Reddit reviews Explore Scientific FL-MC1271900EQ3 First Light Tube sutov-Cassegrain Telescope with Exos Nano, 127mm, White

Hello :-)

> mile away

Daytime & terrestrial observing is often limited by atmospheric seeing conditions, which limit the magnification. The air "wobbles" when magnifying higher. Same effect you see above a hot street in the summer, when warm air rises.

 

$100- Usually no serious telescopes in this price range. For day-time, a small refractor, but also a zoom spotting scope can work. To a degree.

• https://www.amazon.com/AW-20-60x60mm-Monocular-Telescope-Waterproof/dp/B01N1V5ZUQ/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1506328441&sr=8-4&keywords=zoom+spotting (random example, check reviews, use with a decent tripod)
  
  
  
• https://www.amazon.com/Celestron-21048CEL-PowerSeeker-80EQ-Telescope/dp/B0007UQNKO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1506328401&sr=8-1&keywords=telescope+80
  
  
   
  
  For $200, you can get some nice entry level telescopes for astronomy. Though usually those are reflectors (largest aperture for your money) and thus not suited well for daytime observing (upside-down image). The 4" refractors in this price range are often relatively simple "shorties", which are nice for wide-field, but not suited to push magnification far beyond 100x.
  
  A Maksutov-type telescope is a very compact type of telescope. It usually has a long focal length, making it easy to reach high magnification with simple eyepieces. The down-side of this system are the small maximum field of view and the longer cool-down time due to it's closed tube. And they are rather expensive compared to reflectors.
  
  
• Celestron c90 The smallest Mak I'd recommend. Very portable. Will work on almost any camera tripod as long as it has enough leeway.
  
  
• 4" Maksutov. Still fairly compact. I use mine on an older but rigid camera tripod. On a $20 tripod it isn't that great.
  
  
   
  
  $300-$400 will usually by a large telescope for astronomy (XT6, AD8). For spotting scope purposes a 5" Maksutov. Great little bucket for planets as well.
  
  
• Bare 5" Mak - Tripod required
  
  
• The 127 SLT is a computerized telescope. Not ideal for terrestrial, though you can use the scope manually with the hand controller. Not push it though, it'll damage the mount. With the small price difference, the mount is nearly a "freebee".
  
  
• Explore Scientific recently released a 5" on EQ mount relatively cheaply. Not many reviews yet. But they do have a good reputation thanks to their other equipment.
  
  A astronomy tripod may cost $100, better $200. Though as said, if you have a sturdy camera tripod, that'll do... At least for the 3 and 4".
  
  
   
  
  Make sure to plan in a little more for another eyepiece or two. Do not get eyepiece sets, despite their good reviews. They rarely contain good eyepieces, and the selected focal lengths don't fit every telescope well.
  
  For day-time spotting scope use, a $50 zoom eyepiece1 2 can be nice, even though they are not ideal for astronomy (small apparent field of view on the lower magnification setting).
  
   
  
  > too much light pollution
  
  Moon and planets can be observed even when there's a lot of light pollution.
  
  
   
  
  Clear skies!