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expiredeheiny posted Nov 24, 2023 06:30 AM
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expiredeheiny posted Nov 24, 2023 06:30 AM

Explore FirstLight 80mm CF Telescope Go-To Tracker Combo with Solar Filter

+ Free Shipping

$370

$700

47% off
Explore Scientific
73 Comments 47,342 Views
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Deal Details
Explore Scientific has select Telescopes on sale. Shipping is free.

Thanks to Community Member eheiny for posting this deal.

Available:

Editor's Notes

Written by StrawMan86 | Staff
No Longer Available:

Original Post

Written by eheiny
Community Notes
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Deal Details
Community Notes
About the Poster
Explore Scientific has select Telescopes on sale. Shipping is free.

Thanks to Community Member eheiny for posting this deal.

Available:

Editor's Notes

Written by StrawMan86 | Staff
No Longer Available:

Original Post

Written by eheiny

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Top Comments

firelikeiya
4686 Posts
651 Reputation
I had a co-worker who use to build custom telescopes on the side. He would hand grind the lenses and everything. Built custom software for tracking etc etc etc. super super nice guy and unless he told you about his hobbies you would never know how brilliant he was because he was so humble. He told me the bare minimum telescope I should ever buy is a 10" dobsonian for my kids. He did mention that they are large but you cannot beat the deals coming out of China for them and they will provide a real experience with a telescope. He said anything smaller is just a toy and not worth it. Of course, this was before COVID and these things were $350 any day of the week on Amazon. I've been looking for one ever since. My coworker is long retired now. Should I get something that has tracking or can I still get a good experience with a manual scope?
slimwantsfat
1256 Posts
161 Reputation
63lb for those who want to know if it is portable.
TheDealSpiel
520 Posts
104 Reputation
Anyone who buys this should also grab a copy of Turn Left at Orion to help you learn how to use a telescope and navigate the sky's and what to look at.

Turn Left At Orion: Hundreds of Night Sky Objects to See in a Home Telescope - and How to Find Them https://a.co/d/f4aHhNT

73 Comments

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Nov 24, 2023 04:40 PM
1,256 Posts
Joined Dec 2006
slimwantsfatNov 24, 2023 04:40 PM
1,256 Posts

Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank slimwantsfat

63lb for those who want to know if it is portable.
2
Nov 24, 2023 04:53 PM
1,586 Posts
Joined Nov 2004
AgentDCooperNov 24, 2023 04:53 PM
1,586 Posts
Is this a good scope for beginners?
Nov 24, 2023 05:03 PM
1,415 Posts
Joined Aug 2011
luvbooxNov 24, 2023 05:03 PM
1,415 Posts
Yes, great beginner scope if someone is willing to read up on it (or watch videos).
Nov 24, 2023 05:46 PM
666 Posts
Joined Jan 2009
sheygetsNov 24, 2023 05:46 PM
666 Posts
While I agree it's a good scope, for the moon and solar system. without motorization you are limited to what you can see, as deep objects leave your field of view rather quickly. Learned that on my 3"Reflector from when I was a kid.
4
Nov 24, 2023 05:47 PM
118 Posts
Joined Jun 2020
CrimsonShape6121Nov 24, 2023 05:47 PM
118 Posts
How likely is it that this is the best beginner friendly Dob deal for the season? Trying to decide if I should buy now or if I have more time.
1
Nov 24, 2023 07:37 PM
4,686 Posts
Joined Mar 2010
firelikeiyaNov 24, 2023 07:37 PM
4,686 Posts

Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank firelikeiya

I had a co-worker who use to build custom telescopes on the side. He would hand grind the lenses and everything. Built custom software for tracking etc etc etc. super super nice guy and unless he told you about his hobbies you would never know how brilliant he was because he was so humble. He told me the bare minimum telescope I should ever buy is a 10" dobsonian for my kids. He did mention that they are large but you cannot beat the deals coming out of China for them and they will provide a real experience with a telescope. He said anything smaller is just a toy and not worth it. Of course, this was before COVID and these things were $350 any day of the week on Amazon. I've been looking for one ever since. My coworker is long retired now. Should I get something that has tracking or can I still get a good experience with a manual scope?
Last edited by firelikeiya November 24, 2023 at 11:49 AM.
2
4
Nov 24, 2023 08:57 PM
177 Posts
Joined Dec 2015
lebodanoNov 24, 2023 08:57 PM
177 Posts
Even though it's unnecessary, the only thing stopping me from upgrading from my apertura AD8 is this does not have a dual speed focuser. I can't live without it now. Regardless, this is a great scope for beginners.
1

