OK, so one tip: since your telescope needs to acclimatise to the outside temperature anyway, set it up during daytime, which will make aligning the scope with the finder scopes a lot easier. Just point your scope at some faraway stationary object, e.g. the top of a utility pole, a church tower, chimney, ... Those objects don't move, so you'll have an easier job to align your finder scopes, as you're not under time pressure and don't need to chase the object with your telescope while you work. If for some reason you're unable to set up during the evening, before sundown, use Polaris as your reference point for scope/viewfinder alignment if you're in the Northern hemisphere. Polaris moves so little during the night it's irrelevant for this purpose.
Agree on all points. I should've mentioned the temperature acclimatizing issue. Woops! Excellent comment! To help out, I have a fully expanded separate video on aligning every possible type of viewfinder: th-cam.com/video/SJz5wcKKDgY/w-d-xo.html
@@AstronomyGarage Not something I didn't know, but it brought the red dot finders to my attention again. I never liked them, and soon replaced mine with a RACI, but I've been reconsidering them as of late. Been thinking along the same lines as you: red dot finder for rough pointing, refine with RACI. Is there any particular one you can recommend? One that in your opinion stands out for its ergonomics, or some other consideration? Or are they all more or less the same?
Remarkable walk-through video. I wish I had this when I first started with my Dobsonian Newtonian reflector telescope. The biggest hurdle that knew astronomer space is understanding their equipment, and how to use it. This video is an absolute godsend. 🙌🙌🙌
Thank you for the comment. Feel free to share it far and wide, lol. I've had a lot of folks ask these questions, so I thought I'd make a general purpose intro video. Clear skies!
What a great video John. With all the new star gazers out i am. pondering on a 8 or 10.inch. In the future. Would love to have clear sky's for a change with my 6inch Dobsonian. Happy.New Year to you n your s. Jack
Hi reflector guy I like your videos I have a astronomy scope without boarders 4.5 like the celestron first scope .but I don't like the helex focuses and is there a way to extend it out or just replace it with a rack and pin..thanks Wayne
I've heard very good things about the Astronomers Without Borders telescopes. Do you find that the stock helical focuser doesn't offer enough travel for your eyepieces? Or is it too loose? I've read that wrapping the threads with Teflon plumbers tape can take care of the sloppy movement.
@reflactor hi yes I don't care for it but it's al I have the sky watcher 10 inch is nice with the craford rack an Pinon gear it nice to talk to you and by the way happy new.thanks Wayne.
I purchased a brand new Orion 130 st. I was completely disappointed with the telescope. What other telescopes do you recommend that is better than the 130st? I will be happy if I can see the our solar system clear not just a magnified bright light in the sky. Thank for your help and very informative videos.
Orion 130 isn't bad, it's just not the best scope for planets. Any 8" Dobsonian would be better, but bare in mind that there are only few objects in the Solar System which can be seen with some details: The Moon Saturn and its rings Bands of Jupiter Some details on Mars, like ice caps Phases of Venus. and everything mentioned above is possible to see with Orion 130 (maybe Mars will be too small though) Go to a local astronomy club, join a star party, and see what you need, maybe it's not another scope, perhaps you just need to buy a good barlow lens, or a better eyepiece.
The telescope I always recommend is any 8 inch Dobsonian. They've gotten expensive the past few years, now in the $500 to $700 for new ones. You can find used ones for $300 to $400 on Facebook Marketplace. The Orion 130 st should give you good views of the planets and Moon. The equatorial can be a bit frustrating (especially if it's on a wobbly tripod). Remember to always start with a low-magnification eyepiece (20mm or bigger) and then start increasing magnification from there.
Since the price of good eyepieces has come down, I recommend buying eyepieces. The best value right now are the 66 degree SVBony goldline ones found here on Amazon: amzn.to/3Ud18CM
It's true. You can get a pretty nice 10x50 set of binoculars for the same price as this Dobsonian. If given a choice, I'm not sure which one little kids would prefer.
Not a beginner but it’s always nice to see a more recent videos for beginners that isn’t from 10 years ago lol
These videos are a lot of fun to make and I'm glad that viewers find them helpful.
I like the Bright Star Atlas by Wil Tirion. It is simple to use, has large scale maps and information to find many many objects.
Thx
L
OK, so one tip: since your telescope needs to acclimatise to the outside temperature anyway, set it up during daytime, which will make aligning the scope with the finder scopes a lot easier. Just point your scope at some faraway stationary object, e.g. the top of a utility pole, a church tower, chimney, ... Those objects don't move, so you'll have an easier job to align your finder scopes, as you're not under time pressure and don't need to chase the object with your telescope while you work.
