I thought you might all be interested in the newest scope I'm just about to buy. It's an 8 inch Newtonian on a dobsonian mount, so while it should give some great views of even deep space objects it is still very much a beginner-friendly scope.

The model is the sykwatcher 200, here's a picture:



Can't wait to get my hands on it! It should be here on Friday so I'm hoping for clear nights over the weekend. The weather here is brilliant at the minute so fingers croseed it stays like this.

What are you planning to view with your new telescope? The skies around my home in Puget Sound are not the best for sky viewing, as the light leakage is tremendous (although on the other side of the Cascades is quite good in spots).

Kingfisher

I'm planning on starting by looking at the moon and Jovian planets, then moving onto the Terrestrial planets later on once I've got comfortable with the scope. Once I've used the scope for a while I'll start having a look at some deep space objects, as the scope should easily have the required magnification to view many.

Light pollution could cause a bit of a problem but I will probably take the scope out into the countryside where the effects are less.

Aye, for me the 'countryside' necessitates traveling over mountains! Virtually all the Puget Sound basin has light pollution .

Kingfisher

Would you recommend that scope or one like it for a complete beginner? I'm still looking around the £200 price range.

The idea of looking at deep space objects appeals to me more than the solar system planets, although both sound fun.

For a complete beginner I wouldn't recommend buying a £250 scope, because although it will do everything you want it too, you can never be sure you will enjoy a new hobby the first time you try it.

That being said, if you are 100% sure that you want to buy a scope around the price range, a dobsidian mounted reflecter such as the one I'm getting will do everything you want it to do.

Update: THe company I have ordered from (Warehouse Expresss) who promised next day delivery have delayed the scope indefinitely as they don't have any in stock.