Things to note when buying a telescope

[Jingguo]

Hi Guys i'm Jingguo. I just like to ask all the experience astronomer who had experience in buying scope for tips and things to take note when buying a scope. Ex- What happen if the scope is faulty? can we can an exchange? 2) Will i can a receipt when i purchase a scope?? 3) How long is each telescope guarantee last?? Thanks alot

[gwenyi]

When buying a telescope, you have to do your homework. That is, finding out what you intend to use the scope for(eg. planetary or deep sky). It will be good to learn up the skies before making a purchase as it is a huge investment. Thus, it would be good to understand the pros and cons of different scopes before making the final decision.

On the other hand, you might want to join some of us for observation sessions and pick up some tips on observing, handling telescopes and trips to other places for quality observation.

When the scope is faulty, it possible to send back to the manufacturer for repairs, provided that the warranty hasn't been voided.(parts of the scope haven't been tampered with). However, since different vendors have different policies, it would be good to clarify all your doubts on shipping and warranty.

Definitely there will be a receipt to validate your transaction with the vendor. It will be used to prove your purchase and hence enable your scope to be covered with warranty. If it isn't given during the end of the transaction, request for it as it is important and can prove to be useful in the future.

The length of telescope warranty ranges from different brands of telescopes. Some that i know of, only cover the warranty of their scopes for a year, whereas some can be up to 5 or 10 years. Ultimately, it really depends on who you are dealing with and how good the after-sales service is.

Hopefully this clarifies the doubts.

cheers,
wenyi

[weixing]

Hi,
You shouldn't need to worry much if you buy from local vendors. I think most scope have at least 1 year limited warrenty.

If you buy from oversea, then there are certain risk that you have to take for the lower price.

I would recommend you to get it from local and save all the trouble.

Have a nice day.

[harlequin2902]

Hi Guys i'm Jingguo. I just like to ask all the experience astronomer who had experience in buying scope for tips and things to take note when buying a scope. Ex- What happen if the scope is faulty? can we can an exchange? 2) Will i can a receipt when i purchase a scope?? 3) How long is each telescope guarantee last?? Thanks alot

(1)

The one (sad) thing you have to understand about how this industry works is that shipping is never refundable nor covered (there are exceptions, but these are extremely rare). If the scope arrives faulty, yes, the dealer will have to change a new one for you, but you will have to bear the shipping costs of sending the faulty one back, as well as pay for the new shipping costs to send a replacement to you. The same applies to warranty relared repairs.

(2)

Most of the known dealers in US and Canada do issue receipts with each purchase. You can also remind them by e-mail when you make your order just to make sure.

(3)

The minimum warranty for telescopes in this industry is 1 year. Some manufacturers are more generous and offer 2 years, and a few of the big name manufacturers offer up to 5. Some dealers are also known to offer warranty extensions (you have to pay for it).

If you are buying from overseas, just go to those dealers whom most of us here are familiar and have experience with.

[luke5v8]

When buying a telescope, you have to do your homework. That is, finding out what you intend to use the scope for(eg. planetary or deep sky).

Would like to start asking 3 basic questions & hope u folks can give some pointers:

1. Isn't it better buying a scope for viewing deep sky :?: After all, it can still be use for viewing planetary, rite :?: :?:

2. Wat are some of the recommended scopes (with mid-range price) for viewing deep sky objects :?: :?: :?:

3. If for people like me (Ahem..) the cost of a new scope is out of reach & shipping cost not included (i.e. purchased overseas), is it better to purchase 2nd hand from somebody trustful , eg members in Singastro :?: :?: :?: :?:

I've been reading those articles recommended, but maybe my mind is abit slow, I still easilyget confused. So I hope by me asking few simple questions here & there, I may slowy get a better pic.

Thks for your patience

[schild=12 fontcolor=8B0000 shadowcolor=FFA500 shieldshadow=1]Vincent[/schild]

[MooEy]

people who like seeing planets, spliting double stars will prefer a small and sharp 4" apochromatic refractor. dso lovers find themselves happier with big light buckles, prolly in the 8" range and bigger.