If for some reason you're unable to set up during the evening, before sundown, use Polaris as your reference point for scope/viewfinder alignment if you're in the Northern hemisphere. Polaris moves so little during the night it's irrelevant for this purpose.
Agree on all points. I should've mentioned the temperature acclimatizing issue. Woops! Excellent comment! To help out, I have a fully expanded separate video on aligning every possible type of viewfinder: th-cam.com/video/SJz5wcKKDgY/w-d-xo.html
Watched last night, enjoyed.
Thank you for watching!
@Reflactor Brilliant vid John especially the most important advice regarding pointing at the Sun!
Yes, very important... no Sun!
great video John iam sure new people will find the information helpful
Thanks, I do hope new telescope users find it helpful.
Thanks for the video. Just starting in the hobby and this will make the start much less frustrating.
I'm so glad it was helpful. That was my hope. Thank you for watching. Clear skies!
"If you're new to telescopes"...
...and you know it, clap your hands? 😁
No longer a beginner, but still watching the video anyway.
Thank you for watching. I hope the video offers something you might not have known. Clear skies!
@@AstronomyGarage Not something I didn't know, but it brought the red dot finders to my attention again. I never liked them, and soon replaced mine with a RACI, but I've been reconsidering them as of late. Been thinking along the same lines as you: red dot finder for rough pointing, refine with RACI.
Is there any particular one you can recommend? One that in your opinion stands out for its ergonomics, or some other consideration? Or are they all more or less the same?
Remarkable walk-through video.
I wish I had this when I first started with my Dobsonian Newtonian reflector telescope. The biggest hurdle that knew astronomer space is understanding their equipment, and how to use it. This video is an absolute godsend. 🙌🙌🙌
Thank you for the comment. Feel free to share it far and wide, lol. I've had a lot of folks ask these questions, so I thought I'd make a general purpose intro video. Clear skies!
What a great video John. With all the new star gazers out i am. pondering on a 8 or 10.inch. In the future. Would love to have clear sky's for a change with my 6inch Dobsonian. Happy.New Year to you n your s. Jack
Hi Jack, I'd highly recommend the 8 inch. It's the perfect sweet spot for price vs portability vs performance. Happy New Year!
Thanks for your video. Can you use your small dobsonian as a viewfinder on your bigger Zhumell?
Yes, I've heard from several people who used a small Dobsonian (i.e. reflector telescope) as a viewfinder.
Interesting.
Thank you for watching.
Hi reflector guy I like your videos I have a astronomy scope without boarders 4.5 like the celestron first scope .but I don't like the helex focuses and is there a way to extend it out or just replace it with a rack and pin..thanks Wayne
I've heard very good things about the Astronomers Without Borders telescopes. Do you find that the stock helical focuser doesn't offer enough travel for your eyepieces? Or is it too loose? I've read that wrapping the threads with Teflon plumbers tape can take care of the sloppy movement.
@reflactor hi yes I don't care for it but it's al I have the sky watcher 10 inch is nice with the craford rack an Pinon gear it nice to talk to you and by the way happy new.thanks Wayne.
I purchased a brand new Orion 130 st. I was completely disappointed with the telescope. What other telescopes do you recommend that is better than the 130st? I will be happy if I can see the our solar system clear not just a magnified bright light in the sky. Thank for your help and very informative videos.
Orion 130 isn't bad, it's just not the best scope for planets. Any 8" Dobsonian would be better, but bare in mind that there are only few objects in the Solar System which can be seen with some details:
The Moon
Saturn and its rings
Bands of Jupiter
Some details on Mars, like ice caps
Phases of Venus.
and everything mentioned above is possible to see with Orion 130 (maybe Mars will be too small though) Go to a local astronomy club, join a star party, and see what you need, maybe it's not another scope, perhaps you just need to buy a good barlow lens, or a better eyepiece.
The telescope I always recommend is any 8 inch Dobsonian. They've gotten expensive the past few years, now in the $500 to $700 for new ones. You can find used ones for $300 to $400 on Facebook Marketplace. The Orion 130 st should give you good views of the planets and Moon. The equatorial can be a bit frustrating (especially if it's on a wobbly tripod). Remember to always start with a low-magnification eyepiece (20mm or bigger) and then start increasing magnification from there.
Do you recommend buying more eyepieces or just a barlow? (I just bought a heritage 130p and only have the two provided EPs)
Since the price of good eyepieces has come down, I recommend buying eyepieces. The best value right now are the 66 degree SVBony goldline ones found here on Amazon: amzn.to/3Ud18CM
@@AstronomyGarage thanks for the advice, clear skies!
Binoculars are best. Unless you factor astrophotography. Which is fricking expensive.
It's true. You can get a pretty nice 10x50 set of binoculars for the same price as this Dobsonian. If given a choice, I'm not sure which one little kids would prefer.