OK, let’s set the bar higher and go bigger. After all it’s for that special someone and you do not want to disappoint.
Once you get through the plethora of beginner telescopes there is a plethora of more advanced telescopes. The sky is literally the limit! I made two lists, one of non-driven, non-computerized intermediate to advanced telescopes and a list of … that’s right. These telescopes exude brawn – they are big and impressive. I’m listing telescopes that come with a tripod and/or mount, and 1- 2 good eyepieces.
I am not including Obsession, Hubble, or the like as they are special order. Most high-end apochromatic (APO) refractor telescopes do not come with a tripod or mount, so I have not included them either.
The telescopes listed here are in stock as of this writing.
Non-motorized and non-computerized.
Explore Scientific (explorescientificusa.com) Hybrid Dobsonian* 10” mirror $650
SkyWatcher (agenaastro.com) Traditional Dobsonian: 8”,10” mirror $655 – $910
SkyWatcher Flextube (compactable for transport) Dobsinian: 8”,10”,12” mirror $755 – $1715
Orion SkyQuest XT Classic Dobsinian (telescope.com) 8”,10” mirror $650 – $930
Orion SkyLine Dobsonian 8”,10″,12” mirror, 2-speed focuser, collimation tool, more $850 – $1500
Many of the above telescopes are available with motor drive and computer as a “Go-to” set up. Be prepared to add about $500-$700, depending on the telescope.
Motorized/computerized telescopes
Celestron NexStar 8SE Schmidt-Cassegrain (SCT) telescope (agenaastro.com):8” $1600
Celestron CPC SCT. 8”,9.25”, 11” $2600-$5100
Celestron EdgeHD SCT. 8”,9.25”,11”,14”: Edge-HD = Flat Field optics $3200-11,000
SkyWatcher Flextube Dobsonian (agenaastro.com) 10”,12”14″,16” mirror $1715 – $4680 Celestron Advanced VX Refractor (astronomics.com) 6” achromat (not APO) $1899
Meade LX85/LX90 ACF SCT (telescope.com): 8”,10”,12”, ACF = Flat Field optics $3000-$4800
Meade LX 200 ACF SCT: 8”,10”,12”,14”, heavy duty, advanced features $4500-$8800
Meade LX 600 ACF SCT: 10”, 12” with StarLock auto guider $6800-$8000
Meade LX 850 ACF SCT: 10”,12”,14” super heavy duty, advanced features, StarLock $10,000-13,000
*Dobsonian mounts are simple-elegant altitude-azimuth mounts for Newtonian type reflecting telescopes.
What’s in the Sky?
November 12-13; 8:30pm; east-northeast: Mars and the Moon share space in the sky
November 14; 6:57pm; south-southwest: Watch the ISS go high and then disappear in Earth’s shadow as it approaches Jupiter.