god there's someone who actually explains what all the stuff means. I really appreciate u took the time to do this video and I actually understand some of it lol I'm in Norfolk UK and hoping to see some of the night time sky here. Congrats on your subscribers, I just made it a +1

When I was a kid I got a little refractor on year for Christmas. Used it for a while but once I had seen each planet out to Saturn a few times, I got bored. I think I'm gonna step up to a dobsonian soon.

Hi Jason, I just found this video and it is absolutely perfect. I'm just in the process of deciding which telescope I want to buy and you have given me much to think about. I'm looking to get in to astrophotography, and was originally going to buy a big scope with a GOTO mount, but after watching this I think it a good idea to do what you suggest and start small and experience the wonders of the night sky at a slower pace. I'm still not sure what telescope or mount I will buy probably a Schmidt-Cassegrain as I've heard good reports about these, I will probably also go with a heavy duty mount like the Skywatcher EQ5 Deluxe Mount & Tripod that I can use as I grow and this will last me a while. Thank you and keep up the good work.

Congratulations on the 1k milestone Jason 🎉🎉🎉 🍻 Keep dishing out the awesome content!

Congratulations for 1000. subscribers! You had a nice progress this year! Nice video Jason! What was your first telescope? My first was a Skywatcher Ed80/600 with the Eqm35 pro goto mount, For astrophotography a goto equatorial mount would be my recommendation, and if you want to have the feeling of dso finding you can always use a long focal length telescope like the maksutov 127/1500, where sometimes if your star alignment is not close to perfect you might not find the dso, but a dobsonian mount i think it does make a smooth experience when using it, is on my buying list

Thanks for this video, as a beginner the amount of info to be found from here is extremely helpful!

Just about the perfect video. Thanks a bunch. 🌚🌟🌠🌌

Very helpful video, I enjoyed the analogies you used, that greatly helped the explanations of the concepts :)

You earned my subscription, thank you very much for your time and kindly videos

Thankyou very much, this video is exactly what i needed.

You are the best

What brand is your 5” telescope and is the stand it’s on factory made or self made I’m looking to buy a 8” telescope but I’d rather the stand didn’t sit on the floor. I would prefer a stand something like yours. Thanks from Tennessee, USA

Tank you very much.wonderfull

Excellent introductory/educational video. Just what I was looking for, thank you.

This is, by far, the best video I have seen comparing all the telescopes you can buy around as a beginner. Good job :D

Thank you so much for the advice and valuable information. Really appreciated.

G'day Jason. Great article but a couple of swords I have to cross with you. Firstly go to mounts. I started with a go to mount (AZGTi) and as I wanted it very quickly had me finding thrilling DSO targets. From there I have learned the skies and the constellations, I even have to star hop to get some targets; so rather than make me lazy to the contrary it has really enhanced my experience. Using the "where am I" function I have been able to find DSOs not know by me and then find out what they are from the go-to app. Secondly, aperture and DSOs. I have a SvBony 70mm refractor with which I have viewed many star clusters. Because it is portable it was able to give me my first view of Adromeda Galaxy, an achievement be cause I Live in the Southern Hemisphere with Andromeda very low in the Northern sky only for a few weeks. The little 70mm makes a great grab-n-go and I have used it to show DSOs to others when away from home. Yes, the 70mm is my grab-n-go telescope. Regarding go-to mounts; I now have a 90mm refractor on an AZ mount and because it doesn't need any setting up, it is the telescope I am using most often.

Great and informative video Jason! Thank you so much for an excellent presentation full of info for beginners. Congrats on your 12k + subscriptions. Am sure the you are going, you are going to hit and go beyond 100k ! I do hope and pray and feel confident that will you do so in the very near future.