~MooEy~

[gwenyi]

When buying a telescope, you have to do your homework. That is, finding out what you intend to use the scope for(eg. planetary or deep sky).

Would like to start asking 3 basic questions & hope u folks can give some pointers:

1. Isn't it better buying a scope for viewing deep sky :?: After all, it can still be use for viewing planetary, rite :?: :?:

2. Wat are some of the recommended scopes (with mid-range price) for viewing deep sky objects :?: :?: :?:

3. If for people like me (Ahem..) the cost of a new scope is out of reach & shipping cost not included (i.e. purchased overseas), is it better to purchase 2nd hand from somebody trustful , eg members in Singastro :?: :?: :?: :?:

I've been reading those articles recommended, but maybe my mind is abit slow, I still easilyget confused. So I hope by me asking few simple questions here & there, I may slowy get a better pic.

Thks for your patience

[schild=12 fontcolor=8B0000 shadowcolor=FFA500 shieldshadow=1]Vincent[/schild]

I've found an article dated back last year and i'm sure it will prove useful in clarifying your doubts about telescopes.


Telescope basics part 1 : http://www.singastro.org/viewtopic.php? ... ope+basics


Telescope basics part 2 : http://www.singastro.org/viewtopic.php? ... ope+basics

cheers,
wenyi

[harlequin2902]

2. Wat are some of the recommended scopes (with mid-range price) for viewing deep sky objects

3. If for people like me (Ahem..) the cost of a new scope is out of reach & shipping cost not included (i.e. purchased overseas), is it better to purchase 2nd hand from somebody trustful , eg members in Singastro

I've been reading those articles recommended, but maybe my mind is abit slow, I still easilyget confused. So I hope by me asking few simple questions here & there, I may slowy get a better pic.

Thks for your patience

Hi Vincent,

(Hm, the 3rd Vincent in the forums already ? )

I 'm not able to go into the specific details due to 'vendor' status, but as a general guide, 6" Newtonians or 5" Maksutov Cassegrains will be a good scope to start with if you want to be able to go deep. Complete packages for either will top at ~ S$1350.00, depending on the overall contents of the package and especially the type of mounting you choose. If the price is out of reach, you can also consider a basic 4" wide field (short tube) Refractor too. Prices for these are usually less than S$1000 for a complete setup with a basic up-down-left-right (alt-az) mount.

The Buy & Sell section in Singastro is a good place to shop for used items. Best of all, you can visit the seller's place (especially for scopes)and see everything for yourself before making any commitment. Since the establishment of this forum, I think we have already seen quite a number of telescope changing hands via the Buy & Sell section. That's very good to know

[carlogambino]

When buying a telescope, you have to do your homework. That is, finding out what you intend to use the scope for(eg. planetary or deep sky).

Would like to start asking 3 basic questions & hope u folks can give some pointers:

1. Isn't it better buying a scope for viewing deep sky :?: After all, it can still be use for viewing planetary, rite :?: :?:

2. Wat are some of the recommended scopes (with mid-range price) for viewing deep sky objects :?: :?: :?:

3. If for people like me (Ahem..) the cost of a new scope is out of reach & shipping cost not included (i.e. purchased overseas), is it better to purchase 2nd hand from somebody trustful , eg members in Singastro :?: :?: :?: :?:

I've been reading those articles recommended, but maybe my mind is abit slow, I still easilyget confused. So I hope by me asking few simple questions here & there, I may slowy get a better pic.

Thks for your patience

[schild=12 fontcolor=8B0000 shadowcolor=FFA500 shieldshadow=1]Vincent[/schild]

1.Not really. If you really love dsos, i suggest getting a wide field(fast) scope. Personally, I'm a planetary and "splitting binaries" guy. Slow scopes dont do as well in dsos. Otherwise, follow what harlequin says.

2.a 6" f/5 newtonian will get you what you want(all round)

3.yes.

[ariefm71]

2. Wat are some of the recommended scopes (with mid-range price) for viewing deep sky objects

see here: http://www.singastro.org/viewtopic.php?t=1127
Aperture rules!