4Stargazing

iOptron is a worldwide business headquartered in Woburn, Massachusetts that is focused in the expansion, development and promotion of innovative astronomical telescopes, mounts & accessories and progressive optical instruments for various applications. A steady competitor in the astronomy industry and a subsidiary of Boston Applied Technologies, Inc., iOptron maintains their telescope manufacturing operations in China.  The iOptron telescope product line includes refractors, Newtonian reflectors, and Maksutov-Cassegrain scopes designed for any level astronomer to use during their expedition to the stars. iOptron scopes prove powerful enough to convey clear and sharp images for the expert astronomer, and they are intuitive enough for the beginning star hopper to start with ease.

On the bandwagon with other astronomy gear producing companies when it comes to revolutionizing the telescope, iOptron has patented their own GoTo technology, a software application installed in telescopes that takes star gazers on a guided tour of the solar system, called the GoToNova Controller. People are starting to purchase the GoTo enhanced telescopes more and more not just for the prestige of the name, but for the fun that the technology brings with it, putting the star gazer in control of what they want to view in the solar system and how they want to view it with a nifty hand controller.

Customer reviews on the iOptron line of telescopes are complimentary and mention key factors such as affordability to save wear and tear on the wallet, lightweight for portability, and magnificent optics. Their lightweight mounts get outstanding reviews from consumers that enjoy having the choice to move their telescope outside to catch the night time views.  The iOptron telescopes are priced affordably for budding astronomers who want to bypass the uninspiring department store brand scopes made with inexpensive accessories. The optics available in these scopes possess optics that produce apochromatic and crisp images that appeal to the skilled astronomer tired of the blurry or inconsistent views.

In comparison to other brand names in the astronomy business promoting telescopes of various sizes, weights, and categories, iOptron scores high with exceptional customer service, affordable prices, and out of this world optics. Outstanding deals on the iOptron brand scopes are available through a myriad of shopping websites that market technological products on the internet. Due the unfortunate amount of scammers that boast product availability and take the consumer’s money without furnishing the product, it is always important to verify the validity of any company before purchasing products in this manner. For those people that are new to the astrology field of technology, it would be advisable to shop at a local telescope store for a scope in order to receive the in-person customer service and the guidance necessary in ascertaining the proper model.

According to the reviews, comparisons, and deals available, iOptron telescopes are an economical investment for the avid astronomer interested in purchasing a model that is sturdy and user friendly. With the added excitement of the GoToNova Controller technology thrown into the newest telescopes that iOptron has on the shelves, astronomers are enjoying these products even more. Marketing intelligent telescopes starting in the $100 range, iOptron has figured out how to keep the prices low and the expectations high for everyone interested in their products.

As people expand their knowledge about telescopes and become accustomed to the functions, there is an inclination to run out to purchase a newer, more technological telescope. Stop right there! Why not buy a used telescope with advanced features that only come on the more expensive models? It seems there is a wave of astronomers, beginner and advanced, that are selling their old telescope and purchasing new ones. For the bargain shopper or someone who simply doesn’t have the budget to purchase the snazzy new telescopes on the market, buying a used telescope is a perfect solution.

A local telescope store will carry an assortment of telescopes and accessories, new and used. They also employ people that possess the knowledge to point the prospective buyer in the right direction for a used telescope to meet the buyer’s desires. The local telescope store can provide a number of decent used telescopes to the buyer, describing in detail the advantages and disadvantages of each one. When looking for a used telescope, this is probably the best place to start.

The internet is a vast market for almost anything consumers are looking to purchase. Shop around on the internet for used telescopes, simply by typing it into the search engine. Literally thousands of websites and companies display their products on the internet, and drastic bargains can sometimes be found.  When shopping on the internet though, beware of companies and websites that are privately owned.  Checking the comments and review websites is an intelligent way to investigate sellers on the internet before handing out even a penny.

Also consider inquiring at pawn shops. People bring their used electronics to pawn shops in exchange for money every single day. Sometimes new items can be found in pawn shops, but for the most part used and completely functional, well-kept electronic items make up most of the store. Pawn shops carry a wide variety of used electronic equipment from stereos, computers, cameras, game consoles, and sometimes even telescopes. Each pawn shop decides which items they will accept and which items they will not, so it’s not sure-fire that pawn shops will keep them in stock but it’s always worth a quick look.

When inquiring at the telescope stores and the pawn shops, ask if they will make a trade. There’s an excellent likelihood that they will agree to accept the old telescope in addition to a little money in exchange for a different, more enhanced used telescope that they have in stock. A handy tip when inside these stores is to carefully study the price tag since many retailers will include the date purchased on it.  If that telescope has been sitting idle for a good bit of time it is likely that an extended discount can be negotiated.  The internet can also be a superb way to sell a current telescope that’s no longer up to par for the advancing astronomer.

For the beginner astronomer ready to make their first purchase, the telescope shop would be the most informative place to look. Lack of education about telescopes could lead to purchasing one that requires advanced user knowledge in order to operate, or features that are not worth the investment for the user’s skill level. On the other hand, if the buyer has a specific model in mind that they’re interesting in purchasing and they are aware of the pros and cons of the telescope, the internet and the pawn shops are outstanding resources to find the absolute lowest price available.