Great video. I understand focal length better now. I have a good budget and was thinking about getting the Celestron edge HD 8” for my first scope. Is this something you think I can grow into and get into astrophotography with or would you recommend something else? I’m mainly interested in deep space objects

Your channel has been a blessing for me! Thank You So Much! I'm 70 years old and live in a very remote part of Northwest Montana. Needless to say light polution isn't a problem up here. i've wanted a Telescope all my life and finally decided to just go for it. I came across your channel and you have all ready saved me from making a lot of mistakes, not to mention saving me a lot of money too!! I look forward to learnig more tricks and tips as I get into my new hobbie. Thanks Again!!!!!!!!l

subbed - just bought a celestron powerseeker 80az - never used a telescope before. Struggled to focus and see the moon with the 4mm that came with it but the 25mm was good. Lots of practice and learning to do.

you're right about missing out on all the fun I scanned the sky for at least an hour before I found andromeda and wow that's an amazing feeling. Looked like a small milk stain....But I was till pumped

hi just came across you video for my first telescope was looking at a second hand celestron nexstar 130slt and a 114lcm which would be the better option thanks

Thanks for a very understandable explanation! Hello from Finland!

Great video Jason, appreciate your knowledge

GREAT VIDEO thanks I'm looking at a 600×90 telescope

Oh Gawd yeah, avoid scopes that say stuff like 575x power and have a picture clearly taken by the Hubble on the front, you can literally get more enjoyment from the night sky with your naked eyes. Nice simple explanation of focal length Jason, and I totally agree about goto scopes for beginner visual astronomy. Although have you seen those new Celestron Starsense telescopes with the mobile phone attachment that helps with locating objects. I reckon they might be fairly good for beginners. Anyway, excellent beginner guide Jason, well done mate : )

I got the best info. Thank you so much.👍

My first scope was the Orion Astroview 90EQ2, 900f/l. Still have it but I've mounted it on Orion's HD TritechCFX alt/az (15lb payload). I still use it as a grab & go- not the best optics, but still fun! Really enjoy your content!

This is hands down the most compelling video thaat covers everything for beginners like me!! Amazing explanation, you now have another loyal subscriber! :D

Very helpful explanation, Thanks.

I got a little 3 ich tabletop dob and Ive been able to see multiple DSOs in bortle 5 skies. The first thing I ever saw through it was the Andromeda galaxy. It is hard, but the brightest can be seen. Ofcourse they will be just a faint smudge, but the fact you have seen it at all is an achievement of its own.

Loved your video. All the good information so well packed. Loved the pros and cons, also your view about the GOTO. Thanks for everything!

If its a hobby, you should start by BUILDING the telescope so you dont take it for granted that someone bought it for you. Bigger lets you see dimmer things and have better resolution so set a realistic size of scope to what materials you can afford to get and not be discouraged by cost. Save your change. Next, will you actually use it if its big and bulky? Then, stick to the smaller ones. Dont believe magNIFICATION marketing claims as the best youll get is 400x due to atmospheric distortion. 1400X really means the length of the tube usually, not magnification.

As for the Maksutovs, it would be absolutely marvellous if you could give that small Mak60 (the SarBlue) a close look and a review, your video would be vastly popular. Your explanation style is just what us beginners need - we thank you immensely for it!

love your channel, very underrated

Nice video, thank you for your very impressive work!

Also there’s the celestron power seeker 60az with azimuth

Hi Jason, great Video ones again! Congrats🎉 on your Milestone of 1000 Subs!! This Is Really Gem For Beginner Astronomers! Solid Advice, I think Reflectors Are overall The Best choice for a Beginner's, Because aperture is key to Collect Light !! Enjoy Your Channel, Im Sure You will Inspire Many People (Just like You have Inspired me)😊 Clear Skies Mate!!👍🌌

I'm sure "go to" scopes are very convenient but surely it takes the excitement out of it all? You may as well go and look at a photograph in a book.

Congratulations on the 1k subscribers Jason. Thoroughly deserved mate. Your videos have helped me so much over the last 6 months of starting this amazing hobby. Wish this excellent vid was about back then 😁 Looking forward to the next instalment of the SV105. Stay safe and clear skies 👍🏻

Greetings from Ukraine, I am new to astronomy, I bought my first reflector telescope six months ago (POLCRAFT-114F/900EQ3), but after a while I noticed that there was a problem with it: any object with a magnification of 100x + gets a pale double, if I cover the lens with paper at 70 %, then the ghosting decreases, but the clarity is still not complete, only the moon remains... This ghosting effect remains with any eyepiece... I did the adjustment, washed the mirrors, nothing helped... Could there be a defect with the main mirror? I couldn’t find any information on this problem... Have you encountered this? Thank you))😊

Hey, i really liked your video. Sadly i am unsure weather to buy a Refractor with 70mm Aperture, 700mm focal lenght, AZ or a Reflector with 114mm Aperture, 900mm focal length, EQ (from omegon) I am a beginner and i want to observe Planets, Moons and Maybe Galaxies. The Refrector is way cheaper than the Reflector.