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Nov 24, 2023 08:59 PM
177 Posts
Joined Dec 2015
lebodanoNov 24, 2023 08:59 PM
177 Posts

Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank lebodano

Quote from firelikeiya :
I had a co-worker who use to build custom telescopes on the side. He would hand grind the lenses and everything. Built custom software for tracking etc etc etc. super super nice guy and unless he told you about his hobbies you would never know how brilliant he was because he was so humble. He told me the bare minimum telescope I should ever buy is a 10" dobsonian for my kids. He did mention that they are large but you cannot beat the deals coming out of China for them and they will provide a real experience with a telescope. He said anything smaller is just a toy and not worth it. Of course, this was before COVID and these things were $350 any day of the week on Amazon. I've been looking for one ever since. My coworker is long retired now. Should I get something that has tracking or can I still get a good experience with a manual scope?
You'd pay near 1,000 for that. I ended up buying an extra $5 phone case, cutting it in half (for ease of putting my phone in and out), mounted it on my scope and then just use an app called astrohopper for free. I'd recommend that unless money is no issue that is.
1
Nov 24, 2023 10:49 PM
35 Posts
Joined Jul 2020
CoralActivity145Nov 24, 2023 10:49 PM
35 Posts
Quote from firelikeiya :
I had a co-worker who use to build custom telescopes on the side. He would hand grind the lenses and everything. Built custom software for tracking etc etc etc. super super nice guy and unless he told you about his hobbies you would never know how brilliant he was because he was so humble. He told me the bare minimum telescope I should ever buy is a 10" dobsonian for my kids. He did mention that they are large but you cannot beat the deals coming out of China for them and they will provide a real experience with a telescope. He said anything smaller is just a toy and not worth it. Of course, this was before COVID and these things were $350 any day of the week on Amazon. I've been looking for one ever since. My coworker is long retired now. Should I get something that has tracking or can I still get a good experience with a manual scope?
So you're saying this is ok, not a toy?
1
Nov 24, 2023 10:51 PM
177 Posts
Joined Dec 2015
lebodanoNov 24, 2023 10:51 PM
177 Posts
Quote from CrimsonShape6121 :
How likely is it that this is the best beginner friendly Dob deal for the season? Trying to decide if I should buy now or if I have more time.
great beginner scope. The only one I'd recommend above it is an Apertura AD8/AD10 but you'd pay way more for it
Nov 24, 2023 10:52 PM
177 Posts
Joined Dec 2015
lebodanoNov 24, 2023 10:52 PM
177 Posts
Quote from CoralActivity145 :
So you're saying this is ok, not a toy?
If you're in the market for a quality scope for a beginner, get the dobsonian (not the truss version), you won't be disappointed
Nov 24, 2023 10:54 PM
520 Posts
Joined Nov 2017
TheDealSpielNov 24, 2023 10:54 PM
520 Posts
Quote from sheygets :
While I agree it's a good scope, for the moon and solar system. without motorization you are limited to what you can see, as deep objects leave your field of view rather quickly. Learned that on my 3"Reflector from when I was a kid.
This is not true at all. A Dobsonian can give you a wide field of view with a 2" lens. Even with the included 1.25" you learn how to track any object with a Dobsonian, it's half the fun and reason to buy this type of scope. At some point you'll be able to track satellites at high speed with no issue.
Nov 24, 2023 10:59 PM
520 Posts
Joined Nov 2017
TheDealSpielNov 24, 2023 10:59 PM
520 Posts

Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank TheDealSpiel

Anyone who buys this should also grab a copy of Turn Left at Orion to help you learn how to use a telescope and navigate the sky's and what to look at.

Turn Left At Orion: Hundreds of Night Sky Objects to See in a Home Telescope - and How to Find Them https://a.co/d/f4aHhNT
1
Nov 25, 2023 12:42 AM
3 Posts
Joined May 2023
FairAlpaca906Nov 25, 2023 12:42 AM
3 Posts
This is a decent aperture for a beginner scope, but to really appreciate deep sky objects in a dark sky you need to get a 14 inch scope or larger. This is a great brand, however, and much better than three to four inch refractors.
3

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Nov 25, 2023 03:11 AM
124 Posts
Joined Dec 2006
4qq8aNov 25, 2023 03:11 AM
124 Posts
That is a great price for a 10" truss and I'm sad I missed it, even though I don't need more telescopes

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