Need help with picking a telescope

[hampstor]

I just found out that one of my vendors @ memx sells tasco/bushnell telescopes!

so i need help in picking one out for myself. The ones i was looking at are the:


Tasco Galaxsee 375x4.5" Reflector (46-114375)
Bushnell 675x4.5" EQ Reflector (78-4501)

I'm not familiar with these at all so if anyone is an expert it would be greatly appreciated.

Also, if you need to pickup a telescope PM me and I'll see what I can get (the selection isn't exactly great, only 11 models to choose from for reflectors and about the same for refractors).

[Doomsday88]

Alien Porn is not cool dude

[D'z Nutz]

If I had to pick, I'd go with neither (unless you're using it for terrestrial viewing). Neither of these brands are very well regarded for their optics, and you'd probably be pretty disappointed with the viewing. If you have any interest in planetary or stellar viewing, sometimes all it takes is a shitty first telescope to turn you off completely.

A thread about "bad telescope decisions" came up on an astronomy forum I'm on yesterday and three people said their worse ones were made by Tasco, while four other people said their worst ones were made by Bushnell! Hahaha!

How much are they going for, if you don't mind me asking? If you're looking to spend between the $200-300 range, there are MUCH better choices with both better optical capabilities and sturdier mounts (less vibrations) available. One of the sites I check for prices has a 130mm (~5") newtonian reflector on an EQ-2 mount for around $200, I think. It'll blow the doors off either of these two for sure.

[hampstor]

Originally posted by D'z Nutz


How much are they going for, if you don't mind me asking? If you're looking to spend between the $200-300 range, there are MUCH better choices with both better optical capabilities and sturdier mounts (less vibrations) available. One of the sites I check for prices has a 130mm (~5&quot newtonian reflector on an EQ-2 mount for around $200, I think. It'll blow the doors off either of these two for sure.

They SRP around 300, but our net cost is closer to 150..

I did 2 astronomy classes while I was in school and really enjoyed them. I was kind of looking at getting more into but then I graduated and suddenly had no time to do anything