Very helpful advice. Many thanks. I did have a go-to on my shopping list but your comments rang very true and I took it off the list. I'll go for a regular mount, save a couple of hundred quid and get more pleasure in the bargain. Thanks again. Much appreciated. I'm going for a sky-watcher 82 with Borg 0.7 triplet super reducer. Zwo ASI 178MC USB 3.0 COLOUR CAMERA OPTOLONG L-eNhance narrowband filter What do you think?

Awesome video. Thank you.

This video is amazing. It answered so many question and made a lot of things clearer. My only question is maintenance. Which type requires more maintenance like cleaning the lens or mirror (if there is such a thing).

Hi Jason I sent a post about 2 weeks ago asking what telescope you recommend for under $100 for my grandson who’s turning 7 years old.. anyway.. you never replied.. another online astronomer recommended the celestron power seeker 60az.. but Amazon incorrectly sent the celestron travel scope 70AZ.. and the other thing is that I noticed the celestron power seeker 60az only includes 2 eye pieces that are 4mm and 20mm and from the very very little I’ve received thus far from you is it’s only worth it if I have at least a 60mm.., I won’t see anything if less…help!! What should I dooo!?!? Please respond!!

Outstanding Overview! Thank you!

I have a Free Solider Telescope 700x90mm and some objects appear bright and bloby it’s focus I have tried all the lenzs it came with and the looks the same I can’t see Saturn rings am I doing something wrong?

I need help deciding between either a 10" Dobsonian or an 8" EQ reflector (both by Sky-Watcher). What is more advantageous, having the extra aperture with the Dob, or having the benefits of an EQ mount plus the better portability? Which would you recommend? I'm not buying a telescope for astrophotography at the moment, just general viewing, but who knows, in the future I may get into it. Many thanks!

Hello friend , what do you think of a Spotting Scope for someone who wants to tourist around in the astronomy and land watching world? I bought the Celestron TrailSeeker 80 with XLT coating and abilty to fit 1.25 eyepieces ....this last point I think was key to be a "sort of astronomy telescope" in my mind .

Hey Jason, love your channel. From Southern Ohio here. Started out with one of the table top models, quickly out grew it and sold it. Went to a 120mm refactor and just today ordered a 127mm mak cassegrain.

thank you very mutch !

thanks for a really good presentation well done

Hi.. I want to purchase a telescope for my grandson who is turning 7 in a few days.. he’s never really expressed interest but I know he knows about planets etc..personally I find it fascinating and was trying to find something we can do together.. I have multiple sclerosis and am in a wheelchair.. and thought this to be perfect.. will it be too hard for me..?? And is he about the right age??

What about “Dwarf II” and “Unistaller” telescopes, aka Automated telescope?

Love you man, thanks for all the videos

I'm considering an Orion 70mm or 80mm telescope. It will be a first telescope for my daughter. What are your thoughts on that

Im thinking to get a Skywatcher Heritage 130p as my first telescope. Is it good as a beginner telescope?

2 years?!? in the UK? So... 2 months in Arizona? Sent from a very cloudy Runcorn :-/.

i'm kinda new to this......been seeking and saw that a 90 mm skywatcher refractor costs way less than a 130 mm skywatcher reflector

Ive had mak 127 for years, and you must use a dew shield..however, if you have high humidity expect a couple of hour use unless you heat it with dew bands.

What reflector would you recommend as a second telescope after 114/900 ? up to $1000, thank you)

the aberation is very much still problem my first scope was 102 skywatcher and aberation was the reason i sold it

What's your opinion about discovery st50 telescope? I am beginner and want to know if its any good

Orion space probe II. If you’re unsure of the eq mount spend 130 dollars and you get a decent scope and decent mount to see if it suits you.

