telescopes

[MommaMia]

I'm just wondering if anyone takes a telescope camping.  It seems to me it would be fun thing to do while sitting around a campfire.

What kind of telescope do you use?  How much did you spend on one?

[HersheyGirl]

We have several telescopes, but I don't take them camping.  They are fragil and I don't want to get them banged up.  But what I do take are really good binoculars.  I like them better because of the ease of use and you can see a lot more things easily with them.  With a telescope, it is somewhat difficult to find what you want to look at, but with the binoculars, you can sweep the sky easily and focus on what you want to look at.  Kids can easily use them too. We never leave with out the binoculars.

[Gone-Camping]

I have done it in the past, but no longer use the telescope. We found it was much too difficult to keep them aimed at anything for more than a minute or two.

Now, if I could afford one of the new auto-tracking scopes with computer interface, I'd bring that along and hook it up to the lap top. Unfortunately that is not in the cards at present time. I do carry two pair of binocculars and one Mono-occular in the trailer at ALL times!

[Trlrboy]

One of the guys in our camping club brings his scope and sets it up all the time.  It's a pretty good size and although it doesn't have a mechanized tracking motor it isn't all that hard to keep focused and aligned.  We've clearly seen the rings on Saturn and moons on Jupiter along with various star clusters.  The moon is almost too easy.

[B-flat]

I guess I will have to dust off the telescope that's hiding in the corner.  It's been a long time since I thought about using it but now I will try it again.

[Starryart]

I take my telescope to our nearby SP several times a year. I have Celestron NexStar 8. It has a "go to" system with a motorized drive, so once you align it with the sky it tracks the object you are looking at. The set up cost me about $1600 not counting the extra eypieces and other stuff you end up getting.
   I suggest that if you are a beginner to astronomy that you invest in a good book on the constellations("The Stars" by H.A. Rey, "National Audubon Society Field Guide to the Night Sky", "Peterson's Field Guide to the Stars and Planets") and start with naked-eye astronomy.There is a lot you can see with the unaided eye. Finding the constellations, double stars, and star clusters can be like a continous treasure hunt.. different with each season.
    Later graduate up to binoculars before you purchase a telescope. You absolutely have to be able to find your way around the night sky or you'll be lost and get very frustrated when you can't find things with the telescope.
    Also keep in mind that planets and galaxies in a small telescope do not look like the pictures from the Hubble space telescope or what is printed on the telescope box. They will be much, much smaller, but if you have the right expectations, the sights you see will be wonderful indeed.
    Lastly, DO NOT put your money in those flimsy cheap discount store telescopes. Their weak tripods and inferior lenses will cause major diappointment. Seek advice from any local astronomy club member. I can guarantee that they will jump at the chance to help you out in selecting the right scope for you. And not all are super expensive, but you have to know what to watch out for.
  How do I know this? Well, I have been "into" Astronomy since I was a child and I am the secretary of a local Astronomy club. It is a great hobby and is perfect on camp trips!
Hope this helps...

[MommaMia]

Hope this helps...

Yes, Thank you!  It does help!  All good suggestions.  I am an avid yard saler so I plan to keep my eyes peeled looking for something to pick up at a bargain price, books as well as scopes.  I can recall seeing a couple of telescopes in the past. Fingers crossed!

[abbear]

Binoculars. Binoculars. Binoculars.  Did I mention Binoculars?  Specifically 7x50 binoculars?  A lot cheaper than a telescope (crap at costco and toys r us and such don't really count as telescopes).

Optical devices such as binoculars and telescopes are all about LIGHT GATHERING.  Until you actually figure out if a real telescope is for you (figure $500 on up) get a good set of 7x50 binoculars.  The light gathered by the binoculars is a shade less than the telescope but a heck of a lot more than the naked eye.  In the dark it is light gathering you are after and as a rule 7x50 binos match up best with the human eye.

Binos are also SOOO much more versatile and portable then a telescope.  My 7x50 binos take up 12"x8"x3".  Scope (celestron c8) box 2'x2'x3', tripod and mount 12"x3', optics case 12"x18"x4".

Start with the binos.  I used to sell optics and a lot of folks would tell me about the scopes they bought that just sit and gather dust because they either bought a really cheapo one and the optics were terrible or a really expensive one that was just a hassle to transport and set up.

Now when you can identify most of the constellations with your naked eye and have found moost of the Messier objects with your Binos it might be time to visit the local astronomy club and see what scopes they are using and try them out and get some recommendations.

Clear skies

[Biskit4Camping]

Well, we haven't brought the scope with us YET, 'cuz we just got it in November.  

We purchased an Orion 130mm (5.1 inch) reflector for $229.00 plus shipping ($258.00 total, I think).  Take a look at http://www.telescope.com/shopping/product/detailmain.jsp?itemID=382&itemType=PRODUCT&iMainCat=4&iSubCat=8&iProductID=382 OR //www.telescope.com   For another $99.00, we also bought the Celestron eyepiece accessory kit through Amazon.com.  A coupla books, and now we're in business!

Had it out maybe 15 nights or so.  Even in moderate light pollution, been able to start the Messier list, and so far have made 18 of the 110.

The scope is relatively light, but bulky.  The price was right, and seems like good quality for the money.  Some in our local astronomy club are interested in one like this for a good second scope.

So... SOON, we'll be taking our scope with us.

We have though, also used binoculars.  Easy, transportable fun.

You may also want to poke around //www.cloudynights.com, then chose forums.

Chuck(ie)

[mrflinders]

My kids received a telescope ($200 Costco special - Meade) over a year ago and we have yet to take it out of the box.  It is motorized so that you can align it and punch in a code, and it will aim at the desired object.

We are planning on taking the thing out to the Salton Sea on a 3-day camping trip next month.  After reading these postings, I am not sure it is worth the hassle....
 
I guess since the grandparents went to all the trouble to send it to them, I should at least take it out and try once.
 
Anyone else have experience with this type of telescope that can offer some tips?  I am a true novice.

[abbear]

My kids received a telescope ($200 Costco special - Meade) over a year ago and we have yet to take it out of the box.  It is motorized so that you can align it and punch in a code, and it will aim at the desired object.

We are planning on taking the thing out to the Salton Sea on a 3-day camping trip next month.  After reading these postings, I am not sure it is worth the hassle....
 
I guess since the grandparents went to all the trouble to send it to them, I should at least take it out and try once.
 
Anyone else have experience with this type of telescope that can offer some tips?  I am a true novice.

Try here for local help

http://ocastronomers.org/

Call them up and I'll bet someone would be happy to help you out.  Note they also have an observing site at Anza which isn't all that far from the Salton Sea.

[a1coolmom]

Hubby and I combine our favorite things by camping with a telescope. He is an avid astronomer so the telescope generally goes with us on all trips. Many times he has gotten special permission from the park rangers to set up in a ball field or picnic area after hours to avoid the light pollution. We try to find a site close enough that he doesn't have to lug itall too far. Since I am not into looking through a small eyepiece at white dots in the sky I stay back at the PU with a good book, or a video.The new event is "Star Parties" These are sponsored by astronomy clubs and entails many people setting up all forms of telescopes for mutiple nights of viewing the night sky. Since light is major "no-no" it makes it more difficult for those of us who don't want to do the telescope thing but I have made black-out panels for the windows of the PU and installed red lightbulbs and that allows me the opportunity to be with him and still be able to do my thing while he does his. The Black Forest Star Party is the largest one we've attended so far at Cherry Springs State Park in PA. We made new friends and had a great time. You don't even need a telescope, the astronomers love to share their scopes and their knowledge with everyone.
Clear Dark Skies and Great Camping to All!