Prior to propping up the telescope and putting it to use, there are several convenient accessories that the star gazer should consider purchasing to enhance their viewing pleasure.  A magnificent tool used to view the night sky, the telescope functions by gathering the light from the stars, moon, etc. and refracts (if it has lenses) or reflects (if it has mirrors) the light, and then delivers the image to the retina of the eye.  Used by itself, the telescope will deliver the sights beyond the atmosphere, but adding accessories can create an enhanced experience.

Starting with comfort, the observer will seriously enhance their star gazing escapade with a comfortable chair. Many people do not consider this an accessory to the telescope, but after using the telescope without a chair a few times will prove this point on its own.  Discomfort while observing will eventually lead to less use of the telescope, and the overall experience will become generally unappealing.

For the beginner astronomer, a star gazing book is the perfect addition to the telescope. Books are essential tools for learning the map of the stars, but will require their own accessory. In order to read the book while examining the sky, it is necessary to procure a lighting fixture that will not affect star gazing. An adjustable light that can easily change brightness is the best bet for this job.

To preserve the delicate, and quite often costly, telescope, a storage case will embrace the parts in a convenient container. With an assortment of colors and designs padded for the comfort of the telescope’s elements, cases are an accessory that the telescope owner cannot do without. A good storage case should be able to handle minor drops and falls while keeping the telescope safe. Because the telescope is considered an investment by most people, the case can be considered a wise purchase that will protect one’s investment.

Another item that can protect the telescope is a scope cover. Weather is the worst enemy for the telescope, and anything that fights dampness and humidity will extend the overall life of a product. The natural elements like thunderstorms and dust storms can be devastating to the telescope, and the rays of the sun can be extremely harsh on your equipment over time. A scope cover protects the lenses or mirrors from the callous elements of the weather, essentially extending the life of the product and guaranteeing the clearest possible images.

The portability of the telescope will depend on whether or not there is a battery or power supply to use on electronic models. If observing the sky from a location away from home, an automobile battery charger is an essential accessory for uninterrupted viewing.  If a power supply is instead used the unit should be capable of use throughout the evening without interruption.

Hundreds of other telescope accessories are available to the star gazing fanatic to make their star-hopping more comfortable, and the items listed above are only a few of the accessories to get the beginner astronomer get on their way to observing the beauty of the evening skies. As the amateur becomes more accomplished in using their new telescope; they will discover additional wants and needs to further enhance their experience, and luckily the amount of accessories are almost as endless as the universe itself.

The Dobsonian telescope, named after John Dobson who initially designed the mount that holds the telescope, is a reflector telescope by category.  Utilizing mirrors to bring the light into the telescope, this is a great beginner’s model that is very affordable. The Dobson telescope is quite often referred to as a Newtonian telescope, one of the oldest and most popular types of modern reflector telescopes. The “Galilean” or refractor telescope, on the other hand, uses a series of lenses to collect the light.

Boasted as the best telescope for the cost, the Dobsonian telescope has a much wider aperture, or light gathering device, than other comparable telescopes at the same price. This simply means that the Dobsonian can pull in more light than other telescopes with a smaller aperture.   And, the more light that the telescope is able to bring in, the more improved sights that can be observed through the telescope. This being said, if a good sized budget is available for a telescope, it could purchase a really large and powerful Dobsonian.

There are also a few disadvantages to the Dobsonian telescope, and the main one is their recurring need for realignment, necessitating more maintenance than its counterpart, the refractor. Misaligned telescopes produce poor resolution of objects being viewed through the telescope. Owning a Dobsonian will mean that it is imperative to learn and know how to collimate, or re-align, a telescope. Something else that will be imperative to learn in order to use the Dobsonian telescope to its full abilities is how to position the telescope unless, of course, it is computerized. The Dobsonian will require cleaning as well, unlike the refractor telescopes that necessitate almost no cleaning at all.

Computerized Dobsonians are on their own level, able to automatically pinpoint exact objects that the viewer wants to see. The downfall of computerized telescopes is that the person operating must know how to “tell” the telescope where to “look”, and for the beginner or the even slightly skilled star gazer, this could be confusing and frustrating. However, for the advanced or highly skilled astronomer computerized telescopes are almost irreplaceable. On evenings when the sky is clear, a computerized telescope could contribute to hours of non-stop, technologically enhanced sky patrolling.

The smaller Dobsonians are made with the intention to be portable. The lightweight structure of the hollow-tubed Dobsonian contributes to its portability, making it easier to carry.  Since setting the telescope up is a breeze, it can be moved from the upstairs room to the outside for marvelous evening viewing whenever necessary.

 As with all telescopes, the Dobsonian has its unique features as well as its disadvantages. For the beginner astronomer, the Dobsonian is a great investment because of its price and portability. If the willingness to learn more about the telescope and use it to its full capabilities, the Dobsonian can become one of the best purchases ever made. All in all, a Dobsonian telescope performs as a great economical telescope for the star gazer that is desires to further his education in astronomy without crushing their bank account, and should be strongly considered before making an initial purchase.