HI WHATS GOING ON FOLKS. THIS MY FIRST TIME IN HERE. I TRIED TO GET IN ON THE LIVE CHAT BUT COULD NOT OPEN IT UP. I AM VERY NEW. QUESTION IS IT POSSIBLE TO BUY A MEADE 102 GOTO TELESCOPE? I THINK I MAY BE BETTER OFF WITH THIS TYPE OF SCOPE. WHAT DO ALL OF YOU THINK AND WHERE WHO HOW CAN I BUY THIS SCOPE TODAY????

Buy an 8 inch skywatcher , £400 absolutely brilliant

I've been looking for a telescope. You have to be careful,there's lots of junk out there.

Planning on getting a Skyscanner one day, and I’m very excited for it.

This is actually a very nice piece of advice.

Good info. Thank you.

What kind of eyepiece if you have to wear glasses?

Well, this was greatly informative, so I subscribed, thank you Jason.

I want my first telescope to be able to show me the plumes of water vapor on Enceladus.

#281_VeryFavorableReviewAsImTotallyNew_AppreciateAllBasicExplainationsAsItsAllNew🇺🇸✡️✝️

Over the years I have had different telescopes and from what I found is exactly you say would be the best starter. I wish I had seen this years ago it would have saved me a lot of money. Talking of money your channel is the only one I've seen that guides you to affordable equipment not stuff that even NASA could afford ,like some channels I have seen. Thank you for sharing.

Thank you. Great information.

I purchased a second hand Phenix 127mm long 1200mm focal length telescope, some time ago sadly it is so big and takes up so much effort to set up, I have not used it for years it also has a motor tracking system sadly never tried it out! The telescope is great and I am now semi retired so have a bit of time to start up this hobby again, some years ago a friend and a co-worker at the time D Peach told me it was OK for what it was. Thanks for your site and video nice one.

I only have one suggestion. An orion xt8 dobsonian reflector. Used ones are pretty easy to find and you can always have the mirror re coated. I really don't think theres a better scope made.

Great video!! thanks

Hi Jason a very detail info on first telescope and types! Some small telescopes are good and others are not so good. I was lucky I had professional help in buying my first telescope when I saw the Vixen custom 80m refractor as Sir Patrick Moore helped me with expert advice! When I had my first view of moon through telescope at the moon I couldn't believe what I was seeing. One of the objects I really wanted to see through telescope was Saturn and I was extremely excited and astonished to see the ring system and I saw m42 and looked a bit green in colour! Getting new gear is exciting and I've looked through a number of telescopes and one at the mills observatory in Dundee was one of the best! Going to a star party is a great way to have more info and looking through other scopes to give you more knowledge! True about the weather and it'll be amazing if you could use your telescope every night but the clouds get in the way. What's the best telescope you ever looked through? What object amazed you most? So many beautiful objects in the night sky to view and I'd say Saturn is one of the greatest objects you'll ever see through a telescope. Very interesting video and alot of useful info too! Stay safe buddy and clear skies!!!

Great scientist Galileo had a stick like telescope and he saw so many things in the sky with his telescope .imagine what we can see with new modern telescope.

I’m thinking of a 150 mm tabletop Dobsonian. Do you think that’s a good option?

Get a Dob i had 2 $300 celestrones. Both ended up being unsatisfactory to me, You get a Dob you get the most aperture for your money. If you're nervous of culminating and mirror cleaning Don't be It's not that hard once you learn. I settled on a Orion dobsonian 8-in aperture 1, 219 millimeter focal length, got it used for $450 had to culminate it and clean it and Jupiter and Saturn looked spectacular

Last 3 days, i have been watching lot of videos but nothing comes closer to rhis one. Great explanation. Subscribed....

I got one on Amazon that was on sale from 264 dollars to 164. I snapped on it quick because it can go up to 250x magnification and has the space for that attachment so it can be remotely controlled and can track planets/galaxies,ect. I'm getting it really soon and I'm really hyped and can't wait 😆😆 for now ima put in the leat amount of magnification and practice with it. It's a 127mm scope with 5 different eye peaces. One going up to 250X and one that boosts those by 3X. Supposedly the scope weighs 8 pounds lol

Wealth of knowledge gathered from this video. I have a Konusmotor 90 Refractor. Any tips on maximising the benefits of this scope? Thank you.

I want some of what he's drinking !!!

I just bought my first telescope, a 10" reflector on a Dobsonian mount. It is very heavy.