Best Telescope for Beginners (Visual Astronomy)

The first 1,000 people to use the link will get a 1 month free trial of Skillshare: skl.sh/astroex...
What's the best visual telescope for beginners? In this video I explain different telescope options for people looking to buy their first telescope!
Sky-Watcher Dobsonian telescopes from FLO: bit.ly/3OHBge2
Ursa Major Dobsonian telescope from FLO: bit.ly/3VaJPQU
US based viewers. Buy your gear at HighPoint Scientific here: bit.ly/3JdnPOI
US based viewers. Buy your gear at OPT here: bit.ly/3gAcee8
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*The equipment I use*
Sky-Watcher Evostar 72ED: bit.ly/3gBOKVO
Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer: bit.ly/2QvQZ2f
HEQ5 Mount: bit.ly/31zmW08
Field flattener for 72ED: bit.ly/32wiP48
Canon camera adapter: bit.ly/3joCh9P
Dew strap & controller: bit.ly/2QwHuAb
US based viewers. Buy your gear at HighPoint Scientific here: bit.ly/3JdnPOI
US based viewers. Buy your gear at OPT here: bit.ly/3gAcee8
Disclosures: All opinions are my own. Some links in the description are affiliate links that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a commission at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases.

[@AstroExploring]

The first 1,000 people to use the link will get a 1 month free trial of Skillshare: skl.sh/astroexploring11221

[@angeltensey]

as a guy who decided to try this hobby for cheap (reasonably cheap) and gone through all of the struggles of this approach, i'd say that the tube itself is not as important as all the thing built around it. say, if you have an option to buy a bigger tube on AZ type mount vs. slightly smaller tube on equatorial mount (though, EQ1-type is a big NO period)- its most likely better to have an equatorial setup. equatorial mounts are slightly more difficult to wrap your head around, but they give substantial boost in comfort. same goes for accessories: cut your budget on tube and get better eyepieces and diagonal from the get go. bad total SETUP is what kills the interest in this hobby.

[@shanestewart4905]

Found you tonight after having my head expanded looking at Saturn and Jupiter with my birding scope. Very useful, thank you.

[@nobringuk]

colimation dobs weak spot but easy to master , got my self the small dob table mount and was a bit disapointed , but since i had a 80 mm refractor which i upgraded the optics and used them on the small dob its improved it a lot ,great vidieo by the way , the diffeance between the dob and refractor is as you stated ... dob stable viewing easy to locate the targets -refractor you got the wobble on the tripod to contend with so down the rabbit hole i go up grading should have gone for an 8 inch dob in the first place lol will cost about as much money in the end .

[@3dfxvoodoocards6]

15:20 - Most EQ mounts can also be used as AZ

[@TedMassis]

Just wanted to say thank you very much for that video was very educational as I am a beginner….

[@bluenose8442]

Nick, it’s worth saying that any visual scope for beginners will be great for the planets but people shouldn’t expect to see the level of detail in galaxies or nebulae that Astro photography can achieve. You’ll see a lot of grey fuzzies

[@AstroExploring]

Absolutely! Great point

[@kaylamae8389]

Whats a good scope for deep sky objects

[@Garmy1]

I did myself a binoscope a APM 120 90 deg it is an awsome scope for visual astronomy,but quite costly you can also go for the cheper 120 or the 100 amp binoscopes I did buy a SD

[@CiaranMal1]

Would a 6 or 8” GOTO dob be good for astrophotography?

[@szisinho]

Is there any major difference of quality between the heritage 150p or the classic 150p? Or just the size of the mount?

[@anncoffey9616]

I would like to know that too!

[@Johnnybox81]

What about the best for a seasoned amateur? Probably still an 8 inch dob... plenty of light, reasonable storage and you don't need a crane to move it.

[@davidyork8020]

my first telescope was a Takahashi toa-150b refractor

[@40173k]

I bought myself a Sky-Watcher Heritage 130p and my only regret is that I didn't go for the 150p. Does anyone think it's worth upgrading or should I just stick with it ?

[@CaptainDanger-]

If you have the money to upgrade, then upgrade.

[@Astronurd]

Nik can I use Stellarium with my ASIAIR plus? I know that Sky Safari is compatible but I actually prefer Stellarium. Thanks

[@Vic-pz5oh]

An 8"dobsonian will fit in the back of a hatchback 1200mm across the back seats

[@baneverything5580]

I fit a 16 tom set of Ludwig drums in a small Honda car once...bass drum in the sun roof.

[@TicTacEnjoyer]

Hi, I want to do visual astronomy but an 8" Dobsonian is a big too big and heavy for me. Could anyone recommend something lighter and smaller that is relatively at the same level?

[@RObert-uq5st]

6 inch dobsonian

[@chrisg9602]

6 inch dobsonian

[@georgemorley1029]

Skywatcher heritage 150p? A table top 6” reflector.

[@3dfxvoodoocards6]

The downside of Dobson / Newton reflectors is that they need collimation, something a begginer woudn't want to do. They also have other disadvantage.

[@40173k]

I bought a laser collimator which makes the job easy peasy. £27.

[@God-rn3ck]

11:56 laughs in single

[@michaelsaltsman7550]

another great video Nik so shred on twitter

[@AstroExploring]

Thanks Mike